YouTube has announced it will default the video playback on its platform to SD quality for the next 30 days. The company is considering this measure to reduce bandwidth usage and relieve networks from unnecessary strains amid COVID-19 global pandemic.
Almost all the coronavirus-affected countries in the world have issued shutdowns to fight back the spread of the virus. Due to this, people have started binge-watching their favorite content on popular video streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and others. Thus, the EU, as well as other governing bodies, had previously requested OTT service providers to limit their streams to SD quality to avoid stressing on networks, which might affect critical services like healthcare, banking, businesses, education, and others.
Following the request, Netflix lowered its stream quality to SD (standard) in Europe and also reduced bitrates in countries like India and Australia without compromising on quality. Also, YouTube defaulted its video playback to SD in Europe around the same time. But now, the Google-owned video streaming giant announces to roll out this new change globally. According to the statement given by YouTube, this new change will be active for the next 30 days.
Users can still watch YouTube videos in the quality they prefer by simply changing it from the option. That is because the company has merely ‘defaulted the playback to SD quality, not restricted it to’. As for India, the company said the change will be only limited to users on mobile data till April 14, which is the last date of the country’s official shut down order. Also, Indian users will be welcomed with a pop-up card on the homepage suggesting them to visit the official website of the country’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
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(Via)
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