Prime Video just revealed several generative AI features — including one I don't like
Prime Video has never shied away from bringing AI features to its streaming service.
Last year, it rolled out several AI-powered updates, including new AI-generated recommendations and summaries and X-Ray Recaps, which use artificial intelligence to provide a summary that catches you up to the point you last watched in a show or movie.
But that's just the tip of the generative AI iceberg.
At a Prime Engage event yesterday, Prime Video showed off several AI features that are already implemented in Prime Video or are in the process of rolling out (h/t Deadline).
Some of these, such as search suggestions and language dubbing, are hopefully only going to improve the Prime Video experience. But there's one feature that Prime Video showed off that I don't necessarily want.
In its reporting, Deadline revealed that Prime Video is already using AI to help improve content resolution and picture quality as well.
"We're investing in AI to protect picture quality, even if details are lost at low bit rates, say, for example, over mobile networks,' said Tricia Lee, director of product and data at Prime Video.
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'We also see opportunity in AI-based remastering to convert standard definition content into high definition, which we think not only creates a higher quality viewing experience, but preserves creative intent and enhances the value of [an] SD catalog.'
Reportedly, the focus of this feature is to improve live events streaming on spotty bandwidth, which I don't inherently have a problem with. But I do have an issue with AI being used unchecked to improve the picture quality of standard definition material.
Unchecked is the key term there. I don't have a problem with AI being used in the restoration and enhancement of existing content, provided the process is overseen by skilled human hands (and eyes). In those instances, a human is able to spot if the AI has gone overboard with its improvements.
But Prime Video's AI-enhancement feature seems to just run in the background. If that's the case, I'm very much worried that the generative AI being used will make unnecessary enhancements, or in some instances, even hurt the viewing experience.
As someone who swears by Filmmaker Mode, this feels like the opposite.
Here's the full list of everything AI-powered that Prime Video reportedly showed off at the Prime Engage event:
Malcolm has been with Tom's Guide since 2022, and has been covering the latest in streaming shows and movies since 2023. He's not one to shy away from a hot take, including that "John Wick" is one of the four greatest films ever made.
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CNET
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- CNET
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Tom's Guide
8 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
I built a black-and-white gaming desk setup that feels clean, calm and completely me — and it has a secret weapon that makes it all work
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To keep my desktop clear, however, I mounted it on the right side of the desk to store my remotes and the controller for the Quntis RGB Pro+ Monitor Light Bar I have on top of my display. You get another one with the Multi Frame Pegboard, so I put that on the left side of the desk and placed a phone stand and a coaster there to keep them out of the way as well. Like most of the best gaming monitors, the MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED doesn't have built-in speakers. This is probably for the best as they would add extra bulk and take away from the monitor's incredibly thin profile. Given that the BlueAnt Soundblade I bought recently is a soundbar that's designed to go under your monitor and would block the Platform:4 Elevate Desk's storage compartment, I decided to pick up a pair of the best computer speakers for this desk setup. Although computer speakers are available in a variety of sizes and form factors, very few come in a clean white package to match the rest of the accessories on my desk. At CES 2025 in January, I spoke with Kanto's director of marketing, who generously offered to send out a pair of the company's bookshelf speakers for one of my desk setups. I reached back out to him when I was finally close to having everything I needed for my black-and-white desk setup and he sent over a pair of Kanto Ora speakers along with the company's subwoofer, the Kanto SUB8. As I've used a pair of older AudioEngine A2 speakers at my main desk setup for years now, it was a welcome change to try something more modern. Besides their wide soundstage and detailed sound, I really like how compact the Kanto Ora speakers are. They also offer multiple connection options including Bluetooth, USB-C and stereo RCA inputs which really came in handy for using them with the Xbox and PS5 Pro on top of my desk and the mini PC underneath it. Even though I already had them raised up to ear level on the two small shelves that come with Corsair's Multi Frame Pegboard, I put a pair of Kanto's S2 Tilted Desktop Speaker Stands ($29, Amazon) underneath them. Not only does this help reduce unwanted vibrations and resonance, but it also angles the speakers upward while making them appear as if they're floating on top of the shelves. The right Kanto Ora speaker has all the input ports on the back which is why I put it on the same side as my PS5 Pro. Unlike the Xbox Series X, the PS5 can be connected to external speakers via USB or over Bluetooth. Unfortunately, Microsoft left the Xbox Series X a bit shortchanged, as it lacks audio output via USB or Bluetooth. For that reason, I had to pick up an RCA to 3.5mm audio cable and run it to the headphone jack on the MSI gaming monitor. This did mean that I had to manage a few extra cables but to keep everything neat and tidy, I ran all my cables along the backside of the Multi Frame Pegboard's frame and the T-channel rail where I have the monitor mounted. Now with everything set up and all my cables managed, it was finally time to try out my new black-and-white desk setup. Even with more and more Xbox games coming to PlayStation, I still prefer having the option to play on either console. Having their respective controllers and headsets on either side of my desk setup just like the consoles themselves, really simplifies things. If I want to play PS5 games, I just grab the DualSense above the console or vice versa for the Xbox controller on the other side of my desk. The games I played on the PS5 Pro with the MSI MPG 321URXW QD-OLED monitor looked great and with the Kanto Ora speakers connected via USB, they sounded fantastic too. With the added bass from the Kanto SUB8, I played this way during the day, but at night, I switched to the Pulse Elite headset. Given that I'm not using that much space on the desk's T-rail system, I've started using it as a place to store the various USB dongles for my PS5 accessories like that headset. Even though I love all the extra graphical power in the PS5 Pro, there's still one area where the Xbox Series X has it beat: Quick Resume. I play a lot of single-player, story-driven games but I keep coming back to the skateboard sim Session. With Quick Resume, I can jump out of a game like Metaphor: ReFantazio and pick up right where I left off in Session without missing a beat. What's more, Quick Resume even works when you lose power or your Xbox gets unplugged. In addition to playing games at my new black-and-white desk setup, I've been doing a fair bit of work here. In fact, I've written this entire story at my new desk setup, both while sitting in one of the best office chairs and while standing up. Like I mentioned before, I can't get over how well Corsair's pegboard holds everything in place as the Platform:4 Elevate Desk goes up and down. The same stability applies to the included monitor arm; the MSI monitor has only moved ever so slightly, and then only when I've really slammed down on my keyboard's of my keyboard, I decided to pick up the Monsgeek Fun 60 Ultra ($80, Amazon) for this desk setup as I wanted to give magnetic key switches a try and this all-white version perfectly matches the rest of the aesthetic I'm going for. As for my mouse, I'm using a trackball mouse from the Japanese company Elecom. After using a regular mouse for years, I've found that trackball mice are easier on my hands and wrists, plus Elecom's are incredibly easy to customize thanks to the latest version of its Mouse Assistant software. Since my HDMI switch still has two free ports, I could theoretically add an additional two devices whether they be computers or game consoles. I recently bought a Nintendo Switch 2 which I was previously using with this monitor as part of another desk setup. It could easily end up being incorporated into this one though. Likewise, while Windows 11 works well enough, I have been using macOS on my Mac mini M4 more often lately and if I can comfortably fit one mini PC in the Platform:4 Elevate Desk's cable management tray, who's to say I couldn't make room for another down there. Alternatively, if I wanted to go all out, I could always add some of Corsair's desk extensions to this desk setup. That same T-channel rail system is also present on the sides of the Platform:4 Elevate Desk, so adding extra desk space with one or even two extensions would be easy enough. That way, I could have a full-blown gaming PC and not just a mini one, though I know from experience that white PC parts are harder to find and also carry a premium price. I've built a lot of desk setups over the years and with each one, I've seen how much better I have gotten at managing cables, picking devices that work well with one another and choosing the right accessories to tie everything together. This black-and-white desk setup is no different and to date, I think it's my best one yet. In fact, I'm seriously considering moving this one out of my office and into our game room to replace my current dedicated gaming setup. Even though collecting all of the different white devices and accessories for this particular desk setup took quite a bit of time—just about 8 months in fact—seeing everything come together has been really rewarding. As for putting Corsair's Platform:4 Elevate Desk together, that part was easy. Instead, it was the Multi Frame Pegboard that proved the most difficult. From there, it was just a matter of deciding what needed to go where, making sure I had the right cables to connect everything and most importantly, enough cable ties to give this desk setup the clean, clutter-free look I was going for. I'm still not quite sure exactly what I'll do with my next desk setup but if you have any ideas or a particular theme or configuration you'd like to see me tackle next, let me know in the comments below. As for those speakers where my gaming chair's headrest should be in the photo above, you'll have to stay tuned since that story is coming up next.
Tom's Guide
9 hours ago
- Tom's Guide
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