5 Best Open Source Video Upscalers in 2024 [Windows and Mac]
- Last updated on 2024-11-07
Table Of Content
Introduction
You may have a bunch of home-recorded videos at hand or some older and low-resolution videos on your camcorder or other devices that may not lack clarity while playing on modern or high-end devices. But you need not be sad as you can cherish your old memories on the latest devices and engage in a visual treat using a reliable open source video upscaler.
An open source AI video upscaler can help you preserve your videos while upscaling and enhancing the quality of the content so you can play them seamlessly on modern devices. Stay tuned to find the 5 best open source video upscalers and choose the one that best fits your needs.
What is Open Source Video Upscaling Software?
Open-source AI upscaling utilizes freely available software and libraries to enhance video resolution through artificial intelligence. Developers can access the underlying code, offering the flexibility to customize the upscaling process to meet specific needs. This open model fosters innovation, as users can create or modify their own AI models, expanding the possibilities beyond pre-configured solutions.
One key benefit is the freedom to experiment with different algorithms and techniques. However, the trade-off is often the lack of extensive user support and documentation, making these tools challenging for those without technical expertise. Users may also experience inconsistencies in output quality compared to commercial alternatives.
Snapshot of our top 3 Open Source Video Upscaler Tools
Here’s a snapshot of the top three open source video upscaler tools, each offering unique features for enhancing video quality. Whether you need AI-driven enhancements, batch processing, or anime-specific optimization, these tools provide robust, customizable solutions for improving low-resolution videos. Check them out below.
| Difference Parameters | Video2X | Waifu2x | ESRGAN |
| Operating System | Windows, macOS, and Linux | Windows, macOS, and Linux, and as a web service | Windows, macOS, and Linux |
| Price | Free | Free | Free |
| Ease of Use | Complex due to its video-focused nature | Simple and accessible for quick image upscaling | Technical setup requires deep learning frameworks |
| Purpose | Upscale and enlarge low-resolution videos | Upscale images, such as anime-style images with minimal noise and artifacts | Upscale images in high quality for detailed content |
| Performance | Offers batch processing for large video files and sequences | Fast for smaller images or anime, manga, and cartoon-based images; otherwise, very slow | Slow, depending on image or video resolution, requires a powerful GPU for fast results |
| Technology | Waifu2x and ESRGAN | Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) based upscaling | Enhanced Super-Resolution Generative Adversarial Networks (ESRGAN)-based upscaling |
Best AI Open Source Video Upscaler Tools
Video2X
Best For: Upscaling entire anime videos or stylized content with minimal effort for skilled users and experts
OS: Windows, Mac, and Linux computers
Price: Free
Video2X is one of the go-to free open source AI video upscalers and frame interpolation software that provides lossless video upscaling services in just a few clicks. Whether your video clip is shaky, blurry, or damaged, this program can give it a stunning look with minimal effort.
Pros
Free software to upscale videos without losing quality for free
Supports high-quality results with AI algorithms to enhance the clarity and details of the content
Offers various playback formats such as MP4, MKV, and more for seamless playback on any device
Proven to upscale multiple media formats such as GIFs, images, and videos with an intuitive user interface
Enhance video resolution and frame rate with state-of-the-art technology
Cons
It is not ideal for real-world video content as it cannot retain fine details accurately
Lacks video editing capabilities and advanced features
Works only on computers with powerful hardware specifications
Waifu2x
Best For: Image upscaling, especially anime-style images, illustrations, digital/vector art, and pixel artwork, with an easy-to-use interface for beginners and professionals
OS: Windows, Mac, and Linux computers
Price: Free
Waifu2x is a powerful open-source tool designed to enhance image resolution while minimizing noise with its deep learning algorithms and two times magnification. Originally trained on anime-style art, it works effectively on various image types, including photographs. As one of the best open source video upscalers, it offers a simple solution to enlarge visuals without sacrificing quality or introducing unwanted artifacts.
Pros
It helps reduce noise and artifacts in anime-style images
Free and open-scale image upscaler that can double the image size without a fuss
Enables users to upscale videos and images in up to 8K UHD using convolutional neural networks
Offers various options for eliminating noise and upscaling content
Available to install on different platforms and as a web version to access on the go
Cons
Less suitable for detailed and complex real-world imagery
Slow processing speed requiring more time for high-resolution output generation
Struggles with detailed textures in images other than the anime style
ESRGAN
Best For: Upscaling real-world photographs, textures, and detailed artwork in high quality for skilled experts and professional users
OS: Windows, Mac, and Linux computers
Price: Free
ESRGAN (Enhanced Super-Resolution Generative Adversarial Networks) is an advanced, open-source AI tool designed to enhance image and video quality. This neural network model excels at upscaling low-resolution content, producing high-fidelity results. Highly customizable, ESRGAN can be fine-tuned for specific tasks and datasets, making it one of the most cutting-edge solutions for image enhancement.
Pros
Works well for upscaling real-world photographs and intricate textures with precision
Cutting-edge technology excels at transforming low-resolution images into detailed, high-quality outputs
Handles bicubic downsampling well, delivering impressive results despite synthetic image degradation
Provides various algorithms and settings tailored to enhance diverse image types effectively
Regularly receives updates with fresh models and enhancements for superior performance
Cons
Not tailored for anime or heavily stylized content
Training the latest or new models can be complicated and consume unnecessary time
Demands substantial computational power for processing and generating high-quality results
Anime4K
Best For: Upscaling any anime-style videos, such as older anime episodes or clips, with high precision, preserving sharp lines and details
OS: Windows, Mac, and Linux computers
Price: Free
Anime4K is an AI video upscaler open source tool optimized for enhancing anime videos. It utilizes kernel convolutional neural networks and a two-stage algorithm to achieve superior upscaling results. Tailored for anime content, it effectively preserves sharp lines and fine details. Its lightweight design ensures quick processing, making it an efficient choice for anime enthusiasts seeking high-quality video enhancements.
Pros
Optimized for anime visuals, maintaining crisp lines and distinct details efficiently
Lightweight architecture ensures rapid processing without heavy system resource demands
Performs well on lower-spec hardware, making it accessible for all users
Retains intricate features and sharp edges, enhancing visual clarity in animation
Fast processing speeds allow for quick results without sacrificing quality
Cons
It does not work appropriately on non-anime images
Often oversharpens the content or introduces artifacts in some cases
It does not offer wide flexibility to adjust the processing parameters
QualityScaler
Best For: Upscaling and enhancing images and videos using AI algorithms while denoising them for smooth and seamless visual graphics
OS: Windows computers only
Price: Free
Quality Scaler is a qualified open source AI video upscaler that supports upscaling and enhancing images and videos for a visual treat for free. Its batch upscale feature enables users to save time and enhance many videos simultaneously. It also helps to denoise photographs and resize videos before the final output. Lending support to many video formats, such as AVI, MP4, MKV, and more, it lets you access upscaled videos and play them on different devices.
Pros
Automatically tiles and merges images, optimizing results with multiple GPU support
Batch upscaling of videos is made easy with a simple drag-and-drop interface
Enhances video resolution, reduces noise, and sharpens details for clarity
It provides flexibility to resize videos before starting the upscaling process
Efficient video enhancement with automated noise removal and sharpness improvement tools
Cons
It does not support video editing features like cropping, trimming, flipping, etc.
Users cannot add sound or video effects to videos
Not available for Mac and Linux users as of now
While open source AI video upscalers offer powerful, customizable tools for improving video quality, they often come with limitations such as slower processing speeds, a steep learning curve, and inconsistent results. Many users on platforms like open source video upscaler Reddit discuss these challenges. Instead, you can grab your hands on the versatile and reliable UniFab Video Upscaler AI, a solution that combines smooth ease of use with exceptional performance. Let’s explore the complete details of this powerful software below.
Best AI Video Upscaler to Improve Video Quality - UniFab Video Upscaler AI
This AI Video Upscaler is an incredible versatile software developed to enhance videos for striking quality and smooth, crisp details and explore versatility in customizations. Its ease of use makes it easy for beginners and skilled users to generate high-quality and professional results instantly. In addition, its 50x faster GPU acceleration technology speeds up the upscaling experience to save time. Besides seamless upscaling, UniFab Video Upscaler AI can add sound effects while eliminating any unnecessary background noise and editing videos to crop and trim unwanted footage.
Major Features and Attractions
- Seamlessly upscale low-resolution videos to high-quality resolutions like 720p HD, 1080p full HD, or 4K/8K Ultra HD in one click
- Offers Universal and Animation models to analyze each frame and enhance the minute details
- Versatile AI video upscaling to sharpen videos, restore details, and optimize colors without distortion
- Upscale animated content such as cartoons, anime, and motion graphics delivers smooth, crisp, and vibrant visuals while enhancing edges, optimizing colors, and enriching details
- Enhance and upscale video for all content genres to deliver exceptional sharpness and detail
- 200% faster processing with an upgraded AI engine to accelerate video processing for quicker and smoother workflows
How to Upscale Videos with UniFab Video Upscaler AI
30-day Free Trial with full feature access!
Launch UniFab, Select Mode, and Import Your Video
Double-tap the program to enter the main interface, and then select the Upscaler module from the left navigation panel.
Adjust Output Settings (Optional)
Import the video to enlarge in the local file. Pick the video quality, output format, frame rate, bit rate, codec, resolution, and more parameters to customize the final results of your loaded video.
Note: You can keep the video parameters as default if you are unsure about how to configure the settings.
Start Video Enhancement
Press Start to begin the upscaling process and edit the video file for enlarged results in a few seconds.
Conclusion
Open source video upscalers offer cost-effective ways and are helpful in improving the quality of low-resolution video content. Many software leverages powerful machine learning models to enhance image and video resolution while retaining the quality with minimal distortion, noise, and artifacts. We have discussed the 5 best open source AI video upscalerswith their pros and cons to help you settle on the best one. However, UniFab Video Upscaler AI can be your best pick if you are seeking reliable software with versatile functionality. Its advanced features are beyond upscaling, allowing you to edit the final output to meet your specific needs. Try it once for a seamless and speedy upscaling experience.
FAQs
How do open-source video upscalers compare to paid options?
Open-source upscalers can be effective but may require more technical knowledge to use. Paid software is typically more polished and user-friendly, while open-source tools offer more customization options.
Is using an open-source video upscaler safe?
Open-source upscalers are usually safe, but it's essential to download them from trusted sources like GitHub to avoid security risks.
Can I use an open-source video upscaler on any platform?
Most open-source video upscalers are cross-platform, meaning they can run on multiple operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux. However, some tools may have limited support or might require specific dependencies or environments, so it’s important to check the compatibility of the software before installation.