Starlight Mini - Color Blooming, Tiling, etc

[UHD4KUser]

I’m aware this is just v1, however I had no response in the primary topic for the v7 release and hope that if these issues are addressed sooner than later, v2 or v3 will be better overall.

I previously mentioned these issues here: Video AI 7.0 - NEW Starlight Mini (Local) AI Model - #598 by UHD4KUser and Video AI 7.0 - NEW Starlight Mini (Local) AI Model - #716 by UHD4KUser

Further examples:

Blooming
Clean 1080p input from Blu-ray:

Downscaled to 50% for input:

Result from Mini:

Significant blooming around both white and orange text.

Tiling
Input:

Output:

It’s most apparent to the left side of his head, but it’s over the whole frame.

Aside from these two issues, there’s the depth of field issue mentioned in the comment I made above and also I find it’s softening details like skin on close-ups. Also it can misidentify noise that’s supposed to be in the video, like a screen with TV static.

[vincentabel42]

I agree with most of your findings; artifacts next to the captain’s head, though, is also in the source. Is just the grain is implementing an ugly job (ugh… grain is just the worst ever) masking a lot of the tiling.

[UHD4KUser]

@vincentabel42

artifacts next to the captain’s head, though, is also in the source.

I disagree. Grain/DVD compression is one thing, but they don’t mask a grid pattern.

There’s no tiling in the source here:

But there’s a grid in the Starlight Mini output:

Aside from the tiles, this is another good example with blooming. Note the bloom from her skin to her collar.

Also there aren’t any tiles in this CGI cartoon, but they’re there after Mini:

Input

Zoom

Output

Zoom

Here’s the static being cleared, which is probably something that will be very difficult to keep while removing actual noise.

Input:

Output:

[vincentabel42]

I can clearly see tiling patterns (boulders/blocks) around the left of the captain’s head in the source; the other stills, not as much due to the much higher exposure, ect. Agree to disagree here, I’m afraid.

[pany860cu]

same tiling issu here, only starlight mini…

[UHD4KUser]

@vincentabel42

I can clearly see tiling patterns (boulders/blocks) around the left of the captain’s head in the source

Right, I’m not referring to the wall, but the grid of tiles that appears over the whole image, but it’s most noticeable on the left. However it’s also rather present on both sides.

[Scott.J (info1845)]

Here’s a supporting example from a 4x upscale.

Seems to happen a lot with dark areas and contrasty footage. Played once normally and then again enhanced so you can’t miss it. The Youtube compression softens it a tad, but make no mistake: it is a noticeable eyesore in the full-quality ProRes version. Be sure to select the full 4K version.

I also processed this footage in the cloud but got similar results - slightly hidden by the x264 compression but still noticeable.

Hoping this can be resolved soon. Loving the results I’m getting otherwise! Thanks Team!

Starlight Mini - Tile/Box/Patchwork Problem