H.264 VA-API Support For Intel Clarkdale/Arrandale

Intel's Zou Nan hai has published a patch for the Intel kernel DRM code that provides multiple ring buffer support for Clarkdale and Arrandale systems, in other words Intel's new IGPs that are embedded onto CPUs such as the new Core i3 530 and its stellar integrated graphics.

This multiple ring buffer support is needed to support H.264 decoding using libva for VA-API. Those interested in testing it out should just have to apply Zou's patch against drm-intel-next and then use the i965_H264 branch of the library needed for the Video Acceleration API. The VA-API version of MPlayer is also needed for support.

The patch can be found on Intel's mailing list. Hopefully it will be merged into the Linux 2.6.35 kernel to provide a better video experience for those using Intel Clarkdale/Arrandale systems.