How to: Overlay an image / logo on a video

Quick tutorial

Recently I had to revamp a video of a family function with some overlaid text and images and I used VirtualDub after a long time. Thought this would be really helpful for anyone who wants to overlay an image / logo on a video and want it to be done really quick. So follow these simple steps.

1) Open the video file in VirtualDub [Download VirtualDub].

2) Setting ‘Compression’ parameters first:

• Go to ‘Video’ > ‘Compression’.
• Select the Xvid MPEG-4 or H.264 Codec.
• Press OK.

3) Now click ‘Video’ > ‘Filters’. In the Filters window, click ‘Add’ button.

4) Here, select the option ‘logo’ from the list and click OK.

5) You will see a window like the one shown below. Here you can specify the image to be overlaid on the video and some related options.

• If your image contains Alpha channel (i.e. transparency values) then check mark ‘Enable per-pixel alpha blending using alpha channel’ to retain transparency.
• X, Y offset values let you better position the image on the video.
• Use ‘Show Preview’ button to see the preview of the video with the image overlaid on it.

6) Once you are done playing with the settings, click OK a couple of times to close the ‘Filter’ windows.

7) Finally, click ‘File’ > ‘Save as AVI…’

This method is very efficient, time saving and does not require bulky software.