Convert any 1080p screen recording or video to 4K for FREE ? (Video2X)

Introduction

Have you ever wanted to upscale a 1080p screen capture or a video game recording to 4K to highlight specific details? If so, you're in luck! You can achieve this for free using open-source software known as Video2X. In this article, we’ll walk you through the process of using Video2X to convert your recordings to a stunning 4K resolution.

Understanding Video2X

Video2X is a powerful program available on GitHub, allowing users to upscale video files efficiently. It can take your original 1080p footage and transform it into a 4K masterpiece, making it easier to zoom in and focus on particular details.

Before and After: A Closer Look

Let's take a look at how Video2X performs in terms of quality:

Original 1080p Video: On the left side, we have the original video recorded at 1080p. It's crisp and clear.
Upscaled 4K Video: On the right, the upscaled version rendered via Video2X showcases improved clarity when compared side by side at various zoom levels.

When observing the two side by side:

At 125% zoom, the 1080p at left becomes slightly foggy compared to the sharpness on the right.
At 175%, you can quickly notice the cleaner appearance of the right side.
By the time we reach 200%, the differences become pronounced, illustrating that the upscaled video retains more detail even at high magnification.
Zooming up to 400% and 800% reveals the limits of the original footage, while the right side maintains its quality.

Performance Considerations

While Video2X does an excellent job enhancing visual detail, there are some downsides:

The playback smoothness is impacted because the upscaling process, which involves extracting images, can introduce choppiness or artifacting, especially in text-heavy videos.

How to Get and Use Video2X

To download Video2X, follow these steps:

Visit its GitHub repository.
Choose the GUI (Graphical User Interface) or command-line version based on your preference. Make sure to download the correct package for your operating system.
Once downloaded, unzip the folder, and open the GUI executable (gui.xc) to begin.

Key Features of the GUI

You can select files or folders you want to upscale.
The program will save the upscaled video in the same location with an "_output" suffix.

Behind the Scenes

When converting video, Video2X processes each frame individually. It divides the original video into images (PNGs), upscales these images to 4K resolution, and then recompiles them back into a video format.

A 60 FPS video will take longer to convert than a 30 FPS video due to the number of frames processed.
The result of the conversion will be an MP4 file ready for viewing, typically completed within an hour or more, depending on your machine's capabilities.

Conclusion

Using Video2X allows you to enhance your 1080p recordings into sharp 4K videos for free. With just a few steps, you can achieve significant improvement in clarity, making it easier to focus on crucial parts of your footage. If you found this guide helpful, please give it a like and subscribe for more tips!

Keywords

Video2X
upscale 1080p
4K conversion
open-source software
screen recording
improve video quality

FAQ

1. What is Video2X?
Video2X is an open-source software tool designed to upscale video files from lower resolutions (like 1080p) to higher resolutions (like 4K).

2. Is Video2X free?
Yes, Video2X is completely free to use!

3. Can I use Video2X on any operating system?
Yes, Video2X provides versions compatible with various operating systems, including Windows.

4. How long does the conversion process take?
The conversion time varies based on the video frame rate and your computer's capabilities, but it may take from an hour to longer.

5. Will upscaled videos lose quality?
While the upscaled video retains more clarity than the original at high zoom levels, there may be some minor issues like choppiness or artifacting during motion.

6. Where can I download Video2X?
You can download Video2X from its GitHub page.