Youtube Bringing 4K & The VP9 Codec!

CES 2014 kicks off next week in Las Vegas, and according to a report from GigaOm, YouTube plans to demonstrate its new 4K resolution streaming capabilities with a smattering of hardware manufacturers. But more than just demonstrations of ultra-HD streaming, YouTube is also planning to show off its new video codec, VP9. The latter could mean faster loading times for online video, even if you're watching on a sub-4K display.

Google started to slowly roll out its royalty-free VP9 codec over the last year, with compatibility showing up in Chrome and a few other select browsers and video players. While a switch from the relatively wide-spread use of the popular H.265 codec will take some time, Google has already found hardware partners in 19 major companies including Sony, Intel, Samsung, and Panasonic. YouTube's Francisco Varela claims the low-bandwidth requirements of VP9--roughly half of H.265 or VP8--should speed up video streams considerably.

"By 2015, you'll be surprised every time you see that spinning wheel," said Varela. The global director of platform partnerships also mentioned H.265 support could very well show up on 4K YouTube streaming, as well.
The first VP9 hardware should appear in the PC and mobile space first, with compatible HDTV units appearing sometime in 2015