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Step-by-Step: Enable SimaUpscale Real-Time 4K Upscaling Inside Your 2025 Contra Portfolio

Contra creators know that portfolio videos make or break first impressions. But the platform's upload restrictions force you to choose between duration and quality—until now. SimaUpscale's real-time 4K upscaling plug-in lets you upload HD clips that instantly transform into native-looking 4K resolution, all while staying comfortably under Contra's size restrictions.

This guide walks you through the exact configuration process: from securing your Sima API key to optimizing GPU settings for sub-10 ms frame processing. You'll learn how to integrate SimaUpscale directly into Contra's project editor using a simple YAML workflow, validate results with VMAF scoring, and troubleshoot common WebGL throttling issues. By the end, you'll have a production-ready setup that delivers studio-grade 4K video without breaking your bandwidth budget.

Why SimaUpscale Unlocks Studio-Grade 4K Inside Contra

SimaUpscale represents a breakthrough in real-time video enhancement technology. As Sima Labs explains, "SimaUpscale – Ultra-High Quality Upscaling in Real Time" can "Boost resolution instantly from 2× to 4× with seamless quality preservation." This isn't just marketing speak—the technology delivers measurable improvements that matter for your Contra portfolio.

AI-based super-resolution techniques can provide significant bitrate savings of up to 29% compared to traditional upscaling methods. For Contra creators, this means you can showcase higher quality content without hitting upload limits. SimaUpscale takes this further by processing frames in real time, eliminating the need for time-consuming rendering workflows.

The quality gains are substantial and verifiable. SimaBit achieved a 4.2-point VMAF quality increase in testing, demonstrating that the upscaling doesn't just increase pixel count—it genuinely enhances perceived visual quality. This improvement is critical for portfolio pieces where every detail counts.

Confirm Contra's 2025 Upload Specs & 200 MB Limit

Before diving into SimaUpscale integration, let's establish Contra's current technical boundaries. Understanding these limits helps you optimize your workflow for maximum quality within platform constraints.

Cloudflare Stream, which powers many video platforms, typically enforces a maximum video upload size of 30 GB. However, Contra implements more stringent limits for portfolio uploads. Adobe's Firefly API, which represents industry standards for creative platforms, supports video sizes up to 10 GB with maximum durations of 30 minutes.

Contra's platform operates as a marketplace that "enables Users to find one another, enter into service relationships and agreements." The platform has earned significant traction, with over $50MM in earnings for independents, all commission-free. This success means more creators are uploading content, making efficient video compression and quality optimization essential.

For codec support, most platforms now handle H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC, with 4K support becoming standard. This codec flexibility means SimaUpscale can work with your existing export settings while dramatically improving output quality.

Generate & Secure Your One-Click Sima API Key

Accessing SimaUpscale's real-time processing power starts with obtaining your API credentials. The process is streamlined but requires careful attention to security best practices.

First, navigate to the Sima Labs developer portal. The API key generation follows industry-standard patterns, similar to how SimaBit integrates "seamlessly with all major codecs (H.264, HEVC, AV1, etc.) as well as custom encoders, delivering exceptional results across all types of natural content." Your SimaUpscale key provides access to the same infrastructure backbone.

Once generated, store your API key securely. Never commit it directly to version control or embed it in client-side code. SimaBit's codec-agnostic approach means the same key works across different video formats, simplifying your integration process.

The API authentication is verified with industry standard quality metrics, ensuring that only authorized requests access the upscaling infrastructure. This security layer protects both your account and ensures consistent performance for all users.

Tune GPU Drivers & Browser Flags for <10 ms Frame Latency

Achieving real-time 4K upscaling requires optimal GPU configuration. Sub-10 millisecond frame processing isn't automatic—it demands specific driver settings and browser optimizations.

Start with your NVIDIA Control Panel settings. The settings work for nVidia GTX, nVidia RTX 20s, 30s and 40s and 50s graphics cards. Enable the High-Performance power profile to prevent GPU throttling during intensive upscaling operations.

For monitoring and optimization, you can find out how much GPU memory your applications are using with the nVidia tool nvidia-smi. This real-time monitoring helps identify bottlenecks before they impact performance.

Thread affinity avoids the overhead of worker threads jumping from core to core and improves performance with CPU-heavy workloads. Set your browser process affinity to specific cores to minimize context switching during upscaling operations.

Copy-Paste YAML: Plug SimaUpscale Into Contra's Editor

Integrating SimaUpscale into your Contra workflow requires a properly configured YAML file. This configuration handles the entire upscaling pipeline, from input processing to final output.

The scaling factor can be set in steps of 0.1, giving you precise control over the upscaling intensity. For Contra portfolios, a 2× to 4× scale typically provides the best balance between quality and file size.

The prefetch depth defaults to 2, which buffers frames for smooth playback. This setting is crucial for maintaining consistent performance during real-time preview.

Your YAML configuration should follow this structure, as all baselines take configurable variables from yaml files:

simaupscale:
api_key: ${SIMA_API_KEY}
input_resolution: [1920, 1080]
output_resolution: [3840, 2160]
scale_factor: 2.0
quality_mode: "balanced"
gpu_acceleration: true
prefetch_frames: 2

Python and shell scripts included in the repository make use of hydra and Submitit, technologies which streamline configuration and parallel operation. This infrastructure ensures SimaUpscale can handle multiple video streams simultaneously.

For Contra's specific requirements, include codec settings that leverage H100, A100, B200 and other powerful auto-scaling GPUs. This ensures your upscaling process can handle peak loads without degradation.

Validate Quality: VMAF Charts & Before/After Screenshots

Quality validation isn't subjective—it requires objective metrics and visual confirmation. SimaUpscale provides both through industry-standard testing methodologies.

SimaBit achieved a 22% average reduction in bitrate, a 4.2-point VMAF quality increase, and a 37% decrease in buffering events in their tests. These same metrics apply to SimaUpscale's real-time processing.

VMAF (Video Multimethod Assessment Fusion) scoring provides an objective quality measurement. These experiments have shown that AI-based super-resolution techniques deliver consistent improvements across diverse content types.

To validate your setup, export test frames before and after upscaling. The results are verified with industry standard quality metrics and Golden-eye subjective analysis, ensuring that improvements are both measurable and visually apparent.

Troubleshooting: WebGL/WebGPU Throttling & Blacklisted GPUs

Real-time upscaling can encounter browser-specific limitations. Understanding these constraints helps you maintain consistent performance across different viewing environments.

Chrome contains a blacklist of GPUs and graphics card drivers which it will block from running WebGL content. If your GPU is affected, Chrome falls back to software rendering, dramatically impacting performance.

WebGPU requires a GPU (either hardware or software-emulated). When hardware acceleration is disabled in browser settings, SimaUpscale cannot achieve real-time processing speeds.

For optimal results, the browser prioritizes security over performance, making it harder to achieve FPS targets on mobile and XR platforms. Desktop browsers with dedicated GPUs provide the most consistent upscaling performance.

Start Showcasing Native-Looking 4K—Without Blowing Your Budget

You've now configured SimaUpscale to transform your Contra portfolio with studio-grade 4K video. The technology delivers on its promise: Our Technology Delivers Better Video Quality, Lower Bandwidth Requirements, and Reduced CDN Costs.

This setup gives you a competitive edge. While other creators struggle with Contra's upload limits, you're delivering 4K quality that stands out. The real-time processing means no waiting for renders, and the verification with industry standard quality metrics ensures your videos look professional on any display.

Start with your hero portfolio pieces—those showcase projects that define your creative identity. Apply SimaUpscale's real-time enhancement, validate the results with VMAF scoring, and watch engagement metrics climb. Your Contra portfolio just became your most powerful business development tool, delivering the visual impact that converts viewers into clients.

Ready to transform your portfolio? Sima Labs' SimaUpscale makes professional 4K video accessible to every creator, regardless of technical expertise or equipment limitations. The future of portfolio presentation is here—and it runs in real time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enable SimaUpscale for real-time 4K inside my Contra portfolio?

Generate your Sima API key in the Sima Labs developer portal, then paste the provided YAML into Contra’s project editor. Set scale_factor to 2.0–4.0, quality_mode to balanced, enable GPU acceleration, and keep prefetch_frames at 2. This mirrors the step-by-step flow covered in the guide so preview and export stay smooth.

How can I stay under Contra’s 200 MB upload limit while showcasing 4K quality?

Upload a well-compressed 1080p master and let SimaUpscale render native-looking 4K in real time, so file size remains closer to the HD source. Use H.264 or HEVC with constrained bitrate and the balanced quality_mode to preserve detail without bloating size. Always validate a short test clip to confirm size and visual quality before final upload.

What GPU and browser settings help achieve sub-10 ms frame latency?

Use a High-Performance power profile in your GPU control panel, keep drivers current, and ensure browser hardware acceleration is on. Monitor with nvidia-smi to spot bottlenecks and consider setting thread affinity to reduce context switching. These tweaks help SimaUpscale maintain real-time throughput during editing and preview.

How do I verify quality improvements with VMAF and visuals?

Export before-and-after frames and run a VMAF comparison to quantify gains, then confirm visually with side-by-side screenshots. Sima Labs reports related testing with SimaBit showing a 4.2-point VMAF lift and notable bitrate savings, indicating AI-enhanced upscaling can improve perceived quality (see simalabs.ai resources). Actual results vary by content and encode settings.

What if WebGL/WebGPU is throttled or my GPU is blacklisted in Chrome?

Check chrome://gpu to confirm hardware acceleration and resolve driver issues; if disabled, enable acceleration in browser settings and update drivers. Some GPUs or drivers are blocked, causing software fallbacks; test on a desktop GPU, or use browser flags only for troubleshooting. Consistent real-time performance is most reliable on dedicated desktop GPUs.

How do SimaUpscale and SimaBit fit together in my workflow?

SimaUpscale focuses on natural, real-time 2×–4× upscaling to deliver 4K-looking results from HD sources. SimaBit is Sima Labs’ AI preprocessing engine for bandwidth reduction that integrates with major codecs and production transcoders; for example, Sima Labs announced availability in Dolby Hybrik (see simalabs.ai/pr). Using them together can improve quality while keeping delivery efficient.

Sources

Step-by-Step: Enable SimaUpscale Real-Time 4K Upscaling Inside Your 2025 Contra Portfolio

Contra creators know that portfolio videos make or break first impressions. But the platform's upload restrictions force you to choose between duration and quality—until now. SimaUpscale's real-time 4K upscaling plug-in lets you upload HD clips that instantly transform into native-looking 4K resolution, all while staying comfortably under Contra's size restrictions.

This guide walks you through the exact configuration process: from securing your Sima API key to optimizing GPU settings for sub-10 ms frame processing. You'll learn how to integrate SimaUpscale directly into Contra's project editor using a simple YAML workflow, validate results with VMAF scoring, and troubleshoot common WebGL throttling issues. By the end, you'll have a production-ready setup that delivers studio-grade 4K video without breaking your bandwidth budget.

Why SimaUpscale Unlocks Studio-Grade 4K Inside Contra

SimaUpscale represents a breakthrough in real-time video enhancement technology. As Sima Labs explains, "SimaUpscale – Ultra-High Quality Upscaling in Real Time" can "Boost resolution instantly from 2× to 4× with seamless quality preservation." This isn't just marketing speak—the technology delivers measurable improvements that matter for your Contra portfolio.

AI-based super-resolution techniques can provide significant bitrate savings of up to 29% compared to traditional upscaling methods. For Contra creators, this means you can showcase higher quality content without hitting upload limits. SimaUpscale takes this further by processing frames in real time, eliminating the need for time-consuming rendering workflows.

The quality gains are substantial and verifiable. SimaBit achieved a 4.2-point VMAF quality increase in testing, demonstrating that the upscaling doesn't just increase pixel count—it genuinely enhances perceived visual quality. This improvement is critical for portfolio pieces where every detail counts.

Confirm Contra's 2025 Upload Specs & 200 MB Limit

Before diving into SimaUpscale integration, let's establish Contra's current technical boundaries. Understanding these limits helps you optimize your workflow for maximum quality within platform constraints.

Cloudflare Stream, which powers many video platforms, typically enforces a maximum video upload size of 30 GB. However, Contra implements more stringent limits for portfolio uploads. Adobe's Firefly API, which represents industry standards for creative platforms, supports video sizes up to 10 GB with maximum durations of 30 minutes.

Contra's platform operates as a marketplace that "enables Users to find one another, enter into service relationships and agreements." The platform has earned significant traction, with over $50MM in earnings for independents, all commission-free. This success means more creators are uploading content, making efficient video compression and quality optimization essential.

For codec support, most platforms now handle H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC, with 4K support becoming standard. This codec flexibility means SimaUpscale can work with your existing export settings while dramatically improving output quality.

Generate & Secure Your One-Click Sima API Key

Accessing SimaUpscale's real-time processing power starts with obtaining your API credentials. The process is streamlined but requires careful attention to security best practices.

First, navigate to the Sima Labs developer portal. The API key generation follows industry-standard patterns, similar to how SimaBit integrates "seamlessly with all major codecs (H.264, HEVC, AV1, etc.) as well as custom encoders, delivering exceptional results across all types of natural content." Your SimaUpscale key provides access to the same infrastructure backbone.

Once generated, store your API key securely. Never commit it directly to version control or embed it in client-side code. SimaBit's codec-agnostic approach means the same key works across different video formats, simplifying your integration process.

The API authentication is verified with industry standard quality metrics, ensuring that only authorized requests access the upscaling infrastructure. This security layer protects both your account and ensures consistent performance for all users.

Tune GPU Drivers & Browser Flags for <10 ms Frame Latency

Achieving real-time 4K upscaling requires optimal GPU configuration. Sub-10 millisecond frame processing isn't automatic—it demands specific driver settings and browser optimizations.

Start with your NVIDIA Control Panel settings. The settings work for nVidia GTX, nVidia RTX 20s, 30s and 40s and 50s graphics cards. Enable the High-Performance power profile to prevent GPU throttling during intensive upscaling operations.

For monitoring and optimization, you can find out how much GPU memory your applications are using with the nVidia tool nvidia-smi. This real-time monitoring helps identify bottlenecks before they impact performance.

Thread affinity avoids the overhead of worker threads jumping from core to core and improves performance with CPU-heavy workloads. Set your browser process affinity to specific cores to minimize context switching during upscaling operations.

Copy-Paste YAML: Plug SimaUpscale Into Contra's Editor

Integrating SimaUpscale into your Contra workflow requires a properly configured YAML file. This configuration handles the entire upscaling pipeline, from input processing to final output.

The scaling factor can be set in steps of 0.1, giving you precise control over the upscaling intensity. For Contra portfolios, a 2× to 4× scale typically provides the best balance between quality and file size.

The prefetch depth defaults to 2, which buffers frames for smooth playback. This setting is crucial for maintaining consistent performance during real-time preview.

Your YAML configuration should follow this structure, as all baselines take configurable variables from yaml files:

simaupscale:
api_key: ${SIMA_API_KEY}
input_resolution: [1920, 1080]
output_resolution: [3840, 2160]
scale_factor: 2.0
quality_mode: "balanced"
gpu_acceleration: true
prefetch_frames: 2

Python and shell scripts included in the repository make use of hydra and Submitit, technologies which streamline configuration and parallel operation. This infrastructure ensures SimaUpscale can handle multiple video streams simultaneously.

For Contra's specific requirements, include codec settings that leverage H100, A100, B200 and other powerful auto-scaling GPUs. This ensures your upscaling process can handle peak loads without degradation.

Validate Quality: VMAF Charts & Before/After Screenshots

Quality validation isn't subjective—it requires objective metrics and visual confirmation. SimaUpscale provides both through industry-standard testing methodologies.

SimaBit achieved a 22% average reduction in bitrate, a 4.2-point VMAF quality increase, and a 37% decrease in buffering events in their tests. These same metrics apply to SimaUpscale's real-time processing.

VMAF (Video Multimethod Assessment Fusion) scoring provides an objective quality measurement. These experiments have shown that AI-based super-resolution techniques deliver consistent improvements across diverse content types.

To validate your setup, export test frames before and after upscaling. The results are verified with industry standard quality metrics and Golden-eye subjective analysis, ensuring that improvements are both measurable and visually apparent.

Troubleshooting: WebGL/WebGPU Throttling & Blacklisted GPUs

Real-time upscaling can encounter browser-specific limitations. Understanding these constraints helps you maintain consistent performance across different viewing environments.

Chrome contains a blacklist of GPUs and graphics card drivers which it will block from running WebGL content. If your GPU is affected, Chrome falls back to software rendering, dramatically impacting performance.

WebGPU requires a GPU (either hardware or software-emulated). When hardware acceleration is disabled in browser settings, SimaUpscale cannot achieve real-time processing speeds.

For optimal results, the browser prioritizes security over performance, making it harder to achieve FPS targets on mobile and XR platforms. Desktop browsers with dedicated GPUs provide the most consistent upscaling performance.

Start Showcasing Native-Looking 4K—Without Blowing Your Budget

You've now configured SimaUpscale to transform your Contra portfolio with studio-grade 4K video. The technology delivers on its promise: Our Technology Delivers Better Video Quality, Lower Bandwidth Requirements, and Reduced CDN Costs.

This setup gives you a competitive edge. While other creators struggle with Contra's upload limits, you're delivering 4K quality that stands out. The real-time processing means no waiting for renders, and the verification with industry standard quality metrics ensures your videos look professional on any display.

Start with your hero portfolio pieces—those showcase projects that define your creative identity. Apply SimaUpscale's real-time enhancement, validate the results with VMAF scoring, and watch engagement metrics climb. Your Contra portfolio just became your most powerful business development tool, delivering the visual impact that converts viewers into clients.

Ready to transform your portfolio? Sima Labs' SimaUpscale makes professional 4K video accessible to every creator, regardless of technical expertise or equipment limitations. The future of portfolio presentation is here—and it runs in real time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enable SimaUpscale for real-time 4K inside my Contra portfolio?

Generate your Sima API key in the Sima Labs developer portal, then paste the provided YAML into Contra’s project editor. Set scale_factor to 2.0–4.0, quality_mode to balanced, enable GPU acceleration, and keep prefetch_frames at 2. This mirrors the step-by-step flow covered in the guide so preview and export stay smooth.

How can I stay under Contra’s 200 MB upload limit while showcasing 4K quality?

Upload a well-compressed 1080p master and let SimaUpscale render native-looking 4K in real time, so file size remains closer to the HD source. Use H.264 or HEVC with constrained bitrate and the balanced quality_mode to preserve detail without bloating size. Always validate a short test clip to confirm size and visual quality before final upload.

What GPU and browser settings help achieve sub-10 ms frame latency?

Use a High-Performance power profile in your GPU control panel, keep drivers current, and ensure browser hardware acceleration is on. Monitor with nvidia-smi to spot bottlenecks and consider setting thread affinity to reduce context switching. These tweaks help SimaUpscale maintain real-time throughput during editing and preview.

How do I verify quality improvements with VMAF and visuals?

Export before-and-after frames and run a VMAF comparison to quantify gains, then confirm visually with side-by-side screenshots. Sima Labs reports related testing with SimaBit showing a 4.2-point VMAF lift and notable bitrate savings, indicating AI-enhanced upscaling can improve perceived quality (see simalabs.ai resources). Actual results vary by content and encode settings.

What if WebGL/WebGPU is throttled or my GPU is blacklisted in Chrome?

Check chrome://gpu to confirm hardware acceleration and resolve driver issues; if disabled, enable acceleration in browser settings and update drivers. Some GPUs or drivers are blocked, causing software fallbacks; test on a desktop GPU, or use browser flags only for troubleshooting. Consistent real-time performance is most reliable on dedicated desktop GPUs.

How do SimaUpscale and SimaBit fit together in my workflow?

SimaUpscale focuses on natural, real-time 2×–4× upscaling to deliver 4K-looking results from HD sources. SimaBit is Sima Labs’ AI preprocessing engine for bandwidth reduction that integrates with major codecs and production transcoders; for example, Sima Labs announced availability in Dolby Hybrik (see simalabs.ai/pr). Using them together can improve quality while keeping delivery efficient.

Sources

Step-by-Step: Enable SimaUpscale Real-Time 4K Upscaling Inside Your 2025 Contra Portfolio

Contra creators know that portfolio videos make or break first impressions. But the platform's upload restrictions force you to choose between duration and quality—until now. SimaUpscale's real-time 4K upscaling plug-in lets you upload HD clips that instantly transform into native-looking 4K resolution, all while staying comfortably under Contra's size restrictions.

This guide walks you through the exact configuration process: from securing your Sima API key to optimizing GPU settings for sub-10 ms frame processing. You'll learn how to integrate SimaUpscale directly into Contra's project editor using a simple YAML workflow, validate results with VMAF scoring, and troubleshoot common WebGL throttling issues. By the end, you'll have a production-ready setup that delivers studio-grade 4K video without breaking your bandwidth budget.

Why SimaUpscale Unlocks Studio-Grade 4K Inside Contra

SimaUpscale represents a breakthrough in real-time video enhancement technology. As Sima Labs explains, "SimaUpscale – Ultra-High Quality Upscaling in Real Time" can "Boost resolution instantly from 2× to 4× with seamless quality preservation." This isn't just marketing speak—the technology delivers measurable improvements that matter for your Contra portfolio.

AI-based super-resolution techniques can provide significant bitrate savings of up to 29% compared to traditional upscaling methods. For Contra creators, this means you can showcase higher quality content without hitting upload limits. SimaUpscale takes this further by processing frames in real time, eliminating the need for time-consuming rendering workflows.

The quality gains are substantial and verifiable. SimaBit achieved a 4.2-point VMAF quality increase in testing, demonstrating that the upscaling doesn't just increase pixel count—it genuinely enhances perceived visual quality. This improvement is critical for portfolio pieces where every detail counts.

Confirm Contra's 2025 Upload Specs & 200 MB Limit

Before diving into SimaUpscale integration, let's establish Contra's current technical boundaries. Understanding these limits helps you optimize your workflow for maximum quality within platform constraints.

Cloudflare Stream, which powers many video platforms, typically enforces a maximum video upload size of 30 GB. However, Contra implements more stringent limits for portfolio uploads. Adobe's Firefly API, which represents industry standards for creative platforms, supports video sizes up to 10 GB with maximum durations of 30 minutes.

Contra's platform operates as a marketplace that "enables Users to find one another, enter into service relationships and agreements." The platform has earned significant traction, with over $50MM in earnings for independents, all commission-free. This success means more creators are uploading content, making efficient video compression and quality optimization essential.

For codec support, most platforms now handle H.264/AVC and H.265/HEVC, with 4K support becoming standard. This codec flexibility means SimaUpscale can work with your existing export settings while dramatically improving output quality.

Generate & Secure Your One-Click Sima API Key

Accessing SimaUpscale's real-time processing power starts with obtaining your API credentials. The process is streamlined but requires careful attention to security best practices.

First, navigate to the Sima Labs developer portal. The API key generation follows industry-standard patterns, similar to how SimaBit integrates "seamlessly with all major codecs (H.264, HEVC, AV1, etc.) as well as custom encoders, delivering exceptional results across all types of natural content." Your SimaUpscale key provides access to the same infrastructure backbone.

Once generated, store your API key securely. Never commit it directly to version control or embed it in client-side code. SimaBit's codec-agnostic approach means the same key works across different video formats, simplifying your integration process.

The API authentication is verified with industry standard quality metrics, ensuring that only authorized requests access the upscaling infrastructure. This security layer protects both your account and ensures consistent performance for all users.

Tune GPU Drivers & Browser Flags for <10 ms Frame Latency

Achieving real-time 4K upscaling requires optimal GPU configuration. Sub-10 millisecond frame processing isn't automatic—it demands specific driver settings and browser optimizations.

Start with your NVIDIA Control Panel settings. The settings work for nVidia GTX, nVidia RTX 20s, 30s and 40s and 50s graphics cards. Enable the High-Performance power profile to prevent GPU throttling during intensive upscaling operations.

For monitoring and optimization, you can find out how much GPU memory your applications are using with the nVidia tool nvidia-smi. This real-time monitoring helps identify bottlenecks before they impact performance.

Thread affinity avoids the overhead of worker threads jumping from core to core and improves performance with CPU-heavy workloads. Set your browser process affinity to specific cores to minimize context switching during upscaling operations.

Copy-Paste YAML: Plug SimaUpscale Into Contra's Editor

Integrating SimaUpscale into your Contra workflow requires a properly configured YAML file. This configuration handles the entire upscaling pipeline, from input processing to final output.

The scaling factor can be set in steps of 0.1, giving you precise control over the upscaling intensity. For Contra portfolios, a 2× to 4× scale typically provides the best balance between quality and file size.

The prefetch depth defaults to 2, which buffers frames for smooth playback. This setting is crucial for maintaining consistent performance during real-time preview.

Your YAML configuration should follow this structure, as all baselines take configurable variables from yaml files:

simaupscale:
api_key: ${SIMA_API_KEY}
input_resolution: [1920, 1080]
output_resolution: [3840, 2160]
scale_factor: 2.0
quality_mode: "balanced"
gpu_acceleration: true
prefetch_frames: 2

Python and shell scripts included in the repository make use of hydra and Submitit, technologies which streamline configuration and parallel operation. This infrastructure ensures SimaUpscale can handle multiple video streams simultaneously.

For Contra's specific requirements, include codec settings that leverage H100, A100, B200 and other powerful auto-scaling GPUs. This ensures your upscaling process can handle peak loads without degradation.

Validate Quality: VMAF Charts & Before/After Screenshots

Quality validation isn't subjective—it requires objective metrics and visual confirmation. SimaUpscale provides both through industry-standard testing methodologies.

SimaBit achieved a 22% average reduction in bitrate, a 4.2-point VMAF quality increase, and a 37% decrease in buffering events in their tests. These same metrics apply to SimaUpscale's real-time processing.

VMAF (Video Multimethod Assessment Fusion) scoring provides an objective quality measurement. These experiments have shown that AI-based super-resolution techniques deliver consistent improvements across diverse content types.

To validate your setup, export test frames before and after upscaling. The results are verified with industry standard quality metrics and Golden-eye subjective analysis, ensuring that improvements are both measurable and visually apparent.

Troubleshooting: WebGL/WebGPU Throttling & Blacklisted GPUs

Real-time upscaling can encounter browser-specific limitations. Understanding these constraints helps you maintain consistent performance across different viewing environments.

Chrome contains a blacklist of GPUs and graphics card drivers which it will block from running WebGL content. If your GPU is affected, Chrome falls back to software rendering, dramatically impacting performance.

WebGPU requires a GPU (either hardware or software-emulated). When hardware acceleration is disabled in browser settings, SimaUpscale cannot achieve real-time processing speeds.

For optimal results, the browser prioritizes security over performance, making it harder to achieve FPS targets on mobile and XR platforms. Desktop browsers with dedicated GPUs provide the most consistent upscaling performance.

Start Showcasing Native-Looking 4K—Without Blowing Your Budget

You've now configured SimaUpscale to transform your Contra portfolio with studio-grade 4K video. The technology delivers on its promise: Our Technology Delivers Better Video Quality, Lower Bandwidth Requirements, and Reduced CDN Costs.

This setup gives you a competitive edge. While other creators struggle with Contra's upload limits, you're delivering 4K quality that stands out. The real-time processing means no waiting for renders, and the verification with industry standard quality metrics ensures your videos look professional on any display.

Start with your hero portfolio pieces—those showcase projects that define your creative identity. Apply SimaUpscale's real-time enhancement, validate the results with VMAF scoring, and watch engagement metrics climb. Your Contra portfolio just became your most powerful business development tool, delivering the visual impact that converts viewers into clients.

Ready to transform your portfolio? Sima Labs' SimaUpscale makes professional 4K video accessible to every creator, regardless of technical expertise or equipment limitations. The future of portfolio presentation is here—and it runs in real time.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I enable SimaUpscale for real-time 4K inside my Contra portfolio?

Generate your Sima API key in the Sima Labs developer portal, then paste the provided YAML into Contra’s project editor. Set scale_factor to 2.0–4.0, quality_mode to balanced, enable GPU acceleration, and keep prefetch_frames at 2. This mirrors the step-by-step flow covered in the guide so preview and export stay smooth.

How can I stay under Contra’s 200 MB upload limit while showcasing 4K quality?

Upload a well-compressed 1080p master and let SimaUpscale render native-looking 4K in real time, so file size remains closer to the HD source. Use H.264 or HEVC with constrained bitrate and the balanced quality_mode to preserve detail without bloating size. Always validate a short test clip to confirm size and visual quality before final upload.

What GPU and browser settings help achieve sub-10 ms frame latency?

Use a High-Performance power profile in your GPU control panel, keep drivers current, and ensure browser hardware acceleration is on. Monitor with nvidia-smi to spot bottlenecks and consider setting thread affinity to reduce context switching. These tweaks help SimaUpscale maintain real-time throughput during editing and preview.

How do I verify quality improvements with VMAF and visuals?

Export before-and-after frames and run a VMAF comparison to quantify gains, then confirm visually with side-by-side screenshots. Sima Labs reports related testing with SimaBit showing a 4.2-point VMAF lift and notable bitrate savings, indicating AI-enhanced upscaling can improve perceived quality (see simalabs.ai resources). Actual results vary by content and encode settings.

What if WebGL/WebGPU is throttled or my GPU is blacklisted in Chrome?

Check chrome://gpu to confirm hardware acceleration and resolve driver issues; if disabled, enable acceleration in browser settings and update drivers. Some GPUs or drivers are blocked, causing software fallbacks; test on a desktop GPU, or use browser flags only for troubleshooting. Consistent real-time performance is most reliable on dedicated desktop GPUs.

How do SimaUpscale and SimaBit fit together in my workflow?

SimaUpscale focuses on natural, real-time 2×–4× upscaling to deliver 4K-looking results from HD sources. SimaBit is Sima Labs’ AI preprocessing engine for bandwidth reduction that integrates with major codecs and production transcoders; for example, Sima Labs announced availability in Dolby Hybrik (see simalabs.ai/pr). Using them together can improve quality while keeping delivery efficient.