GPU accelerated Flash video still not here

Author: Tim Smalley
Published: 2nd June 2009
Comments (8) Stumble
GPU accelerated Flash video still not here

GPU accelerated Flash is coming, but it's not here yet.

COMPUTEX 2009: Jen-Hsun Huang has been banging his massively parallel chest this week, saying that GPU Computing and the Ion platform are the future, but one of our biggest concerns with the platform is still left unanswered.

When we previewed the Ion reference PC, one of the biggest flaws with the device was the fact it couldn’t play ‘high definition’ flash movies smoothly – and unfortunately that is still the case.

During yesterday’s press conference, Huang said that Nvidia is “committed to the visual Internet,” but it’s been several months since we uncovered the glowing flaw – the Atom processor just isn’t up to the task.

Catching up with Nvidia’s Ujesh Desai, he confirmed that Nvidia was working with Adobe on a number of projects, but wasn’t specific about what the two companies were working to accelerate with the GPU and stopped short of announcing anything.

However, since most of Adobe’s software suite already GPU-accelerated, Flash is the next logical step. Desai also reaffirmed Huang’s statement during the press conference, but again declined the invitation to go into more detail.

Intel's François Piednoel did confirm that Adobe was working on GPU accelerated Flash though, but didn't give any sort of timeframe for when we can expect to see it coming to market. We’ll be keeping tabs on how this develops, but right now there’s no chance of playing HD Flash movies on an Atom processor.

Discuss in the forums.
Quote robyholmes 2nd June 2009, 10:45
Work on Flash 64bit as well! Its Holding all the web browsers back from going 64bit!
Quote sear 2nd June 2009, 12:30
I get problems trying to play Flash HD video using my Athlon 64 X2 6000+ sometimes. The Flash video format is just not very efficient at this point, and why it's taken so long for them to incorporate GPU acceleration is anyone's guess. Mine? Adobe being dicks, as usual.
Quote Jojii 2nd June 2009, 16:11
I think ati or nvidia (intel?) need to fund engineering time at the adobe office for gpu accelerated flash support to happen. Adobe will not take it upon themselves to move forward with anything unless there is competition.
Quote DarkRose 2nd June 2009, 16:13
I agree, 64 bit Flash! Kthxbai!
Quote Project_Nightmare 2nd June 2009, 16:26
Why don't they make it so smart phones can play flash first? Come-on, they should have had it working years ago..

Well, atleast they are finally trying to provide mobile support....
Quote Cupboard 2nd June 2009, 16:44
Windows Mobile phones can play flash, but it absolutely kills my Touch Diamond so I have it permanently turned off.
Quote perplekks45 2nd June 2009, 20:53
Everybody's always bitching about MS and Intel for not playing fair but hardly anybody ever mentions Adobe's tactics... :(

As far as I'm concerned FlashHD is a joke. My girlfriend's laptop with a C2D sometimes struggles with it on YouTube.
And while I'm at it: Please Google, PLEASE, update your stupid movie to flash converter! It kills quality!!!
Quote Jamie 2nd June 2009, 21:13
I wish they would sort out the flash video player, it totally rapes systems and the frame rate sometimes drops to terrible levels.
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