Announcing Intel® Media SDK 2013 for Linux* Servers

[Petter_L_Intel]

Dear Intel Media SDK community.

We are proud to announce Intel® Media SDK 2013 for Linux* Servers.

Intel® Media SDK 2013 for Linux Servers is an SDK for optimizing datacenter and embedded media applications for Linux operating systems to utilize Intel HD Graphics hardware acceleration capabilities.

Feature Overview:
* Supports Intel Xeon® E3-1285Lv2 and Intel Core™ Processor-based Platforms with Intel HD Graphics
* Encode, decode, and transcode for server-based streaming
* Supports Ubuntu* and SUSE* Linux Enterprise Operating Systems
* Supports H.264, MPEG-2, VC-1 formats

To sign up for the Beta program and for more details go to:  http://software.intel.com/en-us/vcsource/tools/media-sdk-linux

We are showcasing the features of the new SDK at the NABShow in Las Vegas this week. If you happen to be attending the conference, you are welcome stop by the Intel booth at South Hall - Lower Floor - SL9610, to learn more and meet the Intel Media SDK team.

[Steve_B_1]

Are the Linux API's the same or "close to the same" as the Windows API's?  We are interested in the encoder if that makes a difference.

[Petter_L_Intel]

Hi Steve,

we are happy to hear you have an interest in the Linux Media SDK.

The Linux API matches the Windows API, but in the first release you will find that some features are not supported in the Linux SDK, such as MPEG2 encode. 

There are more details on the Beta program page, via which you can also request access.

Regards,
Petter 

[Mattr_P_]

We're using VAAPI and Intel graphics drivers to do h264 encoding on Linux.  How does the SDK compare to what's offered through VAAPI?  Is this just a different API for the same functionality, or does it access hardware in ways not available through VAAPI?  Does it offer any builtin handling for writing out NALs?

[Petter_L_Intel]

Hi,

Right, encoding is possible using VAAPI via the Intel open source Linux graphics driver.

Intel Media SDK for Linux Servers provides a simplified API and uses a "non-open source" graphics driver which provides better encode quality (vs. the open source driver) with similar quality and performance to the Windows SDK product.

The Intel Media SDK API operates in the same way as for the Windows version of the SDK. Specific NAL control is limited.

Regards,
Petter 

[muramastu]

Hi~

 Is there a schedule for the formal releasing?  Thanks!

[Petter_L_Intel]

Hi,

You can request access to beta version of the SDK now.
Production release plans/date for the SDK will be announced shortly.

Regards,
Petter 

[koby_s_]

Hi Peter,

A week ago, I requested an access for the beta SDK, but no one has returned to me with any details.

Can you please publish the download link (or send me privatelly)?

Thank you

Koby

[Petter_L_Intel]

Hi Koby,

The process for Linux SDK beta access is ongoing. You should be contacted shortly.

Regards,
Petter 

[rtfss1gmail_com]

Hi Petter,

some question about "non open source" driver.. just posted a message to beignet mailing list (Intel open-source OpenCL for GPU effort) about exposing a sample using VAAPI/media sdk linux.. please see below and excerpt and link.. anyway this "non opensource" intrigues me a lot for two reasons.. it's sharing code base with Windows driver so we can also have OpenGL 4.x support right now on Intel Linux platforms.. and second will also port existing OpenCL Windows GPU driver (which right now it's ahead of even AMD and NV GPU support).. so can interoperate Media SDK for Linux with OpenCL (either via beignet effort or direct support in non "opensource" driver) so with minimal effort we can port Media SDK samples showing interop with OCL to Linux?

http://lists.freedesktop.org/archives/beignet/2013-May/000351.html

last thing is Intel Win OpenCL provides interop with Media SDK.. Intel has already a program in place for Media SDK Linux which seems to wrap around VAAPI for encoding/decoding support.. so question is if Intel can provide in some future (in time for public Media SDK for Linux) some samples exposing either VAAPI/beignet interop for encode/decode  or better Media SDK Linux/beignet interop.. i.e. put on par support of Video/compute scenarios similar to Windows OpenCL platform..

Thanks,

Oscar.

[Petter_L_Intel]

Hi Oscar,

Efficient surface sharing between Intel Media SDK and Open CL on Linux is an important feature that we are working on addressing. However, support for this usage is not yet fully implemented, and at the moment we cannot share a specific date on when it will be available. We will update the community with more information as it becomes available.

Regards,
Petter 

[rtfss1gmail_com]

Thanks Petter!

[rtfss1gmail_com]

One more thing..

I was reading about NVidia upcoming ShadowPlay that basically is a FRAPS but seems to be using GPU HW encoder via their NVENC api and also their "fast framebuffer grabbing in GPU (CUDA) mem" known as NVFBC NVFIR in Monterrey SDK or new GRID SDK.. Intel on  WIN exposes Media SDK and OCL GPU interop but what is lacking is an Intel framebuffer grabbing APIs which don't return result in CPU mem (as curent Windows APIs do) so in GPU mem (so that leaves an OpenCL image or buffer as unique option for Intel) if should be possible to implement it.. note also AMD has anounced as part of Rapidfire tech for game clouds they have (part of upcoming AMD Media SDK) with low-latency fast framegrab tech see:http://www.radeonpro.info/2013/03/rage3d-coverage-of-amd-press-event-at-games-developers-conference-2013/

also if it's implemented sanely Intel Widi tech must have access to this mechanism so please expose API for developers for doing a product similar to ShadowPlay for Intel GPUs..

[Petter_L_Intel]

Hi,

Thanks for bringing up these usages and the request on this forum.

We are aware of these technologies. Future revisions of Intel platforms and graphics drivers may address these usages via APIs exposed to developers. However, at this junction we cannot share specifics or time line.

Regards,
Petter 

[Duncan_Y_]

Hi 

Can Intel® Media SDK 2013 for Linux* Servers support  4th generation Core Processors ?

Regards,

Duncan

[Nina_K_Intel]

Hi Duncan,

No, this version supports only 3rd Gen Core processors and equivalent Xeon models of 1200 family (Intel HD Graphics 4000/2500 is a requirement).

Regards,

Nina

[MSaue]

Any ETA when the full SDK will be released?

[Duncan_Y_]

Hi Nina:

Thanks for your reply. 

So you mean this version only supports Xeon E3-1200 family ? 

Or can it support 3rd Gen  i7/i5  Core Processors with Intel HD Graphics 4000/2500 ?

Regards,

Duncan

[Nina_K_Intel]

Hi Duncan,

I meant that the current version supports both - Xeon E3 and 3rd Gen Core Processors, with Intel HD Graphics 4000/2500.

Regards,

Nina 

[Ryan_T_Intel]

Mark S. wrote:

Any ETA when the full SDK will be released?

Mark - The program is winding down and we will be releasing official production release in the next couple of weeks for public distribution. If you've previously signed up for the Beta program, you will be notified when it is available. If you have any questions or still would like to discuss the Intel Media SDK 2013 for Linux Servers, please contact us directly at intelmediasdk@intel.com.

-Ryan

[MSaue]

I see we can now license the Intel Media SDK for linux.  The single developer license is $499.  Does this allow us to create royalty free applications and/or servers?

Thanks.