The term "AI Upscale" gets thrown around a lot, but the results seen in the "Top" rated releases of 2020 were distinct. Unlike a standard TV that just sharpens edges, these algorithms hallucinate details that weren't there before. They remove the compression artifacts, smooth out the noise, and render textures that make the show look like it was filmed yesterday.
When Paramount remastered The Next Generation , they had to physically go back to the original film reels and re-scan and re-composite every effect. This cost millions of dollars. Because DS9 had more complex CGI space battles and a darker, grittier aesthetic, the cost to remaster it was deemed too high by the studio. As a result, on modern 4K TVs, the official DS9 streams look blurry, interlaced, and full of compression artifacts. star trek deep space 9 s01 ai upscale 4k 2020 top
Based on community consensus from projects like QueerWorm's DS9 Upscale Guide , these were the target settings for Season 1: The term "AI Upscale" gets thrown around a
“Computer,” Sisko said, never taking his eyes off the screen. “Save this image. Label it: ‘The Future. 2020. Top.’” When Paramount remastered The Next Generation , they
This project, heavily documented on ExtremeTech , focused on maximizing quality through technical refinement rather than just speed.
If you own the DS9 DVD box set and want the absolute best S01 4K upscale today (using 2023+ models), here is the workflow that replicates the 2020 "top" standard: