Overview of Blanking Shift or Frame Shifting in Video QC

Today, when content is driving businesses and brands, you must ensure the quality of your video content remains pristine across platforms. Be it the OTT streaming or broadcast, you should thoroughly check every frame of the video for anomalies. One such anomaly that can have a significant impact on video quality and viewer’s experience is Frame shifting or Blanking shift.

In this article, we’ll dive into what is frame shifting, its implications and how you can detect and address it in the video quality control process.

What is Frame Shifting?

Frame shifting is a visual anomaly where the active image of a video frame is displaced either horizontally, vertically, or both. This means that instead of the frame content being perfectly aligned and steady from one frame to the next, there is a misalignment—leading to a jarring shift in the picture.

Simply put, this can feel like the entire frame has jumped slightly to one side or up/down, distracting the viewer.

Please note that frame shifting is not produced by content creators, but is an unintentional technical flaw. Therefore, editing of the video must be done meticulously to maintain the integrity and quality of the video content.

Common Causes of Frame Shifting

Format or aspect ratio conversions

Format conversions that include frame resizing or interlacing can cause frame shifting if algorithms are not properly tuned or aspect ratios are not consistently handled.

Editing errors

Editing mistakes related to alignment or placement of active image within the frame, or effects application to post-production, or alterations to properties like position can cause blanking shifts.

Cropping and resizing issues

Any misalignment during cropping or resizing of video content can shift the active image from the desired position.

Transitions between videos

Sudden changes during transitioning of videos between different sources or aspect ratios can cause frame shifting if not handled properly.

How Does Blanking Shift Appear Visually?

The artifact may show up as a:

A sudden jump in the picture horizontally or vertically for a frame or two.
Black bars on one side that briefly appear and disappear.
Jittery motion in static scenes.
Misalignment between two adjacent frames—edges of objects or subtitles not lining up momentarily.

These issues can be noticed in high-definition content, or when the content is played back on large screens.

Why Frame shifting Matters in Video Quality Control?

Even a minor frame shift can distract the viewer and lead to a negative experience.
Repeated negative artifacts can raise questions on the platform’s quality control process and harm its reputation.
Maintaining perfect frame structure in video content is also mandatory as per broadcast industry rules and regulations.

How to detect and fix Blanking Shift Issues?

Previously, such issues were spotted through manual visual QC, requiring a trained eye to spot single-frame misalignments. However, this has become arduous and time-consuming in today’s fast-paced world of content production.

This is where automated QC tools like Pulsar and Quasar step in. These tools automatically scan the videos and can detect:

Frame alignment consistency
Sudden shifts in image position
Black bar anomalies
Border artifacts or frame blanking variations

These tools compare the consecutive frames and use motion analysis, edge detection, and reference points to flag any shifts. Once detected, these shifts can be visually confirmed by QC engineers for further action.

Frame alignment during editing plays a crucial role in alleviating the effects of frame shifting. Frame shifting related distortions such as mispositioned pillar box areas can be minimised or eliminated with precise alignment of the active image within video frames. Proper frame alignment helps maintain the intended aspect ratio, eliminates visual disruptions, and provides a seamless viewing experience for the audience.

Final Thoughts

Blanking shift or frame shifting is a significant issue in the video QC landscape. Even a minor frame shift can distort the video quality and viewer’s experience. As visual content continues to reach broader audiences on increasingly varied devices, the margin for such errors is thinner than ever.

Investing in robust QC tools like Pulsar and Quasar, and staying vigilant for even the smallest anomalies can maintain the integrity and quality of your content, and build your brand reputation.

Author Profile

Adam Regan

Deputy Editor

Features and account management. 3 years media experience. Previously covered features for online and print editions.

Email Adam@MarkMeets.com