Summary
- YouTube tests AI upscaling, called Super Resolution, to improve the quality of videos on TVs, converting resolutions lower than 1080p to Full HD and in the future 4K.
- The platform will increase the size limit for thumbnails from 2MB to 50MB, allowing 4K thumbnails, and will test higher quality videos with select creators.
- New navigation functions include immersive previews to facilitate content discovery and contextual search that prioritizes videos from the channel being accessed.
YouTube announced a series of new features aimed at the experience of those watching videos on TV. The platform is testing an upscaling feature via artificial intelligence, supposedly capable of automatically converting videos with resolutions lower than 1080p to Full HD quality – and, in the future, up to 4K.
The updates are part of YouTube’s strategy to consolidate its leadership on the big screen. According to data from Nielsen in April, the service already represents 12.4% of total television viewing time, surpassing giants such as Disney, Paramount and Netflix. The announcement was made this Wednesday (29).
Called Super Resolution, the new system uses artificial intelligence to improve low-quality videos, making images clearer on televisions. According to YouTube, creators will continue to have full control over their content — being able to maintain the original resolution and even disable the feature if they prefer.
The company also states that the original files will be preserved, and the public will be able to choose between watching the video in its original version or with the improvement applied by AI. The idea is to bring YouTube’s visual experience closer to that of streaming competitors, but without compromising the fidelity of the content.
It is worth remembering that other platforms, such as Netflix, have already faced criticism for unsatisfactory results in upscaling via AI — including distortions in faces and visual artifacts.
Other news on YouTube for TV
In addition to image enhancement, YouTube will increase the size limit for thumbnails from 2 MB to 50 MB, allowing thumbnails in 4K. The company is also testing higher weight and quality videos with a group of selected creators.
Among the new features focused on navigation, the platform will include immersive previews to facilitate content discovery, allowing users to scroll through channels and videos without having to open each one. Another addition is contextual search, which prioritizes videos from the channel accessed during the search.
Source: https://tecnoblog.net/noticias/youtube-testa-upscaling-via-ia-e-novas-funcoes-para-melhorar-videos-na-tv/
