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videobeaux/docs/programs/effects/blur_pix.md
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# 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 blurpixelation 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
<video controls preload="metadata" style="max-width:100%; border-radius:8px; margin:1em 0;">
<source src="https://github.com/schwwaaa/videobeaux/assets/7625379/65403294-3e34-4ff8-816a-5de7c80c811d" type="video/mp4">
Your browser does not support the video tag.
</video>
## 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.