videobeaux/docs/programs/effects/frame_delay_pro1.md

frame_delay_pro1

Description

Applies an advanced frame-delay effect using a customizable number of delayed frames and weighted blending.
This produces echoing motion trails, temporal smearing, ghosted motion artifacts, and stylized feedback-like delay effects.

Purpose

frame_delay_pro1 is designed for creators who want:

• multi-frame echo trails,
• weighted motion smears,
• ghosting and afterimage effects,
• rhythmic temporal pulses,
• experimental or abstract motion distortion.

How It Works

1. Frame Buffering
   A buffer of past frames is maintained according to frame_quantity.
2. Weighted Blending
   frame_weights determines how strongly each delayed frame contributes to the output.
   • Higher weights = stronger visibility
   • Lower weights = subtle fading trails
3. Temporal Synthesis
   The module blends the weighted frames to create:
   • motion smears
   • streaking
   • ghost trails
   • rhythmic pulses resembling analog video feedback
4. Encoding
   Output is written using global Videobeaux settings (codec, CRF, pixel format).

Program Template

videobeaux -P frame_delay_pro1 \
  -i input.mp4 \
  -o output.mp4 \
  --frame_quantity VALUE \
  --frame_weights VALUE

Arguments

• frame_quantity — Number of delayed frames to include in the temporal buffer. Larger values produce longer trails or more complex smears.
• frame_weights — Comma-separated list of blend weights (e.g., 1,0.8,0.5,0.2).
  The number of weights should match frame_quantity, and values determine the intensity of each delay layer.

Real World Example

videobeaux -P frame_delay_pro1 \
  -i myvideo.mp4 \
  -o frame_delay_pro1_styled.mp4 \
  --frame_quantity EXAMPLE \
  --frame_weights EXAMPLE

Program Output

Technical Notes

• Weight values can exceed 1.0 for extreme ghosting or bloom-like smearing.
• Uneven or irregular weight lists produce unpredictable but interesting temporal textures.
• Using very high frame_quantity may increase render time depending on resolution and codec.
• Works exceptionally well on footage with fast motion, strobing lights, or repetitive movement patterns.

Recommended Usage

• Music video trails and rhythmic pulse effects.
• Rotoscoped animations requiring smeared or echoed movement.
• Live VJ feedback systems and performance visuals.
• Psychedelic edits and temporal collage art.
• Slow-motion sequences where motion trails add emotional or surreal tone.

Quality Tips

• Normalize weights so the sum stays below ~2.0 if you want clean blending without clipping.
• Use descending weights (e.g., 1,0.8,0.6,0.4) for smooth decays.
• Use chaotic weights (e.g., 1,0,1,0.2) for glitchy motion inconsistencies.
• Combine with double_cup or bad_animation for hallucination-like layered visuals.
• Pair with a clean source and low CRF to preserve subtle trail gradations.