Google's YouTube portal, which until now used Adobe Flash for video
delivery in most Web browsers, will be ditching it in favour of HTML5 as
its default platform. The search giant has been experimenting on the
same since
2010. It is worth mentioning that rival companies like Microsoft and
Apple along with other video services like Netflix and Vimeo already use
HTML5.
YouTube will be using HTML5 to playback content on Chrome,
Internet Explorer 11, Safari 8 and the beta versions of Firefox
browsers. Richard Leider, Engineering Manager of YouTube added
that HTML5's benefits "extend beyond Web browsers" and is also used in
Smart TVs and streaming devices.
Notably, HTML5 now includes the
ABR (Adaptive Bitrate) support that offers less buffering in videos -
the reason Google attributes to the delay of the YouTube HTML5 rollout.
It offers quick jump between different video resolution and bitrates
based on changing network conditions. According to Leider, the HTML5's
ABR "has reduced buffering by more than 50 percent globally and as much
as 80 percent on heavily-congested networks." MediaSource extensions
will also support live streaming of games via Xbox One and PlayStation
4.
The VP9 codec is also supported by HTML5, delivering higher quality video resolution with a 35 percent bandwidth reduction.This
will let users view 4K videos quicker and 15-80 percent faster. Other
features in HTML5 include WebRTC for better video broadcasting
experience, Encrypted media extensions for content protection and a
better immersive full screen view.
Leider also encouraged video
embedders to use the <iframe> API as it will "intelligently use
whichever technology the client supports."
Google has been
consistently improving the YouTube experience of users both on PC and on
mobile devices. The firm last week updated its YouTube app on Android
bringing
new features and earlier this month also confirmed the upcoming support
for 360-degree videos.
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