Sorry to say, that it totally depends on where you are in the world and what player you use..
Meaning Chrome have HTML5 support for YouTube, makes you be able to play almost the RAW data John uploads.
If you use any other browser, its encoded via Flash that makes the picture look like it have always done!
But you should also remember that its not only the browser, Video card, Screen(Monitor) do also play a big part in this..
So for me, I still see every video in 720p, if I'm on my computer, 360p on my other gadgets!
Anyway, John do a really freaking amazing job, so keep it up..!
Its interesting that he tries out new standard formats, and can just say that the improvements from when he started his channel is amazing..!
Ether-way, cant wait until his next DK challenge attempt..!