How to Use FFmpeg Vignette Filter for Dark Borders

This article provides a quick, practical guide on how to use the FFmpeg vignette filter to add a classic dark border effect to your videos. You will learn the basic command syntax, how to adjust key parameters like lens angle and aspect ratio to customize the vignette’s intensity, and view ready-to-use command examples.

The vignette filter in FFmpeg diminishes the brightness at the periphery of the image compared to the center, creating a classic cinematic or vintage dark border.

Basic Vignette Command

To apply the default vignette effect to a video, use the following basic command:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "vignette" output.mp4

This applies a standard, subtle dark border centered in the middle of the frame.

Customizing the Vignette Effect

You can customize the vignette by passing specific parameters to the filter. The syntax for passing parameters is vignette=parameter1=value1:parameter2=value2.

Here are the primary parameters you can adjust:

• angle (or a): Sets the lens angle in radians. This controls the size and sharpness of the dark border. The default value is PI/5 (approximately 0.62). Lower values make the dark border larger and closer to the center, while higher values push the border outward.
• x0 and y0: Sets the center coordinates of the vignette. By default, these are set to the center of the frame (w/2 and h/2).
• aspect: Sets the aspect ratio of the vignette. The default is 1/1 (a circular vignette). You can match your video’s aspect ratio (e.g., 16/9) to create an oval vignette.
• dither: Reduces banding artifacts in the dark gradient. Set to 1 (default) to enable dithering, or 0 to disable it.

Practical Examples

1. Creating a Stronger, More Dramatic Dark Border

To decrease the bright area and make the dark vignette border much more prominent, decrease the angle value (for example, to 0.3 or PI/10):

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "vignette=angle=0.3" output.mp4

2. Creating a Subtle, Soft Edge Border

To push the dark border further to the edges for a more subtle effect, increase the angle value (for example, to 0.8 or PI/3):

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "vignette=angle=0.8" output.mp4

3. Matching the Video Aspect Ratio

By default, the vignette shape is circular. To stretch the vignette into an oval that matches a standard widescreen (16:9) frame, adjust the aspect parameter:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "vignette=aspect=16/9" output.mp4

4. Combining Parameters

You can combine multiple parameters to fine-tune the output. The following command creates a strong, widescreen-matched vignette:

ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -vf "vignette=angle=0.4:aspect=16/9" output.mp4