Video Enhancer AI software Shoot-out - Topaz vs AVCLabs.

[@jaydear1125]

I like the idea of having picture controls built-in like AVC Labs, but Topaz has better control of the scaling in my opinion. I work with 8mm film and VHS transfers but neither AVC nor Topaz enhancers seem to be able to make good improvements without some really weird effects e.g. steam can go like yogurt :P and things that move in circular or regular up and down or back and forth motions can gain some very strange and unwanted effects. Neither app can cope with film dirt and hairs so I'm using NEAT Video for that. NEAT Video can do VERY good noise and dirt/hair removal plus a tiny bit of sharpening, but nowhere near the sharpening that AVC Labs or Topaz offer. Good video, many thanks.

[@VideoTutors]

I totally agree with what you say about NEAT video. I have used it for years with some amazing results. The downside being the length of render time, but then that is an issue with the video enhancers as well. For quicker results Apple's noise reducer plugin can do quite well - Thanks for your support

[@craposoup684]

@@VideoTutors I'm new to NEAT Video, for upscaling DVD videos with plenty noise, is it better to denoise first before upscaling with Topaz or AVC, or complete the upscaling then proceed with denoise?

[@xk-r-us]

I would thonk that after the upscale, but would be interested in other's comments.

[@petersolomon5227]

The problem with using Neat Video for the removal of analogue film dirt, hairs, chemical stains etc, is it removes detail you wish to maintain. The only way to do this effectively is use a dedicated motion film restoration app’, such as Diamant’s Dust Buster+.

[@jaydear1125]

@@petersolomon5227 Thanks for the heads up, I've downloaded a demo and will give it a try asap. Diamant are very quiet about the pricing, which makes me think of the old saying - "If you have to ask how much it costs, you can't afford it". For it's reasonable cost, Neat video does a good job of removing scratches, hairs and dust, but it needs different settings for dissimilar scenes and mixed film types and that can be very time-consuming.

[@ThePROMusikGroup]

I've been using Topaz VEAI for almost 2 years now and I just started using AVCLabs Video Enhancer AI. I can't make my mind up as to which program is better. I use Topaz for remastering VHS footage and similar quality. Topaz is GREAT for remastering digitized VHS footage and such. The results shock me sometimes. However, other video I have not had such luck with Topaz. Even 360p videos usually are a lost cause in my experience. It seems 720p would be the sweet spot for the minimum quality input. I have the full program, so I have updated it. I'm just learning AVC so I can't judge it yet. I do hope it can rival Topaz.

[@VideoTutors]

Thanks for your comprehensive reply Wett. I'd be interested to know how your evaluations go

[@50shadesofbeige88]

The beta version of Topaz is a night and day difference. Still a lot of work to do, but it's much better. I had never heard of AVC until I saw this video. I'll have to check it out. Good work!

[@VideoTutors]

Thanks - interested to hear what you think of ACVLabs

[@perlefisker]

Hallo Bruce, that was a very neat and clean comparison you did there. I wish more channels were as concise and straightforward. Thank you for this.

[@VideoTutors]

Glad it was helpful - appreciate your ongoing support - thanks

[@ThisSteveGuy]

With that old band footage in Topaz, I would definitely use the "dehalo" filter since there's lots haloing visible in there. The term "halo" refers to when the camera adds a very dark line around a bright area of the image, which you can see next to the TV set and the musicians' shirts. It's an artifact from old camera sensors. The amount of dehalo-ing is adjustable in the Proteus Fine Tune HD model, plus there are also the separate dehalo models which often do a great job with old SD footage with no need to fiddle around.

[@VideoTutors]

That is great information Steven. I will be doing some more tests with the band footage with the new version 3 upgrade of Topaz. Interesting to see the results.

[@DanThomasUK]

It's a shame that we can do a lot with photos - but as the software to do so takes a minute per frame (roughly) then doing that by 25/30 frames per second for video means the video software has to be deliberately less intensive or no one would use it! 🙂 At that rate it would take 25 hours for a minute of footage (and often feels like it will). This, in my opinion, shows where cloud computing could shine - upload your videos and have a server farm tackle it rather than your overheating laptop Fantastic review and summary, thank you

[@VideoTutors]

That is good thinking Dan

[@amypeng6472]

I used AVCLabs to up-res and colorize a 16mm film I had transferred and it really brought it to life!

[@VideoTutors]

the best one is the one that works for you

[@petersolomon5227]

Thank you Bruce. I would be interested in seeing your follow up to this comparison of video enhancement applications. For about three years I have used Topaz Labs' Video AI. A major selling point for me is the customer support and regular updates to their software. It isn't clear which company released their product first. However, it is fair to say they are equally competitive in their online advertising presence. Topaz' Video AI V.5 offers not just superb time remapping but frame interpolation models. The frame interpolation works well as a follow-up pass to changing the output speed of video.

[@VideoTutors]

Peter, I have used many of the video enhancement packages on offer, and more come to me on a regular basis for reviews and I find they are much the same - Topaz does have the edge, and is getting quicker all the time. Version 5 is a big update as you mention. i have two companies that are asking me for a review at present. I hope to put sioke time aside to compare them.

[@timeismonkeystudio]

I just found your video and it's very helpful. I have a lot of SD video from many years ago I'm looking to enhance and upscale. Thanks for posting!

[@VideoTutors]

Glad it was helpful! I am always happy to help if you need support

[@QuicksilverSG]

Before cranking that overexposed dance hall footage though an AI-charged transmogrifier, you might consider doing some basic exposure and color balance correction on the unenhanced footage. That would give the AI software a fighting chance at baking it into something less garish.

[@VideoTutors]

That was exactly my point to us ematerial that had not had any corrections on it. Thanks for pointing out how some color correction will help the process.

[@DirettoIZM]

I like both, but the monthly/annual pricing model disappoints me. I have been using TOPAZ AI, and its updates have improved things, but I wonder what happens in a couple months when my "annual" subscription ends? Do the updates stop or do I lose all functionality? If it's the latter, I'll just uprez in DaVinci Resolve. It takes (a lot) more tweaking but can achieve similar results, in my experience. Thanks for the video.

[@VideoTutors]

Thanks for your thoughts, whatever, the technology is advancing very quickly and there are new players coming into the market - which will be interesting to watch.

[@bfg9000d1]

@@VideoTutors The garbage in garbage out princpal always applies. It's why Betamax should have been the standard and not VHS. With Topaz try pushing up to 400 to 600% scale. If its from a vhs tape. I have found that the newer vhs players are crap. Plus the one's made in the early 2000's wasn't much better. A good quality one made in the 1990's was so much better in quality. I do all my transfers using one from that time frame and it yields about the best you can get for VHS quality.

[@VideoTutors]

I really agree about the garbage in garbage principal. That’s one reason I picked the worst quality footage I had access to. I will try your 400 suggestion see that changes things. I guess that there is just not enough in the original footage to get anything useable. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@ri9z.]

You got me thinking about the pricing scheme as I had assumed with Topaz it was $199 and you owned that version of the software (it looks like this is the case). At the bottom of the Topaz pricing page they've listed "Buy once, own forever - You own the version you bought forever. You also get 1 year of unlimited upgrades with your purchase." So, it looks like it's $199 (or whatever discounted price you find), and once the year is up you stop getting updates/upgrades, but can still use the software frozen at the version of your last update. This assumes that there aren't any Windows/MacOS software updates that stop older versions of Topaz from working.

[@VideoTutors]

I agree with your assumption

[@toyguy1956]

My computer probably I bit too slow for this (I5 2400 16 gb of ram video editing software works ok but with these I think too slow any ideas

[@VideoTutors]

For sure all video enhancers take up lots processor power and they are take a long time to render. it's just the "nature of the beast" that we all have to live with. I hav ehad renders that have take several days to complete.

[@budthecyborg4575]

Don't forget Topaz gives you the full program forever, your account just stops receiving AI model updates a year from your purchase date. So if you're happy with the performance it has now it's effectively a one time purchase and not a subscription.

[@VideoTutors]

very true

[@karlsonkab51]

with the older Topaz, Proteus gives very good focus ability at relatively low GPU wattage. Having the ability to scale "in between" is good when successive iteration bring further improvements. BTW- PIXBIM - offers a very good upscaler for around $80 and it works the gpu at max power . I would like to know about AVCLabs colorizer but would not want to pay $299 for a package with upscaler. It would be nice if they could offer a separate AI video colorizer as there's little on the market. (again - Pixbim has a very good video colorier for only $59 !)

[@VideoTutors]

Thats good to know, thanks for letting us know.

[@massimox8256]

Ottimo test. Ben eseguito. La mia opinione è che, al momento, questi software, sono immaturi e non apportano migliorie sufficienti per giustificare la spesa.

[@VideoTutors]

You are correct about software becoming better in the future. But we must work with what we have today

[@carlbruiners]

I've ran similar checks and I've noticed two major flaws with AVCLabs... the first is on certain patterns it adds in loads of noise. And the second which is more problematic is the blur / haze it appears to apply. Take your brick version, you may notice that line definition in the brick has been colour washed over by the brick colour, I've noticed this alot. One minor I've also noticed is that Topaz appears better at colour enhancement when colours are more contrasting (say orange, yellows and reds in darker scenes).

[@VideoTutors]

Thanks for the comprehensive evaluation Carl, really interesting.

[@petersolomon5227]

And to add another player to the mix, REVision FX have a new AI upscale/ de-noise video plugin that may give Video Enhance some competition.

[@VideoTutors]

Thanks for letting me know - I'll give it a burl

[@laughingalien]

A very well spoken and thought out review. Thank you, sir.

[@VideoTutors]

Thanks for your kind comments - and support. Bruce

[@shawn2071]

*SO OVERALL THE WINNER IS AVCLABS, I WILL PURCHASE THE LICENSE, THANK YOU SIR*

[@VideoTutors]

Good luck with the new software

[@shawn2071]

@@VideoTutors I just downloaded and actually they don’t have the 64bit version :( I hope they will release the 64bit version someday

[@xk-r-us]

@@shawn2071 That's surprising - let me check it out

[@shawn2071]

@@xk-r-us yes it says 64bit for windows when I downloaded , but actually it’s a x86 hahaha

[@yoeymeme]

the resolution at the band footage isnt accurate, i see its 720x576, but in most cases when you transfer it, it shows the screen of it which is the resolution 576p, i believe the band footage resolution is actually as bad as 180p, 320x180

[@VideoTutors]

WOW that's a big difference, have you commented to Topaz?

[@PHUKU]

you missed out that AVC can colourise which Topaz doesn't do at all

[@VideoTutors]

Good point, I will need to add that in the next video. Thanks for pointing it out

[@LenSaPrinz]

Hi I like both for yr recommendation for long term usage tks

[@VideoTutors]

Topaz is the way to go - have a look at version 4.TOPAZ has really come of age. kzbin.info/www/bejne/fZa4gHqXq7KEj6c

[@legendisapro3007]

Very nicely done video, keep going!

[@VideoTutors]

Thanks for your support - much appreciated.

[@АнастасіяМендела]

Hi! Can you tell me please, how many time wool I need to enhance an old 30 minutes video using one of this tool?

[@VideoTutors]

the time will depend on the power of your computer. But work on several hours - under 10 hours

[@sanjaydawoosing5427]

i try avclabs but dont get any result as its taking too much time to processing

[@VideoTutors]

Are you Intel or M1?

[@cgott42]

How do they compare in terms of time needed to upscale/render? TIA

[@VideoTutors]

They both take an extensive time to render. I didn't measure it accurately but my impression was that the Topaz was a good bit quicker. But with that said the AVC app is recommended for M1 Macs and I still have an 2020 Intel iMac at the moment. Which was the reason I did not evaluate the render times.

[@damienm2018]

Does AVC still process video files without a internet connection? I have Topaz but it does not work without a internet connection so if my wifi drops or I need to work in a coffee shop or outside it won’t work without an active internet connection.

[@VideoTutors]

Thanks a really good question. To be honest I don't know, so i'm going to try it without an Internet to see. I''ll let you know

[@mylovesongs2429]

so if i buy Topaz, do i need a high-end PC, with perhaps an Intel i7 or i9 processor? i need something to repair a VHS tape full of rolling, tearing content.

[@VideoTutors]

A faster computer will speed up the process, but will not affect the quality. I must say I have not had much success with VHS. there is just not enough definition in the original to make it good. it will look better, but will still be fuzzy with artifacts.

[@hairyhands8259]

​@VideoTutors, can you tell us what spec computer you're using? I'm looking at a Mac Mini M1/M2 either 8/16 gb Ram. I have a top spec i7 MacBook and it can't handle Topaz or AVC.

[@VideoTutors]

@@hairyhands8259 I'm using an entry level MacStudio 32Ram. MacMini m2 should be about same as my macStudio. No one really talks about the elephant in the room with Enhancer software. They all need extended render times - but you have to accept that if you want to upscale and enhance. Topaz 3.2 took 58 mins to upscale SD footage to 8k 29 secs in length. AVCLabs was longer as was HitPaw.(kzbin.info/www/bejne/mHmkmqalqpxoprM) AVCLabs is a dog without Apple Silicon. My impression is that Topaz is fastest - if you can use the word fast in connection with long render times. topazlabs.com/video-enhance-ai/ref/835/

[@hairyhands8259]

@VideoTutors My MacBook Pro is 4 years old, i7 2.6ghz, 4gb GPU, 32gb ram. Render time was 13 hours on 25 min SD to HD. I tried demos of both software. The fan roars from the start, so rendering is impossible. Now, I'm looking at a Mac Mini for rendering. Your rendering time of 58 mins is the most impressive I've seen. I'm also looking at running a Windows version of the software via Parallels.

[@VideoTutors]

@@hairyhands8259 yea but my file was only 29 secs long

[@IB-qc4iw]

i think, better way is upscaling Frame for Frame.. its a long time work. to upscale. but the better way. and after bring all frames back to a video before upscaling a old footagevideo.. i have test topaz labs many times and my result is bad one day a good result, one day bad result same video! Or topaz crashed . Not a Software for me

[@VideoTutors]

Wwe all have our personal favorites

[@DR3AM2002]

Bro tell me which one is your favourite?

[@VideoTutors]

At the Moment, I use Topaz, due to the fact I still have an Intel mac. When I get the macStudio this week, I will be looking at AVC again.

[@ismetismet6246]

AVC rejected bmy wmv files, they are not corrupted, all media players could play them, other converters also topaz convert them ?

[@VideoTutors]

That's interesting I will try that - have you advised AVCLabs?

[@parisyoung5490]

This issue has been fixed. You can try it now.

[@IB-qc4iw]

but for topaz a good way way to make money. And i believe companys bbc and other have stable professional versions.

[@VideoTutors]

They certainly are selling lots

[@val058]

The standard filters in just about any version of Sony Vegas does a much much better job of low quality footage enhancements. The lower the quality video the more the need for these products but ironically they can’t do much with low quality.

[@VideoTutors]

I agree - there seems to be nothing that will recover old SD footage. Interesting you should have luck with Vegas. Haven't used it for years and years.

[@JohnOnlySpeaks]

Is there anything close on android for free

[@VideoTutors]

Don't know of anything like Topaz or AVC labs on Andriod

[@frosti7]

Can any of those De-interlace the footage as well?

[@VideoTutors]

Topaz certainly can de-interlace - not sure about AVCLabs

[@parisyoung5490]

Yes, AVCLabs supports de-interlacing.

[@petersolomon5227]

This video is out of date. Topaz Labs’ product has been called Video AI for about a year.

[@VideoTutors]

Thanks for pointing that out.

[@xoneeleven]

Subscribed!

[@VideoTutors]

Thanks very much for subscribing - it is really appreciated

[@dbametrix]

I need to upscale some of old movies 360px to 480px. Which one is best for me?

[@VideoTutors]

I would try Topaz - they have demo version and there is a big promo planned for black Friday. I'm not able to comment yet, so check back to this video to get the details in a couple of days.

[@clajmate69]

nice topic here, i instantly sub

[@VideoTutors]

Awesome, thank you - very much appreciated

[@TomGrubbe]

These are utitlies that I would probably only use once and a while, so the fact that they use a subscription model is a deal breaker. If they only charged a one-time fee of say $100 I'd be fine with that.

[@VideoTutors]

We can only wish - would be a good idea for us, but I guess they want to make a profit

[@liverockarchive]

Actually, Topaz Video Enhance AI doesn't use a subscription model. You pay once and you get the software forever and one year worth of updates. Then if you want to update it after a year, you can pay $99 for another year worth of updates.

[@xk-r-us]

@@liverockarchive Thanks for pointing that out.

[@lilrr1431]

Can i upscale only a section of a video in topaz ai?

[@VideoTutors]

Yes just select the section with the Mark start frame and Mark end frame. or press "I" and "O" in the timeline.

[@lilrr1431]

@@VideoTutors OMG THANK YOU YOUR A SAVIOR! Im so silly and incompetent cant believe I couldn’t figure it out

[@lilrr1431]

@@VideoTutors just doing my video right now cheers✌️

[@VideoTutors]

good luck

[@VideoTutors]

well done

[@Namirov_V]

We all need gtx 4060 for fast render - otherwice we need wait too much time /

[@VideoTutors]

Whatever enhancer you buy will have LONNNNGGG render times.

[@peradonmez]

Thanks for the video.

[@VideoTutors]

I'm pleased that it is of value to you

[@peradonmez]

​@@VideoTutors Definitely, the points you mentioned in the video helped me a lot. Have a nice day.

[@ChristiaanRoest79]

The current topaz video ai is much better than AVC.

[@VideoTutors]

Different users have different needs but I tend to agree with you about Topaz being a solid program. it's good to see others appearing to keep Topaz on the bal for improvement.

[@1hitkill973]

It sucks that Topaz doesn't have a face reconstruction of some sort. Well, their Gigapixel does. And that's about it. Nothing for video? Sucks.

[@VideoTutors]

maybe a good idea as a suggestion for them

[@oliphantfiction5144]

Their newest release has a new model Iris which includes face enhancement. Getting good reviews.

[@1hitkill973]

For the past few months, I've been into Jupyter notebooks and I'm satisfied because it is absolutely free. Funny how companies have been monetizing tools that were free all along.