Topaz Labs Video AI Review: More than a refresh!
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Introduction
Topaz Labs has released a new version of its desktop video enhancement application, Video AI, available for both Mac OS and Windows. Unlike the previous iteration, this update is a complete re-engineering of the application, aimed not only at improving performance and speed but also enhancing the overall user experience.
What is Video AI?
Video AI is a standalone application designed to improve the quality of your videos. The process is straightforward: import one or more videos by dragging them into Video AI, select an imported video, and choose an enhancement preset from the menu located at the top right.
Upscaling
One of the primary features of Video AI is its ability to upscale lower resolution videos to higher resolutions. This can involve converting 480p or 720p footage to 1080p HD, or upscale 1080p footage to 4K, 4K to 8K, or even directly scaling 1080p to 8K. Unlike simply enlarging a video by a certain percentage, Video AI employs machine learning and artificial intelligence to intelligently fill in missing details, resulting in surprisingly natural and authentic-looking upscales.
Slow Motion
Another impressive feature is the ability to create slow-motion videos. Video AI can take footage captured at various frame rates, such as 24, 25, or 30 frames per second, and generate new frames to fill in the gaps when the video is slowed down. This process yields smooth and realistic results, making it hard to distinguish between original and newly created frames.
Stabilization
The application has also introduced a new stabilization feature in this version, which was not available in the previous release. Similar to Adobe Premiere's Warp Stabilizer, the stabilization effect punches in a bit and crops the edges to stabilize moving subjects. The "full frame" option is another alternative that maintains the original field of view, filling in any gaps with a content-aware fill effect reminiscent of Photoshop.
Preview and User Experience
The workflow is enhanced by the ability to create previews of the enhanced video segments. Users can move the timeline scrubber to a specific video area, adjust the duration for the preview, and click the purple preview button. The application allows for multiple previews to be generated simultaneously, even with different settings or videos in the queue. This marks a significant improvement over the previous version, which restricted users from performing additional tasks while exporting.
Once users become accustomed to Video AI, they can start customizing their settings in the right panel, mixing and matching different enhancements. They can save their settings as presets for future use, allowing for a more tailored editing experience.
Other Enhancements
Beyond upscaling and slow-motion features, Video AI can also enhance the image quality of footage without altering the frame rate or resolution. Users can explore manual enhancements like detail, clarity, sharpness, and denoising, tailoring the settings to fit their specific needs.
Final Thoughts
Is Video AI worth the investment? It ultimately depends on how frequently one envisions using the tool for upscaling and enhancing older footage. If you have a collection of older videos you'd like to repurpose, Video AI offers great value. For those who need to create slow-motion footage from standard capture rates, the application provides a simple solution.
Even better, users have the option to try Video AI with a free trial, allowing you to evaluate the software before committing. Download the free trial from the provided link, experiment with enhancing your videos, and see if it aligns with your creative needs.
For additional enhancement capabilities, check out Photo AI, Topaz Labs’ other application focused on still image enhancement. A review of Photo AI is available on the channel for those interested.
Keywords
Topaz Labs, Video AI, upscaling, machine learning, slow motion, stabilization, enhancements, image quality, presets, video editing
FAQ
1. What does Video AI do?
Video AI enhances video quality through upscaling, slow motion, and stabilization.
2. Is Video AI a complete redesign from the previous version?
Yes, this version features complete re-engineering and improvements over the original version.
3. Can I create slow-motion videos with Video AI?
Yes, Video AI can generate slow-motion videos by creating new frames from original footage.
4. Does Video AI allow for real-time previews?
Yes, users can generate multiple previews simultaneously, enabling a flexible and efficient workflow.
5. Is there a trial version available for Video AI?
Yes, you can download a free trial of Video AI to test its features before purchasing.
