Failed to create DXVA2 video decoder

[Char]

I am attempting to set up a small (old hardware) client to stream games to. It is an NVidia ION system that I use to have as a HTPC, it does indeed support DXVA2 but for some reason Steam will only use Software Decoding which this system will not do very well. Looking through the log it seems a ffmpeg error stats it could not decode using DXVA2 so it falls back to Software. I've posted the log here: https://pastebin.com/6Qg9quan

[kreiselhoschi]

Did you install the DX9 redist package manually?

[Char]

The answer actually popped into my head shortly after posting this help request ... Resolution matters for Hardware Decoding of H.264. When I thought about how the logs lists supported GUIDs it made me think about what else was part of the H.264 standards and that is when the light came on.

You'll see that the desktop resolution is in the log.

CLIENT: Video size: 1024x576, output size: 1024x768

I have it set to that resolution as it is a older projector and I wanted to use as much screen space as possible and keep it at the native resolution. Sadly this will not work. Fortunately Steam allows you to "limit" the resolution to 720p so while streaming games it should HW Decode. I have yet to test it beyond setting the desktop resolution to 1280x720, which does work, so I am unsure how it will react to every situation. I will reply later with more detail for any future searchers with this same problem as this was not something I came across At All when trying to fix the issue.