The summary of ‘Lossless Scaling: Frame Generation For Every Game – But How Good Is it?’

00:00:00

In this part of the video, the presenter discusses the potential of a program called lossless scaling, which can significantly increase a game’s frame rate, sometimes by two or three times. For instance, the program can take a game running at 40 FPS and boost it up to 120 FPS by utilizing frame generation technology. Unlike DLSS 3 or FSR 3, which use motion vectors and are integrated into the game code, lossless scaling operates as a post-process mod without access to these internals. Instead, it uses machine learning to predict and generate in-between frames. While DLSS 3 and FSR 3 typically generate one intermediate frame to double the frame rate, lossless scaling can produce up to two intermediate frames, potentially tripling it. However, these generated frames can have more visible errors compared to the other technologies, which still maintain higher quality due to their access to motion vectors and sophisticated machine learning techniques.

00:03:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the errors and artifacts that occur with lossless frame generation in gaming. Key points include the visibility of ghosted outlines around moving objects, artifacts present in HUD elements and mouse cursors, and specific issues like the subtle flickering of transparent objects. The errors become more noticeable with higher scaling factors, such as the 3x frame rate mode, leading to greater distortion and more frequent visible errors. The example of “Ghost of Tsushima” is used to illustrate these issues, showing how the game appears with generated frames and the inherent challenges in maintaining visual fidelity.

00:06:00

In this segment of the video, the speaker discusses the impact of different frame generation techniques on visual quality and input latency. They highlight that using frame generation at a lower refresh rate of 120 Hz can introduce issues, and recommend starting from a higher frame rate on monitors with higher refresh rates, such as 240 Hz, for a better experience. The 3x frame rate scaling mode is particularly noted for its potential to enhance visuals and fluidity.

However, they caution that frame generation also increases input latency, which can affect gameplay experience. The speaker provides specific latency measurements, comparing different modes: a 2x frame generation mode with Reflex on in Cyberpunk 2077 shows 99 milliseconds of latency, while 3x mode shows 92 milliseconds, and DLSS 3 shows 59 milliseconds. Without any frame generation, the latency is 44 milliseconds.

Despite these increases in latency, the speaker finds the overall experience of using the frame generation mode compelling and functional, particularly for titles without modern integrated frame generation options like FSR 3 or DLSS 3. They recommend this technique for enhancing fluidity in such games and give the example of using frame generation to push the frame rates of older titles, such as Freedom Fighters, beyond their native capabilities.

00:09:00

In this part of the video, the narrator discusses the benefits of using lossless frame generation to increase the frame rates of older games. By enabling this feature in ‘2x mode’, games that were previously locked at 60 FPS can be experienced at 120 FPS on a 120 Hz screen, enhancing visual fluidity. The narrator shares personal experiences with games like “Turok’s 2015 re-release” and “Resident Evil 4”, noting how the increased frame rate significantly improves the gaming experience.

The narrator also highlights exceptions where the increased input latency may affect gameplay, particularly in fast-paced games requiring precise mouse controls, like “Command and Conquer 3: Tiberium Wars”. In contrast, games primarily using controller input, like the original “Dark Souls”, tolerate the increased latency better, thus still preserving a good gaming experience. The effectiveness of lossless frame generation thus depends on the specific game and its control requirements.

00:12:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses using lossless frame generation and scaling to smooth out game performance, even for demanding titles like Killzone 2 and Elden Ring. While this technology can enhance frame rates and provide a smoother visual experience, it does come with increased input latency and cannot fix fundamental game performance issues, such as hitching or stuttering. To achieve the best results, the game needs to be configured correctly, ideally running at a native refresh rate or half of it, and using tools like Special K for proper frame rate limiting. The speaker also highlights that some VSync options, particularly NVIDIA’s, may not work well with this technique. Properly configured, lossless frame generation can improve visual smoothness significantly.

00:15:00

In this part of the video, the speaker discusses the benefits and considerations of using lossless frame generation as a tool for enhancing game performance on PC. While acknowledging potential issues such as frame generation input latency and artifacts, the speaker emphasizes its value, particularly for older games with frame rate caps. The tool allows for increased fluidity in games and also offers features like integer scaling, as demonstrated with Perfect Dark Zero being upscaled from 720p to 4K with impressive results. The speaker concludes by encouraging viewers to like, subscribe, and ring the bell.