Microsoft launches DirectX 12 new video encoding API
Microsoft announced to launch of a new DirectX 12 video encoding application programming interface (API). The video encoding API allows third-party applications to use GPU to accelerate video encoding in accordance with the DirectX 12 standard, providing a consistent standard process method for video applications, and native support in the Windows 11 operating system.
In a blog post written by software engineer Sil Vilerino, the basic situation of DirectX 12 video encoding API and the methods that developers can call are introduced. DirectX 12 video encoding API will support H264/HEVC format. Microsoft has recommended that developers first understand the support status of each codec and the corresponding encoding tools. If you need to know more, you can go to Microsoft’s DirectX 12 developer website.
It is understood that the DirectX 12 video encoding API is included in the Windows 11 operating system by default, and it can also be used through the DirectX 12 Agility SDK (1.700.10-preview or newer). The manufacturer’s minimum hardware platform and driver versions are as follows:
| Vendor | Supported platforms | Minimum video driver version |
| AMD |
|
In development – ETA Q2 ‘2022 |
| Intel |
|
v30.0.100.9955 |
| NVIDIA |
|
v471.41 |
It is worth mentioning that Vulkan, which is adopted by many developers, already includes support for H264/H265 format in its codec API.
