videobeaux/docs/programs/effects/mince.md

mince

Description

A fast, precise segment extractor and reassembler that slices video into parts and recombines them with frame accuracy.
mince can cut, shuffle, normalize, re-encode, or stitch segments while preserving sync, enabling procedural editing, glitch slicing, and automated timeline reconstruction.

Purpose

mince is designed for creators who want to:

• cut videos into segments deterministically or randomly,
• shuffle or rearrange cuts with predictable results,
• normalize segment formats for consistent downstream processing,
• create procedural micro-edits, stutters, or rhythmic staccato patterns,
• apply glitch, jump-cut, or timeline–reconstruction workflows at scale,
• extract or trim clips with high accuracy while choosing how to re-encode.

How It Works

1. Mode Selection (--mode)
   Defines how segments are generated or chosen:
   • deterministic slicing,
   • random slicing controlled by seed,
   • engine-based segmentation strategies.
2. Randomization (--seed)
   Ensures reproducibility of shuffled or randomized edits.
3. Engine (--engine)
   Different engines may determine how cuts are generated (e.g., time-based, detection-based, algorithmic).
4. Normalization (--normalize + related options)
   If enabled, each segment is re-encoded using:
   • norm_vcodec
   • norm_crf
   • norm_preset
     ensuring consistent dimensions, codecs, and quality levels.
5. Reconstruction
   Segments are concatenated in the final order (based on engine or mode).
6. Output Encoding
   After assembly, the final output is encoded using user-selected codecs, presets, and flags.

Program Template

videobeaux -P mince \
  -i input.mp4 \
  -o output.mp4 \
  --mode VALUE \
  --seed VALUE \
  --engine VALUE \
  --normalize VALUE \
  --size VALUE \
  --fit VALUE \
  --fps VALUE \
  --pixfmt VALUE \
  --ar VALUE \
  --ac VALUE \
  --norm_vcodec VALUE \
  --norm_crf VALUE \
  --norm_preset VALUE \
  --vcodec VALUE \
  --acodec VALUE \
  --crf VALUE \
  --preset VALUE \
  --faststart VALUE \
  --fallback_reencode VALUE \
  --decode_tolerant VALUE \
  --hard_trim VALUE

Arguments

• mode — Defines slicing/assembly logic (deterministic, random, pattern-based).
• seed — Ensures reproducible random operations.
• engine — Selects segmentation strategy.
• normalize — Enables re-encoding of each segment for consistency.
• size — Target resolution for normalized clips.
• fit — Fit behavior for scaling (e.g., pad, fill, stretch).
• fps — Override frame rate during normalization.
• pixfmt — Pixel format used in normalized output.
• ar — Audio sample rate.
• ac — Number of audio channels.
• norm_vcodec — Video codec for normalization step.
• norm_crf — CRF quality for normalized clips.
• norm_preset — Encoding speed for normalization.
• vcodec — Codec for final output render.
• acodec — Audio codec for final output.
• crf — CRF for final encoding quality.
• preset — Encoding speed for final output.
• faststart — Enables MP4 faststart flag when applicable.
• fallback_reencode — Re-encode segments if passthrough fails.
• decode_tolerant — Allow lenient decoding of problematic segments.
• hard_trim — Enforce exact cut boundaries rather than safe cutting.

Real World Example

videobeaux -P mince \
  -i myvideo.mp4 \
  -o mince_styled.mp4 \
  --mode EXAMPLE \
  --seed EXAMPLE \
  --engine EXAMPLE \
  --normalize EXAMPLE \
  --size EXAMPLE \
  --fit EXAMPLE \
  --fps EXAMPLE \
  --pixfmt EXAMPLE \
  --ar EXAMPLE \
  --ac EXAMPLE \
  --norm_vcodec EXAMPLE \
  --norm_crf EXAMPLE \
  --norm_preset EXAMPLE \
  --vcodec EXAMPLE \
  --acodec EXAMPLE \
  --crf EXAMPLE \
  --preset EXAMPLE \
  --faststart EXAMPLE \
  --fallback_reencode EXAMPLE \
  --decode_tolerant EXAMPLE \
  --hard_trim EXAMPLE

Program Output

Program output video not yet linked.

Technical Notes

• mince can create either chaotic glitch edits or clean, broadcast-ready trims depending on parameters.
• Normalization ensures all segments share identical codec and dimensions, avoiding concat failures.
• Engines may behave differently depending on content—some may be time-based, others content-aware.
• Overusing hard trimming may create audio pops or stray frames depending on source structure.
• fallback_reencode prevents pipeline breaks when encountering incompatible segments.

Recommended Usage

• Procedural micro-edits for music videos.
• Rapid stutter-cut effects.
• Timeline reordering and random jump edits.
• Creating equal-length slices for collage systems like Lagkage.
• Extracting reusable clip banks in normalized formats.

Quality Tips

• Use a consistent norm_vcodec + norm_crf to avoid codec mismatch in concat operations.
• For heavy glitch aesthetics, set high randomness with a fixed seed to remain reproducible.
• For broadcast-safe trimming, disable randomness and use exact timing with hard_trim.
• Lower CRF and high-quality presets yield smoother normalized segments for recomposition.
• Use decode_tolerant when working with damaged or odd-format inputs.