Since YouTube are offerning higher quality playback, surely there should be an easy way to embed videos in this grandiose new quality too. There is indeed, even though YouTube are not very forthcoming with how this works. Fret not, the Guru can help you!
You know how to embed a standard video into your posts/websites? Sure you do, by copying the code that’s in the EMBED box on YouTube.
Notice that there are two URLs present in this code (one is for Internet Explorer, one is for Firefox & Co. Amend both URLs with the following code:
&hl=en&fs=1&ap=%2526fmt%3D22
Voila, your video is now embedded in HD.
Compare these two examples if you will:
15 Ways to empty a Water Glass (SD)
15 Ways to empty a Water Glass (HD)
Have a look at the source code of this page for an exact example, if my explanation isn’t detailed enough. Enjoy!
Both videos really look the same in my Google Chrome 21
This article is over three years old and I guess no longer relevant. YouTube have changed the way you can implement several times over the years. I believe now the bandwidth is checked automatically and the displayed picture quality changed accordingly.