Google pumps up YouTube with better HD and recommendation tools

With the video revolution online in full swing, Google (GOOG) kicked it up a notch Thursday with the introduction of 1080p high-definition streaming capability for its YouTube property. That's an increase of more than 30% in picture density from the previous 720p streams. Company product manager Hunter Walk announced the news at the NewTeeVee Live conference in San Francisco, an event that brought together a motley assortment of upstart players (Boxee, Clicker) and industry heavyweights, (CBS Interactive, Comcast, and Cisco Systems).

The news signifies an even deeper commitment by Google, the search giant, to provide video content that rivals what the most sophisticated cable and over-the-air broadcast networks offer.