New MacBook rumour: it's got hardware video decoding

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Monday, 20 October 2008 17:51

Opinion and Analysis

MacRumors is suggesting the new NVIDIA powered MacBook and MacBook Pro models have received hardware decoding of H.264 video, not available on the previous versions even though their respective cards had hardware decoding capabilities, but Apple isn’t confirming.

Tests run by MacRumors readers have shown that the playback of “1080p high definition trailers from Apple took far less CPU time on his new aluminum MacBook (28% CPU) as compared to his old MacBook Pro (100% CPU)", with the results meant to be the same for the new MacBook, MacBook Pro and MacBook Air, all equipped with new NVIDIA graphics cards.

Readers noted that both models “shared the same CPU speed, but the new MacBook includes the NVIDIA 9400M integrated graphics chipset, while the old MacBook Pro uses the NVIDIA 8600M GT.”

Given that hardware decoding wasn’t previously taking place, it was software decoding (hence the 100% CPU usage), so if CPU usage is now so much lower, hardware decoding makes sense, even if Apple is not confirming it.

It is known that the upcoming version of OS X 10.6, known as Snow Leopard, will feature Open CL, a programming language that works with the GPU (graphical processing unit) of graphics cards and taking the load off the processor, enabling any software working with graphics to deliver much better performance when the GPU is used.

So, even though Apple is not yet confirming hardware decoding, it’s known that Apple wishes to take advantage of GPU power in its next OS, primarily because it’s a damned good idea and a great way to get more processing power.

There’s also a suggestion that Apple could give older Macs with older graphics cards the ability to switch on the unused hardware decoding capabilities, but it’s tough to know whether Apple would really do that, or not.

After all, it left Firewire out of the MacBook range, forcing those who need it to get a 15 or 17-inch MacBook instead.

While hardware decoding could be switched on by Apple, it probably hopes you will be tempted to buy a new MacBook instead, for in these troubled economic times, new sales might end up being harder to come by.

So, while Apple could enabled hardware decoding on older MacBooks and MacBook Pros, I don’t see it happening.

As for the new MacBooks with their faster bus speeds and faster memory along with any unconfirmed and activated hardware decoders for H.264 video, one thing’s for certain: consistent tests by numerous users indicate much better video performance over older models, and however it is being done, it’s making users very happy!