Images/Screenshots

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1. Screenshots
1. 1.1. Image Sizes
  1. 1.1.1. MediaPortal Screenshots
  2. 1.1.2. Windows Screenshots - Config, Installer, etc
  3. 1.1.3. Image Formats
2. 1.2. Image Quality
2. Attach an Image
1. 2.1. Existing Screenshots or Images
2. 2.2. New Screenshots or Images

Content should be enhanced by illustrations and screenshots as much as possible! If you are explaining a complex procedure, sample screenshots are usually essential for clarity.

Screenshots

Use the DefaulWide skin for all GUI screenshots, except where you need to describe a skin related feature which is not visible in DefaultWide. All MediaPortal GUI screenshots should be widescreen, since most users now use widescreens and since 4x3 screens sizes vary between true 4x3 and 5x4 (PAL 720x576) - the size for the Default skin.

Image Sizes

MediaPortal Screenshots

640x360 (16x9), or 640x480 (4x3). These are ample sizes for viewing on most computer screens, supports PDF output, keeps file sizes down and upload times faster!

Generally, try to create a screenshot of the only the relevant data, not the entire screen. This can save updating when other elements of the screen change but the essential data does not.

Windows Screenshots - Config, Installer, etc

Use png format. For best results save at no more than 550 px wide, than images do not need to be resized and will be much clearer as text is usually smaller.

Image Formats

Use the following image formats to ensure high quality images while keeping file sizes down.

JPEG: for photos and graphic intense screenshots (like of the MediaPortal interface). Preferred quality factor is between 75% and 85%.
PNG: for graphs, logos and screenshots of regular Windows programs and dialogs. On average this will prevent the noise and blurring you get with JPEG images. Transparency can be used, but keep in mind that Internet Explorer only supports alpha transparency from version 7 and up.
GIF: when you need simple animations and for images with very few colors (no gradients). Note that not all output devices (for example PDF documents) supports animation.

Image Quality

Resizing images almost always results in a reduction of quality, depending on the software you use. You will always get better quality if the image can remain the original size, which works for smaller images. Thus, it is best to crop an image to the relevant portion, and save it at a width of 550 or less so it will fit nicely in the Wiki without resizing. Of course, for screenshots in the GUI it is nice to be able to click on the image for a larger version, so for those it is best to stick with 640x360.

Attach an Image

First, check to see if the image or screenshot already exists in the MediaPortal Wiki. Search, or navigate to the appropriate section. If a screenshot exists, you can link to it easily, then if or when the screenshot is updated, it will be updated everywhere.

You can search, or browse once you select the insert image button, however search only searches precise file names, and it is much easier to browse for images using the Navigation Pane.

Note: You cannot attach a file or image until the page exists. For new pages, you must first enter at least a Page Title and save the page. Then you may attach files or images.

Existing Screenshots or Images

In your page, position your cursor where you wish to insert a screenshot or other image.
On the Edit Menu, select the Image button.
1. If the image is already attached to the current page it will appear in the Insert Image Dialog.
2. If the image is attached to a different Wiki Page, select Browse, navigate to that page and select the image file.
3. If you wish to insert a link to an image on the web, go to the Search tab and paste/enter the link - however, keep in mind web links often change so you need to check/update the page periodically.
Select Image Size = Large (images will popup to full image size if clicked).
Select Alignment.
Click Insert Image, and you are done!

New Screenshots or Images

If a screenshot does not already exist, create one. You may always use the F11 key (or assign Take Screenshot to a Remote Key) in MediaPortal. This will save screenshots in your Pictures > MediaPortal Screenshots > date folder.

Resize the images to 640x360.
Save your file in the correct image format (see above).
Give your file a relevant name - such as ConfigTool.png not 10.png - this is very helpful when searching for existing screenshots.
Select the Attach File option at the bottom of the Wiki page (you can do this while in Edit Mode).
Use Classic Uploader for three or less images, Flash Uploader for more.
Add a description to the file - to aid in searching and recognizing images, especially when the file name is not descriptive enough.
Click Attach Files.

Note: You cannot attach a file or image until the page exists. For new pages, you must first enter at least a Page Title and save the page. Then you may attach files or images.

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