Database Users

Youtube Playback... HORRIBLE quality!

Hello everyone, I'm a new S4 i9505 "happy" owner.
I'm happy with everything about my new phone, EXCEPT when it comes to the Youtube application.
Whether I'm on 3G/4G or Wifi, the quality of videos is definitely BAD... borders look blurry, unacceptable. And I'm talking about HD videos. Videos that are supposed to be 1080p.
Yes, the HD option is turned on.
My friend owns an HTC One and Youtube videos looks just great, just the way they're supposed to be.
How is this possible? Do I have a defective device? In any other situation the display looks perfectly fine.
Did anybody else notice this?
Thanks in advance.

I just checked and it happens to me too ... i have the gt i9500 ...

have you guys tried updating the application an update came out a couple of days back ...
i hav i9500 and didnt face any problems like this till now....

UPDATE:
Ok, this is pretty strange.
I decided to uninstall the downloaded Youtube app and restore the stock one (I run the latest Samsung firmware).
SURPRISE! Problem is GONE! Videos are now crystal clear! Just as they should be.
I wander where the problem is with the latest Youtube app... During the playback I click the "HD" symbol (option on top right of the screen) and it seems turned ON (no red line under though.
Anyone else tried??

Quality on my i9100 is poor even in hd. I'm running carbon room 1.8 and things were fine before YouTube update...

I have the same problem on my Galaxy S2 LTE. It has nothing to do with my network, Wi-Fi, or video quality as I've read elsewhere.
Videos looked clear with the old YouTube, but when they updated the interface, videos look pixelated when in full screen. It's like they left out the smoothing for when videos get resized.

Yup I can confirm the video quality on the latest YouTube app it terrible.
I used an older version and it's great
Sent from my GT-I9505 whilst taking a s**t

Obagleyfreer said:
Yup I can confirm the video quality on the latest YouTube app it terrible.
I used an older version and it's great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well, no. Video quality on the latest Youtube app (v5.021) is simply awesome :good:

Have you increased the video quality in setting's? I'm playing full 1080 videos. No issues here
Sent from my GT-I9505 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

I have the same problem with the new UI (latest version). Playing movies in HD quality looks a lot worse than in the previous version. Don't really wanna roll back because I love the new design. Hope someone finds a fix.
Sent from my Desire HD running Musta 's CM10.1

Anyone found a solution yet?
I hate the new version's video quality.

I 've been Googling for a solution but haven't found one yet. There are multiple topics about this though but none have a solution:
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=2414543
http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/youtube/nRKQSLD95Qw
http://forums.digitalspy.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1885518
http://androidforums.com/nexus-7-2013/765061-youtube-poor-video-quality.html
I wonder if it 's only a minority that is bothered by it or if people just don't see it. I 'm gonna do a rollback and I 'll try and post a before & after pic to show the difference.

Ok, I 've made a comparison of one of my movies with the two latest versions:
Version 4.5.17 (previous version of Youtube, with the old UI):
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Version 5.0.21 (latest version of Youtube, with the new UI):
You can clearly see a difference especially around the edges. It 's harder to spot in a still than in a movie but you can still see it. Look closely at the edges of my jacket, the snow, the funbox or the treeline
I 'm sticking with version 4.5.17 until Google fixes this. Even though I like the new UI, it doesn't really add anything besides the stupid floating window which I actually find annoying.
My device is a Desire HD running Mustaavalkosta 's CM10.1 SR1.1 ROM. Resolution of this device is 800x480 on a 4.3" screen.

People keep assuming it's to do with video quality, but it's not. Poor video quality creates a kind of fuzzy blurry. Bad resizing without smoothing (is it called interpolation or anti aliasing?) creates a sharp pixelated effect which is what's happening.

yingjai said:
People keep assuming it's to do with video quality, but it's not. Poor video quality creates a kind of fuzzy blurry. Bad resizing without smoothing (is it called interpolation or anti aliasing?) creates a sharp pixelated effect which is what's happening.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That is exactly what it looks like. You see this a lot in games but I had never seen this before in movies. It 's like they disabled AA for some reason.

Got the new Galaxy Note 3 and am glad to say the pixelated effect is not present on stock Jellybean. It is still present on my Skyrocket with CM11, but I guess it doesn't matter anymore.
Sent from my SM-N900W8 using XDA Premium 4 mobile app

The latest version finally solved this!!

Last version of youtube and no problem:thumbup:
Sent from my SM-N9005 using xda app-developers app

cant see the difference between 1080p and 4k (while zooming)

Hi,
I have noticed that I cant see any difference between 1080p and 4k while zooming, since 4k has alot more pixels it should be much sharper but it isnt.. does anyone has the same problem?

TheNewLegend said:
Hi,
I have noticed that I cant see any difference between 1080p and 4k while zooming, since 4k has alot more pixels it should be much sharper but it isnt.. does anyone has the same problem?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You will only see it if you have a 4k tv n3 only has 1080p display

jaythenut said:
You will only see it if you have a 4k tv n3 only has 1080p display
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Wait, wait, wait... we are speaking about Zoom here.. in 1:1 ration ofc you cant se 2160 pixels if your phone can only show them 1080 but when you zoom, lets say 4x zoom you only see 1/4 of the picture meaning it should be perfect, pixel per pixel, you get 1080p from 4x zoom of a 4K picture.. 4K is exactly 4 times larger...
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
As seen here 1080p is 1/4 of 4k.. so whem 4x zoom you should get one quarter of 4k picture which makes it 1080p...
Am i doing it right?

ryanrazer said:
Wait, wait, wait... we are speaking about Zoom here.. in 1:1 ration ofc you cant se 2160 pixels if your phone can only show them 1080 but when you zoom, lets say 4x zoom you only see 1/4 of the picture meaning it should be perfect, pixel per pixel, you get 1080p from 4x zoom of a 4K picture.. 4K is exactly 4 times larger...
As seen here 1080p is 1/4 of 4k.. so whem 4x zoom you should get one quarter of 4k picture which makes it 1080p...
Am i doing it right?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Use MX Player & report.

still no difference..
maybe the phone plays the 4k video at 1080p?

No playback
TheNewLegend said:
still no difference..
maybe the phone plays the 4k video at 1080p?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
As stated here: http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-note-3-review-01299556/
Too bad, i thought we are able to watch 4K... looks like videos are only going to sit there and wait to be played on 4K TV... :/

ryanrazer said:
As stated here: http://www.slashgear.com/samsung-galaxy-note-3-review-01299556/
Too bad, i thought we are able to watch 4K... looks like videos are only going to sit there and wait to be played on 4K TV... :/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Ah thats sad ><
I thought about it more and i still think theres should be a difference in the quality, thats because i zoom in while recording the video (and not in the playback) so it should play the zoomed video at 1080p

TheNewLegend said:
Ah thats sad ><
I thought about it more and i still think theres should be a difference in the quality, thats because i zoom in while recording the video (and not in the playback) so it should play the zoomed video at 1080p
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree with you. in theory (on paper) 4X zoom should be as good as 1080p video, as sharp... but i guess paper lies...

Almost 3 months ago when I heard the N3 could record at 4k, I wondered what we would watch the videos on.
(you guys are not too far behind) - lol

[q] my youtube is stuck on 720p

Can any one please help me My note 4 won't play 1440p resolution iv have downgraded back to stock youtube but still no luck still showing 720p and its really frustrating me a lot so please can someone help me out

Are you sure the videos you're trying to watch have the 1440p option available in the first place? Not a lot of videos do at the moment.

iridaki said:
Are you sure the videos you're trying to watch have the 1440p option available in the first place? Not a lot of videos do at the moment.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
yes it is 1440p video has its showing up on computer

x5rash said:
yes it is 1440p video has its showing up on computer
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Can you link me to it so I can test it on my Note 4 too and get back to you? Because the videos I've tried give me the 1440p option. But bare in mind, you need to have a pretty good connection to be able to stream in such resolution.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

iridaki said:
Can you link me to it so I can test it on my Note 4 too and get back to you? Because the videos I've tried give me the 1440p option. But bare in mind, you need to have a pretty good connection to be able to stream in such resolution.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Have you got the latest youtube app installed ? here are the 2 videos you can try
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scx...aha5uYXxwDJi1SH-Y_RKvRjL&index=5&spfreload=10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p56_y43UuEk&spfreload=10

x5rash said:
Have you got the latest youtube app installed ? here are the 2 videos you can try
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Scx...aha5uYXxwDJi1SH-Y_RKvRjL&index=5&spfreload=10
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p56_y43UuEk&spfreload=10
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, I update YouTube every time there's an update on the Play Store.
Both of those videos you sent me play in 1440p just fine. It may just be your connection. YouTube won't stream in high quality unless it detects a high speed connection.

iridaki said:
Yes, I update YouTube every time there's an update on the Play Store.
Both of those videos you sent me play in 1440p just fine. It may just be your connection. YouTube won't stream in high quality unless it detects a high speed connection.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well I have 152meg connection both of those videos play fine on my computer

I have same problem
And I have 140 mb fibre optic broadband I don't think it's related to internet speed

@ iridaki please could you tell me which version on youtube you got a screenshot would be great

x5rash said:
@ iridaki please could you tell me which version on youtube you got a screenshot would be great
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yeah, sure.

iridaki said:
Yeah, sure.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I wonder why isn't mine working got really good connection too.

x5rash said:
I wonder why isn't mine working got really good connection too.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Could it be country-related then? I don't know, I'm out of ideas! ?

iridaki said:
Could it be country-related then? I don't know, I'm out of ideas!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well am in u.k I dont know

x5rash said:
Well am in u.k I dont know
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Me too, so it's not that either.
I honestly have no idea, but I suspect it's a problem on Google's side, not the phone's.

Try tubemate. It gives every available resolution in every possible connection n device. BTW you can use 3rd party players with tubemate too which is a good thing if you use MX player. Download the tubemate apk. There's no playstore version. My YouTube doesn't even give more than 480p. It's just device oriented. It will not give you higher res than your phone's display res.
Sent from my Micromax A106

Sign out of youtube, in app manager, force stop youtube, clear cache and data. Sign in to youtube. You may need to fo it few time untill 1440 option become avaiable. Sometimes helps restarting phone before signing in to youtube.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app

darekz said:
Sign out of youtube, in app manager, force stop youtube, clear cache and data. Sign in to youtube. You may need to fo it few time untill 1440 option become avaiable. Sometimes helps restarting phone before signing in to youtube.
Sent from my SM-N910T using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It worked for me.
Thanks a lot.

10mbps connection here lol, 1440p seems to work fine
That's from a G3

try consulting with any nearby Samsung mobile expert

Sent from my SM-N910F using XDA Free mobile app

Camera (video) suggestions

I like Cabrera on this phone photos with proshot are awesome.
However I've not seen many video camera apps, can you guys share which are your favorite and key features if possible thanks.
I'm using default video capture (on benzo ROM) for now but I've not figured out slow motion setting of camera
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

wis3m0nkey said:
However I've not seen many video camera apps, can you guys share which are your favorite and key features if possible thanks.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Cinema FV-5.... it has a lot of the manual controls that are available from Camera FV-5.. one thing I really like is that you can set it fix focus, then have the volume down set to refocus (or you can tap the screen). This will eliminate the Google Camera's tendency to refocus a little bit too often.
As far slow motion, not sure if there are any 3rd party video apps that'll do that.

To do slow motion on this phone its at the top right, right beside the flash icon. You tap it once for 120 and then again for 240 fps

LeoRex said:
Cinema FV-5.... it has a lot of the manual controls that are available from Camera FV-5.. one thing I really like is that you can set it fix focus, then have the volume down set to refocus (or you can tap the screen). This will eliminate the Google Camera's tendency to refocus a little bit too often.
As far slow motion, not sure if there are any 3rd party video apps that'll do that.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks I'll give it a try.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

jcmaddox1 said:
To do slow motion on this phone its at the top right, right beside the flash icon. You tap it once for 120 and then again for 240 fps
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I suppose I've a different version of app, check the screenshot that's all the settings I've.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

wis3m0nkey said:
I suppose I've a different version of app, check the screenshot that's all the settings I've.
View attachment 3613294
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's the old version of the Google camera.. Not sure how or why you have that. I'd go update it from here.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.GoogleCamera
It's supposed to look like this.
http://m.imgur.com/U2HHV8W

jcmaddox1 said:
That's the old version of the Google camera.. Not sure how or why you have that. I'd go update it from here.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.GoogleCamera
It's supposed to look like this.
http://m.imgur.com/U2HHV8W
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Thanks, it's a part of ROM and I didn't even bother to try stock android for more than 2 days so didn't even notice it [emoji20]
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

I mean, it should've updated itself regardless of being stock or not unless you have auto updates off. But you should see the slow motion option now when in video mode, and you may noticed improve photo quality as well.

Proshot has a video mode with manual controls too.
Filmic Pro is great if you want to use your phone for more serious videos.

Does this phone have the ability to take photos while shooting video. My last phone was a htc max one and it was able to do that.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app

JeffBea said:
Does this phone have the ability to take photos while shooting video. My last phone was a htc max one and it was able to do that.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using XDA Free mobile app
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No, it doesn't. Maybe some 3rd party apps could....

asylumxl said:
Proshot has a video mode with manual controls too.
Filmic Pro is great if you want to use your phone for more serious videos.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Just found it out by mistake when I pressed that tiny red dot. I'm gonna try sticking with proshot since I like it already.
I'll look at filmic pro.
Sent from my Nexus 6P using Tapatalk

S7 video quality issues

Got my S7 edge late Friday night and took it to the beach to test out on Saturday.
I have to say, I'm taking it back if the issue I experienced isn't fixable.
https://youtu.be/6pCRRbB-Zh4
The video in the link was filmed in FHD 60 FPS, and the issue is the 'color banding' or fragmentation visible in the color of the sky throughout the recordings. Instead of being a smooth backdrop, the colors of the sky frequently seem to fragment /group up and become blocky, almost like the video is poorly compressed. Particularly visible from 1:15 onwards.
I watched someone else's video sample online and it didn't seem to suffer the same issue. Ive had a look at the settings and can't seem to see anything that may cause this. Anyone have any ideas or similar issues?

Bump - anyone else?

Let me help https://youtu.be/6pCRRbB-Zh4, now people can actually link to it. [emoji2] also I haven't seen this on mine.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Thanks @h3ck. I think I must have a dud device - this is a screenshot of the issue in 4k, too, taken directly from my phone.
I'm trying to work with Samsung now to work out what is wrong. Looks to be compression related.
{
"lightbox_close": "Close",
"lightbox_next": "Next",
"lightbox_previous": "Previous",
"lightbox_error": "The requested content cannot be loaded. Please try again later.",
"lightbox_start_slideshow": "Start slideshow",
"lightbox_stop_slideshow": "Stop slideshow",
"lightbox_full_screen": "Full screen",
"lightbox_thumbnails": "Thumbnails",
"lightbox_download": "Download",
"lightbox_share": "Share",
"lightbox_zoom": "Zoom",
"lightbox_new_window": "New window",
"lightbox_toggle_sidebar": "Toggle sidebar"
}

< for reference
I see what you mean, I haven't taken enough video to notice this, but when are you seeing this? After you export, after you upload, on the device itself, etc? Also, I noticed when I went to you video on YouTube it wasn't in 60fps. Not sure if you realized that.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

h3ck said:
< for reference
I see what you mean, I haven't taken enough video to notice this, but when are you seeing this? After you export, after you upload, on the device itself, etc? Also, I noticed when I went to you video on YouTube it wasn't in 60fps. Not sure if you realized that.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This is actually from the device itself (the lock in the top corner is an s7 function and has appeared in the screenshot) - I think the fact the FHD version wasn't in 60FPS yet was maybe due to being uploaded recently - it's in 60FPS now. I've been testing this afternoon with my Note Edge - definitely better video quality on the old Note

I'm curious how it compares to s6. I had s6 and camera was magnificent. This one is supposed to be better.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

h3ck said:
I'm curious how it compares to s6. I had s6 and camera was magnificent. This one is supposed to be better.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I actually read a review that said the camera is better in low light but worse in daylight/where there are bright lights and/or sunlight. For me, it has a really similar effect to the old Ultrapixel cameras on the first couple of HTC Ones, i.e. when there is bright light in a photo, it just 'whites out' for want of a better word - completely loses all definition.
A photo of my living room with a lamp on just shows the lamp as a completely white orb, with no definition (Playing around with ISO and shutter speed don't help much at all.), whereas on my old Note Edge (same cam as the s6 I believe), you can make out the edges of the lamp.

CTIGUK said:
Bump - anyone else?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
What camera module do you have in your phone ? Sony IMX 260 or Samsung Britecell ? Install Aida64 to find out.

Cst79 said:
What camera module do you have in your phone ? Sony IMX 260 or Samsung Britecell ? Install Aida64 to find out.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Hi CST - I have the Sony IMX

I think I see what the error is with the video. It looks like when you actually export the video the compression on it changes the quality. I would compare the actual video on the phone itself prior to exporting versus the video when it was exported. I see a significant degradation in video quality from post and pre exportation.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

So I read that YouTube doesn't even support 60fps on s7 edge yet (for viewing, so that explains why it wasn't an option for me). Secondly, what I previously mentioned holds true about conversion. Idk how people are keeping s7 video at 60 fps because mine seems to convert to plain 1080P when I trim the clip and export.
Sent from my SM-G935V using Tapatalk

Update - playlist featuring 3 videos indicating the blockiness and compression artifacts can be found here - others are beginning to notice the same issue
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLjb1yvLQUxljakYRkd-RlPr00COjSOCcw
Also, YouTube does allow 60fps - not sure where you read that. and this artifacting is visible on the phone - i have to use youtube to be able to share samples of the problem.

next time, you can upload the original video file to dropbox or pcloud , others can view it online or download it.