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YouTube receives HTML5 1080p playback, testing new Flash features

YouTube receives HTML5 1080p playback, testing new Flash features

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The YouTube HTML5 player has added some new features including 1080p playback, but Google hasn't abandoned Flash. It's now testing changes such as buffer-free playback and seamless transition between quality settings.

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Avengers YouTube HTML5
Avengers YouTube HTML5

While Adobe moves away from Flash, YouTube is continuing its push for Google's open source WebM format by adding support for 1080p playback to its HTML5 player. Other new HTML5 features include native fullscreen playback, closed captioning, annotations, and a new menu that makes it easier to embed and share videos. It's worth noting that the YouTube HTML5 player is still in trial mode; to opt in, hit the source link and get a glimpse into a Flash-free future. 

Google hasn't abandoned Flash on YouTube, however. Today we came across some notable changes including buffer-free playback and seamless transition between quality settings. These features don't appear to work for all videos yet, but you can see them in action by checking out the YouTube clip we've linked below.

Youtube-html5-contextual-menu