View source for VLC GPU Decoding

= Introduction =

The {{VLC}} framework can use your '''''graphics chip''''' (a.k.a. GPU) to accelerate decoding of video streams depending on the video codec, graphic card model and operating system. In some cases, it can let the graphic card perform post-processing and rendering of the decoded video. In any case, this frees the main processor (i.e. CPU) of some of the most computationally heavy sub-tasks involved in playing digital video.

= Activation =
To enable hardware accelerated decoding, use the VLC preferences. By default, hardware acceleration is disabled (and consequently, hardware acceleration is not yet available to external application via LibVLC).

In VLC version 2.1, you can select which acceleration method you wish to use among those available for your operating system (if any). In earlier versions, there was simply a check box as shown below:

[[File:VLC_GPU.png]]

= Operating system support =

== Windows  ==
Since VLC version 1.1.0, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DirectX_Video_Acceleration DirectX Video Acceleration] (DxVA) is supported in its version '''2.0'''. It is available in ''Windows Vista'' (or ''Windows 2008'') or any later Windows version; it is '''not''' available for Windows XP/2003 (and never will be).

The following video codecs are supported: [[MPEG|MPEG-1]], [[MPEG|MPEG-2]], [[Windows_Media|WMV3]], [[Windows_Media|VC-1]] and [[H.264|H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC)]].

== X11 (GNU/Linux, FreeBSD, etc.) ==

On Linux/X11, there are two competing interfaces for hardware video decoding, VA-API from [http://www.intel.com/ Intel], and VDPAU from [http://www.nvidia.com/ NVIDIA]. Generally, VAAPI is used for Intel and Broadcom graphic cards, while VDPAU is used for AMD/ATI and NVIDIA cards.

=== VA-API ===
VA-API is supported for decoding only since VLC version '''1.1.0'''.
Refer to [[VLC_VAAPI]] for more details.

On modern Ubuntu distributions, first install the hardware support (packages '''i965-va-driver''', '''libva-intel-vaapi-driver''' and '''vainfo''') and then activate GPU hardware acceleration in Preferences -> Input&Codecs.

Install terminal command: ''sudo apt-get install i965-va-driver libva-intel-vaapi-driver vainfo''

The following video codecs are supported: [[MPEG|MPEG-1]], [[MPEG|MPEG-2]], [[MPEG-4|MPEG-4 Visual]], [[Windows_Media|WMV3]], [[Windows_Media|VC-1]] and [[H.264|H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC)]].

=== VDPAU ===
VDPAU is supported for decoding since VLC version '''2.1.0''', and for post-processing and rendering since VLC '''2.2.0''' (still in development as of late 2013).

VDPAU will be enabled automatically by default in VLC version 2.2.0 onward.
Refer to http://www.remlab.net/op/vlc-vdpau.shtml for technical details.

The following video codecs are supported for decoding: [[MPEG|MPEG-1]], [[MPEG|MPEG-2]], [[MPEG-4|MPEG-4 Visual]] (and possibly H.263), [[Windows_Media|WMV3]], [[Windows_Media|VC-1]] and [[H.264|H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC)]]. Almost all video codecs are supported  for post-processing and rendering.

== Mac OS X  ==
Video Decoding Acceleration (VDA) comes with MacOS X.6.3 and later (see [http://developer.apple.com/mac/library/technotes/tn2010/tn2267.html API]). This is somewhat supported in VLC 2.1.0.

Only [[H.264|H.264 (MPEG-4 AVC)]] is supported currently.

= Graphic card compatibility =

== Windows ==

To check your DxVA compatibility, please '''download [http://bluesky23.yukishigure.com/en/DXVAChecker.html DxVA Checker]'''

=== nVidia  ===

For nVidia GPU, you are '''required''' to use a GPU supporting [[wikipedia:Nvidia_PureVideo|PureVideo]] in its 2nd generation (VP2 or newer), which means that you need an [[wikipedia:Nvidia_Ion|ION]], [[wikipedia:GeForce_8_Series|GeForce 8]], [[wikipedia:GeForce_9_Series|GeForce 9]] (recpmmended), [[wikipedia:GeForce_200_Series|GeForce 200]] or newer. 

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

To be sure, check your GPU against [[wikipedia:Nvidia_PureVideo#Table_of_PureVideo_.28HD.29_GPUs|this table on 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, 6xxx or 3200. One might have success with UVD+ GPU, like some HD 3xxx, but this isn't tested.

=== Intel  ===

Latest Intel GMA should work. Tested on GNU/Linux (Ubuntu 13.10) and hardware acceleration definitely works for Intel HD Graphics 3000 (dropped CPU usage for HD720 (1280 x 720, H.264, 24fps) from 12-13% to 6%).