*Attention all youtube users*

[AJ.]

Just found out this great new feature that makes videos much better quality (increases resolution). At the end of any youtube video url just add &fmt=18.

It's funny because I was talking about this problem to my brother the other day. I was telling him about this idea I had about a video hosting website that incorporated HD video with youtubes' download speed and how it would be a great success. It isn't quite there yet, but it's one step closer.

Lets band together and use our geeky skills to create a kick @ss video hosting site! :grin:

[Miker]

Cool thanks. When you save them does it save the high quality.

PS. I think the audio is better too?

[AJ.]

Cool thanks. When you save them does it save the high quality.

PS. I think the audio is better too?

I'm not really sure if the audio gets better or not. I believe it might depend on the file format the video was originally uploaded in. I still think this feature is in development stages because if you pay attention closely you would notice that some videos already have a link that allow you to watch in higher quality, while others don't. As for saving the file in high quality, I'm also unsure.

[werty316]

Well would you look at that, its works but the quality isn't that much better.

As for the sound, I can't tell the difference.

EDIT1: I did a dry download run and it seems the file size is the same. I'll download a video and compare both versions.

EDIT2: Without the tag:
http://i28.tinypic.com/j651d2.png

With the tag:
http://i26.tinypic.com/4rdefm.png

[AJ.]

Here's a perfect example of the quality difference between not using &fmt=18 and using &fmt=18.

Without:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kv6u1A2bi3g

With:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=kv6u1A2bi3g&fmt=18

There's a huge differece in quality. :)

[werty316]

I downloadd a video with and without the tag and bitrate as well as the video quality are the same.

[the_dope_chaud]

wow, strange we never heard of this.....
I`m off to try it now......

[AJ.]

Puzzling. Looking at the pics you posted it just appears they adjusted the resolution and nothing else. Just as long as it seems to look better then I'm happy. :lol:

[dumdum]

try A.J's. There is really a huge quality difference.
----------------------
oh and i found this site
http://blog.jimmyr.com/High_Quality_on_Youtube_11_2008.php

[tyle6]

I dont think it has anything to do with the resolution. It seems to be just an enhancement in the sharpness and such... I think whatever it is its just some sort of enhaced video settings be it sharpening and deblocking, or some sort of post proccesing.

[Acidtears33]

Why don't you guys check your CPU usage with and without it to see if any enhancements are being run on your machine or server side.

If it is client side then you will see an increase in CPU usage.

[PP Mguire]

Id say it does change the quality some how
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v701/pp_mguire/YoutubeQuality.jpg

[coxmaster]

Is this new from Youtube? Ive never seen this before, and its definately something i have looked for.

Thanks for posting that dude, and if you guys can figure out how it works that would be sweet too.

[willgetin]

Log in to YouTube. Click on "Account". Scroll down to "Video Playback Quality".

Change it to "I have a fast connection." It will automatically play a higher quality video if it is available.

See if this helps you.




:)




.

[Nocutius]

Nice tip, thanks.

[Exilon]

It seems that the tag only works if there's a high quality version available.

[PP Mguire]

Yea my videos are uploaded raw so i dont think that will b a good idea (~300mb a piece)