FB and youtube videos -- mirror imaging

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the phenomenon of mirror imaging in videos and pictures, particularly those shared on social media platforms like Facebook. Participants explore the reasons behind this effect, its implications, and personal experiences with mirrored images in various contexts, including phone cameras and video calls.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses discomfort with the mirror imaging seen in Facebook videos, questioning why this occurs.
  • Another participant suggests that copyright issues might be a reason for the mirror imaging, proposing that flipping videos could help avoid detection of stolen content.
  • Several participants note that videos taken with the front camera of phones are often mirrored, with one suggesting that many users may not even notice this effect.
  • It is mentioned that mirroring is an option intended to provide a familiar image of oneself, akin to seeing oneself in a mirror, and that disabling this option can be disorienting.
  • A participant shares their experience of searching for the option to change the mirroring setting but not finding it easily, indicating that it may be hidden within settings.
  • Another participant mentions that the option to change mirroring is readily available in Zoom Preferences, but notes that there are additional issues with sound quality on Facebook.
  • A participant emphasizes the significance of visual representation, suggesting that the phrase "a picture is worth a thousand words" applies to this discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express various viewpoints regarding the reasons for mirror imaging, with some suggesting technical explanations related to user settings and others proposing copyright-related motives. The discussion does not reach a consensus on the primary cause of mirror imaging.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention limitations in finding settings related to mirroring and sound quality issues, but do not resolve these concerns.

gmax137
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sophiecentaur said:
I find it unconsciously disturbing to watch many of the Movies, shown on Facebook. For some reason, they are shown 'mirror image' and people screwing things UP are unscrewing them - and vice versa.

Does anyone know why this mirror imaging happens?
 
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gmax137 said:
Does anyone know why this mirror imaging happens?
Copyright?
 
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Pictures and videos taken on the front camera of my phone (the side the screen is on) are mirrored. I'd bet most people don't even notice.
 
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Bystander said:
Copyright?
Yes. One can search for videos with a given size, length and MD5 sum to find stolen ones without a human being looking at them. Flip them and this simple test no longer works.
 
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Drakkith said:
Pictures and videos taken on the front camera of my phone (the side the screen is on) are mirrored. I'd bet most people don't even notice.
It's an option. This is to present you with a familiar image of yourself - i.e. what you see in a mirror. If you turn off the option, it can drive you wild.
 
sophiecentaur said:
It's an option. This is to present you with a familiar image of yourself - i.e. what you see in a mirror. If you turn off the option, it can drive you wild.
I briefly looked for an option to change it but didn't see one. But I only looked briefly, so I probably missed it.
 
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Drakkith said:
I briefly looked for an option to change it but didn't see one. But I only looked briefly, so I probably missed it.
It's in there somewhere and, if you make Zoom calls, the option is very easy to find in Zoom Preferences.
But it seems to be everywhere FB and the sound is shifted up in frequency and distorted.
 
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This is a perfect case where the idiom "a picture is worth a thousand words" would apply.
 

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