I actually did read the help text, but it only left me confused, because the lines don't clearly match up to the text boxes. I had a moment of "oh, where do I adjust the quality?" before I realized that it was just referring to the first text box. I'd do away with it.

Agreed. I didn't read it until I saw this comment and I went back. Even then, I only skimmed.

The combination of the first line (search bar, languages) plus the set of words that start out on the front page give a pretty good idea of what it is.

It's OK if the reader can skip or skim the help text. That's good graphic design: your eye finds the main things easily, and then digs into the details as necessary.

This is spot-on.

That whole "omit needless words" exercise? This is an excellent place where it could be applied. The form is straightforward. Just have people play with it.