DIGIT-ARC read-only archive · snapshot: July 23, 2026

YouTube quietly launches official support for HD

12 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/youtube-quietly-launches-official-support-for-hd.103739/

T
ThinkFree Original post #1
Dec 6, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Late Thursday night YouTube quietly added the option to watch videos in high definition (HD) without the need for any URL hacks. On any uploaded videos that are wider than 720 pixels, users will see a new option to "watch in HD" where the "watch in high quality" option usually appears.

In addition to the quality change in the player, YouTube has updated the embed options to let users chose one of four different sizes--all the way up to 640x505 pixels. There is still no option to embed the video in HD (officially), but you can accomplish this using the method we posted a few weeks back. Also worth noting is that there's not yet an option to automatically have the HD version play, something which you could tweak in your account settings with the introduction of higher quality clips.

Source: *news.cnet.com/8301-17939_109-10114521-2.html?tag=mncol
Sumeet_naik
Dec 6, 2008 at 7:51 PM
Man I've been waiting for this.. Eventhough my net connection is not ready for it..
a_k_s_h_a_y
Dec 6, 2008 at 10:29 PM
hmmm are you sure ?? that the videos really will be in HD resolution !!
thewisecrab
Dec 6, 2008 at 11:45 PM
Another feature that majority of us cant use due to crappy BB :|
B
Bandu #5
Dec 8, 2008 at 5:34 PM
It means that YouTube is capable of HD, but it ultimately depends on the uploaded video (whether it is HD or not). It won't be the default option, though. You'll always see a link to watch the video in HD (bottom right). To permanently change your preference to watch the videos that you see in HD, go to your Account Settings -> Playback setup, and select "I have a fast connection. Always play higher-quality video when it's available"
T
Dec 18, 2008 at 1:09 PM
UPDATE: HD Videos in YouTube Get a Bigger Player + Search Trick
Source: *www.labnol.org/internet/video/search-hd-videos-on-youtube/6112/
YouTube has added an extra-large (850×500) video player for clips that are available in HD format (see example). Also, there’s a new HD option in YouTube browser that lets you quickly filter all HD videos on a page. Thanks Andy.
Find HD Videos on YouTube

While there’s no option to search for only HD videos in YouTube, you can easily extend the high-res trick to easily locate HD clips on YouTube through Google. Your search query should be something like this:

matt dance site:youtube.com "watch in normal quality watch in HD"
MetalheadGautham
Dec 18, 2008 at 4:30 PM
Hmm... VP6 for HD videos ? Fat chance. Perhaps those chinese guys who made EVDs were impressed with their creation because it was better than MPEG2-DVD/BDs, but its nothing compared to other stuff out there like VP7, H.264 and WMV-HD.
chooza
chooza #8
Dec 18, 2008 at 11:09 PM
Great Bro.
Ecstasy
Ecstasy #9
Dec 24, 2008 at 1:22 PM
hmmm are you sure ?? that the videos really will be in HD resolution !!
Yes, more or less. The high quality videos are really fine but the only downfall is that it takes bit of time to load depending on your net connection.
I
Jan 21, 2009 at 2:29 PM
I have 3 videos uploaded in Youtube in HD ...Looks good to me :)
freshseasons
Jan 21, 2009 at 8:06 PM
Envious news !
Sorry but dont have enough bandwidth to make the pleasure out of it.

Can our internet service providers please ,just like the thread title quietly launch official 4 MBPS unlimited @ 1299/-Rs including taxes ?