YouTube Introduces Option to Disable AI Upscaling on Low-Resolution Videos
YouTube announced today that users will soon be able to opt out of the platform’s AI‑driven upscaling feature for low‑resolution videos, a move aimed at giving viewers more control over playback quality on television screens and other large displays.
The change comes as part of a broader set of updates intended to improve YouTube’s TV experience. In addition to the upscaling toggle, the company is rolling out higher‑resolution rendering for compatible content and integrating shopping tools that allow viewers to explore product links directly from video interfaces. The AI upscaling, which uses machine‑learning algorithms to enhance pixel density, has been rolled out gradually over the past year, but some users reported visual artifacts or a loss of the original aesthetic of older footage.
Industry analysts note that the ability to disable the feature responds to mixed feedback from both creators and audiences. “While AI enhancement can make older or low‑budget videos look sharper on modern TVs, it can also alter the creator’s intended look,” said a spokesperson for a media‑technology research firm. YouTube’s engineering team clarified that the new setting will appear in the video playback menu on smart‑TV apps and compatible streaming devices, allowing users to toggle the enhancement on or off for each video or set a default preference.
Experts also highlighted the broader context of YouTube’s push into the living‑room ecosystem. The platform has been expanding its partnership with TV manufacturers and testing interactive shopping overlays that let viewers purchase items featured in videos without leaving the app. “These initiatives reflect a strategy to keep viewers engaged on larger screens while opening new revenue streams,” a market analyst observed.
Regulatory observers have praised the move as a step toward greater transparency and user choice in algorithmic content handling. “Providing an opt‑out respects consumer preferences and mitigates potential concerns about automated alterations to media,” a consumer‑rights group representative commented.
Looking ahead, YouTube plans to monitor usage data and user satisfaction with the opt‑out feature before considering further refinements to its AI tools. The company indicated that additional updates, including more granular control over other automated enhancements, could be introduced later in the year.
