View source for VLC GPU Decoding

= Introduction to GPU decoding in VLC  =

The {{VLC}} framework can use your '''''graphic card''''' (aka GPU) to decode H.264 streams (wrongly called HD&nbsp;videos) under certain circumstances. 

VLC, in its '''modular''' approach and its transcoding/streaming capabilities, does decoding in GPU at the '''decoding stage only''' and then gets the data back to go to the other stages (streaming, filtering or plug any video output after that). 

What that means is that, compared to some other implementation, GPU decoding in VLC can be slower because it needs to get the ''data back from the GPU''. But you can plug '''ANY''' video output (sink) to it and use '''all '''the VLC video filters. 

== Operating System support ==
=== Windows  ===
VLC 1.1 supports [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX_Video_Acceleration DxVA] in its version '''2.0'''. That means that ''Windows Vista'', ''Windows 2008'' or ''Windows 7'' are '''required'''. If you are using ''Windows XP'', VLC cannot work for you yet. 

=== Linux  ===

On Linux, there is code for VDPAU and VAAPI. There is also some code for a VAAPI video output, that isn't merged in the current Git. 

Read [[VLC_VAAPI]] and [thresh's blog|http://strangestone.livejournal.com/107092.html] for more details.

=== Mac OS X  ===
Mac OS X (X.6.3) provides a [http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/technotes/tn2010/tn2267.html new API] for decoding in GPU. This isn't working yet with VLC. Help is welcome.

== Activation ==
To activate such a functionnality, use the VLC preferences.
[[File:VLC_GPU.png]]

= Requirements for Windows DxVA2 in VLC =

To check your DxVA compatibility, please '''download [http://bluesky23.hp.infoseek.co.jp/en/index.html#DXVAChecker DxVA Checker]'''

== Graphic card compatibility on Windows<br> ==

=== nVidia  ===

For nVidia GPU, you are '''required''' to use a GPU supporting [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_PureVideo PureVideo] in its 2nd generation (VP2 or newer), which means that you need a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeForce_8_Series GeForce 8], [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeForce_9_Series GeForce 9] (advised), [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GeForce_200_Series GeForce 200] or newer. 

We '''recommend''' strongly VP3 or VP4 GPU.

To be sure, check your GPU against this table on [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nvidia_PureVideo#Table_of_PureVideo_.28HD.29_GPUs wikipedia] and check if you are VP2 or newer. 

=== ATI  ===

For ATI GPUs, you '''NEED''' Catalyst 10.7, that is just out. 

Then, you are required to use a GPU supporting [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Video_Decoder Unified Video Decoder]. 

We believe you need a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Video_Decoder#UVD_enabled_GPUs GPU supporting UVD2], like HD4xxx, 5xxx or 3200. One might have success with UVD+ GPU, like some HD 3xxx, but this isn't tested.

=== Intel  ===

Latest Intel GMA should work.