Many people struggle with low-quality videos that look blurry or pixelated on modern screens. Whether it's old home videos, social media clips, or work presentations, poor video quality can be frustrating. Learning how to upscale video helps make these clips clearer, sharper, and more enjoyable to watch.
In this article, you will learn how to upscale a video in CapCut and other tools to boost your content quality.
Signs your content could benefit from video upscaling
Before learning how to upscale video with AI, it's important to know if your content really needs it. Not all videos require enhancement, but certain signs show that upscaling can make a big difference. Checking these issues helps you decide when improving video quality is worth the effort:
- Blurry footage
Footage is blurry when the camera doesn't capture details clearly or the video is over-compressed. Objects and people's faces appear fuzzy, vague, and mediocre. Detail can be sharpened with upscaling, which helps give the video a cleaner, more attractive appearance.
- Low resolution
Low-resolution videos appear small or stretched on larger screens, losing details. This reduces overall visual quality and makes the footage less engaging. Upscaling increases resolution, making videos fit modern displays while keeping clarity.
- Pixelated details
Pixelation happens where you can see the individual pixels of the screen, especially on close-ups or fast movement in the video. It means videos look blocky, amateurish, and unprofessional in general. Enlarging softens edges and brings in a more natural, finer, more eye-pleasing look.
- Choppy playback
Choppiness occurs when frames are dropped or the frame rate is too low for smooth viewing. It's jerky and makes for an unpleasant viewing experience for most of the population. Resolution is increased, therefore each frame will be finished more clearly and the video will look a lot smoother.
- Washed-out colors
Washed-out colors make videos look dull, faded, or lifeless, even when the footage is otherwise clear. This reduces viewer engagement and overall visual appeal noticeably. Upscaling tools often restore vibrant tones, better contrast, and richer colors for a striking look.
How to upscale a video on a PC: CapCut desktop video editor
The CapCut desktop video editor is a versatile tool for improving video quality on a PC. It is designed for creators who want to enhance their clips for social media, presentations, or personal projects. With advanced upscaling options, it helps make low-resolution videos clearer and more professional. Its intuitive interface makes enhancing videos fast and efficient without requiring complicated setups.
- Upscale videos to 4K resolution: CapCut's AI video upscaler transforms low-resolution clips into crisp 4K quality, perfect for social media, presentations, or large-screen playback without losing important details.
- Efficient AI video deblurring: Blurry footage is automatically sharpened using AI, making old or shaky videos look clear, smooth, and more professional instantly.
- Video detail enhancement: Fine details like textures, edges, and small elements are improved, giving videos a more realistic, polished, and professional appearance overall.
- Supports various video formats: CapCut works with multiple file types, making it easy to edit, upscale, and share videos from different cameras or sources efficiently.
- Optimized AI color correction: Colors are automatically adjusted with AI color correction for vibrancy, balance, and consistency, making videos more visually appealing, lively, and engaging for viewers.
- Some advanced features require payment.
- Occasional lag with very large video files.
Upscale videos in CapCut
Users can easily download CapCut by visiting the official website. Click the download button to start the installation process on your PC. Once installed, launch the editor and start enhancing your videos immediately.
- STEP 1
- Import the video
In CapCut's desktop editor, go to "Media" > "Import" to add your videos. Use the + button or drag-and-drop them into the workspace. Once imported, place the video on the timeline to begin editing.
- STEP 2
- Apply AI upscaling to enhance video quality
To enhance visual clarity and upscale your video, select the video on the timeline and go to the "Basic" editing tab. Click "Enhance quality", choose either HD or UHD depending on how much you want to upscale, and let the AI process the video. You can also use features like "Color correction" and "Color wheels" in the Adjust tab to manually balance colors for a sharper look. Finally, navigate to the Audio tab and add suitable music to match the vibe of your video.
- STEP 3
- Export and share
After upscaling your video in CapCut, press "Export" in the top-right corner to open the pop-up window. Set the resolution up to 4K, select the preferred format, and click Export to save it to your computer. Alternatively, select TikTok or YouTube and hit "Share" to upload it directly.
How to upscale a video with AI online: Canva
Sometimes, you may need to enhance videos quickly without installing software on your PC. Online AI tools make it easy to improve resolution and quality from any browser, saving both time and effort. These platforms are ideal for users who want fast, accessible video upscaling without complex setups or software installations.
Canva is a popular online platform that lets users edit and enhance videos using AI tools. It is suitable for creators, marketers, and casual users looking to upscale clips quickly. With an intuitive interface, Canva simplifies the process of improving video clarity and details. No software installation is required, making it accessible from any device.
- AI upscaling in the browser.
- Quick detail and resolution boost.
- Supports multiple formats.
- Built-in color correction.
- Limited advanced editing.
- Watermark in the free version.
Upscale video quality with Canva
Upscaling video quality with Canva is a straightforward process that can be done entirely online. You can quickly improve your video's resolution and clarity using Canva's AI-powered Video Upscaler. This method is ideal for users looking for a simple, accessible way to enhance video quality without installing software. Here is how to upscale a video with AI in Canva:
- STEP 1
- Launch Canva
Open Canva on your web browser or app and choose a template, or start a new project from scratch. You can also open an existing design if you want to add the video to it.
- STEP 2
- Open the AI Video Upscaler app
In the editor, click on the "Apps" panel, search for the "Video Upscaler" app, and click to open it. Then, click "Upload file" to select the video you want to upscale.
- STEP 3
- Upscale video and download
Select the resolution and enhancement style that fits your needs, then click "Upscale video." Once the video is ready, download it as an MP4 and share or use it in your projects.
How to upscale a video on a phone: CapCut mobile app
Improving video quality on the go is easier than ever with mobile apps. Many people prefer editing directly on their phones for speed, convenience, and accessibility. AI-based tools make it possible to enhance video resolution without needing a desktop. This is especially helpful for creators who want to share engaging videos instantly.
The CapCut mobile app is a practical solution for upscaling videos directly from your phone. It is designed for creators who edit and share content on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, or YouTube. With AI-powered enhancement, the app makes low-quality videos look sharper and more professional. Its mobile-friendly interface ensures smooth editing without technical complexity.
- AI-based video upscaling on mobile.
- Quick enhancement for social media sharing.
- User-friendly interface for all creators.
- Supports multiple video formats.
- Some features need internet access.
- A subscription is required to unlock AI features.
Upscale video quality with the CapCut mobile app
With CapCut, you can easily improve video quality. The app, which employs AI tools to enhance low-resolution clips and make them more compelling, is named after the man who fathered her and a considerable portion of modern comedy. It's quite handy for creators who shoot content on their phones and edit directly there as well in order to share immediately. Here is how to upscale a video in the CapCut mobile app:
- STEP 1
- Open the CapCut mobile app
Launch the app on your phone and start a new project by importing the video you want to enhance.
- STEP 2
- Apply AI video enhancement
Go to the editing tools and select "Adjust". Then, navigate to "Video quality" to upscale and improve the video quality.
- STEP 3
- Export the upscaled video
Once the enhancement is applied, preview the result and export it in your preferred resolution, like 1080p or 4K. Save it to your phone or share it directly on social media.
How to upscale low-quality videos: 5 expert tips
Upscaling low-quality videos is not just about using AI tools. It also requires smart preparation and careful adjustments. By following a few expert tips, you can make your videos look sharper and more professional. The listed practices help you get the best results when enhancing video quality:
- Start with the best source available
Always use your best version of the footage before upscaling. When working with cleaner files, more details can be kept and enhanced during editing. This results in smooth-looking images and a super-resolution quality that is easier on the eye. CapCut supports a variety of video formats, so you can create high-quality films.
- Avoid excessive compression before upscaling
Videos that are compressed too much lose details, making them harder to improve. Try to keep files in a balanced format with minimal quality loss. This way, the video will upscale more effectively with less distortion. CapCut lets you export videos in higher resolutions without unnecessary compression.
- Check the lighting before editing footage
Good lighting in the original video helps AI tools enhance clarity more effectively. Dark or uneven footage often becomes grainy when upscaled, which reduces quality. Proper lighting makes editing smoother and results more professional. CapCut's AI color correction adjusts brightness and tones to improve video clarity.
- Preview results frame by frame
Always review the video frame by frame after enhancement to catch unwanted artifacts. This ensures the final video looks natural and consistent in motion. Careful previewing helps spot small errors before exporting. CapCut provides a real-time preview option for checking improvements instantly.
- Balance clarity with a natural look
Over-sharpening can result in videos looking fake or not life-like. You want a revealing, so final look that flatters but doesn't strain everyone's eyes. Balanced shots keep videos from appearing over-edited. With CapCut's artificial intelligence tools, you can improve the photo's sharpness but retain a natural look.
Conclusion
Understanding how to upscale video is the key to turning low-quality clips into clear and engaging content. With the right methods and tools, you can improve resolution, enhance details, and make your videos more enjoyable to watch. Whether it's for social media, work, or personal projects, upscaling helps videos look modern and professional. For those working on a PC, the CapCut desktop video editor is a practical choice, providing AI-powered tools to make the process simple and effective.
FAQs
- 1
- How to upscale video files efficiently for large projects?
Upscaling large video projects efficiently requires AI-powered tools that handle multiple formats and maintain resolution quality. Batch processing and optimized exports save time while keeping files manageable. Using a tool with automation ensures smoother workflows for big projects. The CapCut desktop video editor is a reliable choice with AI upscaling designed for large-scale editing needs.
- 2
- Why is video upscaling important for modern content?
Modern content needs to match the quality of today's high-resolution screens and viewer expectations. Upscaling improves clarity, detail, and color, making older or low-quality footage look more professional. It helps creators stay competitive across platforms where sharp visuals are essential. The CapCut desktop video editor provides an easy way to upscale and meet these modern standards.
- 3
- Which types of videos benefit most from upscaling?
Old recordings, low-quality social media clips, and videos shot in poor lighting are typically the ones to benefit most from upscaling. Higher resolution is also fantastic if your content is meant for larger displays or showcasing to clients. To viewers, this results in the videos looking sharper, clearer, and more engaging. The desktop video editor CapCut makes this process easy with AI tools for different video types.