We Remastered My First Video in 4K!

Linus Tech Tips
17 Mar 202212:43

TLDRIn this video, Linus Sebastian from Linus Tech Tips explores the process of upscaling old videos to 4K resolution using machine learning-assisted software by Topaz. Starting with his own first YouTube video, which was originally in 240P, Linus discusses the challenges of upscaling such low-resolution footage, including the limitations of basic upscaling techniques and the issues with interlaced footage. The video also demonstrates the use of Video Enhance AI software to upscale a 720P video to 4K, highlighting the impressive results and the impact of motion on the quality of the upscaled video. Linus emphasizes the importance of hardware capabilities in rendering times and the potential of this technology for restoring and enhancing old video content, while also noting its limitations and the need for further refinement.

Takeaways

  • 📚 Upscaling is a common technique used to enhance the quality of various media, including old or degraded videos.
  • 🔍 Basic upscaling techniques involve multiplying each pixel to match a new resolution, but more advanced methods are needed for better results.
  • 🤖 Topaz's machine learning-assisted upscaling software was used to restore the video of Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' in 4K 60 FPS.
  • 💻 The process of upscaling a video is complex, involving the creation of millions of pixels that weren't originally there, especially for high resolutions like 4K.
  • 🚀 Upscaling from 240P to 4K involves a significant increase in file size, from megabytes to gigabytes.
  • 🎨 The original video's quality, such as its resolution and interlacing, greatly affects the upscaling outcome.
  • 📈 Higher resolution footage, like 720P, yields better results with upscaling software like Video Enhance AI.
  • 🔧 The MSI Creator Z16P laptop, with its powerful hardware, was instrumental in rendering the upscaled video quickly.
  • 🔥 VEAI's Chronos feature uses machine learning to create intermediate frames, reducing motion jitter and pixel occlusion issues.
  • 📉 Not all footage is suitable for upscaling; factors like the original resolution and interlacing must be considered.
  • 👍 The upscaling process, despite its imperfections, can significantly improve the viewing experience of old videos.

Q & A

  • What is the purpose of upscaling technology?

    -Upscaling technology is used to enhance the quality of various types of media, including photos, games, and videos. A common use is the restoration of old or degraded videos.

  • How does basic upscaling techniques work?

    -Basic upscaling techniques work by sampling each pixel and then multiplying it to match the desired new resolution.

  • What is the role of machine learning in upscaling software?

    -Machine learning assists in upscaling software by predicting the best intermediate frame between existing ones, using extensive training on millions of frames to alleviate pixel occlusion issues.

  • What challenges are faced when upscaling a 240P video?

    -Upscaling a 240P video is challenging due to the low resolution and limited pixel count. For instance, capturing the expressions of the human eye with only about 20 pixels per eye is very difficult.

  • How does interlaced footage differ from progressive scan footage?

    -Interlaced footage increases the perceived frame rate and resolution by drawing half of the picture first with a series of lines, then filling in the gaps with a second series of lines. Progressive scan, on the other hand, refreshes the entire image with each cycle.

  • What is the impact of using a high-resolution source for upscaling?

    -Using a high-resolution source like 720P allows for better results in upscaling as there are more pixels to work with and less need to generate millions of pixels that weren't there before.

  • What hardware is recommended for efficient upscaling?

    -High-end hardware with powerful GPUs, such as the MSI Creator Z16P laptop with a 3070 TI or an RTX 3080 TI, is recommended for efficient upscaling as it can handle the heavy workload and render faster.

  • How does VEAI (Video Enhance AI) software work in upscaling?

    -VEAI software uses machine learning to upscale video footage. It can handle different modes and features, allowing users to run it multiple times to achieve the desired result. It also offers a quick render preview.

  • What are the storage considerations when upscaling videos?

    -Upscaling significantly increases file size, so having a machine with larger storage capacity is recommended, especially when dealing with high-resolution and high frame rate conversions.

  • How does the VEAI Chronos option improve frame rate conversion?

    -VEAI Chronos uses advanced machine learning to predict the best intermediate frame between existing frames, reducing motion jitter and pixel occlusion issues compared to traditional frame blending methods.

  • What are some limitations of upscaling technology?

    -Upscaling technology may not handle motion very well, especially when both the camera and the subject are moving. It can also struggle with textures and patterns, sometimes losing detail or creating artifacts.

  • What advice is given for those looking to upscale old footage?

    -It's suggested to consider the specific use case and possibly start with frame rate conversion or de-noising without upscaling, especially if dealing with very low resolution or interlaced footage.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to Video Upscaling and Restoration

The first paragraph introduces the concept of video upscaling, which is used to enhance the quality of various media, with a focus on restoring old or degraded videos. It explains basic upscaling techniques and how they are insufficient for achieving high-quality results like the 4K 60 FPS remaster of Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up'. The host, Linus Sebastian, mentions reaching out to Topaz, creators of machine learning-assisted upscaling software, to understand the process behind enhancing a 720P 30 FPS video. Linus also discusses his attempt to restore his first YouTube video using the software on an MSI Creator Z16P laptop, highlighting the challenges and results of upscaling, especially when dealing with a large increase in file size and the creation of millions of new pixels.

05:03

📚 Understanding Video Resolution and Interlacing

The second paragraph delves into the technical aspects of video resolution and the difference between interlaced (I) and progressive scan (P). It discusses the limitations of the Handycam used by young Linus and how it couldn't provide the desired results. The paragraph then transitions to a higher resolution example, the firetruck video, which is available in 720P. Linus shares his experience with Video Enhance AI, noting its capabilities and the hardware requirements for faster rendering. The narrative also touches on the importance of the laptop's cooling system when handling heavy workloads and the various settings and modes available in VEAI for achieving the desired outcome. It concludes with a discussion on storage considerations when upscaling videos due to the significant increase in file size.

10:06

📹 Upscaling Results and Hardware Impact

The third paragraph focuses on the results of upscaling the firetruck video and the impact of camera motion on the quality of the upscaled video. It describes how the fixed camera position significantly improves the upscaling outcome and how the handling of motion is a challenge when both the camera and the subject are moving. The paragraph also discusses the limitations and imperfections observed in the upscaling process, such as issues with textures and pixel occlusions. Linus emphasizes that upscaling low-resolution footage might not always be the best option and suggests considering frame rate conversion or de-noising as alternatives. The paragraph concludes with a thank you to the sponsor, MSI, for providing the Z16P laptop used in the project, and an invitation to viewers to share their own upscaling experiences and attempts at upscaling the Sunbeam Tuniq Tower video.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Upscaling

Upscaling is the process of enhancing the resolution of a digital image or video. In the context of the video, upscaling is used to restore old or degraded videos by increasing their pixel count to match a higher resolution, such as 4K. The video discusses the use of upscaling to improve the quality of the host's first YouTube video, which was originally recorded at a much lower resolution.

💡Machine Learning Assisted Upscaling Software

This refers to software that uses machine learning algorithms to assist in the upscaling process. The software mentioned in the video, Topaz, is an example of this type of technology. It helps in predicting and generating additional pixels to enhance the resolution of the video, making it appear sharper and clearer.

💡Interlaced Video

Interlaced video is a technique where video frames are drawn in two fields, one containing the even lines and the other the odd lines, to create the complete image. This was used to increase the perceived frame rate and resolution of older footage. The video explains that the original footage was interlaced, which posed a challenge for upscaling.

💡Progressive Scan

Progressive scan is a method of displaying, storing, or transmitting moving images in which all the lines of each frame are drawn in sequence. It is contrasted with interlaced video in the video, where the host explains that progressive scan refreshes the entire image with each cycle, providing a smoother and more modern viewing experience.

💡VEAI (Video Enhance AI)

VEAI stands for Video Enhance AI, which is a software that uses AI to upscale and enhance video quality. The video demonstrates its use in upscaling a 720P video to 4K resolution. VEAI is capable of handling low-resolution footage and can produce significant improvements in video quality.

💡Chronos Options

Chronos options are features within the VEAI software that deal with frame rate conversion, creating new frames to increase the smoothness of motion in a video. The video discusses using the Chronos V3 option to convert 30 FPS footage to 60 FPS by generating new frames through machine learning, which helps to reduce motion jitter.

💡Aliasing

Aliasing is a visual artifact that occurs when a higher resolution image is displayed at a lower resolution, causing jagged or 'stair-step' edges on straight lines. In the video, the host comments on how the upscaling process has reduced aliasing on the lines of his shirt, resulting in a smoother appearance.

💡File Compression

File compression is the process of reducing the size of a file by encoding it in a more efficient representation. The video humorously contrasts upscaling, which increases file size, with file compression, which aims to make files smaller. The host jokes about the opposite effect of upscaling, making files 2000 times larger.

💡Vapor Chamber Cooler

A vapor chamber cooler is a type of heat dissipation technology used in high-performance laptops and computers. The video mentions this technology in the context of the MSI Creator Z16P laptop, which was used for the upscaling project and kept the components cool during the heavy workload.

💡DVHS Player

A DVHS player is a device that can play both Digital Video and Hi8 (a type of analog video) cassette tapes. The video hints at a future video about a DVHS player, suggesting that it will be a topic of interest for those looking to restore or convert older video formats.

💡Frame Rate Conversion

Frame rate conversion is the process of changing the number of frames that are displayed per second in a video. The video discusses using VEAI to not only upscale the resolution of the video but also to increase its frame rate from 30 FPS to 60 FPS, which can make motion appear smoother and more lifelike.

Highlights

The video discusses the process of upscaling old or degraded videos to 4K resolution using machine learning assisted software.

Upscaling techniques involve multiplying each pixel to match the desired new resolution.

The 4K 60 FPS remastered upload of Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up' demonstrates the potential of advanced upscaling.

Topaz, the creators of the upscaling software, were consulted for insights on the process.

The video shows an attempt to restore the host's first YouTube upload using the upscaling software.

Results from upscaling are uneven, with some areas showing significant improvement and others not as much.

The MSI Creator Z16P laptop was used for the upscaling project, showcasing its capabilities.

Video upscaling is more complex than image upscaling due to the large number of frames involved.

The process of upscaling involves creating millions of pixels that did not exist in the original video.

The original video's low resolution and interlaced format present challenges for upscaling.

The video explains the difference between interlaced and progressive scan in video footage.

Higher resolution footage, such as 720P, yields better results with the upscaling software.

The video demonstrates the use of Video Enhance AI to upscale and improve the quality of a firetruck video.

The upscaling process can be time-consuming and requires powerful hardware for faster rendering.

VEAI offers various modes and features to fine-tune the upscaling process to the user's needs.

The video highlights the importance of considering the original footage's quality before attempting upscaling.

Chronos, a feature of VEAI, uses machine learning to predict and create the best intermediate frames for smoother motion.

The video concludes that upscaling can significantly improve video quality but may not be suitable for all types of footage.

MSI's Z16P laptop is praised for its high-tier specs and ability to handle the heavy workload of video upscaling.