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NVIDIA demos GPU-accelerated Flash video

by Parm Mann on 29 September 2009, 10:01

Tags: NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA), Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE)

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We've previously mentioned that NVIDIA has a GPU-boosting surprise in store for October 5th, and though we're not supposed to say anything more, it looks as though German site notebookjournal.de has let the cat out of the bag by filming NVIDIA's Igor Stanek demonstrating an early build of a GPU-accelerated Adobe Flash player.

The below video compares playback of a 720p Flash trailer for 2009's Star Trek movie on an Atom-based netbook with integrated Intel graphics and an NVIDIA ION-based netbook with GeForce 9400M graphics. The difference is like night and day - one stutters along, whilst the other provides silky-smooth video.

Though we can't confirm when end users will be getting their hands on the GPU-accelerated Flash player, we can reveal that NVIDIA will be making an official announcement on October 5th.

What's useful is that Flash acceleration is supported on the majority of NVIDIA's GPUs - including Tegra, resulting in the possibility of high-def Flash video on portable handhelds such as Microsoft's Zune HD and various upcoming smartphones.

Whether or not Flash acceleration will be exclusive to NVIDIA remains to be seen, but ION-powered ultra-portables are about to get a whole lot more interesting.



HEXUS Forums :: 7 Comments

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But will it run on Linux?
“this is a private video. If you have been sent this video, please make sure you accept the sender's firend request”

???
Steve
But will it run on Linux?

Flash H.264 acceleration has been implemented in Gnash, the open-source Flash player. I would link an article from phoronix.com about this but I do not have 5 post yet.

Ditto on the video being “private”.
FoxdieUK
“this is a private video. If you have been sent this video, please make sure you accept the sender's firend request”

???

+1 :O_o1:
Great news, considering how much flash content is on websites these days. Offloading the work to the gpu would be good for all. Now we need to wait for the official announcement on which Nvidia gpus support this and when it will be available.