Why is internet video so poor?

[buttercup]

Can someone explain to me why internet video (YouTube, etc) is so awful? Obviously, in these days of HD, the video signal itself can be very high quality. Also, the cable and satellite transmission systems obviously can handle the huge data streams required for HD. It can't be bandwidth. Also again, surely Codecs and signal processors can be designed to keep up. So what is the huge problem? What is the bottleneck or holdup along the road from YouTube to my computer monitor that makes the quality so abysmal? How far away are we from having HD on YouTube?

 

[WoodPeckr]

Can someone explain to me why internet video (YouTube, etc) is so awful?

A lot depends on how the clip is first posted.
Some clips are done with good equipment etc, with great results. Other poor quality clips look like they came from a camera phone. Anyone can post a clip, quality will vary greatly depending what was used to post it.

 

[21pro]

it is bandwidth. bandwidth is expensive. and HD video is already available on youtube.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p27cLysfqYc&fmt=22

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8MunK6hft8Y&fmt=22

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hl3Phe3HUZw&fmt=22

those are all compressed from true HD... quality is compromised from the original.