Best A.I. Image Upscaler? Top 7 Software Compared!

PiXimperfect
16 Dec 201922:30

TLDRThe video script discusses the process of upscaling low-resolution images using various platforms and software. The host tests seven common image upscaling tools, comparing their effectiveness and ranking them based on the quality of the results. The platforms evaluated include Image Larger, Let's Enhance, Big JPEG, Deep Image AI, Image Upscale, Gigapixel AI, and Photoshop's built-in upscaling. The host concludes that Image Larger provides the best results, while Gigapixel AI is disqualified due to artifacts in the upscaled images.

Takeaways

  • 🌟 The smallest unit of a digital image is the pixel, and increasing image resolution involves upscaling or guessing missing pixels.
  • 🔍 Image upscaling technologies use various methods, from simple averaging to complex AI and machine learning algorithms.
  • 🎨 The video compares seven popular image upscaling platforms, each with its unique features and pricing models.
  • 🖼️ Photoshop's built-in upscaling feature, 'Preserve Details 2.0', is among the tested tools and provides a solid result.
  • 🏆 Image Larger is ranked first for its quality and detail preservation, despite a premium price.
  • 🥈 Let's Enhance is placed second, offering a softer look but losing some fine details in the process.
  • 📈 Big JPEG is noted for its higher resolution limit and 10 MB file size limit, but its results are not as good as Image Larger.
  • 🤖 Deep Image AI is the only free platform tested and provides decent results without the need for registration.
  • 💻 Gigapixel AI, from Topaz Labs, is a costly software option that unfortunately introduces artifacts in the upscaled images, leading to its disqualification.
  • 🎁 The video also mentions a manual professional retouching service, which is available at a cost and tailored to individual images.
  • 🔄 The importance of comparing before and after images is emphasized to evaluate the effectiveness of each upscaling platform.

Q & A

  • What is the smallest unit of a digital image?

    -The smallest unit of a digital image is a pixel.

  • How does image upscaling work according to the script?

    -Image upscaling works by guessing and filling in the missing pixels to increase the resolution of an image. This process can be simple, like averaging nearby pixels, or complex, involving hard math and technologies like AI and machine learning.

  • What are the top 7 most common image upscaling platforms mentioned in the script?

    -The script does not explicitly list all 7 platforms by name, but it mentions Image Larger, Let's Enhance, Big JPEG, Deep Image AI, Image Upcaler, and Photoshop as some of the platforms used for upscaling images.

  • What is the main factor that determines the quality of upscaling according to the video?

    -The main factor that determines the quality of upscaling is the ability of the platform or technology to effectively fill in the missing pixels without introducing artifacts or losing important details.

  • What was the ranking of the image upscaling platforms tested in the script?

    -The ranking from best to worst according to the script is: Image Larger, Let's Enhance, Image Upcaler, Photoshop's built-in upscaling, Deep Image AI, Big JPEG, and Gigapixel AI (disqualified due to creating anomalies).

  • What limitations did the script mention about Image Larger dot-com?

    -Image Larger dot-com has an upload limit of 1200 by 1200 pixels or less and file limits less than 5 megabytes.

  • What is the main advantage of using Photoshop for image upscaling according to the script?

    -The main advantage of using Photoshop for image upscaling, as mentioned in the script, is the ability to use it offline without needing an internet connection, and the use of the 'Preserve Details 2.0' technology for upscaling.

  • What issue did the script highlight with Gigapixel AI?

    -The script highlighted that Gigapixel AI introduced horizontal lines and artifacts in the upscaled images, which the speaker found unacceptable given the cost of the software.

  • How much did the speaker spend on Gigapixel AI software?

    -The speaker spent $75 on the Gigapixel AI software.

  • What is the main takeaway from the script regarding the selection of an image upscaling platform?

    -The main takeaway is that the selection of an image upscaling platform should be based on the quality of results it produces, its ease of use, and the value it offers for its price, whether it's a free service with limitations or a paid software with potential one-time or recurring costs.

Outlines

00:00

🖼️ Introduction to Image Upscaling

The paragraph introduces the concept of image upscaling, explaining that it involves increasing the resolution of a digital image by guessing the missing pixels. It sets the stage for a comparison of different image upscaling platforms, starting with a simple example of a 5-pixel image and discussing how more complex approaches use AI and machine learning to fill in the gaps. The goal is to evaluate and rank the top 7 most common image upscaling tools based on their performance with a low-resolution portrait.

05:00

🔎 Evaluation of Image Upscaling Platforms

This paragraph delves into the evaluation process of seven different image upscaling platforms. It begins by discussing the limitations and pricing of the first platform, Image Larger, and its effectiveness in upscaling a portrait. The paragraph then moves on to compare the results with another platform, Let's Enhance, highlighting the differences in quality and the trade-offs between free and premium plans. The discussion touches on the importance of pricing transparency and ethical business practices in the context of these services.

10:00

📈 Comparative Analysis and Rankings

The paragraph presents a comparative analysis of the image upscaling platforms, ranking them based on their performance. It discusses the results from Big JPEG and Deep Image AI, comparing their processing times and the quality of the upscaled images. The paragraph emphasizes the importance of detail preservation and artifact reduction in the upscaling process. It also mentions the completely free nature of Deep Image AI, contrasting it with other platforms that require payment or have usage limits.

15:01

💸 Investment in Gigapixel AI and Photoshop Comparison

This paragraph discusses the investment made in purchasing the Gigapixel AI software for the purpose of the comparison, despite its high cost. It expresses disappointment with the results obtained from Gigapixel AI due to the presence of artifacts and horizontal lines in the upscaled images. The paragraph then contrasts the performance of Gigapixel AI with Photoshop's built-in upscaling feature, highlighting the benefits of using Photoshop for its texture and simplicity, and ranking it accordingly.

20:01

🏆 Final Rankings and Conclusion

The paragraph concludes the video script by presenting the final rankings of the image upscaling platforms. It summarizes the findings, with Image Lajja producing the best results, followed by Let's Enhance, Image Upscale, Photoshop's built-in upscaling, Deep Image AI, Big JPEG, and Gigapixel AI being disqualified due to its performance on the system used. The paragraph ends by thanking the viewers for their support and encouraging them to engage with the content by liking, subscribing, and supporting the channel on Patreon.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Digital Image

A digital image is a representation of visual information in a digital form, typically composed of pixels that together create the image. In the context of the video, the smallest unit of a digital image is the pixel, and the resolution of an image is determined by the number of pixels it contains. The video discusses upscaling low-resolution images to increase their pixel count and improve their detail.

💡Resolution

Resolution refers to the quality or detail of an image, often measured by the number of pixels along its width and height. Higher resolution images have more pixels and thus can display more detail. The video script talks about increasing the resolution of a digital image by using various image upscaling platforms and techniques.

💡Upscaling

Upscaling is the process of increasing the resolution of an image or video, typically by adding pixels to achieve a larger size without losing quality. In the video, upscaling is the main focus as the speaker tests different platforms to enhance the resolution of a low-resolution portrait.

💡AI (Artificial Intelligence)

Artificial Intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines that are programmed to think and learn like humans. In the context of the video, AI is used to describe some of the technologies that guess and fill in the missing pixels during the upscaling process, aiming to improve image quality.

💡Machine Learning

Machine learning is a subset of AI that involves the development of algorithms that allow computers to learn from and make decisions based on data. In the video, machine learning is likely used by the upscaling platforms to analyze patterns in the existing pixels and intelligently fill in the missing ones to enhance the image.

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a popular image editing software developed by Adobe Inc. that allows users to manipulate and edit digital images. In the video, Photoshop is used as a platform to compare the results of upscaling with other platforms and to discuss its built-in upscaling capabilities.

💡Image Larger

Image Larger is one of the image upscaling platforms mentioned in the video. It is described as a straightforward website that offers both online and software-based solutions for increasing image resolution. The platform is used in the video to process a low-resolution image and is compared with other upscaling services.

💡Let's Enhance

Let's Enhance is another image upscaling platform discussed in the video. It requires users to create an account and provides options for different types of images and enhancement settings. The platform is evaluated based on its ability to upscale images while maintaining quality.

💡Big JPEG

Big JPEG is an image upscaling platform that offers a higher resolution limit compared to others. It allows users to upscale images with a resolution up to 3000 by 3000 pixels and a file size limit of 10 MB. The platform is evaluated for its processing time and the quality of the upscaled images.

💡Deep Image AI

Deep Image AI is an image upscaling platform that is noted for being completely free to use, with no limitations on the number of images that can be uploaded. It provides a simple interface for users to upscale images and includes a feature to remove artifacts.

💡Gigapixel AI

Gigapixel AI is a high-end image upscaling software developed by Topaz Labs. It is a one-time purchase that offers advanced upscaling features, including face refinement and artifact reduction. However, the video expresses disappointment with the results, noting the presence of unwanted lines and artifacts in the upscaled images.

Highlights

The smallest unit of a digital image is pixels.

A 24-megapixel camera creates images composed of 24 million pixels.

Image upscaling technologies essentially guess and fill in missing pixels.

Photoshop is among the platforms being tested for image upscaling.

Image Larger is a straightforward website for image upscaling with limitations on upload size.

Let's Enhance offers additional options such as texture addition and color improvement.

Big JPEG has a higher resolution limit and no noise reduction option.

Deep Image AI is the only free platform tested and does not require registration.

Image Upscaler has an old-school interface but delivers decent results.

Gigapixel AI is a high-priced software that unfortunately introduced artifacts in the upscaled images.

Photoshop's built-in upscaling uses the Preserve Details 2.0 technology.

The ranking of the image upscaling platforms is based on personal experience and may vary from user to user.

The final ranking is Image Larger first, Let's Enhance second, Image Upscaler third, Photoshop's built-in upscaling fourth, Deep Image AI fifth, Big JPEG sixth, and Gigapixel AI disqualified.

The video does not endorse any particular software as it is based on a personal experience and unbiased comparison.

The importance of transparency in pricing is emphasized, with a preference for upfront cost disclosure.

The process of upscaling involves a comparison of the original and the upscaled image for quality and detail preservation.

The video provides a detailed walkthrough of each platform's interface and functionality.

The results of image upscaling can be significantly affected by the technology and algorithms used by different platforms.