videobeaux/docs/programs/effects/blur_pix.md

blur_pix

Description

Applies a pixelated blur effect to the input video, producing a blocky, low-resolution softening reminiscent of censored footage, retro 8-bit graphics, or lo-fi compression artifacts.
This effect blends coarse pixelation with smooth blur, creating a stylized, abstracted visual aesthetic.

Purpose

blur_pix is designed for artists who want to:

• intentionally degrade detail in a stylized way,
• anonymize or obscure shapes without traditional Gaussian blur,
• evoke retro-game pixelation,
• add a surreal soft-block look to motion and texture,
• produce a hybrid blur–pixelation effect ideal for glitch, collage, or experimental works.

Because the module has no program-specific arguments, it is simple to use and highly compatible with all Videobeaux pipelines.

How It Works

1. Pixel Block Generation
   The input frame is reduced to coarse pixel clusters using an internal scaling or mosaic-based algorithm.
2. Softening Pass
   A smoothing filter blends block edges to create a soft, dreamy, broken-resolution aesthetic.
3. Unified Blur-Pixel Layer
   The combined effect emphasizes abstraction over clarity, often producing painterly motion.
4. Encoding
   The final output is encoded using global Videobeaux codec settings (CRF, preset, pixel format, etc.).

Program Template

videobeaux -P blur_pix \
  -i input.mp4 \
  -o output.mp4

Arguments

• (No additional program-specific arguments; uses global videobeaux options only.)

Real World Example

videobeaux -P blur_pix \
  -i myvideo.mp4 \
  -o blur_pix_styled.mp4

Program Output

Technical Notes

• Pixelated blur behaves differently from Gaussian or box blur — detail is removed structurally, not just softened.
• Compression interacts strongly with this effect, sometimes enhancing the aesthetic.
• Works consistently regardless of resolution, though higher-resolution source footage yields more visible block abstraction.
• Global Videobeaux settings (CRF, pixel format) can shift how “clean” or “dirty” the blocks appear.

Recommended Usage

• Music videos needing stylized abstraction.
• Identity-obscuring or anonymization with artistic flair.
• Retro-inspired or video-game-like sequences.
• Experimental cinema, collage art, and painterly motion effects.
• Background layers in VJ, projection, or live visual systems.

Quality Tips

• Lower CRF (higher quality) preserves cleaner block edges.
• Higher CRF increases compression noise — sometimes desirable for a gritty aesthetic.
• Pair with hash_fingerprint or bad_contrast to stack analog/digital degradation.
• Combine with convert_dims (square or portrait presets) for platform-optimized stylized loops.
• Pre-processing with gamma_fix can improve highlight/midtone visibility inside blocky regions.