Enhanced TV
On the Google Graveyard, bad restoration work, and the plan to "enhance" YouTube
In a bid to improve its position to generate cash from advertising, Google has announced “new tools designed to make any YouTube content a premier experience on TV”. That’s an energetic way of saying that they will artificially increase the resolution on videos that were uploaded at any resolution less than 1080p HD.
■ In theory, it could be harmless -- though the reliance upon artificial intelligence to deliberately alter old content is a bit unnerving. And, to its credit, Google says it will ensure that a “clear option to opt-out” remains for content creators, and that viewers can disable the feature within a few clicks.
■ But there are still problems. One is that Google is notorious for policy changes on short notice, and with little or no reason. The “Google Graveyard“ is full and growing even more crowded by the day. Who is to say they won’t change policy again in a few years? Authorship ought to mean something, even if it means that something in standard definition.
■ The other matter is that it reflects a willingness to play fast and loose with the truth. Turnerization drew no small number of critics, and for good reason -- “Casablanca” is perfect in its original black and white. Most YouTube videos are far from historically notable, but taking liberties with basic knowledge is a hazardous undertaking. Restorations gone awry offer a fairly cautionary tale about what can happen when someone other than the author decides to “touch up”.
