In a move that probably should have come a while ago, YouTube will allow its users to set their own default video quality. As reported by Android Police, the platform has also begun testing some simplified video quality pickers.
YouTube and its Music client have been hard at work with many new features over recent weeks and months. This is largely due to the migration of users over from Google Play Music, forcing YouTube to step up its game.
Amongst these new features includes a new share menu that YouTube has started testing. The platform has also begun allowing users to download playlists even if they are free users.
Many of the new features have centred around giving users a bit more choice and freedom. The ability to set your own video quality on YouTube certainly fits into that realm and will be welcomed by a number of users.
YouTube begins to allow users to set own video quality
YouTube giving users the option to set their own default video quality could be of great use. As the screenshots below show this feature is clearly in beta testing.
As shown, you have a number of options for setting your own default video quality. Firstly, you can trust YouTube’s auto setting to pick for you if you do not have a preference.
You can also set default quality settings based on whether you are using data or WiFi to stream the video. For example, you can opt for a lower video quality to conserve data whilst still having high quality streaming on WiFi.
However, there appears to be no way to specifically pick your default video settings for the whole app. You are left with just a higher and lower option which for some will feel like a bit of a lack of detail if you care about video quality.
YouTube also makes changing video quality easier
On top of the ability to set your default quality, YouTube has also been testing the ability to make changing video quality a bit simpler and easier to understand.
The quality picker menu has now been simplified somewhat to reflect this aim. Instead of specific numbers that many probably will not understand YouTube has opted for low (data saver), higher or auto as options.
YouTube also offers an advanced option for those that know what they are doing. This means you can choose more specifically what quality you would like. This should offer greater freedom to users and allow them to more easily change the quality of their videos without being bogged down by jargon.
