AI Frame Interpolation for Boosting FPS & Smoothing Animation, Old Movies, Slo-Mo Videos.

Part 1. Introduction to AI Video Frame Interpolation

1. What is AI Frame Interpolation?

AI video frame interpolation is a process of creating and inserting new frames between existing frames in a video sequence, using a frame interpolation algorithm. This technique can increase the frame rate, for example, from 30fps to 60fps, and make the video smoother and more realistic. The algorithm analyzes the motion of objects in adjacent frames and synthesizes the intermediate frames accordingly. The picture below illustrates an example of AI video frame interpolation, where the middle frame is generated by the algorithm.

A higher video frame rate results in smoother, sharper, and more detailed video playback.

Commonly, there are two types of frame interpolation: real-time frame interpolation and pre-frame interpolation. Real-time frame interpolation refers to generating intermediate frames in a video sequence on the fly, as the video is being played or displayed, to achieve a higher frame rate and smoother motion. This is particularly useful for video games, sports broadcasts, and live events. As for pre-frame interpolation, the process is much more complicated and needs the help of professional video frame interpolation software.

You can also have four types of video frame interpolation based on the algorithms that usually come with AI power. They are flow-based frame interpolation, CNN-based frame interpolation, phase-based frame interpolation, and Hybrid frame interpolation. Each type has more than one specific algorithm, and we will explain them in the following words.

2. Common Technologies for AI Video Frame Interpolation

To interpolate a video from a low frame rate to a high frame rate, it needs one or more specific frame interpolation algorithms. The specialized algorithms and techniques with AI power can quickly estimate motion between frames and generate new frames that fit seamlessly into the video sequence. As of now, there are many AI video frame interpolation algorithm options, and software or hardware developers often choose MEMC (Motion Estimation and Motion Compensation), DAIN (Depth-Aware Video Frame Interpolation), RIFE (Real-Time Intermediate Flow Estimation), DLSS3 (Deep Learning Super Sampling), CAIN (Channel Attention Is All You Need for Video Frame Interpolation), FLAVR (Flow-Agnostic Video Representations for Fast Frame Interpolation), XVFI (eXtreme Video Frame Interpolation), etc. to help interpolate a video and boost video FPS.

There are also many other AI frame interpolation algorithms, including Super SloMo, EQVI, AdaCoF, EDSC, AMD Fluid Motion, BFI, etc.

3. The Advantages and Disadvantages of AI Frame Interpolation

When videos are recorded at a lower frame rate than the desired playback rate, the result motion can appear jerky or choppy. AI frame interpolation addresses this issue by generating new frames that fit in between the original frames, effectively increasing the frame rate of the video and reducing motion judder.

However, video frame interpolation is a complex process that requires algorithms to strike a balance between computational complexity and the accuracy of motion estimation and frame generation. As the technology is not that comprehensive, there are sometimes artifacts or inaccuracies when interpolating video frame, especially in scenes with complex motion or rapid changes. Despite that, the advantages of AI video interpolation outweigh the disadvantages.

Part 2. When Can We Use AI Video Frame Interpolation?

As said, video frame interpolation creates a higher frame rate that can provide more frames to depict the progression of motion and smoothen the transitions, resulting in less perceived choppiness or stuttering. It is particularly useful for smoother and clearer video playback with more details. So, you can use AI frame interpolation technology in the following scenarios.

1. Old movies/videos restoration

24fps is typical for movies. Early films and most Hollywood movies were typically captured at 24 frames per second. Hollywood movies, in the post-production process, will colorize and sharpen movies to 4K resolution and increase the frame rate to 60fps so as to hit the big screen with better image quality and visuals. As for older movies, for example, "2001: A Space Odyssey", directed by Stanley Kubrick, used frame interpolation technology during its high-definition restoration and digital remastering to increase the frame rate to 60 frames per second and then enhance the smoothness of the transitions and visuals.

2. Convert videos to 60fps, 120fps, 240fps, etc.

Common FPS values used in video and film production include 24 FPS (typical for movies), 30 FPS (common for television and online videos), and 60 FPS (used for smooth motion in video games and some high-quality video content). The choice of frame rate depends on the intended purpose and the desired balance between smoothness and the technical resources needed to handle the video data. Thanks to AI frame interpolation technology, it is easy to turn low frame rate videos into 60fps, 120fps, 240fps, or even higher.

3. Smooth anime & animation

In the process of creating and producing animation, the first step is to draw all frames. Then, the animation effects become visible through continuous playback of all frames in sequence. Obviously, drawing all frames is time-consuming. So, with the aid of video frame interpolation, it is possible to create only the keyframes (e.g. 24 frames), which are then used to synthesize the intermediate motion frames. As a result, the 24fps choppy animation can become a smooth 30fps or 60fps animation. Check how to smooth animation/anime >>

4. Create slow-motion videos

60fps is the standard to create a slow-motion video. To create even slower videos, such as 120fps, 240fps, 480fps, and 1,000fps videos, AI video frame interpolation technology is crucial. You can highlight the exciting action scenes in an action movie, slow down plant growth, flower blossoming, animal hunting, lightning, volcanic eruption, sunrise and sunset, cloud movements, etc. in a documentary, or create a video for keeping the millisecond of popcorn explosion, a bullet passing through an egg, water glass, watermelon, and so on.

Besides, you can also use AI frame interpolation technology to help make GIFs, remove duplicated frames, deinterlace a video, improve DVD rips, restore VHS videos, upscale 8mm/16mm videos, and so on.

Part 3. Top 3 AI Frame Interpolation Software/Tools

Now that you know something about the AI video frame interpolation, you can try to enhance your video quality or create a slow-motion video with the help of the technology. To interpolate video frames, you need AI video frame interpolation software. At present, there are mainly three categories of video frame interpolation tools, including frame interpolation-only software, online tools, and video processing software. Each has advantages and disadvantages. To simplify the video frame interpolation process, we choose top 3 easy-to-use AI video frame interpolation tools for your reference.

No.1: Winxvideo AI

Winxvideo AI is an AI-powered and innovative video and image enhancer with AI frame interpolation software to convert video frame rates. You can use it to boost video FPS to 60fps/120fps/240fps/480fps, smoothen anime and animation, upscale old movies, and so on.

Video transitions can be fluid due to the frame interpolation function, and video quality can be enhanced with the help of its video enhancement feature. With all AI features of Winxvideo AI applied, you can improve outdated, poor-quality, distorted, or blurry video/image, elevate 720p/1080p to 4K resolution, stabilize shaky video footage, increase frame rate to 120/240fps, etc.

In addition to that, Winxvideo AI is a complete toolkit to help you convert, compress, record, and edit 4K/8K/HDR video utilizing full GPU acceleration.

• AI-powered video & image enhancer: upscale, stabilize, interpolate, denoise, etc.
• Convert & compress HD, 4K, 8K, MP4, MKV, HEVC, AV1, ProRes, etc. videos.
• Record screen, webcam, gameplay, online courses, etc.
• Edit videos: cut, trim, crop, watermark, effect, subtitle, etc.
• 4K support. AI-driven. GPU-accelerated. High-quality. Small file size.

Free Download Free Download Free Download

Note: AI tools for Mac are currently unavailable, but they're coming soon. Stay tuned.

Step 1. Free download Winxvideo AI, install and launch it.

Step 2. On the main UI, click on the "Video AI" button to navigate to the AI frame interpolation window.

Step 3. Drag and drop a video you want to interpolate frames. Winxvideo AI lets you process more than one video at the same time, including video enhancement, frame interpolation, and video stabilization.

Step 4. On the right part, check the box of "Frame Interpolation", and you can start frame interpolating your video to 60fps, 120fps, 240fps, and even 480fps. Just choose from 2X, 3X, 4X, and 5X to double, triple, quadruple, quintuple the video frame rate.

Tips:

• To achieve the desired frame rate, one can repeat the process multiple times to reach the target frame rate. For instance, selecting 2X twice can convert a 30fps video to 60fps and subsequently to 120fps. This approach yields superior output quality compared to directly choosing 4X.
• Check Skip Scene Changes or not to determine whether to always compare the difference between two frames and not insert the frame if the difference is too large.
• Check Slow Motion box to create slow-motion video by choosing 2X, 3X, 4X, or 5X to slow down the playback speed. For example, you can create a slow-motion video about a bullet passing through an egg, a water glass, a watermelon, etc.
• Check more details about how to use Winxvideo AI frame interpolation feature >>

Step 5. Click on "Export Settings" to specify the output video/aduio codec, quality, and GOP; and choose a destination folder.

Step 6. When everything is OK, hit the "RUN" button to start AI video frame interpolation with Winxvideo AI.

No.2: Topaz Video AI

Topaz Video AI, an AI-powered video enhancer that has been meticulously developed over a span of five years. Its cutting-edge frame interpolation technology is designed to enhance video resolution, allowing users to upscale their footage to stunning 4K or even 8K quality. With its extensive training using numerous video clips, Topaz Video AI surpasses the performance of other AI video upscaling software available in the market. Not only does it provide exceptional results, but it also significantly improves the overall video quality.

Topaz Video AI leverages the RIFE frame interpolation algorithm, powered by convolutional neural networks and deep machine learning, to enhance its motion interpolation function. This advanced technology enables Topaz Video AI to effectively learn, generate, and interpolate video frames. With its exceptional capabilities, it excels in converting videos to 4K@60fps and even 120fps, delivering a seamless and immersive viewing experience. In comparison to its competitors, Topaz Video AI exhibits minimal motion artifacts such as shimmering or flickering, ensuring superior quality in slow-motion videos.

Check the full information about Topaz Video AI frame interpolation function: https://docs.topazlabs.com/video-ai/filters/frame-interpolation

No.3: Runway

Runway Frame Interpolation is an online tool you can use to easily and automatically generate smooth transitions between your uploaded images to create a fluid video result. You can upload one image or a series of images to craft an animated video that’s realistic, experimental, and creative. You can even use text to tell Runway to create a video.

Besides the existing images, fine-tuning the results with adjustment sliders or editing tools is possible. You can remove backgrounds with Green Screen, create custom LUTs, and add subtitles or export transcripts all in the same app.

Your workflow is smooth in the cloud without the need to install clunky third-party plugins and external software. You can keep your assets centralized and pick up the work from anywhere in the world. However, it's a universal feature of online tools that the process speed is largely influenced by the internet speed and there is a risk of privacy leak. Also, the free version of Runway can only export in standard definition or 720p resolution. If you need to convert video to 4K, you need to upgrade to the paid version.

In conclusion:

With the help of AI video frame interpolation technology and AI frame interpolator, it is possible to change the video frame rate from a low to a high level, so as to smooth the transitions of a choppy video or animation and result in a upscaled viewing experience. Even, it is possible to upscale a video quality, like 1080p to 4K. Thanks to AI frame interpolation tool like Winxvideo AI, users with a few technical skills can also boost their video FPS to 60fps, 120fps, 240fps, etc. easily.