qp_ChromaSubsample

Simulates chroma subsampling in order to make CG slightly less than perfect. This plugin has been designed to simulate the chroma subsampling process to help better integrate perfect CG renders into video backplates.

Please note that this plugin is not compatible with CS6 or above

$
  $29.99
Individual users can pay any amount, the price displayed is a suggestion. Businesses, teams, etc must pay the suggested price to receive a valid license. See full terms.
Description

Simulates chroma subsampling in order to make CG slightly less than perfect. Chroma subsampling is the process used to literally throw away chroma information when encoding video in order to reduce its size without drastically affecting the result - often referred to as being visually lossless. This plugin has been designed to simulate this process to help better integrate perfect CG renders into video backplates. It can also be used for a retro stylistic effect (especially the VHeSque mode)

There are five sampling rates:

  • 4:2:2 for simulating Digibeta and Rec.601/709
  • 4:2:0 for PAL DV, 4:1:1 for NTSC DV and DVCPro
  • 3:1:1 for HDCAM, and 2:1/4:1/4
  • A digital approximation of VHS quality (hence the name VHeSque)

Instructions:

  • Add the plugin to a CG element in your final comp. It has been designed to be applied post grain and colour correction.
  • Select the back plate layer as 'Input 2' - this will subsample the plate along side the CG element to help integrate it further
  • Choose the appropriate sample rate from the dropdown
  • Choose high-or-low quality sampling. This has an effect on processing speed - high quality produces much better results but is subject to complex low-pass filtering
  • Generally, leave Output as RGB, however you can see what the plugin is doing to the chroma components by choosing YCbCr
  • Image Bounds are there to assist the plugin - please leave this setting at its default.

Alternatively, you can apply the effect to any footage to simulate the effect of chroma subsampling.

Important:

With the exception of 2:1/4:1/4 - VHeSque, this plugin is designed as an integration tool, rather than a stylise effect. The results are quite subtle, especially at the higher quality settings. It is meant only to bring your CG to the same level as the video backplate you're compositing into. If you are lucky enough to be compositing onto film plates, RED, or HDCAM SR at 4:4:4, you don't need this plugin!

Installation:

To install the plugin, copy the qp_ChromaSubsample.pbg file into your plugins folder for After Effects CS4 or CS5 (earlier versions don't support Pixel Bender plugins I'm afraid). Please try out the included demo project (AE CS5) to see an example of the effect being used to integrate into a 4:1:1 plate.

Discussions

Want to talk about it?

Head over to r/aescripts to chat with fellow users about this product.

Need Support?

Please open a support ticket to be connected directly with the author of this product

Version History

1.0 -

Jul 15, 2012

Compatibility

After Effects

CS5.5, CS5, CS4

EULA

END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT

This software ("the Software Product") and accompanying documentation is licensed and not sold. This Software Product is protected by copyright laws and treaties, as well as laws and treaties related to other forms of intellectual property. The author owns intellectual property rights in the Software Product. The Licensee's ("you" or "your") license to download, use, copy, or change the Software Product is subject to these rights and to all the terms and conditions of this End User License Agreement ("Agreement").

Acceptance
YOU ACCEPT AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT BY SELECTING THE "ACCEPT" OPTION AND DOWNLOADING THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT OR BY INSTALLING, USING, OR COPYING THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT. YOU MUST AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT BEFORE YOU WILL BE ALLOWED TO DOWNLOAD THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO ALL OF THE TERMS OF THIS AGREEMENT, YOU MUST SELECT "DECLINE" AND YOU MUST NOT INSTALL, USE, OR COPY THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

License Grant
This Agreement entitles you to install and use one copy of the Software Product. In addition, you may make one archival copy of the Software Product. The archival copy must be on a storage medium other than a hard drive, and may only be used for the reinstallation of the Software Product. This Agreement does not permit the installation or use of multiple copies of the Software Product, or the installation of the Software Product on more than one computer at any given time, on a system that allows shared used of applications, on a multi-user network, or on any configuration or system of computers that allows multiple users. Multiple copy use or installation is only allowed if you obtain an appropriate licensing agreement for each user and each copy of the Software Product.

Restrictions on Transfer
Without first obtaining the express written consent of the author, you may not assign your rights and obligations under this Agreement, or redistribute, encumber, sell, rent, lease, sublicense, or otherwise transfer your rights to the Software Product.

Restrictions on Use
You may not use, copy, or install the Software Product on any system with more than one computer, or permit the use, copying, or installation of the Software Product by more than one user or on more than one computer. If you hold multiple, validly licensed copies, you may not use, copy, or install the Software Product on any system with more than the number of computers permitted by license, or permit the use, copying, or installation by more users, or on more computers than the number permitted by license.

You may not decompile, "reverse-engineer", disassemble, or otherwise attempt to derive the source code for the Software Product.

Restrictions on Alteration
You may not modify the Software Product or create any derivative work of the Software Product or its accompanying documentation. Derivative works include but are not limited to translations. You may not alter any files or libraries in any portion of the Software Product.

Restrictions on Copying
You may not copy any part of the Software Product except to the extent that licensed use inherently demands the creation of a temporary copy stored in computer memory and not permanently affixed on storage medium. You may make one archival copy which must be stored on a medium other than a computer hard drive.

Disclaimer of Warranties and Limitation of Liability
UNLESS OTHERWISE EXPLICITLY AGREED TO IN WRITING BY THE AUTHOR, THE AUTHOR MAKES NO OTHER WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, IN FACT OR IN LAW, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH IN THIS AGREEMENT OR IN THE LIMITED WARRANTY DOCUMENTS PROVIDED WITH THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT.

The author makes no warranty that the Software Product will meet your requirements or operate under your specific conditions of use. The author makes no warranty that operation of the Software Product will be secure, error free, or free from interruption. YOU MUST DETERMINE WHETHER THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT SUFFICIENTLY MEETS YOUR REQUIREMENTS FOR SECURITY AND UNINTERRUPTABILITY. YOU BEAR SOLE RESPONSIBILITY AND ALL LIABILITY FOR ANY LOSS INCURRED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT TO MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS. THE AUTHOR WILL NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BE RESPONSIBLE OR LIABLE FOR THE LOSS OF DATA ON ANY COMPUTER OR INFORMATION STORAGE DEVICE.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL THE AUTHOR, ITS DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES OR AGENTS BE LIABLE TO YOU OR ANY OTHER PARTY FOR INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, OR EXEMPLARY DAMAGES OF ANY KIND INCLUDING LOST REVENUES OR PROFITS OR LOSS OF BUSINESS) RESULTING FROM THIS AGREEMENT, OR FROM THE FURNISHING, PERFORMANCE, INSTALLATION, OR USE OF THE SOFTWARE PRODUCT, WHETHER DUE TO A BREACH OF CONTRACT, BREACH OF WARRANTY, OR THE NEGLIGENCE OF THE AUTHOR OR ANY OTHER PARTY, EVEN IF THE AUTHOR IS ADVISED BEFOREHAND OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. TO THE EXTENT THAT THE APPLICABLE JURISDICTION LIMITS THE AUTHOR'S ABILITY TO DISCLAIM ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES, THIS DISCLAIMER SHALL BE EFFECTIVE TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED.

Limitation of Remedies and Damages
Any claim must be made within the applicable warranty period. All warranties cover only defects arising under normal use and do not include malfunctions or failure resulting from misuse, abuse, neglect, alteration, problems with electrical power, acts of nature, unusual temperatures or humidity, improper installation, or damage determined by the author to have been caused by you. All limited warranties on the Software Product are granted only to you and are non-transferable. You agree to indemnify and hold the author harmless from all claims, judgments, liabilities, expenses, or costs arising from your breach of this Agreement and/or acts or omissions.

Governing Law, Jurisdiction and Costs
This Agreement is governed by the laws of New York, without regard to New York's conflict or choice of law provisions.

Severability
If any provision of this Agreement shall be held to be invalid or unenforceable, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect. To the extent any express or implied restrictions are not permitted by applicable laws, these express or implied restrictions shall remain in force and effect to the maximum extent permitted by such applicable laws.

Updated: Oct 21, 2025 1:35 AM