BCC VR Flicker Fixer

Category: BCC VR

Effect Name: BCC VR Flicker Fixer

The BCC VR Flicker Fixer, part of the BCC VR category, is a simplified version of the full BCC Flicker Fixer and is designed to reduce or eliminate flicker from live action 360 VR source footage.

There are two different but important methods for working with the filter:

The Frame Analysis method is intended for use with clips with flicker that is uniform throughout the frame, or at least uniform within a contiguous block of the frame – for example, flicker caused by unintended shutter speed or aperture variations from frame to frame.

The two Temporal Smoothing methods are intended for use with clips in which the flicker varies from pixel to pixel within the frame – for example, a scene that is lit partly by natural light and partly by a flickering artificial light. The Temporal options are most suitable for clips without fast moving objects.

Working with the Filter

Presets and Common Controls

• BCC filters come with a library of factory installed presets plus the ability to create your own custom presets and preview them with the BCC FX Browser™.
• BCC filters also include common controls that configure global effect preferences and other host-specific effect settings.

For more information about working with presets and other common controls, Click Here.

Effect Controls

Compare Mode

The Compare Mode is used to view the filtered result alongside the original source layer. Several split-screen and side-by-side display options are available.

For more information, see Compare Mode.

• Method Sets the method used by the filter to remove flicker. There are three options:
  • Frame Analysis: Analyzes the color range of each frame and adjusts each pixel based on the difference between the RGB color range of the current frame and the average range of the surrounding frames. Best for flicker that is uniform across the image.
  • Temporal Smooth RGB
  • Temporal Smooth YCC Computes a weighted average of each pixel with the same pixel in surrounding frames. RGB is faster and usually sufficient. YCC may provide better results if flicker primarily affects luminance (Y).

Frame Analysis Group

These controls are active when the Frame Analysis method is selected.

• Time WindowThe number of frames considered during flicker removal analysis. Increasing this value increases render time.
• Time Window CutoffControls how far the analysis extends along the clip. Increasing this value increases render time.
• Faster AnalysisSpeeds up analysis with minimal impact on render quality.
• SmoothingIncrease if flicker is very rapid. Increasing this value increases render time.
• Reset CacheClick after making changes to the source layer to refresh analysis.
• Limit SamplingLimits analysis to the region defined by the sampling box.
• Sampling Top-Left / Bot-RightSets the sampling region.
• View Sets the filter output display:
  • Output – Displays the filtered result
  • Transform Over Output
  • Transform Over Input
  • Transform Over Black

Temporal Smoothing Group

These controls are active when one of the Temporal Smoothing methods is selected.

• SmoothingThe amount of smoothing, in frames.
• Color RangeMaster control that scales the range for the three color channels.
• Max FramesThe maximum number of frames evaluated on each side of the current frame. Increasing this value increases render time.
• Red, Green, Blue / Y, Cb, Cr RangeSets the range for each channel, scaled by Color Range. Only relevant channels for the selected method are active.
• Smooth By FieldsWhen enabled, smoothing includes surrounding fields instead of frames. Increases render time and may introduce softening.
• Mix with Original: Blends the source and filtered images. Use this parameter to animate the effect from the unfiltered to the filtered image without adjusting other settings, or to reduce the effect of the filter by mixing it with the source image.