YouTube Introduces AI-Powered Video Upscaling and Enhanced TV Features

TV-focused YouTube update brings AI upscaling, shopping QR codes

YouTube has been streaming for 20 years, but it was only in the last couple that it came to dominate TV streaming. Google's video platform attracts more TV viewers than Netflix, Disney+, and all the other apps, and Google is looking to further beef up its big-screen appeal with a new raft of features, including shopping, immersive channel surfing, and an official version of the AI upscaling that had creators miffed a few months back. According to Google, YouTube's growth has translated into higher payouts. The number of channels earning more than $100,000 annually is up 45 percent in 2025 versus 2024. YouTube is now giving creators some tools to boost their appeal (and hopefully their income) on TV screens. Those elaborate video thumbnails featuring surprised, angry, smiley hosts are about to get even prettier with the new 50MB file size limit. That's up from a measly 2MB. Video upscaling is also coming to YouTube, and creators will be opted in automatically. To start, YouTube will be upscaling lower-quality videos to 1080p. In the near future, Google plans to support "super resolution" up to 4K. The site stresses that it's not modifying original files -- creators will have access to both the original and upscaled files, and they can opt out of upscaling. In addition, super resolution videos will be clearly labeled on the user side, allowing viewers to select the original upload if they prefer. The lack of transparency was a sticking point for creators, some of whom complained about the sudden artificial look of their videos during YouTube's testing earlier this year.

YouTube is upgrading old videos to HD and 4K automatically - but you can opt out

Also: Long YouTube video? This free AI tool finds the good parts for you - here's how The TV screen is YouTube's fastest-growing surface, the company says, so it's making some improvements. In a blog post detailing several changes coming to the platform for TV viewers, YouTube announced that it will use AI to generate higher resolution for videos. The company says it's starting with videos currently in less than 1080p quality, upscaling them from SD to HD. Auto-scaling to 4K is coming "in the near future." Creators will be able to keep control over their content, YouTube added, noting that the original file and resolution will stay intact. In addition, creators can opt out of the new enhancement (which YouTube is calling "super resolution") if they don't like how it makes their videos look. Viewers will have the choice to watch in the original resolution or the new resolution. Also: How I download YouTube videos for free - 2 ways, including my favorite YouTube has supported 4K content since 2010, and it's the standard for most creators today. This change will affect virtually no modern content, but it could impact millions of videos uploaded from 2005 to 2010. This announcement comes after YouTube debuted AI-powered features for Shorts creators last month. Also: I used this simple YouTube TV trick and saved $66 - here's how you can, too A resolution upgrade sounds like a win across the board for both creators and viewers, but there are naturally questions about how good the upgrade will be. AI can still be notoriously wonky for creating or editing video (like the infamous Will Smith concert clip earlier this month), but a simple upscale shouldn't be too tough. YouTube also says it's rolling out several other new features, including:

YouTube will let you opt out of AI upscaling on low-res videos

YouTube has announced several new features that aim to improve the viewing experience on TV screens, including an instant shopping tool and visual upgrades for low-resolution videos. Specifically, YouTube says it will start automatically upscaling videos uploaded below 1080p, using AI to bump them to HD resolution, and plans to support upscaling to 4K "in the near future" -- but both creators and viewers will be able to opt out. "Creators will retain complete control over their library, as both original files and original video resolution will be kept intact, with a clear option to opt-out of these enhancements," YouTube says in the announcement. "And viewers will still be able to watch creators' videos in the original uploaded resolution, as super resolution will be clearly labeled under settings." The automatic upscaling will only apply to videos that have been uploaded in 240p to 720p resolutions, YouTube spokesperson Veronica Navarrete told The Verge. That means the feature won't be applied to older videos that creators or channels have already digitally remastered to 1080p themselves. Almost every major TV brand offers its own form of AI upscaling, as screen sizes have increased and 4K resolution stopped being a novelty, and Nvidia provides a similar feature on its Shield TV streaming devices. YouTube's opt-out option is notable, however, given complaints from creators that the platform was applying enhancements to their videos without consent, sometimes resulting in undesirable visual distortions. YouTube is also expanding the current video thumbnail limit from 2MB to 50MB to support 4K images, and says it's currently testing larger video uploads with select creators. On videos with tagged shopping products, viewers will soon be able to quickly buy whatever catches their eye by using their phone to scan a QR code displayed on the TV, taking them directly to the product page. YouTube is also testing the ability for creators to feature products at specific, timed moments within their videos. More general viewing updates include immersive homepage previews that make it easier to flip through favored YouTube channels, and improvements to contextual search on TV when viewers search from a creator's channel page, prioritizing videos from that channel instead of pulling in content from across the platform. "The TV screen is our fastest-growing surface, and we remain committed to delivering features that make creator content shine," YouTube says.

YouTube Caters to Living Room Audiences With Upscaling, Enhanced Thumbnails

Don't miss out on our latest stories. Add PCMag as a preferred source on Google. YouTube has added automatic upscaling to videos across the platform, leveraging AI technology to (ideally) make everything look a little bit better. The initial step is to bring older, low-resolution videos up to 1080p quality; however, in the long run, YouTube plans to upgrade everything to a quality that resembles 4K. Video thumbnails have also been enhanced to make them more legible. Over 20 years on from its original launch, YouTube is more popular than ever, but where people watch it continues to evolve. Where it was once desktops, then mobile, now the majority of YouTube viewing is done on living room TVs. Hence, the upscaling to make even older videos look better on giant 4K TV screens. Thumbnails are bigger and more detailed too, to help draw in those next views. For YouTube content creators who feel put out by YouTube automatically updating their content, YouTube wants it to be clear that they continue to retain control. The original video will remain online, along with the new upscaled version, allowing viewers to choose between them. Creators can also opt out of the upscaling entirely. Some viewers have already commented that the upscaling appears odd at times and can significantly alter the appearance of older videos. Others have raised hopes that the higher resolutions will mean YouTube might raise the bitrate of videos, as even 1080p resolution with a low bitrate doesn't look particularly great on modern devices. As for thumbnails, their maximum size has been increased from 2MB to 50MB. That's going to make for a huge increase in storage needs for YouTube, but for viewers, it should produce thumbs that are easier to read with greater detail. Maybe it'll finally put an end to those giant reaction shot faces that everyone has been using for the past couple of years. To further enhance the YouTube TV experience, the app has been updated for streaming devices to make it easier to jump between channels to see what they've released lately. There will be video previews of the latest videos and improved and updated contextual search to help users find what they want more readily. In classic fashion, YouTube is also looking to further monetize the TV platform. To that end, it's adding the ability for content creators to sell products directly within their videos. On specialized shopping videos, viewers will be able to scan an on-screen QR code to open a product page on their phone for easy purchase. And straightforward tracking of affiliate revenue, of course.

YouTube adds automatic AI upscaling for low-res videos

YouTube is rolling out some updates aimed at making visuals look better on its TV apps, including automatic AI video upscaling. To begin with, YouTube plans to upscale videos that were uploaded in under 1080p to an HD resolution. It aims to support 4K upscaling in the future. The platform will still retain the original files and video resolution options. Creators can opt-out of the AI upscaling feature, which it's calling Super Resolution, as well as automated audio adjustments. The platform says it's also working with select creators to test larger video uploads to allow for higher-quality footage. Creators will soon be able to upload thumbnails in higher quality too. YouTube will increase the thumbnail file limit from 2MB to 50MB. As for viewers, it seems like YouTube saw those annoying automatic previews Netflix has had for the last decade and decided to copy that playbook. "Viewers will be able to see and flip through their favorite YouTube channels with immersive previews on the homepage, enhancing content discovery and engagement," Kurt Wilms, the senior director of product management for YouTube on TV, wrote in a blog post. Elsewhere, YouTube has added a contextual search function to its TV apps. When you search for something from a creator's channel page, videos from said channel will appear first in the results. That's a smart, logical idea. With people watching YouTube on TV more than on mobile these days, it only makes sense for the platform to invest in improving the experience there.

YouTube rolls out AI upscaling and higher-res thumbnails to cater to couch viewers

Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years. TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust. TL;DR: YouTube has rolled out several new features and tools aimed at making content creation and viewing more suited to the living room experience. Chief among them is a new AI-powered feature that automatically upscales lower-res videos to higher resolutions. Kurt Wilms, senior director of product management for YouTube on TV, said the new feature will initially work to convert SD videos into HD quality. Eventually, he said, the tech will support resolutions up to 4K. Wilms noted that creators will retain full control over their library, adding that both the originally uploaded file and the upscaled video will be kept intact. Viewers will have the option to watch either the original or the enhanced video, which will be labeled as "super resolution" in the settings menu. Creators will be able to opt out of AI upscaling at any time. YouTube is also expanding the thumbnail file size limit, from 2 MB to 50 MB - enabling "stunning 4K-resolution thumbnails" to help creators better market their videos. YouTube is also experimenting with larger uploads with select creators, we're told. Elsewhere, Google is revamping how viewers interact with creators' channels. The latest design enables users to flip through YouTube channels complete with immersive previews on the homepage. The new design is better catered toward couch consumption, and should help enhance both content discovery and engagement. Speaking of discovery, YouTube has also updated how videos are discovered when watching on a TV. Now, initiating a search from a creator's channel will show results from that channel prioritized at the top instead of results getting lost in a sea of other videos from the platform. YouTube is also doing more to meet viewers where they are watching on the shopping front. Soon, shopping-tagged videos will have scannable QR codes that will instantly take users to the relevant product page. Wilms said the new addition will help creators drive conversions and help advertisers grow their brands.

YouTube unveils AI tool to boost low-quality videos to HD and 4K

YouTube shorts logo is seen displayed on a smartphone with a YouTube Logo in the background. YouTube is introducing a major visual upgrade for its platform, using artificial intelligence to enhance low-quality videos. The company announced a new "Super Resolution" feature that automatically upscales videos uploaded below 1080p to HD quality, with plans to support resolutions up to 4K in the near future. Creators will retain control over their content. "Creators will retain complete control over their library, as both original files and original video resolution will be kept intact, with a clear option to opt-out of these enhancements," YouTube said in a statement.

YouTube Will Add 'Super-Resolution' to Some Videos

* YouTube will auto-upscale videos below 1080p with AI "Super Resolution" (SD→HD, future 4K). * AI versions labeled "Super resolution"; creators can opt out and originals stay intact. * Upscaling may improve watchability on big screens but can add artifacts; quality remains to be seen. YouTube has videos dating back 20 years, and while it currently supports videos up to 8K, this wasn't always the case -- we used to not even have HD. Likewise, some newer videos uploaded today might still be under 720p. If you've ever come across one of these, thankfully, there's a new option for you, which might either make things better or way worse. YouTube announced that it will begin implementing a new AI-powered feature called "Super Resolution," a system designed to automatically upscale low-quality videos. This new "Super Resolution" system will specifically target videos currently available at resolutions below 1080p. According to the company's announcement, the initial rollout will focus on upscaling standard-definition (SD) content -- such as 480p or 360p videos -- to a sharper, clearer HD version. The eventual goal is to expand this capability to support resolutions up to 4K, bringing even very old content up to modern viewing standards. When you're watching an eligible video and you want to change the resolution, the AI-enhanced versions of your video will be clearly labeled as "Super resolution" within the video's quality settings menu. That way, you'll clearly know whether you're watching an upscaled version of the video or if the video is available natively at that higher resolution. The upscaling process is designed to be automatic and frictionless, but YouTube says that control ultimately remains with its users, both creators and viewers. Creators will have the ability to opt out of the "Super Resolution" enhancements for their entire library or on a per-video basis. The platform also provided assurance that all original video files and their native resolutions will be kept intact, so these AI-powered upscaled videos won't ever replace the original version stored in YouTube's server. As a viewer, if you don't want to watch an AI-powered version of a video, all you need to do is go back into the resolution settings and select the highest-quality non-AI version to go native. This is a good idea on paper. As our screens have gone bigger and higher-res, these older videos are kind of unwatchable unless you don't mind the pixels. It applies the same upscaling principle that's currently used on games with initiatives like DLSS, except using generative AI on videos. On the other hand, this could also introduce artifacts to videos and that weird look that upscaled images and videos always tend to have. As always, we'll need to wait and see how this whole thing turns out, and whether the upscaled videos end up being any good.

YouTube will upscale SD videos to 4K using AI, unless creators opt out

The system will start on TVs only, and both creators and viewers have to opt out if they want to see the original, unmodified video. YouTube turned 20 years old this year, because time is a nightmare with only oblivion as an escape. But that means a lot of the older stuff that was uploaded to YouTube is in pretty bad shape, compared to the HD and 4K video that's now become the norm. Google has a plan to make it all look better with... take a guess. Yup, you got it. It's "AI." "We're also introducing a new AI-powered feature that automatically generates higher resolutions for videos," says the YouTube blog. Initially, the program will only work on various TV platforms -- smart TVs, set-top boxes like Roku or the Nvidia Shield, etc. -- and only take lower-quality videos up to 1080p. But YouTube says the goal is to upscale videos from old-school standard definition all the way up to 4K. The upscaled videos will get a "super resolution" tag, as GSMArena reports. If you know anything about how digital video works, alarm bells may be ringing in your head right now. Upscaling is not the same as, for example, remastering a film for a new Blu-ray release. In that process, new high-resolution digital scans are made of the original physical film, then carefully tuned to preserve its intended look and feel (with varying results). Upscaling, on the other hand, is essentially equivalent to blowing up each frame in Photoshop one by one, then adding some algorithmic processes to make it flow more smoothly. Upscaling from DVD to 1080p or 1080p to 4K can look pretty good, at least if it's done well. When it isn't, the results are awful. And considering how poor YouTube's generative "AI" systems are at the moment, and how poor compressed YouTube videos can look all on their own even when uploaded in 4K, I wouldn't hold my breath on great results. Plus, I'd be shocked if this stays a TV-only feature for very long. There's a tiny bit of good news hidden in there: YouTube won't be hard-converting the original video files to this AI-enhanced upscaled version, and the original resolution will be preserved... for now. Creators can opt out of the enhancements if they want to make sure viewers see the unmodified original, and viewers can also disable it on their end.

YouTube adds AI-upscaled 'Super Resolution' for low-quality videos

YouTube has announced that it will start using AI to upscale low-quality videos with a new "Super Resolution" feature coming soon. In a blog post today, YouTube announced a few new features coming to the platform. These include some TV updates, such as "immersive" homepage previews and new contextual search that shows results from a specific channel when you start the search on that channel. Videos with shopping links will also now include a QR code to view those products on your phone. Perhaps the most interesting new change, though, is the addition of AI-upscaling on YouTube videos that are of low-quality, with the upgrade being called "Super Resolution." If a video is below 1080p, YouTube will start automatically generating higher resolution versions of that video. YouTube says the "goal" is to support resolutions up to 4K. If a video is in low quality, higher resolution versions will be called "Super Resolution." YouTube explains that this is automatic, but that creators can opt out, and that viewers can go back to the original resolution.

YouTube Will Use AI to Upscale Low-Res Videos

YouTube says creators and viewers will have full control over whether to use the feature. YouTube's going through a lot of changes right now, and according to the company, that's to help it better stand out on TVs. Today, YouTube announced that it's going to allow creators to upload bigger thumbnails, plus make browsing and shopping while watching on a TV a bit more convenient. But there's also a big change coming to content itself, and it's not just limited to TVs. Soon, YouTube is going to start using AI to automatically upscale any videos with resolutions lower than 1080p. While you can technically still upload videos that are 720p nowadays, with smartphone cameras getting better and better, that essentially reads to me as "old videos." It's a bit concerning to me, as someone who's been watching a lot of TV shows from the '90s and early 2000s on YouTube as of late. Done right, AI upscaling is a simple way to de-noise a video, and is more resistant to hallucination than generations made from whole cloth. But it's not without its own hiccups, and some creators have actually accused YouTube of using AI upscaling already, without telling them, and with some undesirable results. The accusations have been limited to YouTube Shorts for now, but notably, even Will Smith seems to have possibly run afoul of the system's hidden AI, as the celebrity was himself accused of generating a crowd with AI in a YouTube Short of a recent concert. However, internet sleuths have determined the footage is likely legit, but was automatically made to look like "AI slop" by YouTube. Note, for instance, how different the footage looks on Instagram. Luckily, YouTube says that this version of AI upscaling will be fully in the hands of creators and users. According to the feature's announcement "Creators will retain complete control over their library, as both original files and original video resolution will be kept intact, with a clear option to opt-out of these enhancements." Viewers, meanwhile, will be able to see when AI upscaling has been used thanks to a "super resolution" label in the resolution selection settings, and opt for the original resolution instead. Additionally, YouTube told The Verge that videos that were shot below 1080p, but manually remastered and uploaded in 1080p or above, won't be affected by the upscaling tech. What matters is the resolution the video was uploaded in. All of that's a relief for folks like me, who don't want bizarre seven-fingered extras in our sitcoms, although it's unclear whether this control will also extend to YouTube Shorts, or if YouTube might continue experimenting with mandatory AI upscaling there behind-the-scenes (which, to be fair, has not yet been confirmed). Regardless, it makes sense why YouTube is making this change, as it tries to capture more eyes across more devices. Low resolution videos might look fine on a six-inch smartphone display, but blown up to 50+ inches on a TV, not so much. YouTube hasn't said exactly when the feature will go live, but if you notice what looks like weird AI artifacting the next time you're watching a YouTube video, try checking the resolution settings by mousing over the video and tapping or clicking the cog icon.

YouTube confirms it uses AI upscaling on videos, enabled by default

TL;DR: YouTube now uses AI to automatically upscale videos below 1080p to HD, improving viewing on high-resolution displays. Creators can opt out, and viewers can disable upscaling, which is labeled as "super resolution." Thumbnail file size limits also increase to 50MB, supporting 4K thumbnails for creators. YouTube has published a new press release that reveals the video platform will now be using artificial intelligence to upscale low-quality videos to 1080p (HD). In a new blog post on the official YouTube blog, the company outlines how it will be using the power of AI to give a resolution bump to lower quality videos to make them easier to watch on higher resolution displays, such as 4K, or even 8K TVs. Notably, YouTube states that it will also be expanding the thumbnail file size limit from 2 megabytes to 50 megabytes, which enables the use of 4K thumbnails for creators. As for the upscaling, YouTube writes that AI upscaling on sub-1080p (HD) content will be enabled by default, but creators, or the uploaders of the video will be able to disable the feature upon upload, with YouTube writing, "creators will retain complete control over their library." Furthermore, YouTube writes that it will inform viewers when they are watching an AI-upscaled video with the label "super resolution," and that viewers will have the option of disabling the AI upscaling and watching the video in its native resolution. "We're also introducing a new AI-powered feature that automatically generates higher resolutions for videos. We're starting with videos uploaded below 1080p, upscaling them from SD to HD, with the goal to support resolutions up to 4K in the near future. Creators will retain complete control over their library, as both original files and original video resolution will be kept intact, with a clear option to opt-out of these enhancements. And viewers will still be able to watch creators' videos in the original uploaded resolution, as super resolution will be clearly labeled under settings," writes YouTube

YouTube Adds AI Upscaling to Automatically Improve Video Quality - Phandroid

YouTube is turning to AI, but not that kind of AI slop you're thinking about. The platform has introduced AI-powered video upscaling designed to automatically enhance lower-resolution videos, converting standard definition content into higher resolutions like HD or potentially 4K. This feature leverages advanced machine learning algorithms to analyze existing video content and intelligently upscale it, improving clarity and overall visual quality suitable for larger screens. The system uses machine learning models trained on vast amounts of visual data to fill in missing details when upscaling from lower resolutions. YouTube applies this upscaling automatically in the background for videos uploaded below 1080p quality, ensuring viewers see a sharper picture without requiring creators to manually upload higher-resolution versions. Creators and viewers retain control over the feature. Creators can disable it if they prefer their original quality, while viewers can opt to watch the original, un-upscaled version if desired. For now, YouTube will only support upscaling to HD, but there are plans to expand that to 4K in the future. The enhancement proves especially valuable for large screens where low-resolution videos can look pixelated or blurry. AI upscaling ensures content looks more polished and professional, extending the lifespan of older content by making it more appealing in the current HD/4K era. This matters particularly since YouTube previously tested locking 4K videos behind its Premium paywall before backing down. The feature joins other recent YouTube improvements, including new Premium features like conversational AI and jump-ahead capabilities. For creators with extensive back catalogs of older content, YouTube AI upscaling offers a practical solution to reach viewers more effectively with higher-quality content without the hassle of reuploading videos.

YouTube is using AI to upscale creators' videos and that doesn't feel very creative | Stuff

SD videos will become HD videos thanks to AI generation technology. But creators will have to opt out. YouTube has announced it will use AI technology to automatically upscale creators' uploads, in an effort to make low resolution clips look better on television sets. In a blog post today, Google says AI will generate high definition videos of standard definition uploads. That's just the initial phase. Google says there are plans for 4K upscaling in the future. The surprising part of this is Google turning this feature on by default. Creators can turn it off and opt out, but if they don't, artificial intelligence will do its thing without express consent. "Creators will retain complete control over their library, as both original files and original video resolution will be kept intact, with a clear option to opt-out of these enhancements," Google says in the blog post. "And viewers will still be able to watch creators' videos in the original uploaded resolution, as super resolution will be clearly labeled under settings." I hate this idea, to be honest. There's something more charming and authentic about the imperfections. The feature should be opt-in, not opt out. Google also says there'll be a new thumbnail file limit from 2MB to 50MB that'll generate 4K resolution for those creators' videos. Furthermore, viewers see immersive previews on the homepage for their favourite YouTube channels, which look similar to those you'll see on the Netflix homepage. Shopping videos are getting on-screen QR codes to buy from a product page. "By removing extra steps and catching the viewer's interest at the most relevant time, we're making it easier for viewers to act on their inspiration, helping creators drive conversions and grow their brands from the biggest screen in the home."

YouTube's New AI Magic Feature Turns Old Blurry Videos into Stunning HD Quality Content

Additionally, YouTube is developing other key upgrades along with the AI upscaling feature. The thumbnail file size limit is being increased from 2 MB to 50 MB, allowing for richer, higher-quality preview images. On the TV app front, YouTube is increasing its focus on the living-room experience. Immersive previews will appear on the homepage so viewers can quickly flip through channel highlights. A new contextual search feature that prioritises results from a channel when browsing from that channel's page may be added. The platform describes the television environment as its fastest-growing surface and says that these enhancements aim to make creator content shine on large screens. From a strategic standpoint, the move signals a shift in how YouTube views its role in the streaming ecosystem. Instead of simply hosting videos, it is actively stepping into the quality-enhancement sector, providing built-in AI tools to meet the demands of 4K smart TVs and large displays. At the same time, the opt-out option addresses creator concerns about automatic enhancements. Some creators had previously raised doubts over changes applied to their videos without their knowledge. The ability to turn off restores the sense of control. However, along with the upgrade, there are many questions arising. For example, will the decision to use the "Super Resolution" tag really eliminate all the doubts about project transparency? In what way is the algorithm going to handle very low-quality uploads? The move also questions the authority of the platform in content modification, considering that only the uploaded quality changes while the original file remains untouched. To put it another way, the adoption of AI upscaling for low-resolution videos by YouTube signifies a major upgrade not only for the creators but also for the viewers. The platform aims to provide a top-notch experience by delivering visual quality improvement on big screens, introducing new upload-related tools like larger thumbnails, and enhancing the discovery of content through TV apps. Additionally, the choice to opt out and the clear labeling serve as a way of maintaining the balance between and platform-driven enhancement.