November 25th, 2008
YouTube goes wide screen; Sets up for more professional content
YouTube is going wide screen in advance of hosting more professional content.
We’re expanding the width of the page to 960 pixels to better reflect the quality of the videos you create and the screens that you use to watch them. This new, wider player is in a widescreen aspect ratio which we hope will provide you with a cleaner, more powerful viewing experience. And don’t worry, your 4:3 aspect ratio videos will play just fine in this new player.
Hmmm. Has anyone said ‘man I wish this Obama girl video was on a wider screen’? Didn’t think so. Amateur content may look fine on a wide screen, but
960 pixels isn’t exactly a requirement.
The bigger picture here is that YouTube is going to start cutting deals with content producers–the Hollywood types. CNET News reported that YouTube will soon start offering feature films. A widescreen player makes a lot of sense for feature films.
In the end YouTube is obviously seeing the threat from the likes of Hulu. By offering a widescreen player, YouTube can better compete and support professional content owners. I’m sure there are some amateur videos that will look swell in a widescreen player, but YouTube’s latest move is all about the pros.
Download: YouTube’s video ID system: Is 75 percent accuracy good enough? Video ID system cost benefit and revenue calculators. (15-page special report includes: Executive checklists, YouTube’s vendors and analysis.)
Also see: YouTube: It’s time to start cutting deals
- YouTube: Does your video ID system really work?
- Google’s favorite penny stock: Nexicon
- Press “Upload” on that Video: “Point Is Not To Bust People,” Says NBC
- Webcast replay: YouTube’s 75 Percent Solution: Closing Down Illegal Videos
Larry Dignan is Editor in Chief of ZDNet and Editorial Director of ZDNet sister site TechRepublic. See his full profile and disclosure of his industry affiliations.
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