Solved Resolution

I like this software in many ways but I find that the output resolution seems to be very poor to the point where I have started using other authoring software. I set the resolution to the highest possible in project properties (720 x 480) but final output is blurry and colors bleed..... just doesn't look good. Am I overlooking something?

Okay. Assuming you're using Movie Studio to compile your video, you have some remedies.

1. First open Project Properties, and for the Deinterlace method select None

2. With your video on the timeline, right click it to bring up its Proporties. Check the Reduce interlace flicker, and select the Disable resample button.

The next instructions can be applied to an individual video on the time line by dropping the recommended Video FXs on the video or by dropping them on the Video Track Control to affect all the objects on the track.

3. Go to the Video FXs and drop the default Unsharp mask on the video or track controller, and adjust it to 0.500.

4. Then drop the Color Corrector (secondary) on the video or the track controller, adjusting the Saturation to 1.250, and the Gamma to 1.250.

If you know how to turn plugins on-and-off, then test the affect by looking at your video without one or the other plugin (but not while it's playing). If you intend to do anymore editing after applying these FXs, turn them off first, as they'll slowdown your playback (remembering to turn them on, again, for your 'Make Movie').

Good luck.

PS: From your question, I think there are some other corrects that could improve your video(s).