Topaz Labs Video AI Review: More than a refresh!

Todd Dominey
22 Nov 202211:10

TLDRTopaz Labs' Video AI is a powerful desktop application for enhancing video quality on Mac OS and Windows. It upscales low-resolution videos to high-resolution with machine learning, creating natural-looking results. New features include slow-motion video creation, stabilization, and the ability to apply custom enhancements. Users can preview and export videos with different settings simultaneously, making it a versatile tool for video enhancement.

Takeaways

  • 🌟 Topaz Labs has released a new version of Video AI, a significant upgrade from the previous version.
  • 💻 The application is available for both Mac OS and Windows, offering a desktop video enhancement tool.
  • 📈 Video AI uses machine learning and AI to upscale video resolutions, filling in details to make lower resolution videos look better in higher resolutions.
  • 🎥 A standout feature is the ability to create slow-motion videos from footage captured at various frame rates, with AI filling in the gaps to create smooth slow-motion effects.
  • 🔄 The new version includes video stabilization, which was not present in the initial release, enhancing the user experience.
  • 🛠️ Users can apply various presets for enhancements or customize settings to suit their needs, including detail, clarity, sharpness, and denoising.
  • 📝 The application allows for the creation of multiple previews with different settings, which can be queued for processing simultaneously.
  • 🔄 The user interface has been improved, making it more intuitive and allowing for ongoing use while exports are processing, a significant change from the previous version.
  • 💡 Video AI is not just for upscaling or creating slow motion; it can also improve the image quality of footage without changing its resolution or frame rate.
  • 💰 The script suggests that the value of Video AI depends on the user's needs, but it offers a free trial for users to test its capabilities.

Q & A

  • What is the main function of Topaz Labs Video AI?

    -Topaz Labs Video AI is a desktop video enhancement application that improves the quality of videos using machine learning and artificial intelligence.

  • What are the key differences between the new version of Video AI and the previous version?

    -The new version of Video AI is a completely re-engineered and re-architected application, offering improved performance, speed, and user experience compared to the previous version.

  • How does Video AI enhance video resolution?

    -Video AI uses machine learning and AI to upscale lower resolution videos to higher resolutions, filling in missing details and providing more natural and authentic-looking results.

  • What is the slow motion feature in Video AI and how does it work?

    -The slow motion feature in Video AI takes the original footage, regardless of its frame rate, and creates new frames in between the real frames to increase the frame rate, allowing the footage to be slowed down and look natural.

  • What is the stabilization feature introduced in the new version of Video AI?

    -The stabilization feature in the new version of Video AI stabilizes video footage by either 'punching in' to stabilize the subject and cropping off the edges or using 'full frame' to fill in gaps and holes around the edges without changing the field of view.

  • How does Video AI allow users to preview enhancements before exporting?

    -Video AI allows users to create previews of their videos with selected enhancements. These previews are generated and can be queued, with each preview saving the applied settings for easy export.

  • Can users apply their own custom settings in Video AI?

    -Yes, users can apply custom settings in Video AI by adjusting parameters such as detail, clarity, sharpness, and denoising in the enhancements module.

  • What is the benefit of saving custom presets in Video AI?

    -Saving custom presets in Video AI allows users to reuse specific settings for other videos, streamlining the enhancement process and ensuring consistency across multiple projects.

  • Is there a trial version available for users to test Video AI before purchasing?

    -Yes, a free trial of Video AI is available for users to test its features and capabilities before deciding to purchase the software.

  • How does Video AI compare with other video enhancement tools on the market?

    -Video AI stands out with its AI-driven upscaling, slow motion creation, and stabilization features, providing a comprehensive and user-friendly video enhancement solution.

Outlines

00:00

📹 Overview of Topaz Labs' Video AI Enhancement Application

The script introduces a new version of Video AI, a desktop video enhancement application for Mac OS and Windows, developed by Topaz Labs. The narrator reviews the application, highlighting that it is a complete overhaul from the previous version, with improvements in performance, speed, and user experience. Video AI is described as a standalone application that enhances video quality through various features such as upscaling low-resolution videos to high-resolution, creating slow-motion videos, and stabilizing footage. The upscaling process is powered by machine learning and artificial intelligence to fill in missing details, resulting in natural-looking results. The script also mentions the application's ability to create slow-motion videos from various frame rates, which is described as 'magical' due to its impressive results.

05:02

🔄 Enhanced Features and User Experience in Video AI

This paragraph delves into the new features of Video AI, such as stabilization, which was not present in the previous version. The stabilization feature works similarly to the warp stabilizer effect, offering two options: one that crops the edges and one that fills in the gaps in the frame. The script emphasizes the improved user experience, allowing users to generate previews and exports simultaneously without interrupting the workflow. Users can also save their own presets for future use. The narrator suggests that Video AI is not just for occasional use but can be a valuable tool for enhancing image quality without altering frame rates or resolutions, particularly useful for aerial footage from cameras with smaller sensors.

10:04

💡 Practical Applications and Recommendations for Video AI

The final paragraph discusses the practical applications of Video AI, such as upscaling older footage and creating slow-motion effects. The narrator shares personal experience with the software, emphasizing its value for frequent use. They encourage potential users to try the free trial to explore the capabilities of Video AI. The script also mentions Photo AI, a related application for enhancing still images, and directs viewers to another video for a review of that software. The narrator concludes with a sign-off, indicating the end of the discussion on Video AI.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Video AI

Video AI is a desktop video enhancement application developed by Topaz Labs for both Mac OS and Windows. It is designed to improve the quality of videos by using machine learning and artificial intelligence. In the context of the video, it is described as a completely new and different application compared to its previous version, with significant improvements in user experience and performance. The script mentions that it can upscale videos to higher resolutions, create slow-motion footage, and enhance image quality without changing the frame rate or resolution.

💡Upscaling

Upscaling in the video refers to the process of increasing the resolution of a video from a lower resolution to a higher one. Video AI uses machine learning to intelligently fill in missing details, resulting in a more natural and authentic-looking upscaled video. For instance, the script describes upscaling from 1080p to 4K or even to 8K, which is a significant enhancement in video quality and detail.

💡Machine Learning

Machine learning is a type of artificial intelligence that enables computers to learn and improve from experience without being explicitly programmed. In the video, machine learning is utilized by Video AI to analyze and enhance videos, such as by upscaling or creating slow-motion footage. The script highlights how Video AI uses machine learning to fill in the gaps and create new frames, which is crucial for achieving realistic results.

💡Slow Motion Video

Slow motion video is a technique that makes the playback of video footage appear slower than it was recorded. Video AI can create slow-motion videos by stretching the original footage and intelligently creating new frames in between the existing ones to increase the frame rate. The script illustrates this by mentioning that regardless of the original frame rate, Video AI can generate slow-motion footage that looks natural and smooth.

💡Frame Rate

The frame rate of a video refers to the number of individual frames that are displayed per second. Video AI allows users to change the frame rate of their videos, which can be useful for creating slow-motion effects or other creative enhancements. The script mentions that users can choose the appropriate AI model for their needs, which can affect how motion blur is handled during the frame rate adjustment.

💡Stabilization

Stabilization in video processing refers to the technique of reducing or eliminating the appearance of camera shake in video footage. The new version of Video AI includes a stabilization feature, which can either 'punch in' to stabilize the subject and crop the edges or use a 'full frame' option that fills in the gaps around the edges to maintain the original field of view. This feature is highlighted in the script as a significant addition to the application.

💡Presets

Presets in Video AI are pre-configured settings that users can apply to their videos for quick enhancements. The script mentions several presets, including upscaling options and slow-motion creation. These presets provide a convenient way for users to achieve common video enhancement tasks without needing to manually adjust individual settings.

💡Preview

In the context of Video AI, a preview is a short, processed version of the video that allows users to see how their selected enhancements will look before exporting the full video. The script explains that users can generate previews for different settings and add them to a queue, which can be exported later. This feature provides a flexible way for users to experiment with different enhancements and choose the best one for their needs.

💡Export

Exporting in Video AI is the process of saving the enhanced video to the user's computer. The script describes how the new version of Video AI allows users to export videos while simultaneously generating previews and even adding new videos to the queue. This is a significant improvement over the previous version, where the application would go into 'export mode' and become unresponsive until the export was complete.

💡Denoising

Denoising is the process of reducing noise in video footage, which can improve the overall image quality. The script mentions that Video AI includes options for denoising, along with other enhancements like detail, clarity, and sharpness. This feature is particularly useful for videos shot in low light or with cameras that have smaller sensors, which tend to produce noisier footage.

💡Photo AI

Photo AI is a sibling application to Video AI, also developed by Topaz Labs. While Video AI is designed for video enhancement, Photo AI focuses on enhancing still images, including denoising, sharpening, and upscaling. The script suggests that users interested in enhancing their photos should consider trying Photo AI, indicating that it shares similar capabilities and benefits with Video AI.

Highlights

New version of Video AI by Topaz Labs is a completely redesigned application.

Video AI enhances video quality with machine learning and artificial intelligence.

It upscales videos from lower to higher resolutions, such as 480p to 1080p HD.

Upscaling uses AI to fill in missing details for more natural results.

Slow motion video creation is possible regardless of the original frame rate.

AI fills in gaps to create new frames for smooth slow motion footage.

Stabilization is a new feature in the updated Video AI.

Stabilization options include 'punch-in' and 'full frame' to maintain field of view.

Previews can be generated to see the effect of enhancements before exporting.

Multiple previews can be added to a queue for comparison.

Settings of chosen previews are automatically applied to exports.

Users can apply their own settings and create custom presets.

Video AI can improve image quality without changing frame rate or resolution.

Detail, clarity, sharpness, and denoising can be manually adjusted.

Video AI is suitable for upscaling old footage to modern standards.

It can create slow motion from footage shot at standard frame rates.

A free trial of Video AI is available for users to test its features.

Photo AI, a sibling application for still images, is also available from Topaz Labs.