MIDJOURNEY Upscaler Comparison to FREE Upscalers (Ai Image Upscale Test)

Philip Anders
5 Jan 202406:43

TLDRThis video compares the MID Journey upscaler to three free alternatives, showcasing their performance in upscaling images within Photoshop. MID Journey delivers realistic and smooth results, especially in fur and eye details, but at the cost of time and subscription hours. DGb offers a sharp contrast, while Upscale Media and Upscale provide varying levels of detail and quality. The choice depends on the desired aesthetic and whether subscription costs are a concern.

Takeaways

  • 😀 The video compares three free upscalers to the new MID Journey upscaler for image quality and performance.
  • 🔍 The original image in MID Journey is pixelated and blurry, especially around the ear and eye areas.
  • 🆕 The MID Journey upscaler provides a realistic and smooth result, with improved detail compared to the original.
  • 🎨 The aesthetic of the MID Journey upscaler is appreciated for its smooth feel and additional detail.
  • ⏱ One downside of MID Journey is the long processing time and the cost in 'fast hours' from the subscription plan.
  • 🔎 The comparison includes the DGb upscaler, which offers a sharp contrast and different edge detail compared to MID Journey.
  • 👀 The eye area in the upscaled images shows significant differences in color, contrast, and detail presentation between upscalers.
  • 📈 Upscale Media's 4X upscaler with enhanced detail was tested but found to be less sharp and detailed compared to DGb.
  • 🆚 When comparing Upscale Media to MID Journey, MID Journey provided a clearer win in terms of aesthetic quality.
  • 💻 The 'Upscale' software, which runs on the user's device, offers good results but requires significant processing power.
  • 🔄 The final comparison shows that 'Upscale' and DGb are quite similar, with the main difference being the platform they run on.

Q & A

  • What is the main purpose of the video?

    -The main purpose of the video is to compare the results of three free upscalers to the MID Journey upscaler to determine which one provides the best results for image upscaling.

  • What software is used for the image comparison in the video?

    -Photoshop is used for the image comparison in the video.

  • What is the original image's condition before upscaling according to the script?

    -The original image is described as pixelated and blurry, particularly around the ear and eye areas.

  • How does the MID Journey upscaler perform in terms of image quality?

    -The MID Journey upscaler produces a very realistic and smooth image, with more detail compared to the original.

  • What is the aesthetic difference between the MID Journey upscaler and the DGI upscaler?

    -The MID Journey upscaler results in a smoother image, while the DGI upscaler provides a sharper and more contrasty look.

  • What is the disadvantage of using the MID Journey upscaler mentioned in the script?

    -The disadvantage of using the MID Journey upscaler is that it takes a long time to process and consumes a significant amount of fast hours from the subscription plan.

  • Which upscaler is said to have a 6X upscale option available for free?

    -DGI now offers a 6X upscale option for free.

  • How does the Upscale Media upscaler compare to DGI in terms of sharpness and detail?

    -The Upscale Media upscaler is less sharp and detailed compared to DGI, resulting in a blurrier image with less structural detail in the fur.

  • What is the primary advantage of the Upscale software mentioned in the script?

    -The primary advantage of the Upscale software is that it can be downloaded and run on the user's device, allowing for bulk processing and higher quality results.

  • Which upscaler is considered to have the best aesthetic result in the comparison?

    -The MID Journey upscaler is considered to have the best aesthetic result, providing a realistic feel for the photograph in the style presented.

  • What is the viewer advised to do if they know of other good upscalers?

    -The viewer is advised to leave the names of other good upscalers in the comments section of the video.

Outlines

00:00

🔍 Comparative Analysis of Image Upscalers

The script discusses a comparative study of three free image upscaling services: Mid Journey, dgb, and Upscale Media, along with a downloadable upscaler called 'upscale'. The comparison takes place in Photoshop, focusing on the quality of upscaling around the ear and eye areas of an image. The Mid Journey upscaler is praised for its realistic and smooth results, especially in depicting fur, but it is criticized for its long processing time and the consumption of subscription hours. dgb, using a balanced model, offers sharpness and contrast, making fur appear less realistic but with a nice sharpness effect. Upscale Media, while providing enhanced detail, is considered less sharp and detailed compared to dgb. The 'upscale' software, running on the user's device, offers good results but requires significant processing power. The summary concludes with a direct comparison between upscale and Mid Journey, noting their similarities and differences, and the script ends with a call to action for viewers to share their favorite upscalers in the comments.

05:01

📊 Final Verdict on Upscaling Services

In the second paragraph, the script wraps up the comparison by evaluating the performance of each upscaling service. Upscale Media is identified as the least effective, followed closely by the similarity between 'upscale' and dgb. The script suggests that while upscale and dgb are quite similar, Mid Journey stands out for its realistic results, despite the downsides of long processing times and the cost in fast hours. The author emphasizes that the choice of upscaling service depends on the type of images being used and the user's concern for free resources or subscription costs. The script concludes by encouraging viewers to share other effective upscalers and by promoting another video on how to bulk upscale images for free by 600%.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Upscale

Upscale refers to the process of increasing the resolution of an image or video to make it appear clearer and more detailed. In the video, the term is central to the theme as the host compares different upscaling technologies to determine which provides the best results. The script mentions various upscalers being tested, such as MID Journey, DGb, Upscale Media, and Upscale, to see how they enhance the original pixelated images.

💡MID Journey

MID Journey is an upscaling software mentioned in the video. It is used to improve the quality of images by making them appear less pixelated and more realistic. The script highlights the aesthetic quality of the upscaled images produced by MID Journey, noting that it gives a smooth and detailed result, especially in areas like the fur and eyes of the subject.

💡DGb

DGb, or Deep Image and Video Enhancer, is another upscaling tool compared in the video. It is noted for its balanced model that provides a 4X upscale. The script contrasts DGb's results with those of MID Journey, pointing out that DGb's output is sharper and has more contrast, which can be preferable depending on the desired aesthetic.

💡Upscale Media

Upscale Media is an online upscaling service that is part of the comparison. The video discusses its 4X upscaler and enhanced detail function. The script notes that while it may not be as sharp or detailed as DGb, it is still a viable option, although in the comparison, it was found to be less effective than MID Journey and DGb.

💡Fur

In the context of the video, 'fur' refers to the texture of the subject's hair in the images being upscaled. The script uses the term to discuss how different upscalers handle the detail and realism of the fur, with MID Journey providing a smoother result and DGb offering a sharper and more contrasted look.

💡Eye

The 'eye' is a specific facial feature that the video uses to evaluate the quality of the upscaling. The script mentions that the eye area is scrutinized for clarity and detail, with the upscaled images showing differences in how each tool renders the eye, affecting the overall realism of the image.

💡Sharpness

Sharpness is a measure of the clarity and detail of an image. The script discusses the sharpness effect of the upscaling tools, with DGb and Upscale providing a more pronounced sharpness compared to the smoother results of MID Journey, which can influence the viewer's preference based on the desired outcome.

💡Contrast

Contrast refers to the difference between the light and dark areas of an image. The video script mentions that DGb produces a higher contrast in the upscaled images, which can make certain details stand out more. This is in contrast to the smoother, less contrasty results of MID Journey.

💡Subscription Plan

In the context of the video, a 'subscription plan' is a service model where users pay a recurring fee to access software or services. The script points out that using MID Journey's upscaler can consume 'fast hours' from the user's subscription, indicating a cost associated with using this particular upscaling tool.

💡Processing Power

Processing power is the computational capability of a device. The script mentions that using the Upscale tool, which runs on the user's device, requires significant processing power. This is a consideration for users with slower machines who may experience performance issues.

💡Bulk Upscaling

Bulk upscaling refers to the process of increasing the resolution of multiple images or videos at once. The video script briefly mentions the possibility of bulk upscaling with certain tools, which can be beneficial for users looking to upscale large quantities of content efficiently.

Highlights

Comparing three free upscalers to the new MID Journey upscaler in Photoshop.

Original image is pixelated and blurry, especially around the ear and eye areas.

MID Journey upscaler produces realistic and smooth results, enhancing fur and eye details.

DGB upscaler offers a balanced model with a 4X upscale for fairness in comparison.

DGB results in sharper and more contrasty images compared to MID Journey's smoothness.

Upscale Media uses a 4X upscaler with enhanced detail function.

Upscale Media's results are less sharp and detailed than DGB's.

Mid Journey upscaler aesthetically wins over Upscale Media but costs subscription time.

Upscale is a downloadable upscaler that runs on your device with bulk processing capabilities.

Upscale provides more detail and higher quality results compared to Upscale Media.

DGB and Upscale are similar in quality, with DGB offering a 6X upscale advantage.

Mid Journey's upscale maintains a realistic feel, especially in the photograph's style.

The nose area serves as an example of the difference between Mid Journey and Upscale.

Comparing Upscale to the original image shows a massive improvement.

Upscale Media provided the worst results, closely followed by a tie between Upscale and DGB.

The choice of upscaler depends on the image style and the user's concern for subscription time.

Invitation to comment with other good upscalers and a teaser for a video on bulk upscaling for free.