As of next week, YouTube will start supporting 1080p HD videos in full resolution. The HD mode will feature both 720p and 1080p, depending on the resolution of the original source. Videos that have already been uploaded at 1080p will be re-encoded to be displayed properly.

According to Google, although many people will still upload low quality content, they made the move to have the capability to support the ever increasing quality of consumer cameras, faster Internet connections, and the capabilities of personal computers to handle the data. Some criticize the fact that a lot of people don’t have computers capable of displaying a high enough frame rate for HD videos on YouTube at the moment. Regardless, the company feels it is necessary to keep up with the current technology sooner rather than later.

The move also allows for higher quality, professionally produced content to be featured on YouTube. It’s an important step for Google if it ever wants to see YouTube become profitable, as companies seem to be a little shy to place advertisements beside random amateur videos. Because of that, there’s been a little bit of quality control done in terms of which videos are deemed appropriate for advertisers. Personally, I think they go a little bit overboard. For example, they haven’t yet monetized videos of Susan Boyle on Britian’s Got Talent even though they’ve received well over 100 million views.

Check out these images below to get a sense of the difference in quality:

Standard - 360p

HQ - 480p

HD - 720p

HD - 1080p