Intel has released Q2 2023 update for its Media Driver, enhancing support for upcoming Meteor Lake CPUs along with fixes for existing Arc graphics.

Intel Preps For Meteor Lake CPUs, Releases Important Media Output Features Support & Fixes For Arc GPUs

As revealed by Phoronix, Intel has rolled out new features on its Media Driver, starting with Video Acceleration API (VA-API) support. The support has been received by all existing integrated GPUs dating back to the old Broadwell architecture. The Video Acceleration API is a program interface that allows media player applications like VLC to harness the power of hardware acceleration. This results in quality improvements and a smoother video stream.

Moreover, Intel is also prepping for the future Meteor Lake release; hence the company has incorporated several features for the new architecture. In the media department, Intel previously introduced a "Standalone Media Unit" on Linux 6.1, allowing processors to play videos without integrating graphics. Focusing on delivering optimal media support. Intel has now released acceleration features for Meteor Lake, including "fixing AV1 encoding functionality, enhancing BT2020 YUV/RGB range conversion, and enabling the PAT index for cache setting."

The new Intel Media Driver has also made strides in video decoding capabilities, enabling GuC submission on Raptor Lake S which will aid in encoding speeds. Moreover, the company has also fixed the past HEVC hang issue on Tiger Lake and new processors that consumers encountered, which involved disruptions during video/audio playback. DG2/Alchemist GPUs have also received numerous long-awaited updates and fixes.

Progress has also been made in the encoding department, which shows Intel's commitment to providing high-quality media output to its users. The company has also prepared for upcoming architectures in advance, and we expect further enhancements to be made by the time the Meteor Lake launch nears. You can view details about Intel's new Media Driver through GitHub here.

News Source: Phoronix