H.264 DXVA Benchmarks: QuickSync vs UVD 2.2 vs VP4 vs VP5

[nevcairiel]

For the two clips you mentioned. Benchmarked with DXVAChecker 3.0.1 in EVR renderless mode, on my HD4600

Cat:

LAV DXVA2-Native: 981 fps
MS DS: 960 fps

Vortex:

LAV DXVA2-Native: 410 fps
MS DS: 372 fps

Important to note is that the MS DS decoder seems to generally have at least twice as much CPU usage according to DXVA Checker.
Of course all VPP options are disabled, I double checked just in case.

[NikosD]

No.

Not EVR renderless, in EVR option.

[nevcairiel]

That only brings the results closer together

Cat: LAV 783 fps, MS DS 778 fps
Vortex: LAV 291 fps, MS DS 290 fps

Note that I run every file 6 times, then take the average from the last 5 runs (ignoring the first, since it always varies a lot)

[qtwebkit]

I've also tested the two clips, in nevcairiel's method - 6 times for each and abandon the first time.

OS: Windows 8
Graphic: HD4000
Render: EVR
Mode: DXVA2 Native
LAVFilters: latest nightly
DXVA Checker : 3.0.1

Cat:
LAV : 256.4fps 9%
MS DS : 262fps 12.4%

Vortexx:
LAV : 180.6fps 11.2%
MS DS : 157.4fps 17.6%

Hmm...I got a result different from both of you
If you would like to see results of MPC-BE and ArcSoft, see the detailed material here (https://onedrive.live.com/redir?resid=C134CFE2F5253FB2%21214).

[NikosD]

Your results are too low for both clips, for both decoders and for HD 4000.

I'm pretty sure you haven't disabled all VPP functions in Intel's control panel.

[qtwebkit]

I checked it before testing and made sure the options you mentioned is set all right.
I think maybe it's the driver problem. I've tried many times to update the Intel graphic driver but all failed with BSOD or black screen... hence I have to use the old oem driver plubished in June 2012.:(

I'm going to update to Windows 8.1 and try again if the new driver works properly.

[NikosD]

OEM driver from 2012?

You have to update it ASAP.

Maybe it's time for a format or even better a Win 8.1 upgrade.

The progress is great between those 2012 drivers and the nowadays drivers.

[qtwebkit]

Yes, I'll handle it immediatly. As soon as I finnish, I will test again and post my result, maybe tomorrow.:)

Things become more complicated as I upgrade to Windows 8.1. The performance seems benifit little from the new driver(Jan 28,2014), about 277fps for in Cat and 180fps in Vortexx for LAV, merely no improvement in Vortexx.

I've just found something else maybe ralated to this weird problem. I try to run the decoders with EVR Renderless, the result is much closer to nevcairiel's.
Cat:
LAV : 677fps
MS DS : 682fps

Vortexx
LAV ： 297fps
MS DS ：253fps

But EVR Renderless shows nothing but a black screen during benchmark, while EVR will show video but end up with a very low score:confused:

[qtwebkit]

A friend tested the two clips with his HD4000, Windows 8.1 x64, both x64 and x86 filters, but result very close to mine.

performance of x86 filters(x64 scores quite close to x86)
Cat:
LAV : 290fps
MS DS : 293fps

Vortexx:
LAV : 198fps
MS DS : 187fps

Despite the small gap between our results, we are both too slow comparing with yours.

And the same problem, or bug? Black screen in EVR renderless.:(

[nevcairiel]

EVR renderless is not supposed to show an image.

[qtwebkit]

EVR renderless is not supposed to show an image.

Hmm...but our score in EVR renderless are extraordinary high (for me Votexx could reach 1500fps with no cpu usage), for some specific clips.

[NikosD]

Things become more complicated as I upgrade to Windows 8.1. The performance seems benifit little from the new driver(Jan 28,2014), about 277fps for in Cat and 180fps in Vortexx for LAV, merely no improvement in Vortexx.


Can you post again which is your CPU ?

Can you see the clock of iGPU with GPU-Z for example, during benchmarking ?

HD4000 should be faster than my GT1.

Are you sure you have an HD4000 and not an HD2500 ?


I've just found something else maybe ralated to this weird problem. I try to run the decoders with EVR Renderless, the result is much closer to nevcairiel's.
Cat:
LAV : 677fps
MS DS : 682fps

Vortexx
LAV ： 297fps
MS DS ：253fps


Not even these numbers are fast.

For me LAV is 340 fps for EVR renderless and Vortexx

EVR renderless is not supposed to show an image.

Right :)

Hmm...but our score in EVR renderless are extraordinary high (for me Votexx could reach 1500fps with no cpu usage), for some specific clips.

EVR renderless shows maximum potential of decoder, because it doesn't have to display the decoded frames, that's why the screen is black and you could go to 3000 fps or more for low resolution/ low bandwidth clips.

[qtwebkit]

My CPU is i3-3110m
http://gpuz.techpowerup.com/14/03/03/ff4.png

Cat
http://gpuz.techpowerup.com/14/03/03/9ff.png

Vortexx
http://gpuz.techpowerup.com/14/03/03/h3d.png

Hope these information would help.

[NikosD]

Well you do have HD4000 with 16 EU's while I have 10.

Your iGPU goes to maximum at 1GHz which is 10% slower than mine which goes up to 1.1GHz.

All of the above don't explain your inferior performance compared with my GT1.

I have to repeat myself just one more time because I can't think of anything else.

Are you sure that ALL VPP functions are disabled in control panel ?

They can push performance down A LOT.

[qtwebkit]

Yes，I'm quite sure everyting in the 3 options
VIDEO - > color enhancement, VIDEO -> Image enhancement, VIDEO -> Image scaling
are toggled to "Application settings" and "OFF"

I've been trying to exclude my omissions and turn to my friends for help, who also did all the settings as you said, but end up with the same problem .

Thank you for your concern on my problem, as well as nevcairiel. :)

[qtwebkit]

I wonder if it‘s the CPU's problem? Since we both use mobile processors, while yours is for destop.

[NikosD]

Can you benchmark this ?

ftp://helpedia.com/pub/multimedia/x264/testvideos/2160p%20samples/DucksTakeOff_2160p50.x264.CRF24.mkv

It's an UHD file so you have to check 4K box in LAV properties.

[qtwebkit]

It seem DucksTakeOff could not be tested in MS DS.

EVR
LAV : 67fps
MS DS : failed

EVR Renderless
LAV : 126fps
MS DS : failed

[NikosD]

Mine are: 99/146

There is a bottleneck in your system, but I can't tell where.

[Yups]

I've installed latest iGPU drivers for my Pentium G3420 yesterday v.3412 and find out today two extraordinary things that I would never expect.

1) QuickSync transcoding - yes decoding and encoding - is available for the first time in a Pentium CPU (Haswell-DT core) !!

I tried it and it really works!

QuickSync encoding with Pentium G3420!

2) HEVC_VLD_Main appeared while enumerating DXVA device decoders !!


Can you check this driver: https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&DwnldID=23644


It is the first official driver with API 1.8 support, maybe there is something different for decoding as well.

[NikosD]

I have seen that driver at the Intel support forum, but I think is only for gaming.

No difference in other things.

What is the API 1.8 and where did you read that ?
Never heard before.

[Yups]

This is not just for gaming, it's a new driver with other new features as well. API 1.x is the Media SDK API for Quicksync features. In order to support all new (Hardware) Media SDK 2014 features API 1.8 is required. Media SDK 2013 R2 had API version 1.7. For example you can check the API version in the Handbrake log.

[NikosD]

Thanks for the info!
I didn't know.

After googling a little I found out this:
http://software.intel.com/en-us/forums/topic/499189

It seems that my assumptions were right. There is a plan from Intel to support a Hybrid CPU+GPU HEVC decoder for this generation processors.
Also API 1.8 is mainly for Broadwell but as Peter Larsson from Intel says about API 1.8:


For instance HEVC codec id, deinterlace control, audio and lookahead control improvements are not dependent on next gen. Core.


He also says:


On that note, there are plans to release a "hybrid" (utilizing EUs of the Core Processor graphics unit) HEVC decoder later this year.


The last post of that page refers to my post at AVS Forum!

Anyway, this driver and the interesting comments on that link above is mainly for developers like Nevcairiel.
I'm not ;)

[qtwebkit]

There is a bottleneck in your system, but I can't tell where.

:o It's really hard to tell. I'll find more people to help with the test. Once I had new findings, I'll feed back to you.

[Yups]

I've checked it.

15.33.8.64.3345
http://s14.directupload.net/images/140305/rwzp4esa.png

15.36.0.64.3380
http://s14.directupload.net/images/140305/ncdcaz3o.png


15.33.14.64.3412
http://s1.directupload.net/images/140305/qkmbzsma.png


15.33.0.3464
http://s1.directupload.net/images/140305/k23wj6yj.png



It's gone in 3464 for some reason. Maybe they intend to bring it back in 15.36 driver series, the 3380 alpha already has more DXVA entries than any 15.33.

[nevcairiel]

It was more then likely a mistake to have it there in the first place. Something that slipped through the cracks.

I wouldn't be surprised if their "hybrid" approach only works with the Media SDK, and not through official DXVA.

[NikosD]

So, only Eric's QS decoder will be able to utilize it ?

[NikosD]

The question of an Intel forum member referring to my AVSForum post, was moved to a separate post inside Intel forums, regarding HEVC_VLC_Main support.

It's here:
http://software.intel.com/en-us/forums/topic/506797

Interesting reply of the Intel rep:


Hi,

The support in the driver is not fully validated and Intel will be careful to not expose the interface in the future, unless it is a validated feature.

[Yups]

From the answer it sounds like the HEVC feature will come officially with 15.36 drivers series which is currently in alpha or beta state.

[NikosD]

From the screenshots you posted there is only one 15.36 driver which is the first one that has HEVC support.

In the next driver they got busted by me and they removed it in the latest beta.

BTW, where did you find 15.36.3380 ? :)

I think the one appeared in Windows Update after 3345 was 3379 but I don't remember if it was 15.36 or 15.33.

You are probably right about 15.36 and HEVC, we'll see...

[Yups]

There were no 15.36 drivers through Windows update. For example you could download from here: http://www.station-drivers.com/index.php/articles/763-intel-hd-iris-graphics-version-15-36-0-3380-alpha

[Yups]

HEVC decode now supported by the driver and video players can now take advantage of the GPU accelerated decode support offered by Intel
https://downloadcenter.intel.com/Detail_Desc.aspx?agr=Y&ProdId=3720&DwnldID=23885&ProductFamily=Grafik&ProductLine=Desktop-Grafikcontroller&ProductProduct=Intel%C2%AE+Core%E2%84%A2+Prozessoren+der+vierten+Generation+mit+Intel%C2%AE+HD-Grafik+4600&lang=eng


Anyone tried this out? Does anyone has a link to a HEVC video?

[NikosD]

Thanks!

The driver is latest official and not beta.

Supports Intel® Iris™ graphics, Intel® Iris™ Pro graphics, and Intel® HD graphics on:

4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Platform
4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor U Series-based Platform
4th Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Y Series-based Platform
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Platform
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Processor U Series-based Platform
3rd Generation Intel® Core™ Processor Y Series-based Platform

Supports Intel® HD graphics on:

Intel® Pentium® Processor 1403 v2/1405 v2/2020M/2030M/2117U/
2129Y/2127U/A1018/G2010/G2020/G2020T/G2030/G2030T/G2100T/
G2120/G2120T/G2130/G2140
Intel® Celeron® Processor 927UE/1000M/1005M/1007U/1017U/1019Y/
1020E/1020M/1037U/1047UE/G1610/G1610T/G1620/G1620T/G1630
Intel® Pentium® Processor 3550M/3556U/3558U/3560Y/3561Y/G3220/
G3220T/G3320TE/G3420/G3420T/G3430/3560M/G3240/G3420T/
G3440/3440T/G3450/G3258
Intel® Celeron® Processor 2000E/2002E/2950M/2955U/2957U/2961Y/
2980U/2981U/G1820/G1820T/G1820TE/G1830/2970M/G1840/G1840T/G1850

Unfortunately I didn't find a HEVC device decoder using DXVA Checker, but it's the first official driver that supports HEVC decoding (but not transcoding)

HEVC decode now supported by the driver and video players can now take advantage of the GPU accelerated decode support offered by Intel

Transcoding to HEVC is currently not supported.

I have some HEVC files to check, but first developers like Nevcairiel or video players like PotPlayer should build the HEVC decoder utilizing GPU support.

[Yups]

I have this in DXVAChecker:

http://s14.directupload.net/images/140604/lu4yuscf.png

[NikosD]

Unfortunately I have this:
http://s1.directupload.net/images/140604/o53zp4jt.png

[Yups]

Win 8 I assume. My test is from Win 7 on a HD4600. Shouldn't make a difference though. Maybe Pentium or GT1 in general isn't supported because not enough EU power? Or a bug?

How can I check on a HEVC video if it's working?

[NikosD]

It seems that the HW decoder uses EUs and that could be a reason of not supporting it on my Intel HD graphics (only 10 EUs)

I don't think it's my Win 8.1 OS.

About HEVC video, you can't test it because as I wrote you before I don't know any video player/ decoder utilizing the new Intel's HW decoder.

Check LAV Video decoder and PotPlayer for updates.

[wanezhiling]

Yups, You can't check now because currently there is no available hevc dxva decoders.
btw I've reported to PotPlayer devs.

[clsid]

Current hardware does not support HEVC, so keep on dreaming. It will simply do software decoding.

[NikosD]

Is there something not clear in the release notes of Intel's driver ?

It clearly says GPU accelerated support.

Obviously partial acceleration using mainly EUs and CPU and probably not QuickSync.

[huhn]

Or OpenCL/CUDA.
pretty much sure we will get this feature for free.

[Yups]

CUDA is Nvidia only and for HEVC decoding Intel surely won't use OpenCL. They made it clear in the past that execution units are used for this as Quicksync doesn't support it in the current hardware. EUs are part of the (GPU) hardware so the comment from clsid is clearly nonsense.

[NikosD]

Exactly (I would give a point to OpenCL, although only AMD has clearly said that will follow this path)

[nevcairiel]

Intels hardware decoder is quite flexible, I bet they can at least do parts of the decoding process in hardware, and the remaining parts in the EUs or on the CPU. We'll see how it performs once someone implements it, but for me it'll be a while since I'll be out of the country for a couple weeks soon, and somehow I doubt someone else will beat me to it, its quite a complex endavour and entirely new code, can't steal it from some place. ;)

[GTPVHD]

https://software.intel.com/en-us/forums/topic/499189

Intel Core Processor platforms currently do not have fixed function HW HEVC codec capability. This is a feature that may be supported in future Intel Processors. On that note, there are plans to release a "hybrid" (utilizing EUs of the Core Processor graphics unit) HEVC decoder later this year.

You won't see power efficient full HEVC hardware decoding until Skylake, even Broadwell does not support full HEVC hardware decoding.

[nevcairiel]

We're all well aware that there is no full fixed function decoding of HEVC, as discussed just a couple posts above.
This is the hybrid variant, which off-loads certain tasks to the hardware.

[Yups]

We're all well aware that there is no full fixed function decoding of HEVC, as discussed just a couple posts above.
This is the hybrid variant, which off-loads certain tasks to the hardware.


Exactly this. We knew since months that QS of Haswell doesn't support it. The Intel answer is old, already linked here and known. We are happy enough that it works via the shader somehow. Not as power efficient and fast as a pure fixed function solution but it should help to lower the CPU dependence, especially for slower mobile Dualcore systems this is important.

[NikosD]

Intels hardware decoder is quite flexible, I bet they can at least do parts of the decoding process in hardware, and the remaining parts in the EUs or on the CPU.

It seems that no part of the decoding process is going to be executed in fixed-function HW decoder (QuickSync), although as nevcairiel has said, it is quite flexible (but probably not enough for HEVC decoding).

VLD will be done by CPU and the other parts by EUs.

I think that is what GTPVHD wanted to say.

Not as power efficient and fast as a pure fixed function solution but it should help to lower the CPU dependence, especially for slower mobile Dualcore systems this is important.

Unfortunately, my dual core Pentium processor doesn't have HEVC DXVA enabled.

[Yups]

There are lots of mobile Core i3, i5, i7 2/4 low TDP/clocked models in the market. Not sure if it's intended that Pentium models don't have HEVC enabled, if this is the case Intel should make it clear in their changelog. You could try to ask them in the Media SDK forum. In their graphics section I doubt you will get a useful answer.

[NikosD]

Their excuse could be "Intel HD Graphics" with only 10 EUs, that all Pentium iGPUs have.

On the contrary, most - if not all - Core iX processors have 20 EUs, like the ones you mentioned above.

But for Pentiums, is more useful and necessary to have GPU support for HEVC decoding, due to slower CPU performance compared to other Core iX dual cores.