YouTube No Longer Recognizes 720p as HD

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Quality control settings now only give 'HD' label to 1080p resolution

(Image credit: YouTube)

YouTube has raised the definition of high definition, and 720p falls below the bar.

Now, if you visit the settings menu of any YouTube video, only resolutions of 1080p are given the the little red "HD" label. Previously, that label was ascribed to 720p, as well. 

And for decades, 720 progressive scan resolution has been widely considered "high definition." In fact, HD was originally defined as video with higher resolution than standard def, which was defined as 480 vertical scan lines. The label "full HD" has been applied to 1080p resolution in recent years. 

YouTube has yet to publicly acknowledge the change of semantics, much less explain why it made it. 

The moves means that thousands upon thousands of videos previously classified as HD are now standard-def. 

Daniel Frankel
Daniel Frankel

Daniel Frankel is the managing editor of Next TV, an internet publishing vertical focused on the business of video streaming. A Los Angeles-based writer and editor who has covered the media and technology industries for more than two decades, Daniel has worked on staff for publications including E! Online, Electronic Media, Mediaweek, Variety, paidContent and GigaOm. You can start living a healthier life with greater wealth and prosperity by following Daniel on Twitter today!