How to dim everything around a YouTube video
Updated · tested in Chrome
Short answer
YouTube has theater mode (a wider player) and ambient mode (a glow around it), but nothing that dims the page. ytbud’s Cinema mode fades everything around the player to near black after 5 seconds without mouse movement. Move the mouse and the page comes back.
Add to Chrome — it’s freeWhat YouTube offers
Theater mode (press T) widens the player. Ambient mode adds a soft glow taken from the video’s colors. Both leave the title, comments and suggestions fully lit.
With ytbud, step by step
- Add ytbud to Chrome.
- Open Tools and turn on Cinema mode.
- Play a video and let go of the mouse. After 5 seconds the page fades to 85% black around the player.
- Move the mouse or press a key to bring it back. Nothing dims while the video is paused.
Good to know
- Works in theater mode
- The dimmed area follows the player when you resize the window or scroll.
- Add focus tools
- Hide comments and recommendations so even the bright frame has nothing pulling at you.
Questions
Does cinema mode work in fullscreen?
Fullscreen already hides the page, so cinema mode stays out of the way there.
Can I turn cinema mode on with a key?
Yes. Custom shortcuts can turn any tool on or off, Cinema mode included.