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YouTube Launches 'Super Resolution' AI for Old Videos as TV App Gets Big-Screen Upgrades

Creators retain control through a default setting that can be switched off in YouTube Studio.

Overview

  • The upscaler targets legacy uploads from roughly 144p to 720p to produce 1080p versions now, with expansion to 4K planned.
  • AI-enhanced playback is labeled as “Super Resolution” in the quality menu, and viewers can switch back to the original stream.
  • Original files and prior resolutions remain available in creators’ libraries, so AI versions do not overwrite existing uploads.
  • TV-focused changes include preview thumbnails up to 50 MB, prioritized on‑channel search results in the TV app, and a live channel-surf preview.
  • YouTube is giving QR codes a larger role in TV ads to spur shopping on phones, and reporting indicates AI audio changes currently offer a channel-level opt-out with per‑video controls unclear.