YouTube Adding 60FPS Livestreaming Functionality

Following the introduction of 60fps video playback last year, YouTube on Thursday announced a new update that will let people conduct 60fps livestreams. The one catch, at least for now, is that the higher frame rate is only supported as part of an early preview for HTML5-compatible browsers.

"When you start a live stream on YouTube at 60fps, we'll transcode your stream into 720p60 and 1080p60, which means silky smooth playback for gaming and other fast-action videos," YouTube explained in a statement. "We'll also make your stream available in 30fps on devices where high frame rate viewing is not yet available, while we work to expand support in the coming weeks."

YouTube said it appreciates that better frame rate is a key concern for video game streams. As such, the Google-owned video giant has worked with game capture technology companies like Elgato and XSplit for new version of their capture technology. The new versions of Elgato Game Capture, XSplit Broadcaster, and XSplit Gamecaster are available now, YouTube said.

What's more, YouTube pointed out that any app using the site's new livestreaming API can mark their stream to run at 60fps.

In addition, YouTube has rolled out what it called another highly requested feature for livestreaming: HTML5 playback.

"As of this week, YouTube live streams will use an HTML5 player in supported browsers," YouTube said. "And because our HTML5 player supports variable speed playback, you can skip backward in a stream while it’s live and watch at 1.5x or 2x speed to catch back up."

The introduction of 60fps livestreaming, and more announcements to come later, are part of YouTube's effort to go head-to-head with Twitch. According to a report from March, "Gaming and eSports in particular are going to be a big driving force for the new-look YouTube Live."