Video upscaling in ComfyUI

This guide covers video upscaling workflows in ComfyUI, including local models and partner node options for various use cases.

The Complete AI Upscaling Handbook

For a comprehensive deep-dive with benchmarks and visual comparisons, see the full article on the ComfyUI Blog.

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TL;DR

• Quality mode: SeedVR2 and HitPaw deliver the most accurate and consistent realism.
• Speed mode: FlashVSR and HitPaw are the fastest options.
• AI video fix: Topaz Astra Creative is strongest for cinematic polish and fixing AI-generated video.
• Archival restoration: SeedVR2 preserves original structure while enhancing clarity.
• CGI/3D render: Topaz, SeedVR2, and HitPaw all produce clean, sharp results.

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Key concepts

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Upscaling vs. enhancement

• Upscaling increases resolution while reconstructing detail.
• Enhancement improves perceived quality (denoise, sharpen, restore, temporal consistency, etc.).

Video upscaling adds temporal considerations—maintaining consistency across frames while improving resolution.

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Creative vs. conservative upscale

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Use cases

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Quality mode

SeedVR2 and HitPaw deliver the most accurate results, with strong image quality and excellent character consistency. Topaz also upscales effectively, but it can sometimes be more creative than expected. This makes it especially suitable for cinematic footage where a stylized look is acceptable.

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Speed mode

FlashVSR performs extremely well when speed is the priority. Upscaling from 720p to 1080p takes about 41 seconds for a 10-second video, making it one of the fastest options available. HitPaw is also relatively fast. In Topaz, the Fast and Creative modes render at similar speeds, so using Creative mode is generally recommended for better visual results without sacrificing time.

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AI video fix

Topaz Astra Creative produces very smooth and visually consistent outputs, making it a strong choice for repairing AI-generated videos. A useful workflow tip is to first run a fix or cleanup pass, then upscale to 1080p, and finally upscale gradually to 4K. This step-by-step approach usually leads to better stability and detail.

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Archival restoration

SeedVR2 is particularly impressive for archival restoration. It preserves the original structure and detail of the source footage while enhancing clarity, avoiding the introduction of artificial or exaggerated features.

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CGI / 3D render

Topaz, SeedVR2 and HitPaw all perform very well on CGI and 3D-rendered footage. They produce clean, sharp results and maintain the crisp edges that are important for synthetic imagery.

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Animation and motion graphics

Clean lines and consistent colors are essential. Conservative upscaling preserves the intended style. Recommended: Topaz Starlight Fast, Fast GAN

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Upscale speed comparison (10s 720p clips)

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Available models

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Partner nodes

Partner nodes provide access to advanced video upscaling models via API.

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Topaz Video Enhance features

• Upscaling: Starlight (Astra) supports fast video upscaling to FullHD (1080p) or 4K while maintaining clarity.
• Interpolation: Apollo model for frame interpolation with slowmo settings and custom frame rates (e.g., 60fps).
• Dynamic compression: Intelligently identifies and handles compression artifacts to improve image purity.

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Getting started with Topaz Video Enhance

1. Update ComfyUI to the latest version.
2. Search for the Topaz Video Enhance node in the node list.
3. Connect your video input and configure the settings.
4. Run the workflow.

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Tips

• Combine upscaling with frame interpolation for smoother, higher-resolution output.
• For AI-generated videos, consider fixing artifacts before upscaling rather than relying on creative upscaling to fix them.
• Test different models on sample clips before processing full videos.
• Use conservative upscaling for content that requires strict fidelity to the original.