Microsoft is starting to roll out the much-anticipated built-in video upscaling feature for its Edge browser.
The company’s new Video Super-Resolution (VSR) algorithm uses artificial intelligence to enhance web video at resolutions lower than 720p while also removing blocking artifacts, a feature set that will be widely available to users in the “coming weeks” .
So how do you use it?Reveal more details about the feature in a post on fringe blog (opens in a new tab)Microsoft confirmed that VSR will initially be limited to Windows machines with Nvidia (RTX 20 series and above) or AMD (RX5700 and above) GPUs.
To use AI upgrades, you’ll also need to be running the experimental Edge Canary version of Microsoft’s browser. If you’re using a laptop, you’ll need to plug it in, and those with hybrid GPUs will need to change your Windows settings to force Edge to only run with its discrete GPU (automatic hybrid GPU support coming soon in an update).
VSR is capable of upscaling videos with a width and height of at least 192 pixels, but unfortunately it does not work with DRM-protected videos that use PlayReady or Widevine technology, such as Netflix streams.
Analysis: AI upgrade brings welcome boost to AMD GPUs
While some might see the launch of VSR as nothing more than a gimmick to watch older YouTube clips like charlie bite my finger (opens in a new tab) In UltraHD, this AI upgrade could be a game-changer for some users.
While Microsoft acknowledges that VSR is computationally intensive and may slow down less powerful machines, the feature offers potentially great visual bonuses for those hindered by low-bandwidth internet or limited by data caps.
It’s also the salvo of the GPU bragging wars, putting AMD video card owners finally on par with Nvidia users who’ve been able to brag about video upgrades in Chrome or Edge for a while now.
