YouTube is offering its Premium subscribers on desktop a new 1080p playback option with an “enhanced bitrate”. This option, located above the standard 1080p option in the dropdown resolution menu, promises to provide a higher quality viewing experience with more information per pixel.
The enhanced 1080p option is available for Premium subscribers only. Clicking on it will prompt non-subscribers to pay for a Premium subscription in order to access the improved viewing quality. YouTube started testing this feature earlier this year, highlighting that it allows for a better viewing experience without the need for a higher resolution.
While YouTube does offer 4K resolution for certain videos, it requires streaming a larger file that may not be compatible with all internet connections or data allowances. The new enhanced 1080p option aims to bridge this gap and provide a higher quality viewing experience for users who may not be able to access 4K resolution.
iOS users had already gained access to the enhanced 1080p option a few months ago. However, now more users will have the opportunity to enjoy this feature on their desktops. This move by YouTube is part of their ongoing efforts to enhance the viewing experience for all users, regardless of their device.
It is worth noting that YouTube recently increased the prices of its Premium subscription. The monthly fee was raised from $12 to $14, and the annual fee from $120 to $140. Despite the cost increase, the Premium subscription offers several advantages, such as ad-free viewing, offline viewing, background playback, and now, the enhanced 1080p option.
In conclusion, YouTube is now offering an enhanced 1080p playback option with an improved bitrate to its Premium subscribers on desktop. This feature aims to provide a better viewing experience without the need for higher resolutions, like 4K. While the subscription prices for YouTube Premium have increased, subscribers will gain access to various benefits, including the new enhanced 1080p option.
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