SPOTLIGHT: YouTube tests HD

YouTube has been quietly upping its quality, testing a HD version on selected clips. According VideoHelp.com if you add &fmt=6 or &fmt=18 to the end of a video link it returns a H.264 encoded clip at 480×360 resolution with a bit-rate up to 850K. Compare the low and high quality versions. At the same time, owner Google has confirmed it is aiming at a live service some time this year. YouTube co-founder, Steve Chen, confirmed a 2008 timetable to pop17.com video blogger Sarah Meyers. Live HD backed by Google will scare anyone trying to make it in the video conferencing world.