Is this best AI upscaler ever?
TLDRThis video review evaluates the AI image upscaling tool 'Magnific' against the popular 'Gigapixel'. The reviewer expresses initial skepticism about the high cost of Magnific, which starts at $40 per month, compared to the one-time purchase of Gigapixel. Through a series of tests on portraits, landscapes, and vector graphics, the reviewer explores various settings and finds that while Magnific can produce superior results, especially in restoring details and enhancing images for professional use, it also has a learning curve. The tool is praised for not requiring powerful hardware and for its standalone operation. However, the reviewer points out that Magnific can sometimes alter images too much, changing faces and adding unexpected elements. It's concluded that Magnific is a powerful tool for professionals who can justify the cost and use it for specific tasks, but it may not be suitable for everyday use or hobbyists due to its expense and the need for careful adjustment of settings to achieve the desired results.
Takeaways
- π€ The AI upscaler tool 'Magnific' is tested against Gigapixel and other tools for its effectiveness in image upscaling.
- π° Magnific is more expensive than Gigapixel, with a subscription model starting at $40 per month, targeting professional use rather than casual users.
- π Magnific is a standalone online service, meaning it doesn't require powerful local processing power or specific software like Photoshop.
- πΌοΈ The tool is tested with various types of images including portraits, landscapes, and vector graphics to assess its versatility.
- π The reviewer found that Magnific performed well in restoring and adding details to upscaled images, sometimes outperforming Gigapixel.
- π¨ Magnific allows for adjustments in settings like creativity level, HDR, and resemblance to the original image, which can significantly affect the output.
- π₯οΈ The interface of Magnific is straightforward, offering options to upscale images and apply different effects, but it processes one image at a time.
- βοΈ Experimentation with Magnific's settings is key to achieving the best results, and the reviewer provides some recommended settings for different types of images.
- π« The tool can sometimes introduce artifacts or alter facial features in a way that may not be desirable, especially with high creativity settings.
- π Magnific shows great potential for restoring and upscaling poor quality images to a usable state, which can be a significant advantage for certain professional tasks.
- π The reviewer concludes that Magnific is a powerful tool for upscaling, best suited for professional use, and provides detailed settings for various image types in the video description.
Q & A
What is the name of the new AI upscaler tool mentioned in the transcript?
-The new AI upscaler tool mentioned in the transcript is called 'Magnific'.
How does the cost of using Magnific compare to Topaz Gigapixels?
-Magnific is more expensive than Topaz Gigapixels. While Gigapixels costs about $99 for a one-time purchase, Magnific has a subscription fee starting at $40 per month.
What are the advantages of using an online service like Magnific for image upscaling?
-An online service like Magnific does not require a powerful graphics card on your computer since the processing is done online. This also means you can access the service from anywhere without needing to install any software.
What are some of the issues the reviewer faced when using Magnific for upscaling images?
-The reviewer faced issues such as changes in facial characteristics, especially in portraits, where emotions could be lost. There were also instances where the AI took creative liberties, adding elements that were not in the original image.
How does the reviewer suggest using Magnific for the best results?
-The reviewer suggests experimenting with different settings, particularly reducing creativity to a negative number for a more conservative approach, and using specific prompts and AI engines for better results. They also recommend understanding how the application works to avoid misjudging its capabilities.
What are the reviewer's final thoughts on whether Magnific is worth its price?
-The reviewer concludes that Magnific is a powerful and potentially superior product for upscaling, especially for professional use where costs can be passed on to clients. However, they note that it is not suited for everyday use or hobbyists due to its high cost.
What is the reviewer's opinion on the user interface of Gigapixel compared to Magnific?
-The reviewer finds Gigapixel's user interface very straightforward and easy to use, with options to process multiple images at once. In contrast, Magnific allows processing only one image at a time, which requires more attention from the user.
What are the different AI engines available in Magnific and what are they used for?
-Magnific has three different AI engines: Illusio, which is better for landscapes and nature; Realism, which is suitable for photography and adding sharpness to images; and Sparkle, which is a balance between the two.
How does the reviewer feel about the image output options in Magnific?
-The reviewer is disappointed that Magnific only allows images to be saved as JPEG, which can introduce artifacts. They would prefer the option to save images as PNG or TIFF to preserve quality.
What is the reviewer's recommendation for using Magnific in a professional setting?
-The reviewer recommends Magnific for professionals who need to upscale images for high-quality outputs, such as movie posters, where they can charge clients for the service used.
What limitations does the reviewer mention about using Magnific for professional work?
-The reviewer mentions that some agencies require a full workflow for replication purposes, which could be limiting with Magnific if they cannot replicate the exact settings used in the upscaling process.
Outlines
π€ Introduction to AI Image Upscaling Tools
The speaker begins by discussing the use of AI for image upscaling in various fields like photography. They mention their preference for Gigapixel but have recently come across a new tool called 'Magnific' that claims superior AI technology. Skeptical about its effectiveness and cost, the speaker decides to put it to the test. They compare the pricing of Gigapixel and Magnific, noting the latter's subscription cost and the need for an online service.
π Testing Magnific's Upscaling Capabilities
The speaker describes their testing methodology for Magnific, including using different settings and comparing the results with Gigapixel. They discuss the process of downscaling and upscaling images to assess quality loss and restoration. The speaker also mentions the use of render credits within the application and their efforts to understand the tool thoroughly before making judgments.
πΌοΈ Comparing Gigapixel and Magnific's Image Processing
The speaker compares the image processing capabilities of Gigapixel and Magnific. They note Gigapixel's minimal alteration of the original image and its effectiveness in maintaining details and reducing noise. When testing Magnific, they observe increased sharpness and detail, but also note some creative liberties taken by the AI, which sometimes altered the original scene more than desired.
π‘ Interface and Settings Exploration
The speaker delves into the interfaces of Gigapixel and Magnific, discussing the ease of use and the options available to users. They highlight the ability to process multiple images simultaneously in Gigapixel and the more focused approach of Magnific, which processes one image at a time. The speaker also explains the various settings and adjustments available in Magnific, such as creativity levels, HDR, and engine selection.
𧩠Experimenting with Different Settings and Results
The speaker shares their experimental process with Magnific, adjusting settings to achieve better results. They discuss the impact of creativity levels on image output and the importance of finding the right balance. The speaker also addresses issues with facial features, particularly eyes, when using certain settings, and how tweaking these settings can lead to improved results.
π¨ Further Experiments and Creative Freedom
The speaker continues to experiment with Magnific, pushing the boundaries of creativity and HDR settings to observe their effects on image upscaling. They note the potential for creating striking and unique images through these experiments, although some results can be disturbing or unexpected. The speaker emphasizes the importance of understanding the application's workings to achieve desired outcomes.
π Applying AI to Landscapes and Vector Graphics
The speaker explores the use of Magnific for upscaling landscapes and vector graphics. They discuss the effectiveness of different settings, such as HDR and creativity levels, in enhancing details and cleaning up images. The speaker also cautions about the potential for unwanted artifacts when pushing the settings to their limits.
π Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, the speaker finds Magnific to be a superior upscaling tool compared to Gigapixel and Photoshop, particularly when used by professionals. They highlight its potential for restoring and enhancing images for movie posters and other high-quality print applications. However, they also note the limitations, such as the inability to save as PNG or TIFF and the high cost for extensive use. The speaker recommends Magnific for professionals who can justify the cost through their work.
π Final Thoughts and Call to Action
The speaker wraps up the review by encouraging viewers to check out their other videos for more detailed comparisons with other upscaling tools. They express hope that the review was helpful and invite viewers to subscribe, like, and support their content for better visibility on YouTube.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘AI upscaler
π‘Gigapixel
π‘Upscaling
π‘Mid Journey upscale
π‘Render credits
π‘AI render
π‘Vector graphics
π‘Creativity level
π‘HDR (High Dynamic Range)
π‘Resemblance
π‘Batch processing
Highlights
The new AI tool, Magnific, is being tested against traditional upscaling tools like Gigapixel.
Magnific is a standalone online service, not requiring powerful hardware for processing.
The cost of Magnific is significantly higher than Gigapixel, at $40 per month for the cheapest version.
The reviewer is skeptical about the tool's claims and aims to test its capabilities rigorously.
Gigapixel is praised for its minimal alteration of the original image and its effectiveness with portraits.
Magnific shows potential in upscaling and detail restoration, even with heavily compressed images.
The tool allows for fine-tuning of upscaling through various settings, including creativity levels and HDR.
Portrait upscaling with Magnific can sometimes result in changes to facial features, which may not always be desirable.
The reviewer found that Magnific outperformed Gigapixel in certain scenarios, especially with heavily compressed images.
The interface of Magnific is user-friendly, allowing for easy adjustments and previews of the upscaling process.
Batch processing is not supported in Magnific, which could be a limitation for users with multiple images.
The tool is deemed more suitable for professional use due to its cost and the potential for charging clients for its use.
Magnific's ability to upscale and add details makes it a powerful tool for creating movie posters from low-quality images.
The reviewer encountered issues with the tool's handling of faces at higher creativity levels, resulting in distorted images.
Adjusting the settings in Magnific can lead to significant improvements in upscaling results, emphasizing the importance of understanding the tool.
The tool's AI-based upscaling engine is capable of generating images that are competitive with or superior to other upscalers on the market.
The reviewer recommends Magnific for professionals and specific use cases, but not for everyday or hobbyist use due to its cost.
Magnific's limitation to saving images only as JPEG could be a drawback, as PNG or TIFF would preserve quality better.