YouTube has announced updates to its embeddable video player, including:

• High-quality start images (thumbnails) – Before you press play on embedded YouTube videos, the thumbnails for the video will be presented in high-quality. 
• Search in embeddable player – At the close of an embedded video, along with the usual recommended videos and URLs, a search box will appear. Not only will you be able search from within the embedded player, you will be able to watch videos through the same window. 
• Integrated video annotations – Annotations enable video producers to incorporate text information into their videos, create choose your own adventure-style stories or add links to any YouTube video. People watching videos through the embedded player can now join the fun.
• Integrated closed captions – Closed Captions are now available in embedded videos.

These are all welcome updates, especially high-quality start images.

Video search within embeds helps YouTube extend the reach of its site further into the places people have embedded video, but it does it in a way that’s useful to both site owners and end users.