Question about Topaz Video AI

[Oldfart1234]

I have some old TV shows on DVD, that have never come out on blu-ray or anything higher then SD. I am just wondering can Topaz Video AI upscale these to 1080p and have them look good or am I wasting my time and money? If anyone has suggestions on setting to use for such content that info would be greatly appreciated, I am new to this so I know nothing about it.

[rgr]

Yes, Topaz can improve such material to 720p or 1080p using the Artemis Low/Medium Quality filter.
But I would first deinterlace using Avisynth and the QTGMC filter.
Topaz also has a filter for 480i/576i recordings, but I wouldn't count on much.

Honestly it might be better to use Avisynth+QTGMC and the Neat Video in VirtualDub and leave it at 576p.

[Oldfart1234]

Yes, Topaz can improve such material to 720p or 1080p using the Artemis Low/Medium Quality filter.
But I would first deinterlace using Avisynth and the QTGMC filter.
Topaz also has a filter for 480i/576i recordings, but I wouldn't count on much.

Honestly it might be better to use Avisynth+QTGMC and the Neat filter in VirtualDub and leave it at 576p.

I REALLY appreciate the responds, but I have never used Avisynth and I took a look at it and it does not have a GUI, so I would have no clue how to use it. Could you possibly give me an example of how I would deinterlace using Avisynth and the QTGMC filter?

Thanks.

[rgr]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4PyyQoz6eo

1. There are newer versions of programs than the ones in this video.
2. You only need VirtualDub2 and AviSynth (+ plugins for AviSynth).

[C.C. 95]

I have some old TV shows on DVD, that have never come out on blu-ray or anything higher then SD. I am just wondering can Topaz Video AI upscale these to 1080p and have them look good or am I wasting my time and money? If anyone has suggestions on setting to use for such content that info would be greatly appreciated, I am new to this so I know nothing about it.

This is the MAIN reason I use it. Upscaling 480 to 1080.
Your settings and models will differ based on the source. But always deinterlace and inverse telecine the footage first to bring it back to 24fps (if it originated on film).
I like the Iris model (because it does great with faces). Proteus is great, but its very ganular and you will be tweaking for awhile.
I always set added grain to around 2/2 to combat any appearance of waxy smoothing.

Although, maybe not as good as QTGMC- you can use Handbrake for deinterlace and inverse telecine.
Just make your output 0 (placebo level) It'll be the best possible output quality for topaz.
Also- make sure you convert to square pixels. (You can either do this before topaz, or do it in topaz)

[Harry leChein]

Hello

Topaz is without doubt the best tool I have ever purchased. Prior to this, I spent time with a number of cheaper tools, but nothing came close.

I had approx 500 DVDs mainly for UK shows going back to the late '70s. Very little call for Bluray or streaming services for these. Even if they were available, my Topaz $$ would have bought, maybe, 2-3 box sets.

After a reasonably steep learning curve, I have been able to augment our viewing experience beyond all comparison.

My sugestions are as follows:

1. Make the source as clean as possible.
After much experimenting and trial-and-error, I chanced upon the work of Cu Selur and his unbelievably excellent HYBRID GUI. HYBRID is the 'front-end' to a vast array of inbuilt tools, specifically QTGMC and Vapoursynth, which has saved huge amounts of time as I do not need to write scripts and correct the inevitable syntax errors. With HYBRID and MakeMKV, producing a de-interlaced square-pixel file suitable for input to Topaz is a breeze. QTGMC is recognised as the premier algorithm and its performance seems to achieve a better outcome than the in-built Topaz de-interlacer (BWDIF call to FFMPEG script). QTGMC also provides de-noising and sharpening algorithms as part of the de-interlacing proess.

2. Have realistic expectations.
For example, I set a size limit of FHD. The human eye is unable to differentiate beyond that when 11 feet from a 75" panel which is our viewing situation. Testing with examples showed this to be true for us. So I do not have a final render above that.

3. Establish repeatable workflows.
PAL DVDs are rendered in 576i, so I established this workflow:

1. Unpack the DVD VOB files using MakeMKV.
2. De-interlace with Hybrid, optionally uplift to 720p using the Lanczos algorithm.
3. Cut a clip or two from the file with AVIDemux for testing.
4. Input to Topaz and output with Iris, Proteus and Rhea.
5. Compare the outputs using Gridplayer.
6. Adjust accordingly until you're happy and select the best model.
7. Export a FHD file using the lossless FFV1 protocol.
8. Using FFmpeg Batch AV Converter, generate a .265 file using the x265 algorithm.

I found it much better to make decisions as to the final model to use based on a couple of 2-3 minute extracts viewed on the target environment as opposed to at the computer terminal.
Additionally, for a 90 minute episode, rendering and muxing is going to take 12 hours or so (NVidia 4070Ti), so I have a seperate machine for that in a cool, dark place which I control using Teamviewer (LAN version).

Apart from Topaz, all the software I use is produced and maintained by a myriad of selfless individuals who make their impressive outcomes available to whoever wishes. It is so refreshing and affirming that these (largely anonymous) boffins continue to amaze myself and countless millions who enjoy the fruits of their labours.

If you should find this brief reply to be of value, I would be most happy to have assisted you in a small way.

[Selur]

side note:
Cu = short for "see you"
Name is the Selur