How to use Intel hardware decoding in Linux (SteamOS)

[Gmarv09]

One of the notes in the latest Steam beta client says the following:

In-Home Streaming:
Added Intel hardware decoding support using VAAPI on Linux and SteamOS. This requires the i386 intel-vaapi-driver package version 1.3.2 or newer to be installed on the client computer.

Does anyone have steps to follow to make this happen?

EDIT:

Steps are below:

1). wget http://ftp.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/i/intel-vaapi-driver/i965-va-driver_1.3.2-1_i386.deb
2). wget http://ftp.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/libv/libva/libva1_1.3.1-3_i386.deb
3). sudo dpkg -i libva1_1.3.1-3_i386.deb
4). sudo dpkg -i i965-va-driver_1.3.2-1_i386.deb

[SXX]

On Kubuntu 14.04 with Oibaf PPA I just need to install those packages: "libva1:i386 libva-drm1:i386 libva-glx1:i386". Now hardware decoding is working for me.

With HW encode I get 30ms display latency instead of 80ms with software decode.

[[masni] CYKA CLEANER]

debian sid, hd3000, 1gbps lan, auto-beautiful

sw decode 16-28ms display
intel hw decode 12-21ms display

Thx valve and slouken ;)

[SXX]

masni HEADLESS původně napsal:

debian sid, hd3000, 1gbps lan, auto-beautiful

sw decode 16-28ms display
intel hw decode 12-21ms display

What is resolution of streaming?

I wonder because I can't get display lag less than 30ms... :-(

[SXX]

Oh forgot. I stream from Windows 8.1 VM with AMD HD6950.
Stream to host with HD4600 and 1920x1200 (this is streaming resolution).

I set client bandwidth limit to 30Mbps (unlimited actually increase latency a lot) and quality setting doesn't change a lot.

[Gmarv09]

HOLY CRAP WHAT AN UPDATE!!

Latency got cut in half when running fast at1080p60 at 30mbps. Down to 15 from 30.
I then dared to run it as unlimited latency. Hitting 1080p at 120Mbps with latency of 20ish.
I can't believe it.

Good job guys!

Just to note I do get slightly better performance using software encode vs nvidia hardware encode, but its minimal.

Steps I did to install:
1). wget http://ftp.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/i/intel-vaapi-driver/i965-va-driver_1.3.2-1_i386.deb
2). wget http://ftp.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/pool/universe/libv/libva/libva1_1.3.1-3_i386.deb
3). sudo dpkg -i libva1_1.3.1-3_i386.deb
4). sudo dpkg -i i965-va-driver_1.3.2-1_i386.deb

My Setup:

Host: i7 3770k @ 4.4Ghz
GTX 780
8GB Ram
Windows 7
Gigabit LAN

Client:
Asus Chromebox (Haswell 1.4Ghz dual-core)
4GB Ram
SteamOS
Gigabit LAN

Settings:
Fast
Software Encode
Hardware decode

Some grabs for you guys:

http://imgur.com/a/IDxbv

@slouken

Feature requests:

1). Ability to customize the bitrate. There is a big gap between 30mbps and 120mbps.
I would love to be able to set it to 60-70mbps to get the increased quality without as big of a hit on fps and latency.

2). Ability to set bitrate on a per game basis. For example God Mode runs at Unlimited with no problem with no noticeable change in fps or latency, but Metro Last light sees a drop of 5-10fps and 5-10ms in additional latency. If we had this option I could leave the settings as is without needing to change settings between games.

And again thank you for this wonderful update!!! :D

[FluffyRedLobster]

\o/

Wasn't expecting this so quickly! Will try it after work today...

[[masni] CYKA CLEANER]

SXX původně napsal:

masni HEADLESS původně napsal:

debian sid, hd3000, 1gbps lan, auto-beautiful

sw decode 16-28ms display
intel hw decode 12-21ms display

What is resolution of streaming?

I wonder because I can't get display lag less than 30ms... :-(

yeah i also stream from kvm vm... i7, 680GTX , WIN7x64 (win8 is slower in dota2 ;))

resolution is 1080p

i just tried 1200p its the same below 20ms display...

(i use nvidia encoder on host)

[SXX]

masni HEADLESS původně napsal:

(i use nvidia encoder on host)

I suppose encoder could be reason because as far as I get there is no encode support for AMD GPUs in Windows Steam client.

[[masni] CYKA CLEANER]

yeah soft encode is +10-20ms i guess

[Gmarv09]

masni HEADLESS původně napsal:

yeah soft encode is +10-20ms i guess

What cpu? Software encode with i7 at 4.4GHZ is the same or better then hardware for me at 15ms-20ms max.

[[masni] CYKA CLEANER]

well i didn't play much with soft encode, i using it in vm so i am cpu limited... cpu is i7 3770 @4.2ghz, but soft encode is worse for me and i ply dota2 that is cpu intensive....

[FluffyRedLobster]

gmarv's steps worked for me on Ubuntu 14.04 and it's a big improvement streaming to my i3 Nuc (which was already pretty good) :)

The smearing issue with nvidia encode > software decode is gone, and I can run in Beautiful mode, 1080p and maintain 60fps with every title I've tried so far.

Great update!

[optomechanical]

I had to install the 64 bit libs in order for dependencies to work themselves out, but after doing so VAAPI decoding on my intel hd 4400 is working just fine under ubuntu 14.04. seeing about 30ms latentcy, 2ms ping on wireless n. And the experience with the hardware decoder is so much smoother... good work slouken!

[Magbed@Linux! 🐧]

Does anyone knows how to activate this on Arch linux?

Ive installed libva-intel-driver and libva, but it keeps using software decoding.

This is my vainfo output.

libva info: VA-API version 0.35.1
libva info: va_getDriverName() returns 0
libva info: Trying to open /usr/lib/dri/i965_drv_video.so
libva info: Found init function __vaDriverInit_0_35
libva info: va_openDriver() returns 0
vainfo: VA-API version: 0.35 (libva 1.3.1)
vainfo: Driver version: Intel i965 driver for Intel(R) Sandybridge Mobile - 1.3.2
vainfo: Supported profile and entrypoints
      VAProfileMPEG2Simple            :	VAEntrypointVLD
      VAProfileMPEG2Main              :	VAEntrypointVLD
      VAProfileH264ConstrainedBaseline:	VAEntrypointVLD
      VAProfileH264ConstrainedBaseline:	VAEntrypointEncSlice
      VAProfileH264Main               :	VAEntrypointVLD
      VAProfileH264Main               :	VAEntrypointEncSlice
      VAProfileH264High               :	VAEntrypointVLD
      VAProfileH264High               :	VAEntrypointEncSlice
      VAProfileVC1Simple              :	VAEntrypointVLD
      VAProfileVC1Main                :	VAEntrypointVLD
      VAProfileVC1Advanced            :	VAEntrypointVLD
      VAProfileNone                   :	VAEntrypointVideoProc

[i_rodriguezp]

It worked for me too but I noticed a white pixel at the top left corner of the TV screen. If I disable the hw decoding, the white pixel disappears.

The latest beta version of the Steam Client is installed in both the host and the client.

Game: Dishonored

Host: Windows 7: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q9550, 4GB, Nvidia GTX 660

• Hardware encoding : Yes
  
• Prioritize Network Traffic : Yes

Client: SteamOS: i3 1900MHz, 8GB, Intel HD 4000

• Options : Beautiful
  
• Bandwidth : Automatic
  
• Resolution : 720p