VIDEO LOGO
Using Microsoft's free Expression Encoder software to add a video
logo/overlay
Expression Encoder 4 (sp2) is free from Microsoft.
The image overlay option allows you to brand your videos with your logo or
own image.
MICROSOFT
EXPRESSION
ENCODER
Adding an image overlay to a video
This is the logo I've added to the video in my
demonstration.
The final published logo will display differently depending on the format/quality and playback size of the video, so you may have to experiment to get something that works for your requirements.
I encoded this horse jumping video in HD 720p (width 1280 x height 720). The logo displays quite small at this resolution so you may want to use a slightly larger graphic.
DEMO: Using Microsoft Expression Encoder
(FREE software) to add a logo to a YouTube video
I've used free software available from Microsoft - Expression Encoder 4
(sp2). You can download the software here:
www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=27870
MS Expression Encoder Visual Overlay
Start Expression Encoder and choose the Transcoding Project option in the opening window.
You can then either import (File > Import...) your video or just drag it into the workspace.
Then using the Timeline option, select Add Visual Overlay this allows you to browse your computer to locate the graphic you want to use for the overlay.
PIP (Picture-in-Picture) VIDEO
This article is describing how to add a graphic/logo but Expression Encoder does also allow you to add another video as an overlay, creating 'picture-in-picture' as well as a static graphic shown here.
Once you've selected the logo you want to display on the video you'll see a green selection border around the graphic.
This allows you to easily move/drag the logo so you can position it where you like.
It's also possible to resize the logo using the selection controls.
There are also options in the right-hand panels to accurately position the image overlay if you need exact positioning.
Expression Encoder Video Quality
Use the options to select the required video output quality.
I
recommend using "Best Quality".
Expression Encoder has
numerous options - size, quality, file type, etc.
Encode Video
When you are happy with the position of your logon on the video click the Encode option.
By default the completed video will be saved at this location:
Documents > Expression > Expression Encoder > Output
Creating transparent overlay
Unless your
logo is completely square or rectangular then you'll need to create a
transparent graphic so that the correct outline is displayed on the video.
You can use dedicated graphics software to create a logo with a transparent background or if that's not available use a free online graphics editor: creating a transparent overlay.
If you are using an early version of Windows Movie Maker you can also use that to add a video logo - view instructions. But this can't be done with the later versions of WMM. Using Expression Encoder gets around that, and it's easier to do!