Google Unveils Video Boost with Night Sight for Pixel 8 Pro: Enhancing Low-Light Video Quality
In a groundbreaking move, Google has introduced Video Boost with Night Sight for its highly anticipated Pixel 8 Pro smartphone, taking low-light video quality to a whole new level. This innovative feature builds upon the success of Night Sight, which revolutionized low-light photography on the Pixel 3.
While many smartphones now boast impressive night modes for still photos, capturing high-quality videos in low-light conditions has been a different story altogether. Recognizing this gap in the market, Google has come up with Video Boost, a unique technology that utilizes artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance low-light videos.
Setting it apart from other video processing techniques, Video Boost harnesses the power of the cloud to carry out the complex processing required to improve video quality. However, it is worth noting that this can be an extremely time-consuming process, with videos up to ten minutes long taking hours to be fully processed.
The primary objective of Video Boost is to dramatically enhance the quality of low-light videos. In situations where lighting is extremely poor, this feature has the ability to retrieve lost color and detail, ensuring that the final videos are visually captivating.
It is important to manage expectations, though. While the improvement between a regular video clip and one enhanced with Video Boost is noticeable, it might not be as dramatic as the difference between an ordinary photo and one captured using Night Sight.
Nevertheless, Video Boost has proven its worth, particularly in medium-low indoor lighting conditions. It excels at improving shadow detail and stabilization, resulting in smoother and more refined videos.
Currently, Video Boost is exclusive to the Pixel 8 Pro’s main rear camera and supports recording at either 4K or 1080p resolution. By adopting a distinct processing pipeline that retains more captured image data, akin to RAW files, Video Boost ensures that the final videos are more vibrant and true-to-life.
One downside to be aware of is that temporary files created during the Video Boost process can be massive. However, the final boosted videos are compressed to a more manageable size, striking a balance between quality and storage requirements.
While Video Boost primarily relies on cloud processing, Google intends to explore the possibility of bringing this feature on-device in the future. As on-device AI capabilities evolve, users can expect further enhancements, although the cloud will always be capable of delivering more impressive capabilities.
It is worth highlighting that the cloud is not just an external entity but rather an integral component of Google’s cutting-edge Tensor technology, ensuring seamless and efficient operations for users.
With the launch of Video Boost, Google continues to push the boundaries of smartphone technology, offering users a novel way to capture and relive their most cherished memories in any lighting condition. The Pixel 8 Pro is set to be released soon, promising a truly remarkable smartphone experience for photography and videography enthusiasts.
