AfterDawn: News

YouTube to begin offering HD videos

Back in November, YouTube boss Steve Chen promised that the popular video sharing site would begin giving viewers the option to watch some videos in High Definition beginning in March.

As promised, the site has now begun to offer higher definition streams based upon the source file uploaded. The site also promises more videos coming over time.



Users have the option to see the higher definition streams by checking an option in their Account page. Select "always show me higher quality when available" or "never show me higher quality" depending on your personal choice.

The official YouTube blog had this to say about the new video quality. "Our philosophy is to make sure that as many people as possible can access YouTube and that videos start quickly and play smoothly".

"That's one reason why you don't see us racing to call this 'Super Duper YouTube HD' because most people don't want to wait a long time for videos to play."

Written by: Andre Yoskowitz @ 17 Mar 2008 14:59

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• 8 comments

• atomicxl

  This is a good move. Once internet speeds get high enough, I think they're gonna be even more hardcore about copyrighted content. Right now its up but the quality is absolute garbage. There will be MAJOR issues if the content is up and the quality is the same as over the air HD broadcast or DVD. You start to eliminate the need for other services like cable when so much stuff is on demmand and HD.
  
  I think they should go ahead and upgrade their standard quality. I was watching something on CNN and I actually was shocked at how nice it looked and that it was playing fine on my crappy DSL (the slowest speed offered by my ISP). I'd say it was a good 2-3 times better than what you see on YouTube.

  17.3.2008 15:45 #1

• techluver

  Yes it is about time for youtube to get the quality improved a bit - there have already been other sites popping up giving users better quality video eg. vimeo is a good site for that , although not as well known yet , hence fewer videos.

  17.3.2008 18:09 #2

• dragnandy

  finally!! youtube quality videos are awful. i wish all the youtube users would have switched to stage6 earlier before it shut down. well, maybe this would make things better.

  17.3.2008 20:52 #3

• leady

  Maybe Youtube should take over stage6 if possible

  18.3.2008 14:42 #4

• TBandit

  WOW FINALLY damn Ive been waiting for them to go high def. Got tired of watching some vids so pixelated thought it was NES muhahaha

  18.3.2008 15:44 #5

• goodswipe

  Now you kids can start watching those slutty strip tease videos in HD!
  
  /YouTube FTW!
  

  "look honey, it said goodswipe! oh wow, that's amazing."

  18.3.2008 15:46 #6

• Kazi

  about effing time! Stage6 (r.i.p.) was there to begin with!
  I'm so sick of the pixelated crap on youtube, and the losers that post video blogs- I guess that's more of a personal thing.

  18.3.2008 23:30 #7

• kubapolak

  This is great news!
  It might put a strain on my connection but HD is worth it.

  25.3.2008 21:06 #8