📌 Step 1: Render the Original High-Quality Video (Before Topaz AI)

Goal: Export the best possible version of your video before enhancing it with Topaz AI.

✅ Edit your video in Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut Pro
✅ Render at the highest quality possible before processing in Topaz AI

Best Render Settings for the Original Video:

• Resolution: Export in the highest native resolution (e.g., 4K if shot in 4K)

• Codec: ProRes 422 HQ (if possible) or DNxHR HQ (for best quality, large file size)

• Bitrate: 100-200 Mbps (for 4K) or 50-100 Mbps (for 1080p)

• Frame Rate: Keep the original FPS (30 or 60 FPS)

• Audio: WAV 48kHz, 320kbps (best for final compression)

⏩ Once you have the highest-quality render, move to Topaz AI.

📌 Step 2: Process in Topaz Video AI

Goal: Enhance sharpness, reduce noise, and optimize for Instagram.

✅ Import the original high-bitrate video into Topaz AI
✅ Use Proteus Model for fine-tuning & enhancement

Best Topaz AI Settings for Instagram:

• Model: Proteus Fine-Tune

• Resolution: 1080x1920 (for vertical Instagram Reels)

• Frame Rate: 30 FPS (Convert if needed to avoid Instagram’s forced downscaling)

• Sharpness: +10 to +15 (Avoid over-sharpening)

• Detail Recovery: +5 to +10

• Noise Reduction: +5 to +15

• Dehalo: +5

• Bitrate: 20-50 Mbps (To maintain quality before final compression)

⏩ After processing in Topaz, export the enhanced video.

📌 Step 3: Final Render for Instagram Upload

Goal: Compress efficiently to maintain sharpness without Instagram ruining quality.

✅ Import the enhanced Topaz AI video back into Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, or Final Cut
✅ Export using optimized Instagram settings

Best Render Settings for Instagram Upload:

• Resolution: 1080x1920 (Vertical Full HD)

• Codec: H.264 (MP4) or H.265 (HEVC for smaller file size & better quality)

• Bitrate:

  • 8-10 Mbps (Target)

  • 15 Mbps (Max)

• Frame Rate: 30 FPS

• Color Profile: sRGB (Boost contrast & saturation slightly before export)

• File Size: Keep under 50MB for best Instagram compression handling

📢 Upload via Instagram’s Desktop Version for better compression handling!

✅ Final Workflow Summary

1️⃣ Render the original video in the highest possible quality (ProRes, high bitrate, original resolution).
2️⃣ Process the video in Topaz AI (Proteus model, sharpen, upscale, frame rate adjustment).
3️⃣ Final export in Premiere/Resolve using Instagram-optimized settings (MP4, 1080x1920, 8-10 Mbps).
4️⃣ Upload via desktop for better quality retention.

This workflow ensures sharp, high-quality Instagram Reels that look professional! 🚀🎥 Let me know if you need help tweaking settings!

Best Render & Topaz AI Settings for Instagram Reels

To ensure your videos maintain high quality and sharpness after Instagram’s compression, follow these optimized render and Topaz AI settings for Instagram Reels.

1. Topaz Video AI Settings

These settings will enhance sharpness, reduce noise, and upscale if needed.

Enhancement Model:

• Proteus (Fine-Tune Detail) – Best for manually adjusting sharpness, detail recovery, and noise reduction.

• Artemis HQ – Good for general upscaling with smooth motion.

• Gaia HQ – Best if the original video is already high-quality but needs light enhancement.

Recommended Proteus Settings:

• Sharpen: +10 to +15 (Avoid over-sharpening to prevent artifacts).

• Recover Detail: +5 to +10 (Enhance edges and textures).

• Reduce Noise: +5 to +15 (For clean, sharp visuals).

• Dehalo: +5 (Removes compression halos).

• Deblur: +10 (Improves motion clarity).

• Grain Setting: Leave at default or apply +5 for a more cinematic look.

Frame Rate:

• Reels are best at 30 FPS – Instagram converts videos to 30 FPS regardless of the source, so match it to avoid ghosting or artifacts.

• If your video is 60 FPS, use frame interpolation in Topaz to convert it to 30 FPS smoothly.

Resolution:

• 1080x1920 (Vertical Full HD) – Instagram Reels are designed for this format.

• If your video is lower resolution, upscale using Topaz AI with the Proteus or Artemis models.

2. Render Settings (Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, Final Cut Pro)

Export Format:

• MP4 (H.264 or H.265 HEVC) – Instagram prefers H.264 for best compatibility.

• H.265 is better for higher quality at lower file sizes, but it may not always be supported.

Bitrate:

• Target Bitrate: 8-10 Mbps (This prevents Instagram from over-compressing your video).

• Maximum Bitrate: 15 Mbps (Gives a safety buffer for high-motion content).

Keyframe Distance:

• 1-2 seconds (30-60 frames) – Helps Instagram maintain smooth playback.

Audio Settings:

• AAC, 44.1kHz or 48kHz, 128kbps to 320kbps – Ensures clean audio.

3. Instagram-Specific Adjustments

Color Profile & LUTs:

• Use sRGB Color Profile – Instagram may alter your colors if you're using Rec.709 or Rec.2020.

• Add a slight contrast & saturation boost before exporting because Instagram compression flattens colors.

File Size Limitations:

• Instagram compresses videos larger than 50MB heavily, so keep files below 50MB for best quality.

Final Tip:

After rendering, check file size & quality before uploading. If the quality drops after posting, try uploading via Instagram's desktop version (web browser) for better compression handling.

By following these Topaz AI and render settings, your Instagram Reels will look sharp, detailed, and professional while avoiding Instagram's heavy compression! 🚀🎥