diff --git a/HANDOFF.md b/HANDOFF.md
index ac06e1c..a92a68e 100644
--- a/HANDOFF.md
+++ b/HANDOFF.md
@@ -7,14 +7,14 @@
 - The top menu background follows YouTube's broadcast status: normal ON-AIR starts red and turns
   green only at `lifeCycleStatus=live`; TEST stays gold; stopping restores the idle surface color.
 - Six creator-supplied output recordings match their named dimensions and frame rates; the creator
-  visually reviewed and accepted them.
+  visually reviewed and accepted them. The vertical YouTube player check is also accepted.
 - The focused top-bar test passes. The last full verification had a clean build and 522/523 tests;
   the only failure was the known `AudioPipelineTests.Mix_HonorsProviderGains_AndGameMute_KillsTheLoopback`.
 - Four untracked `Assets/llamacasty-*` files remain untouched.
 
 ## Next action
 
-- TASK 53 remains the next queued output task: confirm YouTube displays the 9:16 live output without distortion or letterboxing.
+- TASK 53 remains the next queued output task: verify the local vertical MP4 matches the YouTube live output.
 - Do not push absent a checkpoint request.
 
 ## Landmines
diff --git a/TASKS.md b/TASKS.md
index 67b2373..8956bce 100644
--- a/TASKS.md
+++ b/TASKS.md
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ persisted; renderer mirrors `Services/ChatBoxRenderer.cs`.
 > 2026-11-07 are a failure of the plan, not a scheduling note.
 | Task | Status | Scope | Detail |
 |---|---|---|---|
-| 53 | 🔶 **NEXT** | Output-format contract — next slice: confirm YouTube's vertical live-player output; six emitted size/FPS modes have been verified from recordings | [`task-53`](TASKS/task-53-output-formats.md) |
+| 53 | 🔶 **NEXT** | Output-format contract — next slice: verify the local vertical MP4 matches the YouTube live output; all six size/FPS modes and the vertical player view are confirmed | [`task-53`](TASKS/task-53-output-formats.md) |
 | — | ☐ | Output entitlement: change `OutputProfile` and its tests to free at 30 fps / paid at 60 fps, independent of resolution | [`commercial`](docs/ai/commercial.md) |
 | 3·17 | ☐ | **Text layer** — content, font family/size/weight/style, colour, alignment, drag/resize, persisted | [`task-03`](TASKS/task-03-capture-pipeline.md) |
 | 21 | 🔶 | Media source: acquisition wiring + file picker + loop/volume UI (decoder, manager, pacing, loop all shipped — **no `AcquireAsync` caller exists**) | [`task-21`](TASKS/task-21-media-source.md) |
diff --git a/TASKS/task-53-output-formats.md b/TASKS/task-53-output-formats.md
index 4ed2879..9d89752 100644
--- a/TASKS/task-53-output-formats.md
+++ b/TASKS/task-53-output-formats.md
@@ -26,9 +26,9 @@ not promise platform-specific safe zones or keep content clear of every viewer o
 2. ✅ **9:16 output resolution (resolution-only acceptance, 2026-11-04)** — creator-supplied
    `ty-20261104-0927-982-0000-2.mp4` reports H.264 1080×1920 at 60 fps. The creator accepted the
    resolution only; no platform-specific safe-zone promise is part of acceptance.
-3. ☐ **Vertical YouTube live-player check** — private Test Stream at 9:16; confirm YouTube receives
-   and displays a vertical picture without distortion or letterboxing. Record the creator's
-   observation; placement relative to YouTube controls remains creator-controlled.
+3. ✅ **Vertical YouTube live-player check** (creator confirmed 2026-11-04) — the 9:16 stream
+   displays vertically without distortion or letterboxing. Layer placement relative to YouTube
+   controls remains creator-controlled; platform-specific safe zones are not a requirement.
 4. ☐ **Recorded .mp4 matches output** — confirm the vertical local recording uses the same crop and
    composed picture as the live stream, not merely the same dimensions.