[Zelizz]

> For example, by not supporting open-source video codecs, you wouldn’t be able to watch YouTube in 4K HDR or 8K even if you bought a Roku device that supports that resolution.

There are two sides to this, the encoding side and the decoding side. Google can frame it charitably towards themselves by saying "the Roku won't be able play 4K HDR", but we could just as easily frame it as "Google doesn't want to encode non-AV1 4K HDR". Both companies are trying to save costs, but Google's trying to frame it as Roku failing its users (users which are Google's as well, if they're trying to watch YouTube TV).

To be clear, I think open-source codecs are great, and it makes sense for devices (especially plugged-in / home internet devices) to support as many as is reasonable.

[cpeterso]

Google already encodes 4K VP9 streams for youtube.com desktop browsers. Roku supports VP9 playback, though perhaps YouTube TV has unique requirements for DRM video playback? Or perhaps Roku's VP9 decoder doesn't support 4K?

[tomComb]

But it's quite possible that the Roku devices won't be capable of supporting those higher resolutions using the older codecs.

Not saying that is the case - I don't know, but I don't think you do either.