VLC runs on integrated graphics, not on Nvidia GPU

[hazardass]

I have two GPUs on my laptop - GTX 680M and intel HD 4000. So the whole Nvidia Optimus technology sounds cool but it doesn't work cuz it doesn't let me choose a GPU for basic programs like VLC and Windows Media Player.

I cannot choose the Nvidia GPU for VLC because the option is greyed out in Nvidia Control Panel, and it is stuck on integrated graphics option. Also, when I right click on the VLC shortcut and run with the Nvidia processor, it still doesn't use it. The Nvidia GPU Activity tool in the system tray never shows VLC being one of the programs that use the Nvidia GPU. This is pretty dumb! Crap programs like Flash player in Firefox use the GTX, but VLC can't use it?? I mean who decided that I can only watch my HD movies on stupid integrated graphics??

Is this a VLC problem, a Windows 7 problem, or Nvidia problem?

Please help! Thanks.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

All of the above
VLC will use, when GPU decoding is selected, the first video adapter, given by Windows. So probably the Intel one.
For video output, it should not impact anyway.

[hazardass]

For video output, it should not impact anyway.

Actually it makes a big difference for HD movies. The Intel graphics can't play HD well. There is a noticeable lag.
I just don't understand why the option for VLC and WMP in Nvidia Control Panel is greyed out.

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

No idea, to be honest. Especially if it happens for WMP too.

Did you try to increase the caching and activate GPU decoding?

[mc4man]

You can attempt to use Nvidia Inspector 1.9.x to edit the vlc profile in the nvidia driver

What may be better is to rename vlc.exe,( i simply used 'vlc-test, as in - "C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc-test.exe" ), then you can add the new name & profile thru nvidia-settings > Manage 3D Settings using nvidia all the time or just when you wish by starting vlc from the r. click context >
'run with graphics processor ....'
Myself leave on the Global option & just use nvidia when needed

direct3d debug: Direct3d Device: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M 4318 4052

or

direct3d debug: Direct3d Device: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 32902 358 9

[hazardass]

You can attempt to use Nvidia Inspector 1.9.x to edit the vlc profile in the nvidia driver

What may be better is to rename vlc.exe,( i simply used 'vlc-test, as in - "C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc-test.exe" ), then you can add the new name & profile thru nvidia-settings > Manage 3D Settings using nvidia all the time or just when you wish by starting vlc from the r. click context >
'run with graphics processor ....'
Myself leave on the Global option & just use nvidia when needed

direct3d debug: Direct3d Device: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M 4318 4052

or

direct3d debug: Direct3d Device: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 32902 358 9

Yes, that works.

[faztp12]

You can attempt to use Nvidia Inspector 1.9.x to edit the vlc profile in the nvidia driver

What may be better is to rename vlc.exe,( i simply used 'vlc-test, as in - "C:\Program Files (x86)\VideoLAN\VLC\vlc-test.exe" ), then you can add the new name & profile thru nvidia-settings > Manage 3D Settings using nvidia all the time or just when you wish by starting vlc from the r. click context >
'run with graphics processor ....'
Myself leave on the Global option & just use nvidia when needed

direct3d debug: Direct3d Device: NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660M 4318 4052

or

direct3d debug: Direct3d Device: Intel(R) HD Graphics 4000 32902 358 9

Yes, renaming the vlc.exe to something else allows to modify the preferred GPU from nvidia settings, thanks (y)

[timg11]

Why does the NVIDIA control panel explicitly prevent setting the NVIDIA GPU as preferred?
When VLC.EXE is selected, the option to select NVIDIA GPU as preferred is unavailable.
If I copy VLC.EXE to VLC2.EXE, I can set VLC2.EXE to NVIDIA preferred, and when I run VLC2.EXE I can see the NVIDA GPU being used for Video Decode in Task manager.

It seems that NVIDIA CPL has been written to identify VLC.EXE and prevent it from using the NVIDIA GPU?
Why is this?

Microsoft Windows 10 Enterprise Version 10.0.17763 Build 17763 on Dell Precision 5530
NVIDIA Quadro P2000 Driver Version 26.21.14.4270

[Jean-Baptiste Kempf]

Why does the NVIDIA control panel explicitly prevent setting the NVIDIA GPU as preferred?
When VLC.EXE is selected, the option to select NVIDIA GPU as preferred is unavailable.
If I copy VLC.EXE to VLC2.EXE, I can set VLC2.EXE to NVIDIA preferred, and when I run VLC2.EXE I can see the NVIDA GPU being used for Video Decode in Task manager.

It seems that NVIDIA CPL has been written to identify VLC.EXE and prevent it from using the NVIDIA GPU?
Why is this?

Because nVidia blacklist video players. We still don't know why. Ask nVidia.

[piranhamoose]

Man! Ive been looking for this solution for awhile now... THANK YOU!

[White_King]

What if the option doesn't even show up, is not grayed up is just gone, I have just 2 bullets not 3,i can't select the preferred one for any application ¬¬. I'm using a doc and games are using de NVIDIA dedicated gpu but not vlc. Windows movies & TV is using none! And its behavior is very erratic

[Lotesdelere]

https://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=152234
https://forum.videolan.org/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=152642