Neat Video 6, the latest version of our plug-in for video noise, flicker, dust and scratches reduction, has brought a number of improvements to its core functionality. While some updates, like Gain control, are immediately visible, much of what makes version 6 groundbreaking lies beneath the surface. With optimized CPU/GPU usage, smarter memory management, a faster processing engine and its own intelligent adaptation system for efficient use of the hardware, Neat Video 6 is designed to help editors achieve high-quality results faster than ever before. Most of these new functions and improvements are directly and mostly automatically used by Neat Video 6 to help you get the best performance. It is still important to understand how to use these features most efficiently. This guide provides practical tips to optimize your workflow for maximum render speed while maintaining stellar results.

1. Rely on Auto Mode

One of Neat Video 6’s standout features is its ability to automatically detect and utilize available CPU and GPU resources. When set to Auto (the default setting) in the Performance section of Neat Video Preferences, the plug-in intelligently configures its performance settings, balancing the workload between the CPU and GPU to deliver optimal results.

Why Use Auto

• Automatic Configuration: Auto ensures that Neat Video uses all available computation resources (CPU cores and GPU(s)) efficiently without requiring manual adjustments.

• Simplifies Workflow: It eliminates the need to tweak settings manually, saving time and effort.

• Dynamic Adaptation: When working in Auto mode, Neat Video 6 dynamically adapts to changes in different projects, in project complexity, and to changes in hardware configuration, while ensuring consistent performance across different editing scenarios.

We recommend using the Auto mode in most regular cases unless you want to manually resolve specific issues as described below.

When to Use Manual

Manual configuration should only be used if there are specific issues, such as limited memory availability, GPU driver issues, a need to distribute GPUs or their resources between different software (for example, between the host application and plug-in), hardware instability (for example, overheating due to high load on the CPU cores) or compatibility concerns. You may want to manually adjust the GPU memory use and/or change CPU and GPU settings if you’re confident in what needs to be changed.

2. Choose Fast Processing Mode

Neat Video 6 introduces a new Fast Floating Point Processing mode (the default), designed to speed up rendering without sacrificing quality in most scenarios. This mode ensures a perfect balance between speed and accuracy, making it the ideal option in most cases.

Why Use Fast Processing?

• Optimized for Everyday Editing: The Fast Processing mode is most suitable for standard editing tasks, including cleaning up noise in regular shots such as nature footage, interviews, events, timelapses, etc.

• Faster Rendering: By simplifying many internal computational processes, the Fast mode significantly reduces render times.

• Lighter on Resources: The Fast mode requires less system and video memory, and, therefore, helps to avoid unnecessary use of slower virtual memory on systems with limited resources.

When to Use Full Processing

The Full Processing mode is available in Neat Video 6 as well (available in host applications that support high bit depth rendering in plug-ins; see the Performance > Advanced Settings section of Neat Video Preferences). It may be required for special cases where absolute precision is needed, such as:

• CGI Projects: These often include materials with computationally generated pixel values having a very high dynamic range. The Full Processing mode allows maintaining that high dynamic range while ensuring the highest accuracy of noise reduction.

• High-End Visual Effects (VFX) Projects: Such projects may include both very high dynamic range and multiple effects applied to the same video material. In this case, the Full Processing mode also helps to preserve accuracy and maintain the high dynamic range.

Unless you’re working on these types of projects, stick with the Fast Processing mode to save processing time and memory resources without compromising visual quality.

Bonus Tips for Better Performance

• Check Performance: Evaluate results to ensure your adjustments achieve the desired effect on performance. If you change the Performance settings or filter settings (for example, if you change the Quality mode in the Temporal or Spatial Filter or the Temporal Filter Radius), evaluate the processing speed using the Check Speed button. Before a longer render, run a short one to measure the render time/speed and adjust the project or Neat Video settings if you see that the speed is below normal.

• Update Hardware Drivers: Ensure your CPU and GPU drivers are up to date to maximize compatibility and performance with Neat Video 6 and your video editing application. Find more hardware tips in this recent article.

• Close Unnecessary Applications: Free up system resources by closing non-essential programs (especially those heavy browsers with multiple open pages) during rendering.

Conclusion

Neat Video 6 is packed with multiple under-the-hood improvements designed to streamline your video editing workflow. By relying on its intelligent Auto mode and using the Fast Processing mode for most projects, you will not only save time on the manual configuration of the performance settings, but will also achieve the best render speeds while maintaining exceptional output quality. With these tools and tips in hand, you can unlock the full potential of Neat Video 6 and use it in your projects with efficiency and ease.