VLC Upscale | Guide on How to Upscale Video Quality in VLC

What is VLC?

VLC media player is a free and open-source software that can play most multimedia audio and video files, webcams, DVDs, audio CDs, VCDs, and other streaming protocols. The Video LAN project developed VLC. VLC media player is available for all devices, iOS, iPad, Android, and digital platforms like Microsoft and Apple's App Store. VLC also has a feature to play video back again. It supports video compression and can apply effects and filters to videos. It can enhance video quality by hardware yuv rgb conversions and adjusting color components. VLC multimedia player has no spyware, ads, or user tracking.

Can VLC Upscale Video Quality?

While VLC doesn't offer the advanced features of specialized software, it provides several adjustable settings that can enhance video quality to some extent. In the following section, we’ll explore these settings in detail and guide you on how to adjust them for improved video upscaling.

[Guide] 4 Ways for VLC Upscaling

In this section, we'll explore different methods to enhance video quality using VLC Media Player.

1. Adjust Output Modules in VLC to Upscale Video

VLC has advanced video setting features that work excellently for upscaling video quality. You can adjust the output module or change VLC settings for the best video quality. To adjust module settings, you don't need to go through a complex process. Just follow these simple steps in this tutorial and see the magic of VLC upscale features.

DirectX output module setting in VLC

• Open the video in the VLC media player and click Tools at the top menu. Next, choose the 'Preferences' option or press Ctrl + P to open the following interface.
• Click 'Show Settings' and change settings from 'Simple' to 'All'. Next, tap the 'Video' panel and click 'Output Modules.'
• Select DirectX (DirectDraw) video output and uncheck "Use hardware YUV ->RGB Conversions'.
• Click the 'Save' button and restart the VLC media player to load your desired video or DVD.

If this module doesn't work, you can try the following VLC upscale output module to enhance video quality in VLC.

OpenGL output module in VLC

• Select the 2nd OpenGL from the Output Modules.
• In the color space conversion section, change the Relative colorimetric under the Rendering intent for color conversion to Absolute colorimetric or saturation.
• Click 'Save' and re-open VLC to play your desired video or DVD.

 YUV output module setting in VLC

If your video lacks the best chromatic components, you can enable the hardware yuv rgb conversions to fine-tune the color components and enhance VLC upscale video quality.

• Open the Output module under the 'Video' panel and choose the 'YUV output' option.
• To save settings correctly, tick the 'Add a YUV4MPEG2 header' and click the 'Save' button.
• Restart the VLC media player to check if your video image is tuned fine for better visuals.

Note: These VLC settings for best video quality are undoubtedly helpful for improving overall visual clarity, but improvement will be limited by the quality of the original video.

2. Use VLC Super Resolution to Upscale Video

NVIDIA introduced RTX Video Super Resolution, a cutting-edge technology for video playback. Initially, this feature was limited to the latest Chrome and Edge versions, but it is now supported by popular media players like VLC. Users can now enhance their video playback experience in VLC by upscaling resolutions. For example, VLC can upscale from 720p to 1080p, 1440p, or even 4k.

Remember to activate the VLC super resolution feature, install the newest VLC (3.0.19 or later), and have a PC running NVIDIA or GeForce RTX 30 and 40-series graphics cards.

• Open the NVIDIA control panel and activate RTX Video Super Resolution for VLC super resolution.
• Next, navigate to 'Video' under 'Advanced Settings' and select Adjust video image settings.
• Locate this menu's "RTX video enhancement" settings and check the Super resolution option.
• Choose the desired upscaling level from the Quality drop-down options (level 4 delivers the best performance but uses more GPU resources.
• Next click the 'Save' to apply the changes.

3. Use VLC Filters to Enhance Video Quality

Effects and filters are a must-mention feature of VLC when it comes to VLC settings for the best video quality. VLC has dozens of filters and video effects you can apply for free. The classic 'Color threshold' effect is the best quality upscaling example.

So, let's discuss a few simple steps to apply these filters to your videos for VLC super resolution:

• Open a video in the VLC media player and click on Tools at the top menu. Next, choose the 'Effects and Filters' option.
• Open the 'Video Effects' tab. Within the Adjustment and Effects popup, open the 'Video Effects' and apply the 'Color threshold' video effect.
• From the 'Essential' tab, you can adjust the hue, brightness, contrast, saturation, and sharpen to make your video look clearer.
• Once done, click 'Save,' then click 'Close.'

4. Change Video Color Range in VLC

If you have been troubled with the VLC washed-out color issue, you can change color range to VLC upscale video up to 4k. VLC media player doesn't change the color range. To do that, you need an NVIDIA graphics card. If you have a graphics card, follow the below steps for the best VLC upscaling settings:

• Search for the NVIDIA control panel in the window search tab and open it. Next, navigate to 'Video' under 'Advanced Settings.'
• Click on the 'Adjust video color settings' option, then tick 'with the Nvidia settings' and go to the 'Advanced' option.
• Change from a limited (16-235) color range to a full dynamic range (0-255) and relaunch the VLC media player on your desktop to put it into effect.

Tip: Changing the color range doesn't enhance sharpness; it only improves tone. UniFab AI can effortlessly improve color, clarity, sharpness, and overall quality.

Limitations of VLC for Upscaling

• No AI Upscaling: VLC doesn't use AI or advanced algorithms like dedicated video enhancers, so the quality improvement is limited.
• Basic Settings: Upscaling is based on basic settings like sharpening and deinterlacing, which can't significantly enhance low-resolution videos.
• Resolution Limitations: VLC can't upscale a video to a much higher resolution with perfect clarity—improvements are constrained by the original video quality.
• No Automatic Enhancement: Unlike specialized software, VLC doesn't automatically detect and optimize video content for better upscaling.

Easier VLC Upscaler Alternative to Upscale Video to HD/4K/8K

The above-mentioned VLC settings for best video quality can be time-consuming and complex. UniFab is a convenient and easier VLC alternative that improves video quality for a better playback experience. UniFab Video Enhancer AI can transform your ordinary video into studio-quality video. This free video upscaler can convert DVDs and old videos into high-resolution. You can upscale video to 4k, 8k, or even 16K fast and effortlessly with just one click.

The upscaling speed of UniFab is breakneck and up to 200% higher than traditional video enhancers. UniFab is super easy to use, and no complex process is required to enjoy quality videos. With UniFab AI Video Enhancer, you can apply video effects and color components to videos.

How to improve video quality easily with UniFab

Within no time, this AI video upscaler will upscale your video automatically, which you can download directly to your PC.

FAQs of VLC Upscale

Does VLC have super resolution?

Yes, if you have an NVIDIA graphics card, you can use the VLC super resolution feature to enhance the video resolution. You can also directly improve the video resolution from the Video Effects menu during playback.

Should I turn on deinterlace in VLC?

Whether you should turn on deinterlace in VLC depends on the video you’re watching. If the video was recorded in interlaced format (common in older TV broadcasts or some DVDs), enabling deinterlace will help reduce visible lines and flickering, improving video smoothness.

Can VLC upscale a video to 4K?

Yes, VLC allows you to upscale a video to 4k. You can apply video filters, change output modules and color range, and deinterlace a video to increase clarity and sharpness.

Can I use VLC as a free video-enhancing software?

Yes, VLC is a completely free media player that allows you to improve video quality through video settings.