New in 1.7.1.0: Hardware acceleration for GPUs (via oneAPI) and fixed AMD OpenCL queue crashes. 5. Comparison: HitPaw 1.7.1.0 vs. Topaz Video AI 4.x | Feature | HitPaw 1.7.1.0 | Topaz Video AI 4.x | |---------|----------------|--------------------| | Price (perpetual) | $119.95 | $299 | | AI models | 3 specialized | 9 (incl. motion interpolation, progressive scan) | | Batch processing | Yes (unlimited) | Yes (unlimited) | | Face recovery | Yes (dedicated model) | No (requires separate plugin) | | CLI automation | No | Yes | | GPU multi-card | No | Yes (SLI/NVLink) | | Output bit depth | 8-bit only | 10-bit & 16-bit |
Version examined: 1.7.1.0 (Windows x64) Release window: Q1 2024 (post-1.7.0 stability patch) Primary competitor reference: Topaz Video AI, AVCLabs Video Enhancer | Model | Best For | Output Ceiling | Processing Speed (1080p→4K, RTX 3060) | |-------|----------|----------------|----------------------------------------| | General Denoise | Low-light, grainy footage (DSLR, phone) | Up to 4K | ~0.8 sec/frame | | Animation Model | Anime, cartoons, CGI | Up to 4K (line preservation) | ~0.6 sec/frame | | Face Enhancement | Low-res faces (CCTV, old home videos) | 1080p → 4K (face crop upscale) | ~1.2 sec/frame (slower due to detection) | HitPaw Video Enhancer 1.7.1.0
HandBrake (for audio re-sync) + LosslessCut (for trimming pre-upscale). Analysis prepared for technical evaluation – not affiliated with HitPaw. Always test with a watermark (trial version) before purchasing. New in 1
1. Executive Summary HitPaw Video Enhancer 1.7.1.0 is a desktop application designed to improve video resolution, reduce noise, and repair low-quality footage using artificial intelligence. Unlike traditional interpolation (bicubic, Lanczos), this version leverages three dedicated AI models. This review examines its architecture, performance benchmarks, practical limitations, and security posture. Topaz Video AI 4
★★★★☆ (4/5) Deducted one star for: no multi-GPU, no Linux version, and audio drift on VFR sources.