Topaz Video AI 4.0 Released – Save $50 For Limited Time

video ai
View Post

Topaz Labs released Video AI 4.0. If you order before October, 30, 2023, you can save $50.

Topaz Video AI is on sale at $249 (reg. $299), click here to learn more and to get it.

With Video AI 4, improve your workflow with new Direct Comparison UI: side-by-side, slide-over, and overlay views to compare your footage using 24 AI models. Built for creative pros who want more fine control. Ultra smooth, Ultra sharp, and Ultra steady.

  • Direct Comparison UI to preview images and compare any two of your 24 AI models directly. Fine tune settings with side-by-side, slide-over, and overlay views to get the perfect video enhancement.
  • Nyx v2: Improved training on the Nyx model generates better detailed results while eliminating ISO noise and compression artifacts.
  • Nyx’s new 2x scale mode enhances the sharpness and fidelity of your footage during the de-noise process.
  • Nyx can intelligently detect and heal some of the visual artifacts created by video compression.
  • Iris MQ with improved face recovery
  • 50% speed gain on TensorRT-compatible GPUs
  • Custom mode for processing black-and-white video
  • Custom mode for 3:2 pulldown/inverse telecine footage
  • Options for deinterlacing at single frame rate or double frame rate
  • Split Iris into Iris LQ/MQ
  • Reduced loading times for Enhancement models
  • Support for rotating videos 90, 180, and 270 degrees-corrects videos with missing metadata for rotation.
  • Use two Enhancement filters at once. This system will allow editors to stack Enhancement filters and process multi-step AI tasks in fewer clicks.
  • Animated tooltips that instruct new users on the use of the Preview system the first time the app is run.
  • Improved dynamic bitrate controls: The High setting for H264 and H265 exports has been adjusted to target a VMAF score of about 95, and is now the default setting for new installs of Video AI.
  • The lossless FFV1 codec is now available by default in the export options panel, and can be used at 4:2:0, 4:2:2, and 4:4:4 chroma subsampling levels.
  • AV1 encoder for AMD 7000 series GPUs and 700 series integrated graphics.
  • Copy all subtitle tracks for MKV exports.
  • New preference to default to searching for image sequences during import.

Canon Patent: Wearable Camera With Automatic Scene Recognition

Canon patent
View Post

Here is an interesting Canon patent application: a wearable camera that automatically checks and adjusts the shooting position.

Canon patent application 2023152657 (Japan, published 10/17/2023) discusses methods and technology for a wearable camera that can recognize the scene to the degree to automatically adjust the framing of the picture (if I got it right).

From the patent literature:

  • An object of the present invention is to provide a wearable camera whose imaging direction can be adjusted by a user and whose imaging position can be easily specified.
  • BACKGROUND ART
    Wearable cameras have attracted attention in recent years. Various types of wearable cameras are known, such as glasses, neck type, wristwatch, and ring type.
  • Applications of wearable cameras include, for example, equipment maintenance and remote work support at manufacturing sites. A worker wearing a wearable camera can broadcast video and audio from the site in real time to a remote supporter, and the supporter can give instructions and information to the worker based on the video.
  • However, since the wearable camera described in Patent Document 1 is worn around the user’s neck, it is difficult for the user to specify the shooting position. In particular, when the angle of the lens is adjusted, it is considered difficult to specify the photographing position after the adjustment.
  • The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wearable camera in which the user can adjust the imaging direction, and in which the shooting position can be easily specified. .
  • Means for Solving the Problems
    The wearable camera of the present invention includes an imaging section, a fixed section worn by a user, and an irradiation section that irradiates light substantially parallel to the optical axis of the imaging section. A movable part that is movable with respect to the fixed part is provided, and the imaging part and the irradiation part are arranged in the movable part.

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet]

Canon Patent: Keep High-precision Autofocus During Tilt-shift Operations

Canon patent
View Post

Here is a new Canon patent application, another one that deals with tilt-shift lenses.

The Canon patent application, published on October 18, 2023, discusses methods and technology to make sure autofocus is kept during tilt-shift operations with the lens.

From the patent literature:

  • An object of the present invention is to provide a control device that can maintain focus with high accuracy even when obtaining a tilt effect or a shift effect.
  • Background Art
    Conventionally, a tilt effect that tilts the focusing surface and a shift effect that moves the shooting range have been used to achieve good overall focus on an object surface that is tilted with respect to the optical axis of an imaging optical system. A resulting optical system has been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses an optical system that can obtain a tilt effect and a shift effect by moving two optical elements in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis.
  • However, the optical system of Patent Document 1 does not take into account that the amount of defocus changes by moving the optical element in the direction perpendicular to the optical axis, so it does not take into account that the tilt effect or shift effect is applied after focusing. If the optical element is moved in a direction perpendicular to the optical axis in order to obtain an image, the focus will shift.
  • An object of the present invention is to provide a control device that can maintain focus with high precision even when obtaining a tilt effect or a shift effect.

More Canon patents are listed here.

[via asobinet.com]

Canon EOS R1 Undergoing Final Tests And Ready To Be Announced?

canon rumors canon news eos r7 mark ii canon eos rv
View Post

And here is the latest Canon EOS R1 rumor, one of the longest running rumors. A rumor that started the day after the first EOS R was announced. Will it eventually become real?

Latest has it that Canon has put the Canon EOS R1 into the hands of selected photographers for test purposes. Says the source of the rumor:

[…] expect “some kind” of announcement in Q1 of 2024. If you recall, Canon first gave a development announcement for the EOS R3 and put it in the hands of professional photographers for the Tokyo Olympics before an official announcement.

[…] prototypes of the EOS R1 are in the hands of the usual professional photographers as Canon readies the launch of the flagship.

[…] we have been told that Canon has “impressively” improved iris tracking AF point selection.

[…] Quad Pixel AF is not ready and will not be featured in the Canon EOS R1 image sensor.

Not much, to be honest. Not sure if the announcement in Q1 2024 is to be taken seriously. Until the usual few Japanese sites report about, it is better to take it with a grain of salt.

Stay tuned.

Source: Canon Rumors