Digital Home Thoughts: YouTube Now Supports 4K Videos

"We always want videos on YouTube to be available in the highest quality possible, as creators intend. In December of last year, we announced support for 1080p, or full HD. At 4096 x 2304 pixels, 4K is over four times the size of 1080p. To view any video in a source resolution greater than 1080p, select "Original" in the video quality pulldown menu:"

Sure, webcams, cameraphones and mini-camcorders are still struggling with smooth 1080p HD, but why wait for consumer recording technology to catch up when you can come out with support for resolutions that allow you to see the pores on your face? YouTube does seem to be growing up and has mostly shaken off its original feeling of being a provider of low quality, blocky videos. The addition of 4K may not make any difference to the typical uploader, but it shows that they are committed to supporting higher standards, pushing the envelope and providing formats that might be of interest to more commercial or business oriented interests. It seems like it is all part of a push to compete against other video providers from Vimeo to iTunes and NetFlix. Yes, I think that is where this is all going. A competition against all these companies to whom will become to dominant provider for video in the future.