Please help importing PNG files are very grainy

[jasondyates]

When I try to import overylay png files and put them on the video clips they become very grainy and pixelated. I looked at some of the sample png files and they are the same file size as the ones I am importing yet mine are much more pixelated when I bring them into the video. (especially when I make them smaller in the overlay window.)

What can I do to import clean clear png files that I can overlay in my videos? Thanks for any help you can offer.

[Ron P.]

Welcome to the forums,

Images don't tend to pixelate until they have been greatly enlarged. What is the source and dimensions of your png images? Generally unless you're using the pan/zoom, and zooming in 200% or more the images should not do this.

NTSC video frame size for SD (standard definition) DVDs is 720 x 480, for PAL, 720 x 576. Your images should be at least one of those sizes. I've used images that are 3264 x 2448 without resizing and don't get any pixelating until zooming over 600%. Understand too, that VS is for editing video and does not handle resizing images as well as an image editor, so it may be better to resize your images using a video<--read as image ) editor to match that of your video.

[skier-hughes]

Understand too, that VS is for editing video and does not handle resizing images as well as an image editor, so it may be better to resize your images using a video editor to match that of your video.

Or maybe a photo/image editor

Ron's advice is all great, can't add any to it.

[Ron P.]

Thanks skier, not enough coffee yet...

[2Dogs]

When I try to import overylay png files and put them on the video clips they become very grainy and pixelated. I looked at some of the sample png files and they are the same file size as the ones I am importing yet mine are much more pixelated when I bring them into the video. (especially when I make them smaller in the overlay window.)

What can I do to import clean clear png files that I can overlay in my videos? Thanks for any help you can offer.

It's not going to help but I can at least replicate your problem.

I tried setting the resampling quality to best in the edit tab of File>Preferences, but there was not much if any effect in the test mpeg-2 output file. When I re-sized the png to DVD resolution in IrfanView, the resulting png looked crisp in an image viewer but still exhibited the grainy appearance you describe when used in a VS project.

[Ron P.]

I just tried this with images resized and converted, using 3 different programs, PI-12, Corel Draw X3, and Photoshp 6. They all were resized for NTSC (720 x 480), converted from jpg to png. The images did not show any signs of graininess until they were zoomed beyond 250%.

However these images started out at 3264 x 2448. It's going to make some difference as to the source images, as well as the programs used to convert/resize.

[jasondyates]

When I put the pictures into the video they are perfectly clear when the video is paused but when playing back the video they become very grainy and the output onto dvd is very grainy. I should have expalined that first.PLEASE HELP

[Ron P.]

We could possibly help, if we new something more than you're using png images, and they appear grainy.

So far you have not answered any questions posed. So I don't see how you expect we can provide any helpful solutions.

[sjj1805]

..... I looked at some of the sample png files and they are the same file size as the ones I am importing yet mine are much more pixelated when I bring them into the video. .....

I checked the sample files directory
C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio 11\Samples\Decoration
There are 56 PNG files with files sizes ranging from as small as 6 KB to as large as 599 KB therefore your above statement is of no use to us.

You need to let us know not only the file size but also the dimensions
such as 153 x 283 or 720 x 480 and so on. Next we need the resolution
largely used for printed images rather than on screen but does affect the overall file size.

[jasondyates]

sorry for the lack of info. I have tried jpegs and then erasing the background and several png files and they all end up grainy when play is pressed. When paused they are all clear. one of the file sizes is 725 by 275 with 300 resolution and 38 KB file size. That is just one example of a logo I had professional made that was turned into a png by the company. But I have tried many file sizes larger and smaller with the same result when I push play they get very grainy.[/img] I even tried to create a file with the 720 by 540 and still no luck. Please help

[jasondyates]

Ok I tried a few more things and I am still very confused. I use photoshop and I figured out how to make a new NTSC file of 720 by 480 and I made it transparent and then draged the logo onto the file and saved it as a png. It ask do I want to interlace or none and I tried both. One of them was black the other would not open in video studio 11. I have never had it do this before but several times I tried to open the png files it just shut down the program with no warning it was just gone. I looked at the properties of one of the files I made and it said the following. 720 by 480 horizontal resolution 80 and vertical resolution 72, bit depth 64 and file size 117 KB

I hope this helps. I am getting so frustrated with it.

[Ken Berry]

Have you actually burned your project, including the png's to a disc -- at least a rewritable disc so you don't waste anything -- to see how the final looks on your TV. The preview window in VS is not the greatest.

You could also, instead of actually burning a disc, select DVD Folder on the final page of the burning module, then when it has been prepared, point a software DVD player like WinDVD or PowerDVD at it. Again, this will allow you to test what it looks like in a final DVD without actually wasting a disc.

[sjj1805]

Perhaps you are not creating the PNG file correctly in Photoshop.
To do so create your picture as a normal picture and then using the lasso tool select the area(s) you want to be transparent.



To do the same thing in PhotoImpact select WEB | Image Optimizer from the tool bar


Mask Options | Pick Color


Adjust the similarity
0 = very specific - 255 = less specific and select the ADD to Mask Option


Use the eyedropper tool to select the area(s) to be made transparent
and then press the PNG button and "Save As"

[jasondyates]

My images are clearer with the suggestions but still not crisp when burned to dvd. Are images able to be perfectly clear through this process because I still get some pixelation. Are images effected if you open them and shrink them down through the point click drag method. Maybe the images just don't get perfectly clear in this program. Please help