If there’s one thing that’s been a hot topic in Chrome’s upcoming 86 update, it seems to be efficiency. Users are expecting a new data-saving feature called“LiteVideo.” This feature “forces” videos to play in standard definition (SD) by “pretending” that connection is slow, so sites will switch to SD playback resolution instead of HD. This will reduce the amount of data used, helping to save data while streaming, while also helping videos load faster and play smoother on “bad” connections.
Like many of the upcoming features in Chrome 86, the “LiteVideo” feature is currently in the experimental stage. You can try it out by downloading Chrome Canary and enabling the two experimental flags that control the setting. This is available on Chrome, Android, Windows, Mac , and Chrome OS. Chrome Canary is separate from the regular Chrome app, so it can be installed and used without replacing the stable version of Chrome. You can also easily switch to Chrome or another browserif you encounter bugs or stability issues with Canary.
How can you try Chrome's “LiteVideo” feature early?
- Download, install, and launch Chrome Canary on your device.
- Open a new tab and go to chrome://flags.
- Use the search box to find “Enable LiteVideos” and use the drop-down box to set the flag to “Enabled”.
- Look for “Force LiteVideos decision” and set it to “Enabled”.
- Restart Chrome Canary for the changes to take effect.
Enabling the flags is only necessary while testing the feature. It’s hard to say how users will enable LiteVideo in its final form, but it’s likely to be much easier than it is now. Experimental features are being “rolled back” or canceled altogether. For now, however, using “LiteVideo” in Chrome Canary allows you to save some data and reduce video loading times.
