Processing + ffmpeg + bundled video runtimes

video_glitcher

Load a clip, break it on purpose, and export the result as a glitched MP4. The app runs as a Processing desktop sketch with realtime preview, live export, a dedicated retro control bank for VHS and old-digicam distortion, and a full-process mode that locks the current settings and renders the clip from start to finish.

v1.1.3 Fullscreen preview Preset-driven damage VHS + digicam retro modes Live + full-process export Java 17+

Install View Repository Release Page

Status

v1.1.3 keeps the preset-driven retro bank, adds a grid-based preset picker with Random, and tightens the fullscreen control panel so the advanced layout ends at the HUD.

Clients

Homebrew install on macOS Apple Silicon and Linux x86_64, plus portable desktop bundles for macOS Apple Silicon, Linux x64, and Windows x64.

Releases

Install from `krahd/tap` with Homebrew or grab the portable release bundles directly from GitHub Releases.

Before / After

Left: the unprocessed source loop. Right: the exported result produced by the app using the Extreme preset. Click either image to view a larger version, then press Esc or click anywhere to close it.

Source Clip

Click to expand

Exported Glitch

Click to expand

Instructions

The workflow stays short: load, tune, preview, then choose either live export or full-process export. Homebrew installs bring in ffmpeg and openjdk automatically, while direct ZIP runs still expect ffmpeg on your system PATH for MP4 export.

Launch the app and load a video with the button, a click on the empty state, or the L key.
Pick a preset from the button grid, including Cinematic, VHS Decay, Old Digicam, Extreme, or Random.
Tune intensity, frequency, burst timing, and individual effect toggles while the preview is running.
Use the top-right Advanced toggle to switch the whole control surface between compact and full. Compact keeps only the presets and a small set of high-level sliders, while full opens the vertical advanced panel with scrolling.
Use G to toggle glitching, Space to pause, and F to freeze on a frame.
Use Export Start or E for live export when you want to keep tweaking parameters while the clip plays.
Use Process Full or P when you want a save dialog, a frozen snapshot of the current settings, and a full automatic render from frame 0 to the clip end.

Core Controls

L load video Space play / pause G glitch on / off F freeze frame H HUD U GUI E live export P save + process full clip S save PNG frame Preset grid + Random Advanced toggle GUI: compact / full Digital Intensity / Glitch Activity Analogue Intensity / Damage Texture Mouse wheel scroll in full mode Tracking Tear / Head Switch Chroma Drift / Scanline Wobble Vertical Smear / Column Drift

Install / Download

Install from Homebrew first if you are on macOS Apple Silicon or Linux x86_64. Portable release links stay here as the manual fallback and the primary path for Windows.

Homebrew Tap

Install from krahd/tap

Homebrew installs the matching prebuilt release bundle, adds `ffmpeg` plus `openjdk`, and exposes the video_glitcher command on macOS Apple Silicon and Linux x86_64.

brew tap krahd/tap && brew install krahd/tap/video_glitcher
video_glitcher

macOS Apple Silicon

Portable ZIP bundle with the app jar, libraries, launcher script, and bundled video natives.

Download ZIP

Linux x64

Release bundle with the launcher script, jars, and the matching Linux video runtime files.

Download ZIP

Windows x64

Portable ZIP build with the Windows launcher, jars, and bundled video dependencies.

Download ZIP

Release Page

Open the GitHub releases page for source archives, notes, and the same direct asset links shown here.

Open Releases

If your browser or network context cannot reach the GitHub release URLs directly, open the release page first and download from there. Windows users should use the ZIP bundle because the Homebrew tap only targets macOS Apple Silicon and Linux x86_64.