YouTube is rolling out a new wave of updates designed to enhance the appearance and performance of videos on television screens. The changes include automatic AI upscaling for lower-resolution content and enhanced shopping tools that connect viewers directly to products featured in videos.
The AI upscaling system will automatically enhance videos uploaded in resolutions between 240p and 720p, upgrading them to near-HD quality through machine learning. The feature is designed to improve visual clarity for older uploads or videos viewed on larger screens. YouTube confirmed that creators will retain access to their original files and can opt out of upscaling if they prefer to preserve the unaltered version.
Smarter shopping and creator tools
Alongside visual improvements, YouTube is expanding its integrated shopping experience for TV users. The update introduces a QR code feature that allows viewers to scan products displayed on-screen, linking them directly to purchase pages. Creators can also tag products within specific moments of their videos.
The company is further refining its TV interface with a redesigned home preview layout and a new “Shows” mode, aimed at channels that organize content by season or episode. These updates are part of YouTube’s ongoing investment in the connected TV space, which the company has identified as one of its fastest-growing viewing platforms.