As users acquire upgraded smartphones with improved video capability, YouTube is adding support for all that new high-definition data that is pouring into its vast storage system.
The San Bruno, Calif.-based video arm of Google announced Nov. 8 that it now can present HDR (high-definition range) video on supported devices and monitors, including all HDR televisions using the Chromecast Ultra connector.
The company also said that its new support will work with Samsung’s latest SUHD and UHD TVs. Samsung and Google have a longstanding partnership deal going back more than seven years.
YouTube said it also is in the planning stages with several partners to enable video streaming in high definition. The company did not say when that feature might become available.
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas last January, YouTube Chief Business Officer Robert Kyncl revealed that YouTube was working on providing HDR video support, although he didn’t say exactly when it would become available.
Any connected device that doesn’t yet support HDR will still be able to play YouTube videos as before in standard definition, so that much hasn’t changed. HDR features noticeably
Anyone with a Google account can upload standard- or high-definition videos.