4by4, AI Upscaling Service Provided to OTT Wave

Content AI solution provider ForByFor announced on the 10th that it has provided an 'upscaling' service to improve the video quality of OTT platform 'Wavve'’s drama content through its Pixel solution.

Using its self-developed video enhancement AI solution Pixell, ForByFor improved and provided four classic 2000s dramas currently serviced by Wavve?▲Nae Ireumeun Kim Sam Soon ▲Full House ▲Coffee Prince 1st Shop ▲Gung?from the original SD quality (720 X 480) to a level of 4K (3840 X 2160), which is about 24 times larger and clearer.

This was promoted as part of Wavve’s ongoing ‘New Classic Project.’ The ‘New Classic Project’ led by Wavve aims to update original works by renowned 2000s drama directors and their key staff into 2024 versions.

For the drama Nae Ireumeun Kim Sam Soon, ForByFor simultaneously released the fully upscaled 16-episode version enhanced by the Pixell solution and an 8-episode director’s cut newly edited with direct participation from the original director Kim Yoon Chul and key staff, receiving favorable reviews.

Not only was the video quality improved to 4K level so that platform users can enjoy content with clear visuals without discomfort even on the latest display devices, but various technical upgrades such as sound quality enhancement and subtitle provision were also applied.

ForByFor’s video enhancement AI solution Pixell is equipped with an upscaling function that increases resolution by learning from high-quality video data based on ultra-high-definition content production capabilities. It optimizes saturation, contrast, and sharpness, and simultaneously removes noise, delivering clear video quality closest to what the human eye actually sees.

Before the introduction of AI technology, restoring and improving a two-hour movie required many professionals working for over a year, but using the Pixell solution, upscaling one drama episode (about one hour) takes less than 40 minutes.

ForByFor CEO Yoon Jun Ho said, "We are very pleased to apply Pixell technology to a project that revives classic dramas with a modern feel and sensibility," adding, "Based on our advanced technology, we expect to revive more well-made dramas in ultra-high definition, raising interest in K-content and expanding the application of the Pixell AI solution in the OTT market."