Note
Video super resolution is available in Clipchamp for personal accounts and Clipchamp for work and school accounts when you use the Clipchamp desktop app for Windows. It isn't available when you use Clipchamp in a web browser. Availability also depends on whether Windows video upscaling is supported and enabled on your device.
The Upscale feature in Clipchamp uses AI-powered video super resolution to increase the resolution of a video clip and can make lower-resolution footage appear sharper and clearer. Clipchamp processes selected clips on your device and keeps the original available, so you can preview the result and restore the original at any time.
Before you start
- Install the latest updates for Windows and the Clipchamp desktop app. For more ways to prepare your device, see Make sure Clipchamp works well for you.
- Add a video in a file format supported by Clipchamp to your project and place it on the timeline.
- Make sure your device has enough free disk space. Longer videos and higher target resolutions take more time to process and require more temporary storage.
- Preview the enhanced clip before exporting. Results vary depending on the source video's resolution, compression, and visual content.
How to upscale a video clip
- Open a project in the Clipchamp desktop app for Windows.
- Import a video and add it to the timeline.
- Select one or more video clips on the timeline.
- In the property panel, select the Upscale tab.
- Under Quality, choose a target resolution. Depending on the source clip's resolution, the available options are 480p, 720p, 1080p, and 4K. Clipchamp only shows resolutions that are higher than the selected clip's current resolution.
- If you selected multiple clips, keep Match resolution turned on to apply one target resolution to all compatible clips. Turn it off to choose a different resolution for each clip.
- Select Upscale or Upscale all videos. Keep Clipchamp open while the clips are processed. Multiple clips are queued and processed one at a time.
- Preview each enhanced clip on the stage when processing is complete.
To stop processing a clip, select Cancel below its progress status. Canceling an upscale doesn't remove or change the original video.
How to restore the original video
- Select the enhanced video clip on the timeline.
- In the property panel, select the Upscale tab.
- Select Restore original.
Restoring the original removes the enhanced version from the selected timeline clip, but doesn't delete your source video. To try a different target resolution, restore the original and upscale the clip again.
What video super resolution can and can't do
Video super resolution uses AI to estimate additional visual detail as it enlarges each video frame.
- It can improve the perceived sharpness and clarity of lower-resolution or compressed footage.
- It can create an enhanced clip at a resolution higher than the source clip, up to 4K.
- It can't recover the exact visual information that was missing from the source. AI-enhanced details are estimates, not a factual reconstruction of the original scene.
- It can't repair a corrupted or unreadable source video.
- Results can vary and may include unwanted visual artifacts. Always preview important details, including faces and text, before sharing the video.
Caution
Use caution with sensitive footage, including videos of individuals or cultural or religious symbols, because upscaling may introduce misleading details.
Upscaling may also alter identity or facial features. Don't rely on an upscaled video when faithful, unaltered footage is critical, such as for medical imaging, legal or forensic evidence, or identity verification.
How upscaling affects export and file size
Upscaling a clip and exporting the project are separate steps. Choosing a target resolution in the Upscale tab doesn't automatically select the same resolution when you export the finished project.
When you're ready to save the video, select Export, then choose the resolution for the finished video. To retain the selected upscale resolution, choose the matching export resolution. For guidance, see How to choose the right export resolution.
Higher-resolution clips can take longer to process and can increase the amount of local storage used by the project. The exported video can also be larger than the source. Learn more about why an output video file may be larger than the original.
Frequently asked questions
Which videos can I upscale?
You can upscale video files that Clipchamp supports and can import into an editing project. Some file types are converted automatically during import before they can be used. See Video file formats supported by Clipchamp.
At least one supported target resolution must be higher than the clip's current resolution. If a clip is already 4K, the Upscale tab shows that it is already at the highest quality.
Where is my video processed?
The video super resolution step runs locally on your Windows device. Windows uses compatible CPU or NPU hardware and a local AI model to process the video. You don't need to choose the processing hardware.
Does video super resolution change the original video or its audio?
No. Clipchamp creates an enhanced MP4 version for the selected timeline clip and keeps its audio. Your original source video remains available through Restore original.
How long does upscaling take?
Processing time depends on the video's duration and source resolution, the target resolution, and your device's hardware. A first upscale can spend additional time getting the local model ready. Higher target resolutions and longer videos generally take more time.
Why can't I see the Upscale tab?
Check that you're using the latest Clipchamp desktop app for Windows rather than Clipchamp in a web browser. Install available Windows and Clipchamp updates, then restart the app. If the tab still doesn't appear, Windows video upscaling might not be supported or enabled on your device.
What should I do if a video can't be upscaled?
- Follow the message shown by Clipchamp. If prompted, update Windows or try a lower Quality setting.
- If Clipchamp shows a Try again option, select it to retry the clip.
- Close other apps to free up processing resources, check that the device has enough free disk space, and try again.
- If only one source video fails, import a new copy or convert it to MP4 before trying again.
- If Clipchamp says the device doesn't have the required hardware, use video super resolution on a compatible Windows device.