How do you glitch a video?

Video glitching involves corrupting, manipulating, or processing video files to create visual errors and artifacts. Multiple techniques exist depending on your goals and technical comfort.

Datamoshing remains the most popular video glitch technique -removing keyframes from compressed video causes motion data to apply across unrelated frames. Tools like Avidemux or command-line FFmpeg enable this manipulation.

Real-time effects through software like VDMX, Resolume, or free tools like Glitch Lab apply filters including RGB separation, displacement, and scan lines. These work well for live performance or quick experiments.

Hardware approaches involve corrupting video signals through circuit-bent equipment, analog feedback loops, or damaged cables. The results differ fundamentally from digital glitching -analog errors have organic, unpredictable qualities.

For subtle professional use, After Effects and Premiere plugins provide controllable glitch effects. Our video glitch guide covers workflows from beginner to advanced.