How to fix a low-resolution video and make it look good on a big screen

Old phones, early webcams, flip cameras and downloaded clips often come in 240p, 360p or 480p. On a modern screen they look tiny, soft and blocky. The goal is not to turn them into 4K, but to make them look as good as the material permits.

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What resolution means in practice

360p is 640×360 pixels, around 0.2 megapixels. A 1080p frame has 2 megapixels, ten times as many. Showing a 360p clip full screen means the player invents nine of every ten pixels.

The cleanup order

Remove compression blocks and noise first, because enlarging magnifies them. Then resample with Lanczos or an AI model, then sharpen lightly. Avoid exporting at a bitrate below roughly 4 to 6 Mbps for 1080p, or new blocks will appear.

Improve a low-res video

  1. Upload the videoAny size is accepted, even tiny 3GP clips from old phones.
  2. Check the previewCompare the before and after frame at full size.
  3. Decide on expectationsVery small sources will look cleaner but remain soft.
  4. Download the HD versionThe export is 1080p on the short side with a high bitrate to avoid new artifacts.

Try it on your own video

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Frequently asked questions

Can low-resolution video be made HD?

It can be enlarged to HD dimensions and cleaned. It will not contain genuine HD detail, but it will look noticeably better.

Does it work with 3GP and old phone videos?

Yes. 3GP, AVI, MPEG and other old formats are supported.

What is the best way to upscale a 240p video?

Clean it, upscale 2x to 3x with a good filter, then apply light sharpening. Do not expect miracles.

Is AI upscaling worth it for low-res video?

It can add convincing texture to faces and scenery. It is slower and costs more, so we recommend trying the standard preview first.

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