VA-API issue

[Ellimist]

I'm trying to get VLC to use GPU-assisted video decoding. I'm using a Zacate motherboard with onboard ATi 6310 graphics. I have installed VLC and libva1/libva-dev from the catalysthacks PPA (I'm using Ubuntu Natty). The video stutters with 100% CPU utilization.

Here's an output of VLC trying to decode a H.264 HD video:

vlc --ffmpeg-hw
VLC media player 1.1.9 The Luggage (revision exported)
Blocked: call to unsetenv("DBUS_ACTIVATION_ADDRESS")
Blocked: call to unsetenv("DBUS_ACTIVATION_BUS_TYPE")
[0x88ef13c] main libvlc: Running vlc with the default interface. Use 'cvlc' to use vlc without interface.
Blocked: call to setlocale(6, "")
Blocked: call to setenv("ORBIT_SOCKETDIR", "/tmp/orbit-soumik", 1)
Warning: call to srand(1309385835)
Warning: call to rand()
Blocked: call to setlocale(6, "")

(process:2543): Gtk-WARNING **: Locale not supported by C library.
Using the fallback 'C' locale.
libva: libva version 0.32.0-sds2
Xlib: extension "XFree86-DRI" missing on display ":0.0".
libva: va_getDriverName() returns 0
libva: Trying to open /usr/lib/va/drivers/fglrx_drv_video.so
libva: va_openDriver() returns 0
xvba_video: XVBA_GetSurface(): status 2
[0x907fe54] avcodec decoder: Using VA API version 0.32 for hardware decoding.
[0x8bb29cc] signals interface error: signal 17 overriden (0x1f484c0)
[0x8bb29cc] signals interface error: /usr/lib/libQtCore.so.4(?)[(nil)]

Here's the original thread on Ubuntu Forums for reference. (Scroll down to the bottom)

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

Seems to me that it is working "fine", but the driver is under performing because it is not intended to be used by VLC.

[Ellimist]

Seems to me that it is working "fine", but the driver is under performing because it is not intended to be used by VLC.

Which brings me to the question, how do I find a libva driver which is intended to be used by VLC. I have tried using the ones from splitted-desktop, the ones from various Ubuntu PPAs, even followed this guide to the letter and compiled ffmpeg and vlc from source, still no dice.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

I don't think there is a magical answer to this question. As I doubt you can write the driver, the only way is to pressure the GPU vendor. That's how ATI added VLC support to some of their DxVA2 drivers.

[dickmcjohnnson]

Have you tried updated fglrx drivers? I uséd the ppa from the ubuntu x-team? Worked fine on a HP 625 (ATI 4200).
http://dickmcjohnnson.blogspot.com/2011 ... 15-in.html (fglrx on HP 625)

[Ellimist]

I have compiled and installed the latest Fglrx drivers(11.6), but the X.Org drivers are the stock ones that come with Natty. I'll try the drivers from the X-Updates PPA and see if it does anything.

[dickmcjohnnson]

As far as I can remember I just updated the driver frommen the ppa and the installe xvba.

[Ellimist]

Nope. Does not work.

[Ellimist]

Seems like this issue was solved in the latest version of Fglrx.

Video playback now works correctly when Hardware acceleration is enabled with VLC Player version 1.1.9.

Will test it out and report.

[Rémi Denis-Courmont]

As far as I know, this refers (only) to the Windows DxVA2 support.