Desktop backgrounds appear pixelated (like an 8 bit game)

from Stardock Forums

I don't know if this issue is WB specific, or some setting in Windows &, but almost all of the pictures I set as a desktop background appear pixelated. I'm using the "stretch" setting in Windows, and the "smart mode" setting in WB.

Many of the pictures I'm trying to use are from the official Windows desktop background site, and some others from elsewhere. I've made sure that they are large enough 1280x1080 pixels, all .jpg, etc.

What's really strange is that this doesn't seem to effect all backgrounds, especially not the ones that were part of WB.

 

Any ideas would be appreciated.

 

windowblinds
16,276 views 10 replies
Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks for the link! 

I fiddled around, and figured out what I was doing wrong. :S

CursorFX - Customize your Windows cursor
Reply #3 from WinCustomize Forums Top

It would be good of you to post here, telling what you did to fix it, for future use if someone has the same problem.  ;)

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

OK, sure.

When I found a pic on a site that I wanted to use as a background, I right clicked directly on it and selected "set as desktop background"

Apparently, following that procedure does something to the file to alter or shrink it, making it look all pixelated when stretched.

However, when I downloaded and saved the file first, and then right clicked it and selected "set as desktop background", the picture was normal.

Reply #5 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Or you go and use PNG, bmp instead of jpg on windows8 

Reply #6 from WinCustomize Forums Top

benmanns

Or you go and use PNG, bmp instead of jpg on windows8 


.jpg walls look just fine if they are made to the used screen resolution. A 400 kb .jpg would be about a 4 meg .bmp ot 2 meg .png. 

I believe the problem here is that he was right clicking on the thumbnail or small preview image and setting that to the desktop. Than trying to have it fit a large screen resolution.

+1 Loading…
Reply #7 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Reply deleted AFTER I realized this was posted in Support......carry on...... :borg:

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

I have anti-malware software...

Yea, I realized I did something stupid, but I shared anyway.

And I'm not a techie either

If I'm going to get responses like that. I won't bother next time.

Clearly tact isn't your strong point.

 

 

Reply #9 from WinCustomize Forums Top

Quote isnt working...
@ Dave even if the jpeg is made for the natural resolution jpeg will be pixelated on win8 unless it has been fixed but i dont know of that.
i explained and showed it a while back
https://forums.stardock.com/448583/page/1/#4

Reply #10 from WinCustomize Forums Top

"OK, sure.

When I found a pic on a site that I wanted to use as a background, I right clicked directly on it and selected "set as desktop background"

Apparently, following that procedure does something to the file to alter or shrink it, making it look all pixelated when stretched.

However, when I downloaded and saved the file first, and then right clicked it and selected "set as desktop background", the picture was normal."

 

Most likely what you were getting was a small resolution 'preview' rather than the full size bitmap or jpeg.  That'd give you poor 'detail'.

Bitmap format is going to be [normally] best as jpeg is a 'lossy' format...just like MP3....hence it being always smaller file size than its equivalent bmp ...;)