Is Bigger Always Better? YouTube Resizes Video Player

Whether you were sitting in front of your computer to witness the phenomenon the moment it occurred, or you just so happened to stumble upon it during your most recent YouTube extravaganza, it has happened. YouTube has changed the size of its video player from a 4:3 screen ratio to a 16:9 screen ratio.

While movie trailers and widescreen monitors already utilized the 16:9 screen ratio, YouTube videos were being played on a 4:3 ratio.

So why make this abrupt shift? Well, YouTube claims that this move was made due to the large amount of feedback requesting this transition. Additionally, YouTube states that the wider player allows for a “cleaner, more powerful viewing experience.”

So what do you do in the case that you already have a video on YouTube in a 4:3 ratio?

Not to worry! The only significance that this move will have on your preexisting 4:3 ratio videos will be the black borders on the left and right sides of the screen where your video does not fill in the entire 16:9 box.

However, videos that have been reworked from an original ratio of 16:9 down to a 4:3 in the past will be surrounded by black bars, above and below and side to side.

The videos that are already in 16:9 will encompass the entire screen.