YouTube TV tests enhanced 720p quality for smoother streaming

Image: Chrome Unboxed

YouTube TV is rolling out a new "720p Enhanced" option for select users to boost video quality. This follows their earlier trials with "1080p Enhanced," which aimed to improve picture clarity without increasing resolution.

The "720p Enhanced" setting utilizes a more advanced streaming codec and higher bitrate. This translates to smoother visuals, particularly beneficial for channels that broadcast in 720p.

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YouTube considers 'Pause Ads'

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Get ready to be served ads even when you pause your video. YouTube is testing "pause ads" on some TV apps, where the video you're watching is shrunk to sit alongside an ad when you hit pause. This strategy, lauded by Google's Chief Business Officer Philipp Schindler, might see a wider rollout.

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YouTube's AI-powered 'Jump Ahead' speeds up viewing for Premium users

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YouTube's experimental "Jump Ahead" feature is expanding access for Premium subscribers in the US. This AI-powered tool helps viewers find the most interesting parts of videos.

When you double-tap to skip ahead on eligible videos (currently only available in English on the YouTube Android app), you'll see a "Jump Ahead" button appear briefly. Tapping this button takes you to a section where viewers typically skip to the most.

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YouTube now streams in 8K on Meta Quest

Image: YouTube

Meta Quest users, rejoice! YouTube has quietly rolled out a major update to its virtual reality app, bringing stunning 8K resolution streaming to your headset. This means you can experience even crisper and more detailed visuals when watching videos in virtual reality.

While 8K content is still relatively scarce, it's a significant leap forward for VR viewing. The increased resolution makes a noticeable difference, especially considering how close the screen appears in a VR headset. As Android Central's Nick Sutrich points out, the jump from 4K to 8K offers a clear improvement in quality.

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