Linux GPU and encoding qualification

The agent includes NVIDIA NVENC, VA-API and software x264 implementations. Availability depends on the exact binary, runtime libraries, driver, GPU, capture path and receiver format. Linux eight-bit 4:2:0 and 4:4:4 paths exist where supported; NVIDIA provides the 4:4:4 hardware path. An advertised encoder is not a qualification of every card.

Release limits

0.18.12 targets x86_64 Rocky 8/9 GNOME/GDM X11 and Fedora 43/44 GNOME/GDM Wayland. Distro build/runtime checks and the earlier 0.18.11 VM readiness checks do not qualify every NVIDIA, Intel or AMD GPU.

0.18.12 corrects NVIDIA AVC zero-reordering signalling to avoid unnecessary decoder buffering. The targeted synthetic AVC 4:4:4 encoder check passed on Tec01; this is not a live end-to-end latency measurement. Dell's Intel hardware does not advertise AVC 4:4:4, so that option remains unavailable.

The physical Rocky/X11 NVIDIA lane remains unqualified under the explicit exception. Physical GPU, tablet, audio, multi-monitor and reference I/O work need their own exact host/client qualification. Do not infer it from GPU family or NVENC generation alone.

Inspect before changing a driver

On an idle supported host:

vdo-remote-agent --probe

Driver tools such as nvidia-smi or vainfo can help when installed. They do not prove decoded picture, latency, chroma fidelity or reconnect. Do not replace drivers on an occupied workstation.