We Remastered My First Video in 4K!

Linus Tech Tips
17 Mar 202212:43

TLDRIn this video, Linus Sebastian explores the process of upscaling old videos to 4K resolution using machine learning software from Topaz. Starting with a 240P original, Linus details the challenges of enhancing low-resolution footage, particularly interlaced video, and shares the results of his first YouTube upload's restoration. The video also discusses the capabilities of the MSI Creator Z16P laptop in handling such demanding tasks, showcasing the potential and limitations of upscaling technology.

Takeaways

  • 🖼️ The video discusses the process of upscaling and enhancing the quality of old or degraded videos to modern resolutions like 4K.
  • 🔍 Basic upscaling techniques involve sampling each pixel and multiplying it to match a new resolution, but more advanced techniques are needed for better results.
  • 🤖 Topaz, a machine learning-assisted upscaling software, was used to remaster a 720P 30 FPS video to a 4K 60 FPS version.
  • 💻 The video restoration was attempted on an MSI Creator Z16P laptop, which was provided for the project.
  • 🎨 Upscaling video is more complex than images due to the vast number of frames and the need to create millions of new pixels for higher resolutions like 4K.
  • 📈 The process of upscaling involves increasing file size dramatically, turning a small file into a much larger one.
  • 👁️ The original footage's low resolution and interlaced nature make it challenging to upscale, especially for details like human expressions.
  • 📹 Higher resolution footage, like 720P, works better with Video Enhance AI, and the video shows how to use the software with a free trial.
  • 💾 Upscaling requires significant storage, as the file size can increase to tens of gigabytes.
  • 🕹️ VEAI offers various modes and features, allowing users to fine-tune the upscaling process to their needs.
  • 🎥 The video also discusses the challenges of upscaling footage with motion, such as handheld camera work, and how different techniques handle these issues.

Q & A

  • What is the main topic of the video?

    -The main topic of the video is the process of upscaling and enhancing the quality of old or degraded videos, specifically the remastering of the host's first YouTube video in 4K using machine learning-assisted upscaling software.

  • What is the name of the software used for upscaling in the video?

    -The software used for upscaling in the video is Topaz's machine learning-assisted upscaling software, known as Video Enhance AI.

  • What was the original resolution of Linus Sebastian's first YouTube upload?

    -The original resolution of Linus Sebastian's first YouTube upload was 240P, which is a total of 76,800 pixels.

  • What are the challenges faced when upscaling video compared to still images?

    -Upscaling video is more challenging than still images because it involves dealing with thousands or even tens of thousands of frames, and if targeting a modern resolution like 4K, it could involve creating millions of pixels that weren't there before.

  • What is the difference between interlaced and progressive scan video?

    -Interlaced video draws half of the picture first as a series of lines across the screen, then fills in the gaps with a second series of lines, while progressive scan refreshes the entire image with each cycle.

  • How does the VEAI software handle the upscaling process?

    -VEAI software uses machine learning to predict the best intermediate frame between existing ones, training their neural network on millions of frames to alleviate pixel occlusion issues and improve the upscaling quality.

  • What is the role of the MSI Creator Z16P laptop in the project?

    -The MSI Creator Z16P laptop, provided by the sponsor, was used to run the VEAI software and attempt the restoration of the video. It is noted for its high-tier specs and ability to handle heavy workloads without overheating.

  • What is the significance of the firetruck video in the script?

    -The firetruck video is significant because it was available in 720P, which is a higher resolution than the original 240P footage, and it was used to demonstrate the capabilities of the VEAI software in upscaling and frame rate conversion.

  • How does the video enhance AI software handle frame rate conversion?

    -The VEAI software uses Chronos options to create entirely new frames between the existing ones. It employs machine learning to predict the best intermediate frame, aiming to reduce motion jitter and pixel occlusion issues.

  • What are the limitations of upscaling low-resolution footage as discussed in the video?

    -The limitations include the inability to accurately capture fine details like human expressions with only a few pixels per eye, and the challenges of dealing with original footage that was interlaced and not properly converted.

  • What is the final outcome of the upscaling process shown in the video?

    -The final outcome of the upscaling process is mixed. While there are moments of brilliance and noticeable improvements in sharpness and detail, there are also instances where motion handling is poor, and certain textures are lost, indicating that the process is not perfect and depends on the specific use case and footage quality.

Outlines

00:00

📹 Upscaler Technology and Video Restoration

This paragraph introduces the concept of upscaling technology, which is used to enhance the quality of various media, including photos, games, and old or degraded videos. The narrator discusses the limitations of basic upscaling techniques and how machine learning-assisted upscaling software, developed by Topaz, was used to restore a 720P 30 FPS video to a higher quality, specifically mentioning the 4K 60 FPS remastered version of Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up'. The narrator, Linus Sebastian, shares his experience using this software to restore his first YouTube upload and notes the uneven results. He also mentions the use of an MSI Creator Z16P laptop for the project, sponsored by MSI, and the challenges of upscaling video compared to still images, due to the massive increase in pixel count required for higher resolutions like 4K.

05:03

🔍 Deep Dive into Video Upscaling and Frame Rate Conversion

The second paragraph delves deeper into the technical aspects of video upscaling and frame rate conversion. It discusses the difference between interlaced and progressive scan video, explaining how interlacing was used to increase the perceived frame rate and resolution of older footage. The narrator shares his experience with upscaling a low-resolution Handycam video and contrasts it with a higher-resolution firetruck video shot in 720P, which is more suitable for the Video Enhance AI software. He details the process of using VEAI software, including the hardware requirements and the impact of different settings on the final output. The paragraph also touches on the challenges of upscaling, such as the increased file size and the need for powerful hardware to handle the workload. The narrator concludes by discussing the different methods of frame rate conversion, comparing the old frame blending method with the more advanced optical flow and VEAI Chronos techniques.

10:06

🎥 Analysis of Upscaling Results and Hardware Requirements

In the final paragraph, the narrator analyzes the results of upscaling 240P footage and discusses the impact of motion on the quality of the upscaled video. He notes that while the software handles static scenes well, it struggles with scenes involving both camera motion and subject motion. The narrator also comments on the improvements in image quality, such as the smoothing out of blocking artifacts and the sharpening of details like the lines on his shirt. He acknowledges that the upscaling process is not perfect and that it depends on the use case, whether it's improving frame rate, de-noising, or fixing interlaced footage. The paragraph ends with a mention of the upcoming video on a DVHS player and a thank you to the sponsor, MSI, for providing the Z16P laptop used in the project. The narrator invites viewers to share their own upscaling experiences and to check out other related videos.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Upscaling

Upscaling is the process of increasing the resolution of a digital image or video. In the context of the video, it involves using software to enhance the quality of old or degraded videos from lower resolutions to higher ones like 4K. The script mentions upscaling as a common technique to restore and improve the visual quality of content, as seen in the remastered 4K version of Rick Astley's 'Never Gonna Give You Up'.

💡Machine Learning Assisted Upscaling

This refers to the use of machine learning algorithms to assist in the upscaling process. The video discusses Topaz's software, which employs machine learning to upscale videos, as they attempted to restore the host's first YouTube upload. Machine learning in this context helps in predicting and generating new pixels to enhance the resolution effectively.

💡Pixels

Pixels are the smallest units of a digital image or video. The script mentions pixels in the context of upscaling, where the software must create millions of new pixels to achieve higher resolutions like 4K. It also discusses the challenge of working with low-resolution footage, where there are very few pixels to represent important details, such as the human eye.

💡Interlaced

Interlaced is a technique used in video production where the image is drawn in two fields, with each field containing half the lines of the complete picture. The script explains that the original footage was interlaced, which can complicate the upscaling process. Interlaced footage can result in a lower perceived frame rate and resolution compared to progressive scan footage.

💡Progressive Scan

Progressive scan, or 'P', is a method of scanning and displaying video where the entire image is refreshed with each cycle, as opposed to interlaced scanning. The video script contrasts progressive scan with interlacing, noting that progressive scan provides a smoother image, especially important when upscaling to modern resolutions.

💡Frame Rate

Frame rate refers to the number of individual frames that are displayed in a second of video. The script discusses the challenge of upscaling not just the resolution but also the frame rate, such as converting 30 FPS footage to 60 FPS, which involves creating entirely new frames to double the smoothness of the motion.

💡Chronos

Chronos is one of the four options within VEAI software for frame rate conversion. The video script describes how Chronos uses machine learning to predict the best intermediate frames between existing ones, aiming to create smoother motion without the jitter or pixel occlusion issues associated with older frame interpolation methods.

💡File Compression

File compression is the process of encoding information using fewer bits than the original representation. In the video, the host humorously compares upscaling to the opposite of file compression, as the process of upscaling a 5-megabyte file to a 21-gigabyte file significantly increases the file size, adding detail and resolution.

💡De-noising

De-noising is the process of reducing or eliminating noise in digital images or videos. The script mentions using software like Photoshop for de-noising and upscaling still images, but notes that applying this to video is more complex due to the vast number of frames involved.

💡Resolution

Resolution refers to the number of pixels in a digital image or video, which determines its clarity and detail. The video's main theme revolves around increasing resolution, with a focus on upgrading from lower resolutions like 240P to much higher ones such as 4K.

💡Aliasing

Aliasing is a visual artifact that occurs when a high-frequency signal is sampled at a low frequency, resulting in a 'staircase' effect on diagonal or curved lines. The script uses the example of lines on the host's shirt, which were clearly aliased in the original version but were improved in the upscaled version, showing a reduction in aliasing.

Highlights

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

Basic upscaling techniques involve sampling each pixel and multiplying it to match the desired resolution.

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

Topaz, creators of machine learning-assisted upscaling software, were consulted for the project.

Linus Sebastian, the host, attempts to restore his first YouTube upload using the software.

The results of upscaling are uneven but offer interesting insights into the process.

The MSI Creator Z16P laptop赞助了这个项目,并提供了强大的硬件支持。

Upscaling video is more complex than images due to the vast number of frames involved.

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

The original video's quality is so poor that it makes the upscaled version look better by comparison.

The original footage was interlaced, which complicates the upscaling process.

Video Enhance AI can handle footage as low as 480i, but higher resolution footage yields better results.

The MSI Creator Z16P with a 3070 TI GPU was able to upscale the footage to 4K in just a couple of hours.

VEAI software offers various modes and features, allowing for fine-tuning of the upscaling process.

The final upscaled video requires significant storage space, with one example reaching 35 gigabytes.

VEAI Chronos uses machine learning to predict the best intermediate frames for smoother motion.

The upscaled video shows improvement in sharpness and detail, especially in static scenes.

The video demonstrates that upscaling is not perfect, particularly with motion and camera shake.

The video concludes that upscaling may not be the best option for very low-resolution footage.

MSI's Z16P laptop is highlighted for its high-tier specs and thin, light design, making it suitable for such projects.