SmoothVideo Project (SVP) Review [Features, Steps, & Alternative]

Introduction

Users often resort to using the SmoothVideo Project (SVP) to make their videos look smooth and natural. It is a go-to program for increasing frame rates and reducing motion blur and judders. But is it worth trying? Here, we have tested the Smooth Video Projectsoftware to bring you all the details of the program. We have delved deeper, focusing on its benefits, working, pros and cons, and system resources required to use it efficiently. Let's explore each factor to gain a clear understanding and practical usage. 

SmoothVideo Project Overview

SVP (SmoothVideo Project) 4 is a well-known tool that improves video playback by increasing its frame rate and making it smoother. It adds extra frames between the original ones, so the motion looks more fluid and natural without any jerkiness. In addition, it can efficiently handle HD, 4K, and even 8K playback. 

The best part is that SVP videos do not require conversion. With SVP, you can play videos smoothly in real time without re-encoding. The program also supports VR, 3D, and HDR video formats for a seamless experience. Using the Vapoursynth scripting, advanced users can also extend its features. 

Benefits of SVP

• Supports real-time frame interpolation for smooth playback 
• Cross-platform availability for on-the-fly playback
• Utilizes both CPU and GPU for smooth results 
• Compatible with popular media players, including VLC, PotPlayer, and MPC-HC
• Tweak motion smoothness and performance 

System Requirements of SVP

SVP relies on both your processor and graphics card. However, because the CPU handles most of the processing, larger video sizes will require a more powerful CPU. Here are the optimal hardware and software requirements necessary for SVP to function correctly. 

Hardware Requirements of SVP

Software Requirements of SVP

When to Use SVP: Smooth Motion vs. Traditional Animation

SVP performs best with anime that has consistent, smooth motion across all frames. This includes scene panning, 3D scenes, camera pans, or CGI animations. However, traditional hand-drawn action sequences are often not animated at the actual 24 frames per second (FPS). This can cause issues such as visual glitches or ghosting during interpolation. 

Luckily, SVP's adaptive mode helps by turning off smoothing in such scenes. One common error is forcing interpolation where it doesn't fit, which can make things look worse. Also, SVP works better with higher-resolution content — 1080p Blu-rays perform far better than 720p streams, which often limit smooth playback.

Pros and Cons of SVP

TheSmoothVideo Project is a popular software designed to enhance the smoothness of a video. Besides its several advantages, it also has its share of limitations. Let's weigh the pros and cons of SVP to see if it's worth your time and attention.

Pros of SmoothVideo Project

• Offers many FPS multiple options such as x3, x4, x5, x6, and so on 
• Various FPS presets, such as 45 fps, 48 fps, 50 fps, 60 fps, 72 fps, 75 fps, 90 fps, 120 fps, 144 fps, and 240 fps
• Tailor output settings like sharpness, motion blur, and noise reduction
• Supports GPU acceleration 
• Beneficial for frame interpolation of animation videos and action movies 
• Enables the use of add-on plugins 

Cons of SmoothVideo Project

• Time-consuming and complicated installation process 
• The steep learning curve with a complex interface, especially for users with low or no technical knowledge 
• Offers only a 30-day free trial period
• It needs high system requirements
• The free version has a watermark on the output video 
• Lags, artifacts, glitches, and software crashes during use 
• It does not offer a preview window 
• Cannot detect scene changes 
• It lacks a slo-mo mode

Free Trial and Pricing of SVP 

The SmoothVideo Project4 software offers a 30-day free trial. However, thereafter, you must upgrade to the lifetime subscription plan for full-feature access. With the lifetime plan, you'll get regular updates, ad-free videos with no watermarks, and great support. 

Note: SVPlayer for mobiles and TVs (Android and iOS) is sold separately.

How to Use SVP With VLC: Detailed Guide 

The SmoothVideo Projectis compatible with multiple platforms, including macOS, Windows, Linux, and mobile devices. Walk through our experience of getting SVP to work seamlessly with VLC Media Player.

In this Smooth Video Project tutorial, we have focused on how it works with VLC on a Windows system. Discover the process to enhance regular video playback, making it incredibly smooth in a few clicks.

Step-by-Step Guide to Installing and Using SVP in VLC on Windows Computers

#1 Install SVP on Windows

Step 1: Go to SVP and open the Utilities section.Select Additional programs and features to install the VLC support package.

Step 2: Choose Utilities and select SVP in VLC from the main menu.

Step 3: If prompted by the User Account Control (UAC), click Allow. If not, ensure that the "VLC\plugins\video_filter" folder is manually set to writable. 

Open VLC through the Run VLC with SVP… option from SVP's main menu. 

Alternatively, if you prefer not to launch VLC through SVP's menu, follow these steps:

In SVP, head to the Utilities section and click on "Set environment variables." Or, set them yourself to make sure VLC locates Vapoursynth properly.

• Add SVP 4\mpv64 to your PATH environment variable.
• Create a new environment variable named PYTHONPATH with the same SVP 4\mpv64 path.

To manually set environment variables:

• Launch VLC.
• Go to Tools and click Preferences. Select Show Settings> All, then navigate to Interface > Control interfaces.
• Enable the SVP control interface.

#2 Use SVP in VLC

Step 1: Launch SVP and select Utilities. Choose SVP in VLC to install the SVP plugins for VLC. 

Step 2: Go to Tools and tap Preferences. Click Show settings and select All. 

Step 3: From the Interface, select Control Interface to turn on the SVP's control interface.

SVPis known to increase the videos' frame rate for smoother playback and improved visual quality. However, considering the cons and technical aspects of the SVP software, most users often seek a simple and reliable software solution for video smoothing. 

Best SVP Alternative - UniFab Video Smoother AI 

UniFab's AI-powered Video Smoother can be a great SVP alternative. It examines each frame in detail and inserts extra frames to smooth out motion.Additionally, it leverages advanced AI to eliminate jitters and flickers, providing fluid and smooth motion without hassle. 

Best For: Unlocking AI-driven frame generation for seamless 120 fps video

Key Attractions

• It uses advanced AI frame interpolation to change the video's FPS
• Supports customizable frame rate interpolation (60/120 FPS) 
• It provides a slo-mo mode to reduce speed by up to 4x
• Works for all types of videos, such as game footage, classic films, and sports action 
• Offers a full functionality free trial to Windows and Mac users 

Challenges

• Currently works on Windows and Mac computers only 

Step By Step Guide to Smooth Out a Video using UniFab Video Smoother AI

Comparison Table - SVP vs. UniFab Video Smoother AI

The Smooth Video Projectsoftware may appeal to some users. However, due to its complexity, others may prefer UniFab Video Smoother AI.The following comparison outlines the distinguishing features of both software platforms across standard benchmarks.Let's see how they differ in terms of their features, purpose, performance, and other key aspects. 

Final Wrap

Many users prefer Smooth Video Project for video frame interpolation. We have offered a comprehensive SVP review to help you understand its advantages, functionality, strengths, and limitations. However, considering its technicalities, we recommend using UniFab Video Smoother AI. It's not only easy to use but is light on your computer resources. Powered by intelligent AI, it fills motion gaps with pinpoint accuracy— giving your videos ultra-smooth results. Download and try it today for a video free from artifacts and frame duplication.

FAQs about SmoothVideo Project

Is SVP free?

SVP offers a 30-day free trial to users of Windows and Mac. However, Linux users can use it for free without the need to upgrade to SVP Pro.With the SVP premium version, you can unlock additional functionalities for improved performance. 

Can I work SVP on YouTube?

Yes. It operates seamlessly with YouTube videos when used alongside video players that support streaming. However, it may require some additional setup. 

What is the best SVP alternative? 

UniFab Video Smoother AI is an excellent program to increase the frame rate and smoothness of a video. Its cutting-edge AI technology enables even beginners to enhance video clarity by eliminating visual distortion with a single click.