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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Roku pulls YouTube TV from its channel store as dispute with Google continues

Roku

With Roku and Google still unable to reach an agreement regarding YouTube TV's distribution, Roku has pulled the YouTube TV from its channel store. The existing deal has lapsed, and so Roku couldn't have the app on its devices anymore. But according to the company, it is "taking the extra step to continue to offer existing subscribers access to YouTube TV on the Roku platform unless Google takes actions that require the full removal of the channel." Any new subscriptions from the YouTube app are also switched off "until an agreement is reached." 

Roku warns its customers in an email that the YouTube TV subscribers or those who have the app on their Roku devices shouldn't delete them as they won't be able to download it at the moment. The main YouTube app isn't affected by this change. 

Source: The Verge

Roku might no longer offer YouTube TV amid standoff with Google

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Roku devices might lose access to the YouTube TV app as the company is caught amid a standoff with Google. The company sent out an email to its subscribers on Monday calling on them to reach out to Google to "urge them" to reach an agreement. Roku accused Google in a statement of attempting to control the user experience on the platform that would favour Google's products as the two negotiate a contract renewal for YouTube TV. Google has its own line of Chromecast devices that compete directly with Roku.

According to Roku, Google is demanding that Roku give its separate YouTube app preferential treatment on the condition of providing the company access to YouTube TV. The demands include providing Google with special access to consumer data and for Roku to have a dedicated search result row for YouTube on its interface. Roku also claims Google wanted Roku to meet specific hardware specs. 

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