desktop backgrounds and quality degradation

nuxxer · Aug 23, 2009

Ok so I've been doing some serious skinning lately building everything in photoshp and then slicing up for various app skins etc.. to my dismay!! I have noticed a degradation when desktop backgrounds are applied, it appears that images are converted and turned into a low quality jpegs, a noticeable increase in noise and artifacting occurs.
Im not sure if this is a new thing or if its always been an issue in windows I guess my intense scrutiny of every pixel has driven me mad!!!

the images are resized so you need to click on them to notice.

Is there any way around this?

Tews · Aug 23, 2009

Listen to an Antism ..

Patient: Doc, it hurts when I do this..
Doctor: Then don't do it ...

nuxxer · Aug 23, 2009

A what? Don't get it

Antman · Aug 23, 2009

:roflmao:

It is likely that the issue stems from the image itself. I am not aware of any similar reports. My guess is that your using an undersized image.

BTW - I went to the doctor for a checkup. I'm getting older now and I have to stay on top of things. Anyway, the doctor told me that I was a bit overweight and should exercize more. I told him that I would need a second opinion. He said, "OK, your ugly too."

Mark · Aug 23, 2009

I have seen the same results when I tried to set a png as a desktop background, save your images as a jpeg and they will look fine.

nuxxer · Aug 23, 2009

Thanks Grim

ok I can confirm in the crazy world of Microsoft that indeed if you try to apply a lossless image file such as png or bmp the image is converted into a low quality jpeg...

If you apply a lossy jpeg windows doesn't try to transcode and you will get the output you want...

makes total sense if you think about it :shock:

I searched google for Antism.. and nothing came up I get it now though

Tews · Aug 24, 2009

Antisms' are quaint quips that are used by Seven Fourms Antman... :roflmao:

Antman · Aug 24, 2009

I've got friends in low places...

Tews · Aug 24, 2009

Antman said:
I've got friends in low places...

I wonder who made those?

Corpsecrank · Aug 24, 2009

I see some wrong information in this post and I feel compelled to mention this.

I created a dual monitor wallpaper for my system in photoshop. The image was saved in png format the only format I use anymore. I have zero problems. It looks as sharp on the desktop as it does in photoshop.

There are a lot of deciding factors in how an image will appear on the desktop once applied. The resolution of the image should be the exact resolution as the desktop just as a start. Your display settings and graphics hardware make a big difference also. A crappy video card or no video card will usually result in a poor appearance most noticeable when looking at images with gradients in them.

If you play with settings you will see what I mean.

Mark · Aug 24, 2009

Corpsecrank said:
I see some wrong information in this post and I feel compelled to mention this.

I created a dual monitor wallpaper for my system in photoshop. The image was saved in png format the only format I use anymore. I have zero problems. It looks as sharp on the desktop as it does in photoshop.

There are a lot of deciding factors in how an image will appear on the desktop once applied. The resolution of the image should be the exact resolution as the desktop just as a start. Your display settings and graphics hardware make a big difference also. A crappy video card or no video card will usually result in a poor appearance most noticeable when looking at images with gradients in them.

If you play with settings you will see what I mean.

I disagree, I have a wallpaper I made on Photoshop and it was saved as a PNG at my native resolution at the highest settings and I have the same wallpaper saved as a JPEG, when displayed here are the results.

PNG

JPEG

You be the judge.

My system specs are listed in the bottom left corner.

nuxxer · Aug 25, 2009

Corpsecrank said:
I see some wrong information in this post and I feel compelled to mention this.

I created a dual monitor wallpaper for my system in photoshop. The image was saved in png format the only format I use anymore. I have zero problems. It looks as sharp on the desktop as it does in photoshop.

There are a lot of deciding factors in how an image will appear on the desktop once applied. The resolution of the image should be the exact resolution as the desktop just as a start. Your display settings and graphics hardware make a big difference also. A crappy video card or no video card will usually result in a poor appearance most noticeable when looking at images with gradients in them.

If you play with settings you will see what I mean.

no graphics card?¿ are you serious?¿ welcome to 2009

Lee · Aug 25, 2009

When working in Photoshop with jpeg's you need to do a couple of things to help clean up your photos/pictures.

1. Go to "Filter" on the menu then click on "Noise" then over to "Reduce Noise" then go to the bottom of the window and click on "Remove JPEG Artifact". That will help to reduce some of the noise you get in a JPEG picture.

2. Go to "File" then choice "Save As" from there click on the "Format" and choice JPEG then click on "Save" this should bring up another window that is called "JPEG Options" then go to the slider and set to the large file (100% JPEG). From there click on the "Baseline Optimized" then finally save.

This should help you a little, but always remember make the picture/photo as large as you can; the reason is because it is easier to go from large to small without loosing picture quality.

Hope this helps, or at least what you are looking for.

Mark · Aug 25, 2009

Lee said:
When working in Photoshop with jpeg's you need to do a couple of things to help clean up your photos/pictures.

1. Go to "Filter" on the menu then click on "Noise" then over to "Reduce Noise" then go to the bottom of the window and click on "Remove JPEG Artifact". That will help to reduce some of the noise you get in a JPEG picture.

2. Go to "File" then choice "Save As" from there click on the "Format" and choice JPEG then click on "Save" this should bring up another window that is called "JPEG Options" then go to the slider and set to the large file (100% JPEG). From there click on the "Baseline Optimized" then finally save.

This should help you a little, but always remember make the picture/photo as large as you can; the reason is because it is easier to go from large to small without loosing picture quality.

Hope this helps, or at least what you are looking for.

Sorry Lee I think you have misunderstood, the OP was having issues using PNG's as a wallpaper because of quality degradation, I merely made him aware that I had also had the same problem when using PNG's and I found that saving the picture as a High quality JPEG solved the problem and resulted in no loss of quality when displayed as a wallpaper.

Corpsecrank · Aug 25, 2009

nuxxer said:
no graphics card?¿ are you serious?¿ welcome to 2009

Lol yeah I know I realize most of us have a card these days but if someone is working from an older machine they may not or if the machine came from walmart. Still there are cases were there is either no graphics card or a poor card and it can cause poor results on the desktop.

But I still do not understand why some people are having issues with png on the desktop because I never heard of this until now and I also do not have the same issue myself.

Giever · Aug 25, 2009

If you download IrfanView and open a picture with it, and choose to set it as your desktop via that program, it won't lose quality regardless of the filetype, and will stay on through reboots, shutting down, etc., until you choose to change it again.

Urban breed · Feb 3, 2011

Difference in how you set your background

One very important factor is how you go about actually setting your desktop background.

If you are concerned with quality you must not (so far) do this: right-click>set as Desktop Background
This will (stupidly) result in windows saving its own copy of your file using crappy compression settings.
Do this instead: Personalize>Desktop Background>Browse

It will give you the result you expect. (Hopefully.

)

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