Performance Optimization

Learn how to maximize performance and minimize resource usage when using Vulkan Media Player in your Unreal Engine projects.

Hardware Acceleration

Vulkan Video Decode

Vulkan Media Player leverages the Vulkan Video extension for hardware-accelerated video decoding. This provides:

• Lower CPU Usage: Video decoding happens on GPU
• Better Battery Life: Especially important for mobile/laptop
• Higher Resolution Support: GPU can handle higher resolutions efficiently
• Reduced Heat: Less CPU load = less heat generation

Verifying Hardware Acceleration

Linux

# Check Vulkan Video extension support
vulkaninfo | grep -i "VK_KHR_video_decode"

# Expected output (at minimum):
# VK_KHR_video_decode_queue
# VK_KHR_video_decode_h264  <-- Required for H.264 support

Windows

Use tools like:

• GPU-Z
• GPU Caps Viewer
• Vulkan Info (from Vulkan SDK)

Look for "VK_KHR_video_decode" extensions.

GPU Requirements

Minimum:

• Vulkan 1.3 support
• VK_KHR_video_decode_queue extension
• VK_KHR_video_decode_h264 extension

Recommended:

• Modern GPU (2019+)
• Latest drivers with Vulkan Video support

Performance Best Practices

1. Video Resolution

Choose appropriate resolution for your use case:

Resolution	Use Case	GPU Load
1280x720 (720p)	UI elements, backgrounds	Low
1920x1080 (1080p)	Main content, cutscenes	Medium
2560x1440 (1440p)	High-quality displays	High
3840x2160 (4K)	Premium content only	Very High

Resolution Guidelines

• In-game UI: 720p is usually sufficient
• Cutscenes: 1080p balances quality and performance
• VR: Use 1080p per eye maximum
• 4K content: Only if target hardware is high-end

2. Video Encoding Settings

Optimize your source videos for best playback performance:

Recommended FFmpeg Settings:

# H.264 - Only Supported Codec
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -c:v libx264 \
  -preset medium \
  -profile:v high -level 4.1 \
  -crf 23 \
  -g 30 -keyint_min 30 \
  -c:a aac -b:a 192k \
  output.mp4

Codec Requirement

Only H.264 is supported. Do not use H.265, VP9, or other codecs as they will not play.

Key Parameters:

• -g 30: Keyframe every 30 frames (enables fast seeking)
• -crf 23: Quality level (lower = better quality, 18-28 recommended)
• -preset medium: Encoding speed/efficiency balance
• -b:a 192k: Audio bitrate

3. Bitrate Optimization

Resolution	Recommended Bitrate	Use Case
720p	2.5-5 Mbps	Standard quality
1080p	5-10 Mbps	High quality
1440p	10-20 Mbps	Premium quality
4K	20-40 Mbps	Ultra quality

Lower bitrates = smaller files and less bandwidth, but watch for quality degradation.

4. Texture Format

The Media Texture automatically handles format conversion. For best performance:

// Let the plugin handle texture format automatically
// No manual configuration needed in most cases

If you need specific control:

1. Open Media Texture asset
2. In Details panel:
   • Compression Settings: UserInterface2D or Default
   • Mip Gen Settings: NoMipmaps
   • Texture Group: UI (for interface elements)

Memory Management

Video Memory Usage

Approximate VRAM usage:

Resolution	Format	VRAM per Frame
1280x720	RGB	~2.6 MB
1920x1080	RGB	~6 MB
2560x1440	RGB	~11 MB
3840x2160	RGB	~24 MB

Note: Hardware decoder typically buffers 2-4 frames.

Reducing Memory Footprint

1. Lower Resolution: Most effective method
2. Close Unused Media Players: Release resources when not needed
3. Limit Concurrent Playback: Avoid playing multiple videos simultaneously

// Close media player when done
MediaPlayer->Close();

// For multiple videos, reuse same Media Player
MediaPlayer->OpenSource(NewMediaSource); // Closes previous automatically

CPU Performance

Benchmarking

Monitor CPU usage:

// Use Unreal's profiling tools
// stat fps      - Frame rate
// stat unit     - Frame time breakdown
// stat media    - Media system stats

Console commands:

stat fps
stat unit
stat media

Reducing CPU Load

1. Enable Hardware Decoding: Ensure Vulkan Video is active
2. Use H.264 Codec: The only supported codec (best hardware support)
3. Reduce Concurrent Streams: Limit to 1-2 videos playing at once
4. Use Appropriate Thread Priority: Default settings usually optimal

GPU Performance

Monitoring

Use Unreal's GPU profiler:

stat gpu
profilegpu

Optimization Tips

1. Material Complexity: Keep video materials simple

   // Good: Direct texture to Emissive
   MediaTexture → Emissive Color
   
   // Avoid: Complex shader operations on video texture

2. Overdraw: Minimize overlapping video textures

3. Resolution Matching: Match video resolution to display size

Platform-Specific Optimization

Linux

Driver Selection:

• Mesa (Open Source): Good for AMD/Intel, version 23.0+ recommended
• NVIDIA Proprietary: Version 525+ for best Vulkan Video support
• AMDVLK: Consider for AMD GPUs

Performance Tips:

# Force Vulkan RHI
./YourGame.sh -vulkan

# Disable VSync for profiling
./YourGame.sh -vulkan -novsync

Windows

Best Practices:

• Use latest GPU drivers (updated within last 3 months)
• Enable "Hardware-accelerated GPU scheduling" in Windows Settings
• Close unnecessary background applications

Steam Deck / Linux Gaming Handhelds

Optimizations for portable devices:

• Max resolution: 1280x800 (native display)
• Use H.264 (only supported codec)
• Bitrate: 3-5 Mbps maximum
• Consider power profile impact

Profiling and Debugging

Performance Profiling

In Editor:

1. Play in Editor (PIE)
2. Open console (~ key)
3. Type: stat media
4. Monitor:
   • Decode time
   • Frame drops
   • Buffer usage

Packaged Build:

# Launch with profiling enabled
YourGame.exe -vulkan -messaging

Common Performance Issues

Issue: High CPU Usage

Diagnosis:

stat unit
stat media

Solutions:

1. Verify hardware acceleration is active
2. Lower video resolution
3. Ensure video is encoded with H.264
4. Update GPU drivers

Issue: Frame Drops

Diagnosis: Check for:

• Disk I/O bottleneck (slow HDD)
• Network latency (if streaming)
• Insufficient GPU memory

Solutions:

1. Move video files to SSD
2. Reduce video resolution/bitrate
3. Pre-buffer content
4. Close other GPU-intensive processes

Issue: Stuttering Playback

Common Causes:

• Missing keyframes in video
• Disk seek times
• GPU memory pressure

Solutions:

# Re-encode with regular keyframes
ffmpeg -i input.mp4 -g 30 -keyint_min 30 output.mp4

# Check disk speed
# Linux: hdparm -t /dev/sda
# Windows: Use CrystalDiskMark

Benchmarking Guidelines

Testing Methodology

1. Baseline Test:

   • Run without video playback
   • Note FPS and frame times

2. Single Video Test:

   • Play one video at target resolution
   • Compare to baseline

3. Multiple Video Test:

   • Play maximum concurrent videos expected
   • Monitor performance degradation

4. Stress Test:

   • Maximum resolution
   • Multiple videos
   • Other game systems active

Performance Targets

Platform	Target FPS	Max Frame Time
PC (Desktop)	60 FPS	16.6 ms
Laptop	30-60 FPS	33.3-16.6 ms
Steam Deck	30-40 FPS	33.3-25 ms

Performance Checklist

Before shipping:

• [ ] Tested on minimum spec hardware
• [ ] Verified hardware acceleration is active
• [ ] Optimized video resolution for target platform
• [ ] Tested with multiple concurrent videos (if applicable)
• [ ] Profiled worst-case scenarios
• [ ] Verified frame rate meets target
• [ ] Tested on both NVIDIA and AMD GPUs
• [ ] Validated on target OS (Linux/Windows)
• [ ] Checked memory usage under load
• [ ] Tested video seeking performance

Next Steps

• Review Video Playback features
• Check Audio Support for audio optimization
• Join Discord for performance tips from the community

Getting Help

Performance issues? We can help!

• 💬 Discord Community
• 📧 Email: business@unrealsolutions.com
• 🌐 Website: unrealsolutions.com

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