Hi everyone, Daniel here. I spent the weekend fixing some old SD travel clips and tested a few AI video upscalers. Sharing my quick results in case it helps anyone restoring old footage. 
Best Result: HitPaw VikPea
I got the cleanest 4K and even 8K improvement using VikPea.
Multiple AI models
Great noise reduction
Natural looking sharpness
Side by side previewIt made my noisy handheld shots look like they were filmed on a modern camera.
Free Tools I Tried
Here are the free options that worked for me:
Video2X – strong AI but needs GPU power
Waifu2x – great for anime edges
Anime4K – extremely fast for stylized clips
HandBrake – good for resizing, not real detail recovery
Online Upscalers
For quick small clips, these were handy:
HitPaw Online AI Video Enhancer
CapCut Upscaler
Nero AI Upscaler
Vmake Upscaler
HitPaw Online was the fastest for me without installing anything.
Mobile Apps
When I edited on my phone:
VikPea App gave the best clarity
KineMaster and PowerDirector were good for mixing editing + enhancement
Get More Info: Best Video Upscaler Tools in 2025 | AI Video Upscaler Guide
Final Takeaway
If you want the cleanest upgrade for old or blurry video, VikPea is the easiest and most reliable.
If you only need quick tests, the online tool works great.Have any of you tried AI upscaling on old footage? Share your results!