videobeaux/docs/programs/effects/mirror_delay.md

mirror_delay

Description

Applies a mirrored frame-delay effect, blending temporal echoes with reflective symmetry.
The result combines soft motion trailing with a mirrored duplication of the frame, creating hypnotic, kaleidoscopic, or hall-of-mirrors–style distortion.

Purpose

mirror_delay is ideal for artists who want:

• reflective, symmetrical echo patterns,
• hypnotic mirrored smearing,
• abstract duplication of movement,
• dreamy motion persistence combined with geometric balance,
• a lightweight but visually striking temporal effect.

How It Works

1. Frame Delay
   Internal buffering creates a trailing echo that blends previous frames into the current one.
2. Geometric Mirroring
   The image is mirrored horizontally, vertically, or both (depending on implementation), creating:
   • bilateral symmetry,
   • twin-image structures,
   • kaleidoscopic reflections.
3. Temporal + Spatial Fusion
   The mirrored image and the delayed frame blend together, producing surreal flowing reflections.
4. Encoding
   The final composite is encoded with global Videobeaux settings (CRF, codec, pixel format).

Program Template

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

Arguments

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

Real World Example

videobeaux -P mirror_delay \
  -i myvideo.mp4 \
  -o mirror_delay_styled.mp4

Program Output

Technical Notes

• Works well with centered subjects or footage containing strong motion vectors.
• Mirroring combined with delay often creates geometric rhythm or pulse-like visual structure.
• Compression artifacts can become symmetrical as well, adding to the aesthetic.
• Bright edges and neon lights produce the most pronounced mirror-delay trails.

Recommended Usage

• Music videos with mirrored choreography or symmetrical staging.
• Psychedelic pieces needing a dreamlike reflective effect.
• Ambient loops and visualizations requiring geometric repetition.
• Projection-mapping and VJ sets where mirrored imagery reacts well to space.
• Combining with frame_delay_pro1 or lsd_feedback for layered temporal abstraction.

Quality Tips

• For smoother trails, lower CRF (higher quality).
• For glitchier mirrored buildup, render with a higher CRF.
• Pair with convert_dims to square or portrait layouts for perfect symmetry.
• Combine with ghostee for soft spectral reflection trails.
• Run before a LUT (lut_apply) if you want the color grade to affect both halves identically.