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Microsoft Expression Encoder Image Overlay

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 4MICROSOFT
EXPRESSION
ENCODER
 
Adding an image overlay to a video

 

 

 

 

YouTube logo overlay
 
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.

Expression Encoder - Timeline - Add Visual Overlay

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.

Expression Encoder video quality

Expression Encoder Visual Overlay


Video logo position

 

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

 

 

Encode video

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!