Astra is a web-based AI video enhancement platform designed for creative upscaling and stylized refinement. It operates entirely in the browser and leverages advanced AI models to enhance visual detail, clarity, and structure.


Astra is optimized for modern creative workflows, including AI-generated content and stylized video production. It is not designed as a traditional archival restoration tool.

Platform Type: Web-based (Cloud Rendering)

Rendering Infrastructure: Cloud GPU servers

Subscription Required for Rendering: A subscription is not required to render videos if you have sufficient cloud credits available in your account.

If your render requires more credits than you currently have, you can either:

Subscribe to a monthly cloud credits plan

Astra processes video entirely in the cloud. Rendering capacity is prioritized for active subscribers.

You can launch Astra using either method listed below:

: you can bookmark this for direct access.

Once logged in, you will be taken to the Astra Cloud interface dashboard.

Select your video file from your computer.

After the upload is complete, you will see the model selection options.

Choose the model that best meets your needs. Available options include: 

 (Starlight Precise 1, Starlight Precise 2.5, Starlight Fast 1 & 2, Starlight Mini)

Each model offers different speed, quality, and frame length capabilities.

These settings allow you to control the final video quality and smoothness.

Use the timeline controls to define the portion of the video you want to render: 

, expand the selection to cover the full timeline.

You can monitor the progress and download the final output once rendering is complete.

Astra currently offers limited file compatibility, with more to be added in the near future.


At this time, Astra supports only H.264 MP4 video for both input and export.

Improved unsupported file error messaging

VFR videos are not currently supported.
Recommendation: Convert VFR files to Constant Frame Rate (CFR) before uploading.
Improved VFR detection and messaging are in development.

Below, you will find information on Astra's file upload limitations. 

There is no strict upload file size limit enforced on the backend.

For best performance and reliability, we recommend keeping uploads under 

Frame limits are enforced per single video render and vary by model.

Performance on unsupported browsers may vary.

Rendered videos are stored for active subscribers for 7 days. After 7 days, the download link will no longer be accessible.

Quick Start 

This guide will help you choose the right mode and model in Astra to achieve the best results for your videos.

Astra offers two primary modes, each designed for a different goal:

Use Creative Mode to change the look and feel of your video.

Enhancing mood, lighting, or visual style

Astra 1 (1st-gen) and Astra 2 (2nd-gen) Controls


Controls the strength of the artistic effect


Controls the clarity and crispness of the output


Describe the style or mood you want to achieve
(Use descriptive phrases such as “cinematic lighting” or “soft vintage tones”)

To maintain quality, prompts are limited to shorter clips:

If your video exceeds 450 frames and you add a prompt, you will be prompted to:

Scene detection allows you to apply prompts to smaller sections of your video.

Astra 1 remains the better choice for stylized, experimental, or fantasy-leaning creative work where you want the model to take artistic liberty and push beyond the source. Astra 2 is the right choice when you want the final result to look like a more realistic, higher-fidelity version of what you already have.

Precise Mode (Starlight & Enhancement Models)

Precise Mode enhances video quality while preserving realism and original details.


Strong performance on faces and fine textures


Highest overall quality and detail recovery


Suitable for fast motion and older low-resolution footage


General enhancement, sharpening, and cleanup


Best for low-motion scenes such as interviews and product shots


Reduces noise and grain while preserving detail


Enhances faces in low-quality or compressed footage

Use Precise Mode when you want to improve quality while preserving the original look.

Starlight Precise 2 supports 450 frames at 30 FPS per video

Starlight Fast 1 & 2 is now officially released, offering fast, high-quality enhancement and supporting videos up to 5 minutes in length for quicker, more efficient results

Scene detection automatically splits your video into smaller segments, allowing more control when applying prompts.

In Precise mode, Starlight Precise 2.5 is applied by default, and models can be selected manually

In Creative mode, Astra 2 is applied by default

Prompts can be used per scene only in Astra 2

If your video exceeds the model’s frame limit:

Use Astra’s Scene Detection to automatically divide your video into renderable scenes

This allows longer videos to be processed in parts while remaining within the model's limits.

Start with default settings and adjust gradually

Use Creative Mode when stylistic changes are intended

For large outputs (such as prints or high-resolution displays), use higher-quality models like Starlight Precise 2.5


Start with Starlight Precise 2.5 for most use cases, or Astra 2 for creative results.

Why can’t I use prompts on long videos?


Prompts are limited to shorter clips to maintain output quality. Use scene detection for longer videos.

What is the difference between Creative and Precise Mode?


Creative Mode changes the visual style, while Precise Mode improves quality without altering the original look.

Improved file validation and error messaging

Modes and Models

Monthly credits do not roll over. Unused credits reset at the beginning of each billing cycle.

Higher frame rates (e.g., 60 FPS or 120 FPS) consume credits proportionally based on total processed frames.

Cloud credits are generally non-refundable once used for successful renders.

Plans & Credit System

The Original and First-Ever Diffusion Model For Video Enhancement

Project Starlight is Topaz Lab’s video enhancement model that is capable of enhancing previously impossible footage. This can be anything from tricky 8/16mm film, VHS footage or low res AI generated content. This specific AI Model has since been renamed as 

Because of the complexity and scope that this model requires to process, this model is significantly slower and more expensive than previous models. For that reason, it currently requires cloud processing on server-grade graphics hardware and this model can be accessed via our cloud app, 

We recommend testing standard definition videos that have less than ideal results with our previous models, though it’s not limited to that resolution. Project Starlight will currently output 1080p and 4K results.

Here’s a quick start guide on how to use Precise.

To begin, make sure that you are logged into Astra. 

Once logged in, drag and drop your video or use the 

This is the original AI model that’s more accurate to the source video while doing some enhancements. Precise has two settings.

: This produces a much quicker result but may have a little less details.

: This is the original iteration of the AI model that produces high quality details, but does take much longer to produce higher quality outputs.

Another variation of the model, essentially generates more embellished details and content based on what’s in the video. Creative has two settings.

: This is a light exaggeration of details based on video content.

: This is a more aggressive exaggeration of details based on video content.

You can use Starlight to render up to 5 minutes (9000 frames at 30fps) of footage.

Recommend using video at or under 1920x1080 resolution

The resolution will be based on the height, so if you have a 16:9 aspect ratio video, your output may result in 1920x

. If you have a 4:3 aspect ratio video, your video may result in 1620x

The resolution will be based on the height, so if you have a 16:9 aspect ratio video, your output may result in 3840x

. If you have a 4:3 aspect ratio video, your output video may be 2880x

Once you’ve decided on your model and resolution output, you can now 

: Gives a short duration so that you can see a sample of your outputs.

: Gives you the ability to chose the length of the duration up to the max 9000 frames.

While this is new for all and we continue exploring and refining Project Starlight, there are a few things to consider when using this new tool:

This AI model is both complex and resource heavy. Meaning, that it could take a while to render. This is why, Precise is currently only available via our cloud app, Astra.

For now, you can only render 9000 frames, which comes out to about 5 minutes of 30 FPS.

Recommended to use videos at or under 1920x1080 resolution.

The web input, however, only accepts H264 MP4 files.

Currently only exports 1080p and 4K, MP4 videos.

Renders will only be available for a max of 7 days.

Be sure to make a copy of your Cloud Render IDs. These may not always be recoverable.

Please note that if you have text that is too small, blurry or inconsistent, the result may not be "sp3ll3d" correctly. If you can barely make it out, so will the AI model. It may assume that the text is a texture or pattern.

If you have interlaced videos, it is recommended that you deinterlace first before enhancing.

Please note that free previews (a temporary promotion) is no longer available even if you have a Legacy version of Topaz Video AI.

Ultimately, we want you to have fun with Precise on Astra! This is a new horizon for everyone, and another great leap to learn and create for today and tomorrow!

Learn more about the Starlight AI models within Topaz Labs 

Origins - Project Starlight

What is the relationship between Starlight and Astra?

 is the underlying AI model family that powers the technology.

 is the web-based product built on top of the Starlight models, providing the user interface and features.

All capabilities from the original Starlight web preview have now been fully integrated into Astra

Astra is the web product built around the Starlight models.

All features from the original Starlight web preview have been integrated into Astra.

Astra

Quick Start

Modes & Models

Plans & Credit System

Origins - Project Starlight

Starlight vs Astra