The VideoLAN Forums

I noticed setting video output to DirectX causes way less CPU load than using Auto (I assume Auto uses the position from the top of the list, ie Direct3d11?). Is there any reason why I shouldn't be using DirectX, or any situation where I shouldn't be using DirectX?

On Windows 7 and above, the best video output module should be Direct3D 11:

Tools -> Preferences -> Video
Output = Direct3D11

Tools -> Preferences -> Input/Codecs
Hardware accelerated decoding = D3D11 Video Acceleration

If it doesn't work properly then you may have a graphics card driver issue.

On Windows 7 and above, the best video output module should be Direct3D 11:

Tools -> Preferences -> Video
Output = Direct3D11

Tools -> Preferences -> Input/Codecs
Hardware accelerated decoding = D3D11 Video Acceleration

If it doesn't work properly then you may have a graphics card driver issue.

I tried it and it didn't change anything, using DirectX over Direct3D11 still uses way less CPU. I have Windows 7, an integrated Intel HD graphics card, and a Pentium G620 CPU, so it is probably a graphics card issue. Could there be some quality loss or artifacts when using DirectX over Direct3D11?

integrated Intel HD graphics card, and a Pentium G620 CPU

I'm afraid your card is too old and does not support hardware acceleration, that's the reason why DirectX video output might be the best choice for this machine.