Introduction of the Project
Today, we will learn to blur a video using OpenCV in Python. OpenCV is a library used to perform computer vision tasks. So, here is our python code that will help us to blur a video.
So, what are you waiting for? Let’s begin!
Requirements
1. All you need is a Python 3.9 interpreter and IDLE (online or system configured)
NOTE: A certain file needs to be preinstalled for the code’s smooth running, due to which IDLE or IDE is a higher preferred choice.
2. OpenCV and Numpy modules must be preinstalled on your PC.
3. A demo video for it to process the given commands through code (here blurring a video).
Steps To Blur A Video Using OpenCV In Python
Step 1: Install OpenCV and NumPy if you don’t have them in your system.
Paste the below line of command in your command prompt and press enter.
pip install opencv-python
pip install numpy
Step 2: Paste the below code in your IDE/ Code Editor like VSCode
Source Code
# Import cv2 and numpy modules import cv2 import numpy as np # Here we are creating an object to capture our video # Change the video path according to your video path and its name capt = cv2.VideoCapture('videos/InputVideo.mp4') # Message, to be displayed in case of an error while opening the video if (capt.isOpened() == False): print('An Error occurred while opening! Kindly check again.') # To get the frame's width and height frame_width = int(capt.get(3)) frame_height = int(capt.get(4)) # Here, we are defining object to write the video and its location result = cv2.VideoWriter('videos/BlurredVideo.avi', cv2.VideoWriter_fourcc('M','J','P','G'), 30, (frame_width, frame_height)) # Using a loop, we are reading the video, until end of the it while(capt.isOpened()): # We are capturing each frame of the video ret, frame = capt.read() if ret == True: # Here, we are performing our main task of blurring by adding gaussian blurring to the frame frame = cv2.GaussianBlur(frame, (5, 5), 0) # Here, we are saving the video frame result.write(frame) # Here, we are displaying the frame cv2.imshow('Video', frame) # To exit the screen using the keyboard, press 'e' to exit if cv2.waitKey(27) & 0xFF == ord('e'): break # If no frame is found, end the loop else: break # Using, this, we are releasing the video capt.release() # Atlast, close all the GUI windows cv2.destroyAllWindows()
Output
This is the screenshot of the input video which we have used to blur for our demo.
And here is the screenshot of the video after it has been blurred using our code.
Explanation Of The Code
In the beginning, we imported cv2 and NumPy modules.
1. Firstly, we have created an object to capture our input video. And also, given a condition that if the video is not opening due to some error or the file is not a video file, then an error message will be displayed.
2. Now, we are getting the frame’s width and height. The blurred video needs to be stored somewhere as the final output, so we have defined an object and location where the output as a blurred video will be stored.
3. Then, using a loop, we are reading the video until the end of it, capturing each frame of the video & performing our main task of blurring by adding gaussian blurring to the frame, and saving the video frame and displaying it simultaneously.
4. To end the process, we have implemented one more functionality; that is, by pressing ’E’ we will be able to quit the process. At last, we are closing all the GUI windows.
Things to Remember
- Python is case sensitive language; hence, don’t change the cases unnecessarily.
- Import both the above-required modules using a command prompt to avoid errors before using the code.
- Set the path of the video with its name before proceeding with the above-given code(Blur A Video Using OpenCV) in your system.

Cisco Ramon is an American software engineer who has experience in several popular and commercially successful programming languages and development tools. He has been writing content since last 5 years. He is a Senior Manager at Rude Labs Pvt. Ltd.
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