🎬 [Discussion] Tried Upscaling 1080P to 4K - Here’s What Actually Works (AI + Open Source Tools)

[Daisy]

Hey everyone,

I’ve been working on cleaning up some old footage lately, mostly 1080P clips from early projects and wanted to give them a more cinematic, 4K-quality look. After testing a bunch of AI upscalers, mobile apps, and open-source tools, here’s what I found actually worth your time.

1. HitPaw VikPea Video Enhancer

This one really surprised me. It’s an AI-powered desktop tool that automatically enhances resolution, removes noise, and restores detail. You can pick from 4 models (General, Animation, Face, Colorize), and the results look genuinely professional, no artifacts or oversharpening.

Perfect for anyone editing interviews, YouTube videos, or old film clips.

2. HitPaw Online Video Enhancer

Basically the same tech, but in your browser. Super convenient if you don’t want to download anything. Upload → choose a model → upscale to 4K. Done.

3. Neural.love

Great for motion smoothing and restoring older or compressed footage. The color correction and face detail enhancement are next-level.

4. Fotor Video Enhancer

Simple, cloud-based option. Upload a file, pick 4K, and it processes automatically. Not as customizable, but it’s great for quick improvements.

5. PowerDirector

If you edit mostly on your phone, this one’s solid. It has a built-in AI upscale option and exports in 4K.

6. CapCut

Free and friendly for social media editors. It even includes an “AI Upscale” feature under Adjust → Enhance. Works well for short-form video.

7. HandBrake (Open Source)

Classic tool for compression and encoding. It’s not automatic upscaling, but you can control bitrate, resolution, and filters if you know what you’re doing.

8. Video2X (Open Source)

Uses AI models like ESRGAN and waifu2x for legit upscaling. It’s geeky to set up but extremely powerful once configured.

My Takeaway

If you just want fast, high-quality 4K results, HitPaw VikPea Video Enhancer is honestly the most consistent.

For free/open-source enthusiasts, Video2X is the way to go (just expect a learning curve).

Upscaling tech has come a long way - AI genuinely makes old 1080P clips feel cinematic.

Would love to know what tools others here use for upscaling or restoring video quality. Any other open-source gems I should test?