Yes, Quicktime is not very efficient compared to open source decoders such as the one used in VLC. This was definitely the case with my previous macs. But when playing the same video in VLC and Quicktime now with the MacBook, Quicktime is quite a bit more efficient (possibly due to GPU acceleration).
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Is the new MacBook using GPU acceleration for H.264 decode?
- Thread starter MGLXP
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Yes, Quicktime is not very efficient compared to open source decoders such as the one used in VLC. This was definitely the case with my previous macs. But when playing the same video in VLC and Quicktime now with the MacBook, Quicktime is quite a bit more efficient (possibly due to GPU acceleration).
It looks like VLC might support GPU decoding in Windows. I will say that it is optimized to take advantage of SIMD features like SSE and Altivec.
Just to note, if there is hardware acceleration now, anyone that has Perian installed will probably not see it, as perian replaces the quicktime h264 decoded with its own. so this has to be taken into account when comparing machines.
good to know. do you have an idea if it is possible to avoid installing only the h264 decoder?
I don't believe there is currently, but if apple have actually got their decoder working better than the perian one, I would assume a new version can be compiled that removes it, it is open source so a third party could probably have a crack at doing so too.
I think they've stated that the reason the've had theirs in first place was due to the apple one not being able to cope with high profile encoded content properly, so some testing needs to be done now, I guess.
I think they've stated that the reason the've had theirs in first place was due to the apple one not being able to cope with high profile encoded content properly, so some testing needs to be done now, I guess.
No, not quite, but its larger than 720, so some benefit to 1080p content would still be had, and external displays it will drive at 1080p
edit, forgot talking about original macook.. I guess there woulnd't be any benefit in visual quality on internal display, apart from being able to playback 1080p media if don't have 720p version, but as the macbooks can drive external 1080p resolution displays, there would be possible benefit to be had for using one as a media player I suppose.
edit, forgot talking about original macook.. I guess there woulnd't be any benefit in visual quality on internal display, apart from being able to playback 1080p media if don't have 720p version, but as the macbooks can drive external 1080p resolution displays, there would be possible benefit to be had for using one as a media player I suppose.
GPU deconding on 9400M and 9600GT
Yes, in snow leopard with QT X, the GPU is helping to decode the video. A BlueRay rip of Zombieland, (h.264 in MKV container, 20GB), plays w/ CPU at 90-100% and is jerky when using MPlayer, and unwatchable on VLC. During test, VRAM usage stayed at %0-5, and GPU useage never went above %15 (enough to render the frames on my 1080P external dispaly). On QT X, VRAM useage jumped to %30-40, GPU to %20-30, and CPU around %60. Using Perian to enable QT to open Matroska (MKV) files, I'd say QT X gave me, by far, the smoothest playback.
The figures above were given using atMonitor while on the 9600GT in my MBP. Same story with my 9400M, just the VRAM and GPU useage were a bit higher due to the lower processing power, still played just fine though w/ Perian and QT X.
Yes, in snow leopard with QT X, the GPU is helping to decode the video. A BlueRay rip of Zombieland, (h.264 in MKV container, 20GB), plays w/ CPU at 90-100% and is jerky when using MPlayer, and unwatchable on VLC. During test, VRAM usage stayed at %0-5, and GPU useage never went above %15 (enough to render the frames on my 1080P external dispaly). On QT X, VRAM useage jumped to %30-40, GPU to %20-30, and CPU around %60. Using Perian to enable QT to open Matroska (MKV) files, I'd say QT X gave me, by far, the smoothest playback.
The figures above were given using atMonitor while on the 9600GT in my MBP. Same story with my 9400M, just the VRAM and GPU useage were a bit higher due to the lower processing power, still played just fine though w/ Perian and QT X.