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Topaz video enhancer Mac studio base ultra thoughts

cpnotebook80

cpnotebook80

macrumors 65816
Original poster
Feb 4, 2007
1,229
551
Toronto
Hi all - I have some family 1980s footage I wanted to scale up and decided to get the topaz video enhance app. My footage was pretty low resolution at 640x480 that scaling was awful to 1080p that we had converted years ago from cha to dvd. I am Not expecting miracles, maybe wanted to be like those 1800 -1900 year old videos conversions on YouTube ! However I did notice the time to convert the 10 min clip was 45 mins ??when pushing it hard on the settings.l recommended to me by the dev.
Also it’s my first time using istats pro so wasn’t able to tell if gpu was used as all I got was cpu load. It was in the middle graph when cpu was running. I thought pushing topaz scaler settings would make make max use of the ultra but maybe there needs optimization on the software side. Anyone use topaz video enhancer and what’s ur opinion on how m1 handles it? Thanks again
 
Well, it uses the built-in neural engine to upscale so performance across the range is pretty similar until they update the software to scale for M1 Ultra.

Both the M1 Pro and M1 Max share the same 16-core neural engine (despite there being two physically on the M1 Max die).

The reason those old videos upscaled beautifully is because the original media most likely were 35mm film. Are your footage VHS?
 
Yes it was vhs but not the greatest quality since it was a camcorder footage transferred to vhs I believe not sure and then that vhs transferred to dvd at one point.
 
cpnotebook80 said:
Yes it was vhs but not the greatest quality since it was a camcorder footage transferred to vhs I believe not sure and then that vhs transferred to dvd at one point.
Click to expand...
You might have better luck running a denoise/deblock pass on it and then use that to upscale. Sometimes I've been able to get better results by first scaling to a lower resolution such as 720p then bumping it up to 1080p.

As for the optimizations as Pressure said I believe the software is not really utilizing the second batch of Neural engines yet. Still it is very slightly faster than a M1 Max probably because of the higher memory bandwidth. The exception is Gaia which seems to be GPU bound. On that model I'm seeing a little over a 30% speed up going from a m1 Max 32 GPU core to M1 Ultra 48 GPU core which is inline with the core count increase. In general the M1 devices perform very well in this app and the M1 Pro+ outperforms my system with a RTX 3090 in all of the models I use outside of Gaia.
 
I've used Topaz on an Intel mac... I'm assuming it's going to be a significant improvement on the Max Studio.. Ultra is way overkill for me.
 
I am curious are the latest Topaz apps M1 native universal apps? Was at the website and thinking of buying.
 
johnwhite1000 said:
I am curious are the latest Topaz apps M1 native universal apps? Was at the website and thinking of buying.
Click to expand...
Everything (Sharpen AI, Denoise AI, Video Enhance AI) except Gigapixel so far.

Unless you need what these applications offer (or price don't matter) then I would wait for a sale. I believe you can get all the photography specific applications in a bundle for $99. You get upgrades for a year, after that you can extend support for the latest versions with an upgrade plan.
 
dizmonk said:
I've used Topaz on an Intel mac... I'm assuming it's going to be a significant improvement on the Max Studio.. Ultra is way overkill for me.
Click to expand...
Yes it'll be significant. The difference between the Max and Ultra is pretty minimal in most cases.
 
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memo90061 said:
Oooh I wonder what's the difference. Want to buy the Mac Studio and was thinking the Ultra, but I would rather want higher SSD I think.
Click to expand...
For most of the models the difference is about .03-.05 sec/frame going from 1080p -> 4k from what I remember. I'm out of town right now and don't have access to my Studio atm so can't verify. I should probably have said the difference is small per frame but it does add up over a video feature film length to being hours faster which is why I did ultimately decide to keep the Ultra. I am expecting the gap will widen down the road when there is a better optimized version out but we'll see.
 
bnumerick said:
For most of the models the difference is about .03-.05 sec/frame going from 1080p -> 4k from what I remember. I'm out of town right now and don't have access to my Studio atm so can't verify. I should probably have said the difference is small per frame but it does add up over a video feature film length to being hours faster which is why I did ultimately decide to keep the Ultra. I am expecting the gap will widen down the road when there is a better optimized version out but we'll see.
Click to expand...
The new version of Video Enhance AI has a benchmark option. Would you be able to do the benchmark and post the results?
 
memo90061 said:
The new version of Video Enhance AI has a benchmark option. Would you be able to do the benchmark and post the results?
Click to expand...

Here you go. There's been quite a few changes since my post last year. The Ultra is clearly faster than the other M1 variants now. The M2 Max 38 core is right there with the 48 core model. There's some variation from run to run.


Topaz Video AI v3.2.2
System Information
OS: Mac v13.0301
CPU: Apple M1 Ultra 64 GB
GPU: Apple M1 Ultra 48 GB
Processing Settings: device: 0 vram: 1 instances: 1
Input Resolution: 1920x1080
Benchmark Results
Artemis 1X: 13.02 fps 2X: 7.74 fps 4X: 2.87 fps
Proteus 1X: 12.07 fps 2X: 6.86 fps 4X: 2.37 fps
Gaia 1X: 4.87 fps 2X: 3.16 fps 4X: 2.34 fps
4X Slowmo Apollo: 8.48 fps Chronos: 4.12 fps Chronos Fast: 6.11 fps


Here's my 16" M2 Max (14" is quite a bit slower due to the lower TDP on the system)


Topaz Video AI v3.2.2
System Information
OS: Mac v13.0301
CPU: Apple M2 Max 32 GB
GPU: Apple M2 Max 21.333 GB
Processing Settings: device: 0 vram: 1 instances: 1
Input Resolution: 1920x1080
Benchmark Results
Artemis 1X: 11.28 fps 2X: 6.78 fps 4X: 2.41 fps
Proteus 1X: 10.40 fps 2X: 6.43 fps 4X: 2.15 fps
Gaia 1X: 3.13 fps 2X: 2.27 fps 4X: 1.82 fps
4X Slowmo Apollo: 9.48 fps Chronos: 3.11 fps Chronos Fast: 5.30 fps




Here's the 16" M1 Max 32 core

Topaz Video AI v3.2.2
System Information
OS: Mac v13.0301
CPU: Apple M1 Max 32 GB
GPU: Apple M1 Max 21.333 GB
Processing Settings: device: 0 vram: 1 instances: 1
Input Resolution: 1920x1080
Benchmark Results
Artemis 1X: 8.43 fps 2X: 5.30 fps 4X: 2.16 fps
Proteus 1X: 9.24 fps 2X: 5.61 fps 4X: 1.91 fps
Gaia 1X: 2.70 fps 2X: 1.66 fps 4X: 1.36 fps
4X Slowmo Apollo: 7.01 fps Chronos: 2.66 fps Chronos Fast: 4.69 fps
 
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bnumerick said:
Here you go. There's been quite a few changes since my post last year. The Ultra is clearly faster than the other M1 variants now. The M2 Max 38 core is right there with the 48 core model. There's some variation from run to run.


Topaz Video AI v3.2.2
System Information
OS: Mac v13.0301
CPU: Apple M1 Ultra 64 GB
GPU: Apple M1 Ultra 48 GB
Processing Settings: device: 0 vram: 1 instances: 1
Input Resolution: 1920x1080
Benchmark Results
Artemis 1X: 13.02 fps 2X: 7.74 fps 4X: 2.87 fps
Proteus 1X: 12.07 fps 2X: 6.86 fps 4X: 2.37 fps
Gaia 1X: 4.87 fps 2X: 3.16 fps 4X: 2.34 fps
4X Slowmo Apollo: 8.48 fps Chronos: 4.12 fps Chronos Fast: 6.11 fps


Here's my 16" M2 Max (14" is quite a bit slower due to the lower TDP on the system)


Topaz Video AI v3.2.2
System Information
OS: Mac v13.0301
CPU: Apple M2 Max 32 GB
GPU: Apple M2 Max 21.333 GB
Processing Settings: device: 0 vram: 1 instances: 1
Input Resolution: 1920x1080
Benchmark Results
Artemis 1X: 11.28 fps 2X: 6.78 fps 4X: 2.41 fps
Proteus 1X: 10.40 fps 2X: 6.43 fps 4X: 2.15 fps
Gaia 1X: 3.13 fps 2X: 2.27 fps 4X: 1.82 fps
4X Slowmo Apollo: 9.48 fps Chronos: 3.11 fps Chronos Fast: 5.30 fps




Here's the 16" M1 Max 32 core

Topaz Video AI v3.2.2
System Information
OS: Mac v13.0301
CPU: Apple M1 Max 32 GB
GPU: Apple M1 Max 21.333 GB
Processing Settings: device: 0 vram: 1 instances: 1
Input Resolution: 1920x1080
Benchmark Results
Artemis 1X: 8.43 fps 2X: 5.30 fps 4X: 2.16 fps
Proteus 1X: 9.24 fps 2X: 5.61 fps 4X: 1.91 fps
Gaia 1X: 2.70 fps 2X: 1.66 fps 4X: 1.36 fps
4X Slowmo Apollo: 7.01 fps Chronos: 2.66 fps Chronos Fast: 4.69 fps
Click to expand...
Wow thank you so much! These are interesting. I really don't know if I should keep my iMac Pro or upgrade to the Mac Studio or maxed out Mac mini?
 
memo90061 said:
Wow thank you so much! These are interesting. I really don't know if I should keep my iMac Pro or upgrade to the Mac Studio or maxed out Mac mini?
Click to expand...
I actually have a batch of the mini's on order in all of the M2/M2 Pro configurations. They will arrive early May. I'm mostly going to use it for a file server but I like to get things useful for other parts of my workloads since I often have to batch multiple jobs at the same time so Topaz Video will be one of the things I test on them. I can post my findings if you'd like. I may order a base model studio too but didn't want it to arrive too soon compared to the mini's since I'm planning to only keep one of the machines.
 
I would love to see the results. :D
Are you ordering from Apple?
I was thinking of ordering the Mac Studio Ultra just to test it out, but I feel so bad returning items. Haha
 
bnumerick said:
I actually have a batch of the mini's on order in all of the M2/M2 Pro configurations. They will arrive early May. I'm mostly going to use it for a file server but I like to get things useful for other parts of my workloads since I often have to batch multiple jobs at the same time so Topaz Video will be one of the things I test on them. I can post my findings if you'd like. I may order a base model studio too but didn't want it to arrive too soon compared to the mini's since I'm planning to only keep one of the machines.
Click to expand...
Did they arrive? I'm now thinking about a Mac Mini.
 
Yes. I only have the base M2 Pro model now. In Topaz there wasn't a difference in speed between the base and upgraded model and the CPU was slightly out performing the M1 Pro/Max 10 Core anyway so didn't think it was worth the extra money. I picked up an openbox Mac Studio base model too so you can see those results too.


Mac Mini M2 Pro 10 CPU/16 GPU:
Topaz Video AI v3.2.5
System Information
OS: Mac v13.0301
CPU: Apple M2 Pro 16 GB
GPU: Apple M2 Pro 10.667 GB
Processing Settings
device: 0 vram: 1 instances: 1
Input Resolution: 1920x1080
Benchmark Results
Artemis 1X: 07.07 fps 2X: 05.11 fps 4X: 01.18 fps
Proteus 1X: 07.84 fps 2X: 05.00 fps 4X: 01.38 fps
Gaia 1X: 02.49 fps 2X: 01.82 fps 4X: 01.40 fps
4X Slowmo Apollo: 05.50 fps APFast: 20.81 fps Chronos: 02.42 fps CHFast: 03.95 fps


Mac Studio M1 Max 10 CPU/24 GPU:
Topaz Video AI v3.2.5
System Information
OS: Mac v13.0301
CPU: Apple M1 Max 32 GB
GPU: Apple M1 Max 21.333 GB
Processing Settings
device: 0 vram: 1 instances: 1
Input Resolution: 1920x1080
Benchmark Results
Artemis 1X: 07.30 fps 2X: 04.90 fps 4X: 01.97 fps
Proteus 1X: 07.53 fps 2X: 04.77 fps 4X: 01.82 fps
Gaia 1X: 02.46 fps 2X: 01.75 fps 4X: 01.31 fps
4X Slowmo Apollo: 04.02 fps APFast: 16.06 fps Chronos: 02.55 fps CHFast: 04.42 fps
 
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bnumerick said:
Yes. I only have the base M2 Pro model now. In Topaz there wasn't a difference in speed between the base and upgraded model and the CPU was slightly out performing the M1 Pro/Max 10 Core anyway so didn't think it was worth the extra money. I picked up an openbox Mac Studio base model too so you can see those results too.


Mac Mini M2 Pro 10 CPU/16 GPU:
Topaz Video AI v3.2.5
System Information
OS: Mac v13.0301
CPU: Apple M2 Pro 16 GB
GPU: Apple M2 Pro 10.667 GB
Processing Settings
device: 0 vram: 1 instances: 1
Input Resolution: 1920x1080
Benchmark Results
Artemis 1X: 07.07 fps 2X: 05.11 fps 4X: 01.18 fps
Proteus 1X: 07.84 fps 2X: 05.00 fps 4X: 01.38 fps
Gaia 1X: 02.49 fps 2X: 01.82 fps 4X: 01.40 fps
4X Slowmo Apollo: 05.50 fps APFast: 20.81 fps Chronos: 02.42 fps CHFast: 03.95 fps


Mac Studio M1 Max 10 CPU/24 GPU:
Topaz Video AI v3.2.5
System Information
OS: Mac v13.0301
CPU: Apple M1 Max 32 GB
GPU: Apple M1 Max 21.333 GB
Processing Settings
device: 0 vram: 1 instances: 1
Input Resolution: 1920x1080
Benchmark Results
Artemis 1X: 07.30 fps 2X: 04.90 fps 4X: 01.97 fps
Proteus 1X: 07.53 fps 2X: 04.77 fps 4X: 01.82 fps
Gaia 1X: 02.46 fps 2X: 01.75 fps 4X: 01.31 fps
4X Slowmo Apollo: 04.02 fps APFast: 16.06 fps Chronos: 02.55 fps CHFast: 04.42 fps
Click to expand...
Wow those scores are interesting! Which one would you choose if you could only choose one?
 
memo90061 said:
Wow those scores are interesting! Which one would you choose if you could only choose one?
Click to expand...
Yeah this app is always hard to extrapolate how a system will perform compared to other apps. That's a good question and one I'm trying to decide. If I were paying retail price for both I'd likely go with the Mac Mini considering the cost difference is pretty significant. They're pretty even in Video AI and CPU based tasks since the M2 Pro is the 10 core model. If you can find an open box or a refurb Mac Studio then that makes the proposition more interesting though. The open box I found is only $400 more than the Mini. In other GPU based tasks the studio is clearly faster plus it does have 2 encoders so is quite a bit faster at encoding. You also get twice the ram and more IO. Tough call but in that case I'd maybe lean towards the studio.
 
The Apple website has Topaz Video Enhance AI benchmarks. :O
 

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I was looking a the fine print to that and it seems its comparison is to the imac which is strange since i rather see the performance from prior m1 chips. I won't be getting the fully spec'd out model either. Anyways, lots of benchmarks will be revealed.

  • Testing conducted by Apple in April and May 2023 using preproduction Mac Studio systems with Apple M2 Ultra, 24-core CPU, 76-core GPU, and 192GB of RAM, preproduction Mac Studio systems with Apple M2 Max, 12-core CPU, 38-core GPU, and 96GB of RAM, production Mac Studio systems with Apple M1 Ultra, 20-core CPU, 64-core GPU, and 128GB of RAM, and production Mac Studio systems with Apple M1 Max, 10-core CPU, 32-core GPU, and 64GB of RAM; as well as production 3.6GHz 10-core Intel Core i9-based 27-inch iMac systems with Radeon Pro 5700 XT graphics with 16GB of GDDR6, and 128GB of RAM. All systems configured with 8TB SSD.
  • Topaz Video AI 3.2.0 tested by performing a 2x upscale on a 45-second 1920x800 H.264 video file. Mac Studio systems tested with an attached 5K display. Performance tests are conducted using specific computer systems and reflect the approximate performance of Mac Studio and iMac.
 
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