> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://developer.topazlabs.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://developer.topazlabs.com/video-models/upscaling-and-enhancement/precision/proteus.md).

# Proteus

The default choice for video enhancement

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th align="center"></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center">Click to view</td><td><a href="https://4007072434-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJkSwaYgAsTQke14gpXAF%2Fuploads%2FUrxNNr6PLLPjh6Z9XyhU%2FProteus_(Ex_1)_slider.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=ee198405-3d9f-458e-b946-a8272daf07b0">https://4007072434-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJkSwaYgAsTQke14gpXAF%2Fuploads%2FUrxNNr6PLLPjh6Z9XyhU%2FProteus_(Ex_1)_slider.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=ee198405-3d9f-458e-b946-a8272daf07b0</a></td><td><a href="https://compare.topazlabs.com/share/video?src1=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2FSC_RipAq_001_EPRIII_LQ2.mp4&#x26;src1label=Before&#x26;src2=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2FSC_RipAq_001_EPRIII_LQ2_1_prob4.mp4&#x26;src2label=After&#x26;zoom=1">https://compare.topazlabs.com/share/video?src1=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2FSC_RipAq_001_EPRIII_LQ2.mp4&#x26;src1label=Before&#x26;src2=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2FSC_RipAq_001_EPRIII_LQ2_1_prob4.mp4&#x26;src2label=After&#x26;zoom=1</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center">Click to view</td><td><a href="https://4007072434-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJkSwaYgAsTQke14gpXAF%2Fuploads%2FKj5VSU6rKrwpBpUZD8JZ%2FProteus_(Ex_2)_slider.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=59acf95b-0091-4677-a273-b1c00cef09b4">https://4007072434-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FJkSwaYgAsTQke14gpXAF%2Fuploads%2FKj5VSU6rKrwpBpUZD8JZ%2FProteus_(Ex_2)_slider.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=59acf95b-0091-4677-a273-b1c00cef09b4</a></td><td><a href="https://compare.topazlabs.com/share/video?src1=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2Fu5739975918_hyper-real_Astronaut_in_space_waving_at_an_alien__0ac3e91e-399a-4309-8780-a6b8b7c9466b_1.mp4&#x26;src1label=Before&#x26;src2=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2Fu5739975918_hyper-real_Astronaut_in_space_waving_at_an_alien__0ac3e91e-399a-4309-8780-a6b8b7c9466b_1_prob4.mp4&#x26;src2label=After&#x26;zoom=1">https://compare.topazlabs.com/share/video?src1=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2Fu5739975918_hyper-real_Astronaut_in_space_waving_at_an_alien__0ac3e91e-399a-4309-8780-a6b8b7c9466b_1.mp4&#x26;src1label=Before&#x26;src2=https%3A%2F%2Fdownloads.topazlabs.com%2Fweb-assets%2Fmodel-examples%2Fu5739975918_hyper-real_Astronaut_in_space_waving_at_an_alien__0ac3e91e-399a-4309-8780-a6b8b7c9466b_1_prob4.mp4&#x26;src2label=After&#x26;zoom=1</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### Model Overview

Proteus delivers high quality results across a wide range of sources and is recommended as the default model for most common video upscaling projects. A versatile, general purpose enhancement model for upscaling, denoising, and sharpening a wide range of low to medium quality video sources.

Proteus performs especially well on low to medium quality footage, including old, grainy, or heavily compressed video.

### Best Use Cases

* **General camera footage.** A reliable default for modern and older video.
* **All-in-one enhancement.** Upscale, denoise, and sharpen in one filter.
* **Compressed sources.** Recover detail lost to streaming and web compression.
* **Fine-tuned pipelines.** Set each parameter manually for consistent results across a project.
* **Pre-generative cleanup.** Clean footage before a Starlight pass.

### Endpoint

`https://api.topazlabs.com/video/`

`https://api.topazlabs.com/video/express`

### Model Parameters

Model parameters go inside the filter object in `filters`.

Proteus uses the Precision filter parameter set. Every parameter below is optional except `model`; any value you don't send is estimated automatically.

| Parameter                    | Type      | Required / Default | Accepted values                                            | Description                                                                                                                                    |
| ---------------------------- | --------- | ------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `model`                      | `string`  | Required           | `"prob-4"`                                                 | —                                                                                                                                              |
| `videoType`                  | `string`  | Optional           | `"Progressive"`, `"Interlaced"`, `"ProgressiveInterlaced"` | Frame/field type of the source.                                                                                                                |
| `auto`                       | `string`  | Optional           | `"Auto"`, `"Manual"`, `"Relative"`                         | Parameter mode. `Auto` estimates every value, `Relative` nudges the estimated values by the amounts you send, `Manual` uses your values as-is. |
| `fieldOrder`                 | `string`  | Optional           | `"TopFirst"`, `"BottomFirst"`, `"Auto"`                    | Field order for interlaced sources.                                                                                                            |
| `focusFixLevel`              | `string`  | Optional           | `"None"`, `"Normal"`, `"Strong"`                           | Downscales the input for stronger correction of blurred subjects.                                                                              |
| `compression`                | `decimal` | Optional           | `-1.0` to `1.0`                                            | Strength of compression artifact recovery.                                                                                                     |
| `details`                    | `decimal` | Optional           | `-1.0` to `1.0`                                            | Amount of detail reconstruction.                                                                                                               |
| `prenoise`                   | `decimal` | Optional           | `0.0` to `0.1`                                             | Adds noise to the input to reduce over-smoothing.                                                                                              |
| `noise`                      | `decimal` | Optional           | `-1.0` to `1.0`                                            | Amount of noise reduction.                                                                                                                     |
| `halo`                       | `decimal` | Optional           | `-1.0` to `1.0`                                            | Amount of halo reduction.                                                                                                                      |
| `preblur`                    | `decimal` | Optional           | `-1.0` to `1.0`                                            | Anti-aliasing and deblurring strength.                                                                                                         |
| `blur`                       | `decimal` | Optional           | `-1.0` to `1.0`                                            | Amount of sharpening applied.                                                                                                                  |
| `grain`                      | `decimal` | Optional           | `0.0` to `0.1`                                             | Adds grain after processing.                                                                                                                   |
| `grainSigma`                 | `decimal` | Optional           | `0.0` to `1.0`                                             | Grain granularity.                                                                                                                             |
| `grainSize`                  | `decimal` | Optional           | `0.0` to `5.0`                                             | Size of generated grain.                                                                                                                       |
| `grainType`                  | `string`  | Optional           | `"silver_rich"`, `"gaussian"`, `"grey"`                    | Type of grain.                                                                                                                                 |
| `recoverOriginalDetailValue` | `decimal` | Optional           | `0.0` to `1.0`                                             | Reintroduces source detail into the output.                                                                                                    |

For the shared video pipeline parameters (`source`, `output`, encoders and profiles), reference the Denoising intent page. The full set of accepted parameters is also available in our API Reference page.

For request parameters shared by every video model (source, output, destination, and notifications), see Request Parameters. The full schema is also available in our API Reference page.

### Model Pricing

### Pricing

**Estimated Credits at 30 fps**

| Input → Output | Step | Billed size | 10 s | 1 min | 5 min | 10 min |
| -------------- | ---- | ----------- | ---- | ----- | ----- | ------ |
| 1080p → 1080p  | 1×   | 1920×1080   | 2    | 8     | 37    | 73     |
| 540p → 1080p   | 2×   | 1920×1080   | 2    | 8     | 37    | 73     |
| 720p → 1080p   | 2×   | 2560×1440   | 3    | 13    | 65    | 129    |
| 480p → 1080p   | 4×   | 2880×1920   | 4    | 20    | 97    | 194    |
| 1080p → 4K     | 2×   | 3840×2160   | 5    | 29    | 145   | 290    |
| 720p → 4K      | 4×   | 5120×2880   | 9    | 52    | 258   | 515    |
| 4K → 4K        | 1×   | 3840×2160   | 5    | 29    | 145   | 290    |

Scales up to 1.2 bill as 1×, above 1.2 up to 2.4 as 2×, and above 2.4 as 4×.

{% hint style="info" %}
See the 'Per Output Duration' section in [Video Pricing](/getting-started/model-pricing/video-models.md) for a full breakdown with code examples, or use the [Credit Calculator](https://developer.topazlabs.com/credit-calculator) for a quote on a specific file.
{% endhint %}

### Example Request

{% tabs %}
{% tab title="cURL" %}

```bash
curl -X POST "https://api.topazlabs.com/video/express" \
  -H "X-API-Key: $TOPAZ_API_KEY" \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{
    "source": { "container": "mp4" },
    "filters": [ { "model": "prob-4", "auto": "Auto" } ],
    "output": { "resolution": { "width": 3840, "height": 2160 } }
  }'
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="JavaScript" %}

```javascript
const payload = {
  "source": {
    "container": "mp4"
  },
  "filters": [
    {
      "model": "prob-4",
      "auto": "Auto"
    }
  ],
  "output": {
    "resolution": {
      "width": 3840,
      "height": 2160
    }
  }
};

const response = await fetch("https://api.topazlabs.com/video/express", {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: {
    'X-API-Key': process.env.TOPAZ_API_KEY,
    'Content-Type': 'application/json',
  },
  body: JSON.stringify(payload),
});

if (!response.ok) {
  throw new Error(`Request failed: ${response.status} ${await response.text()}`);
}

console.log(await response.json());
```

{% endtab %}

{% tab title="Python" %}

```python
import os
import requests

payload = {'source': {'container': 'mp4'},
 'filters': [{'model': 'prob-4', 'auto': 'Auto'}],
 'output': {'resolution': {'width': 3840, 'height': 2160}}}

response = requests.post(
    "https://api.topazlabs.com/video/express",
    headers={"X-API-Key": os.environ["TOPAZ_API_KEY"]},
    json=payload,
)
response.raise_for_status()
print(response.json())
```

{% endtab %}
{% endtabs %}

### Helpful Resources

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><i class="fa-play">:play:</i></td><td><h4>Video Quickstart</h4></td><td>Quickly get started with our Video API.</td><td><a href="/getting-started/video-quickstart.md">Video Quickstart</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-file-brackets-curly">:file-brackets-curly:</i></td><td><h4>API Reference</h4></td><td>View our API reference to view the entire schema.</td><td><a href="https://app.gitbook.com/o/HctdcUHRfIWXBVA1egPp/s/dQjJSfrAUC693PLetlIA/">Reference</a></td></tr><tr><td><i class="fa-square-root-variable">:square-root-variable:</i></td><td><h4>Model Pricing</h4></td><td>Learn how we price our models.</td><td><a href="/getting-started/model-pricing.md">Model Pricing</a></td></tr></tbody></table>


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