How to Upscale Video: Easy AI, Free, and Online Methods

What is Upscalling

Upscaling refers to increasing video resolution improvement (e.g., 1080p to 4K) while maintaining or even improving its perceived quality. In contrast to old-school methods that simply copy and repeat pixels, advanced video upscaling utilizes AI or software algorithms to enhance video resolution, detail, and clarity beyond the original pixels.

• AI Upscaling: AI video upscaling implement complex AI algorithms to recognize everything from patterns in each frame. AI smartly fills in the missing information, recreating realistic texture, edges, and sharpness.

• Resampling: Resampling just enlarges pixels. It made videos look worse, resulting in bigger but still blurry videos.

Why Upscale Video?

Upscaling increases video size and makes your videos look smoother while maintaining quality. The main purpose of upscaling is to improve the quality of old footage, which can appear blurry on modern screens. It increases video resolution to fit high-resolution displays. Here are some common reasons to upscale video.

• Play on higher-resolution screens: Upscaling converts lower-resolution videos, such as 1080p, to 4K or 8K to better display on modern TVs and monitors. Hence, upscaling prevents videos from looking stretched or blurry when played on modern devices.

• Improved video quality: Upscaling boosts the resolution and adds more detail and clarity. It helps to improve the quality of low-resolution videos.

• Restore old footage: Film restoration specialists upscale videos to make older videos look crisp and modern for new devices.

• Increased file size: Video upscaling helps to increase the file size of their videos. If you publish a video on a website, then upscale video because larger files look better than smaller files.

Better viewing experience: Higher-resolution videos look smoother on larger screens or devices, offering a more immersive viewing experience.

How to Upscale Video with AI Software

AI software intelligently adds additional pixels and detail in a low-resolution video. Advanced machine learning algorithms produce higher-resolution and crisper video quality. This guide shows how to AI upscale video fast and efficiently. As each software is designed uniquely, the interface of each AI video upscaling software may vary. But the process is generally straightforward. There are many AI software available that offer trials to upscale video free.

• UniFab Video Upscaler AI: An ultimate video enhancement software that can upscale video to 1080p, 4K, 8K, or even 16K.

• Topaz Video Enhance AI: This software implements neural networks to enhance videos.

• Video2X: An open-source application that improves GIFs, photos, and videos to high resolution.

• AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI: AI-based video upscalling software that can upscale video from SD to HD.

• HitPaw Video Enhancer: This AI video enhancer can enlarge low-resolution videos to 4k or even 8k.

• VideoProc Converter AI: Utilizing AI upscaling, this 4K video upscaling software improves videos of all kinds.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to upscale video using AI software.

Step 1: Download and install the AI software

• First, choose the right AI upscaling software that can upscale 1080p to 4k or 8k.

• Download and install the software.

Step 2: Import your low-resolution video

• Open the software and click the ‘Upload’ button to import the video.

• Choose your low-resolution clip and import it to the AI software.

Step 3: Adjust enhancement settings

• Select the resolution, AI module, and other settings.

Step 4: Preview and export

• To initiate the process, click the ‘Upscale’ button.

• Preview the final result and export.

That’s about how to upscale video quality with AI software. If you want to try Adobe Premiere Pro, check out the guide on how to upscale video in Premiere Pro.

Advantages and disadvantages of using software

• Advantages

  • The AI software is a stable way to upscale video.

  • There is no internet required.

  • Offers outstanding improvement.

  • Batch processing is supported.

• Disadvantages

  • It requires strong hardware.

  • Software comes with a limited free trial.

How to Upscale Video Free

To upscale videos for free use, online apps like CapCut, Media.io, Picwand, or YouCam. These apps use AI to increase resolution and clarity. The upscaling procedure is basically the same for all free apps.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to upscale video free.

1. Upload your video: Choose any free online app and upload the video file.

2. Adjust upscaling options: Pick the resolution, enhancement model, and other additional settings such as contrast or brightness.

3. Start upscaling process: Hit the 'Upscaling' button and wait for the processing to complete.

4. Preview & Download the enhanced file: Preview the enhanced video and download it to your device.

That’s all about how to use AI to upscale video for free. Free apps are best to handle minor blurr, pixelation, and shakiness.

Advantages and disadvantages of using free apps

• Advantages

  • 100% free to use

  • Can revive old or low-resolution videos

  • Super easy to upscale video free

• Disadvantages

  • Often leaves a watermark on the exported video

  • Only resizes pixels

How to Upscale Video Online

To upscale video online, go to any online tool like CapCut, Media.io, or YouCam and upload your video. Next, select the resolution and upscaling factor, then preview and download the enhanced video. Online tools take a few seconds to upscale video online because they are based on AI. They automatically increase the video's resolution while improving its overall quality.

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to upscale a video using online tools.

Step 1: Go to the right online tool: First, choose a video upscaling online tool to upscale the video from 1080p to 4k or 8k. You can try;

• CapCut

• YouCam

• Media.io

• Canva

• HitPaw

Step 2: Import the low-resolution footage: Click the ‘Upload’ button and import your SD video.

Step 3: Choose upscaling options: Select the resolution, upscaling factor, such as 4x or 8x, etc., AI module, and other settings.

Step 4: Preview and export: Start the process, preview the upgraded video, and export it.

That’s about how to upscale videos with an online video upscaler. 

Advantages and disadvantages of using online tools

• Advantages

  • Fast and beginner-friendly

  • No installation required

  • Easy to use

• Disadvantages

  • File size or length limits

  • Needs a stable internet

How to Choose the Right Methods

Choosing how to upscale a video depends on your goal. You can use AI software, free apps and online tools.

• For Creators & Professionals: The AI software, like UniFab or Topaz is recommended because there is;

  • Batch processing

  • Stable and smooth workflow

  • No internet crashes

  • High-end results

• For Beginners: UniFab, CapCut, and YouCam are recommended, as these are easy to use.

• For Quick Tasks: Online video upscaler tools, such as CapCut, are recommended to upscale short clips fast.

Conclusion

Your videos appear crisp and high definition when you upscale them. Here we have discussed how to upscale video to 4k using AI software, free apps, and online tools. It doesn’t matter whether restoring old clips or improving low-resolution footage, the right upscaling method can make all the difference. Choose the best way that suits your needs and say goodbye to blurry video.

FAQs

How to upscale video to 4k?

• Upload your video to any 4K video converter.

• Set the resolution to 4k and start processing.

• Once you have, download the high-detail video.

How to upscale video in CapCut?

Open CapCut, create your new project, select Basic, and enable Enhance image. Click export to save your project.

How to upscale video in Premiere Pro?

Launch the software, drag your uploaded video to the timeline, and choose 'Replace with After Effects Composition.' In the “Effects & Presets” tab, search for “Detail-Preserving Upscale” and add it to the video clip.

How to upscale a video on iPhone?

To upscale video on iPhone, open the camera app, go to Record Video settings. Select resolution and frame rate of 4K at 24 fps and record video with a cinematic look