My discoveries on Vaio Z’s Hybrid Graphics

actually i use the coreacv codec at my older 9500m gs, but i can't use it on my vaio vpcz1 with gt330m. if you want to check the opencl support you can use gpu z program.

 

For CoreAVC's CUDA acceleration, you probably need to install a GeForce Forceware driver 191.07 or later.

The drivers I listed before will not work on your laptop (only for VGN). As far as I know, there is no such 19x.xx driver for the VPC.

However, if you're not using CoreAVC's CUDA thing, honestly, you're not missing out on anything. My laptop has support for it, and I still don't use it. If you can play videos without lag, you don't need to use CoreAVC. My 1.6GHz C2D can *just* play 1080p (not using the GPU for decoding of video), so I think your laptop probably can too.

 

I have been meaning to make a post regarding the lack of CUDA support. Yes, My VPCZ11 can play 2 1080p videos on two monitors at the same time without lag, but that doesn't mean it is not a problem. Simply put, if my 4 years old MacBook Pro can play a 1080p H264 encoded video with less stress than my brand new laptop that I paid more than double the price for, something is wrong.

The Nvidia sticker clearly states that it comes with CUDA support, and it was one of the main factor that induced me to buy this laptop. I feel that this is a case of misrepresentation since I very likely would not have bought this laptop had I known that the stock driver does not support CUDA and Sony does not plan on ever releasing an updated driver that supports it.

Any lawyers here like to shed some light on whether I have a case or not? I think a class action lawsuit is like the only thing that can get Sony to write new drivers for the VPCZ11.

 

AFAIK, it has CUDA support in the drivers, but might not be the revision of CUDA that CoreAVC seems to need. (assuming that you are using CoreAVC 2.0 - I believe CoreAVC 1.9.5 would work, but it has other issues)

Also, it's the same amount of stress, it's just processed in a different way.

If it can play the video, and it has support for CUDA, I don't think you have a case of any sort, not to say it wouldn't be nice if we would be able to get updated drivers on a timely basis.


At someone with a Sony VPC model notebook: In Speed mode, download and open up GPU-z, select the nVidia card and see what tick boxes come up for CUDA, PhysX, OpenCL, and DirectCompute.

 

Thank you so much Namaiki, I am going to go find a copy of CoreAVC 1.9.5. I remember using it without any problems.

I'll let you guys know if it works or not.

 

I will just tell you in advance, if CoreAVC 1.9.5 falls back to CPU rendering you will probably see artifacts on any H.264/AVC videos that are encoded with weightp=2. At least, I don't believe 1.9.5 is affected when using the GPU's video circuit, but I have seen artifacts when using unsupported drivers with CoreAVC 2.0 (191.03).

edit: I still can't believe that you're so desperate to try and offload video decoding to part of the GPU. If it's not broken, why bother trying to fix it?

 

With Nautis' latest 189.92 drivers:



This driver supports CUDA API only up to 2.2, which is really ancient. As a CUDA developer I'm really frustrated myself...

 

IT WORKS!!! Thank you so much. If you really want to know I can tell you why I want it to work so badly....

Just before I installed CoreAVC 1.9.5 I played a 1080p video using Media Player Classic with FFDShow Video Decoders from CCCP. It was showing 25-30% CPU in Windows Task Manager and my fans started getting really loud. With CoreAVC 1.9.5, it was at 6 - 9% CPU and my fans remained quiet. The fans getting loud most likely have to do with me setting the fans control to performance mode in VAIO Control Center, but I have my reasons for doing that.

Such an upgrade may not be a big deal for most, but I kinda have an addiction of playing HD movies, TV shows or anime pretty much every second I am on my computer, I don't even watch it half the time... don't ask me why I do it!!! I know I am crazy!!! So, having 30% of my CPU gone and my fans being so loud and going at top speed isn't exactly desirable or good for my laptop's health.

Thanks again Namaiki, I guess I am fine with getting artifacts once in awhile, since I don't really watch the videos half the time... which probably explains why I never noticed it before...

 

If you are happy with it, you could say that is good enough.

However, when you were using the FFDShow video decoder, did you have 'MT' ticked in the CCCP settings application or not?
I would advise you to try it if you did not, but if you did, then now I guess you have some sort of solution.

Another alternate video decoder is: www.cccp-project.net/wiki/index.php?title=DivX_H.264

Aaaalso, you could simply use the latest stand-alone Media Player Classic and use it's internal DXVA filter.

None of these 3 solutions will produce artifacting in the video.

 

Wow sorry everyone once again another hellish week. My father ended up back in the hospital in Chicago and my girlfriend is having spinal surgery in California. Craziness all around. Time to once again play catchup and post what I have been needing to post. Sorry everyone.

I see 258.69 has been released and it seems like they are working well for everyone. We will have to see how they work for us. I haven't read the posts since I left but see namaiki has been responding quite a bit so thank you namaiki.

I will try to read through and edit this post with any responses that have gone unanswered.

EDIT:
massa6000: Glad that BIOS worked for you.

Andrew08: Right now the 189 series seems to be the only driver that we've been able to get working properly on the Z11/12. I have an old VGN series Vaio Z so I rely on you guys who have one for all testing and info. We worked on it really hardcore for a while on the z11/12 but saw little to no real progress so things kind of just stopped for a while. The VPC model Vaio Z has been a pretty unique notebook for a long while due to its use of Intel HD graphics, the recently released Lenovo and Acer notebooks are the only other Intel HD notebooks I know of. A lot of my modding progress comes from comparing and contrasting different model Hybrid Graphics notebooks and since the VPCZ was alone there was nothing to compare it to and therefor no new progress.

Qwaarjet: I will have to double check the INF to see if there is an I can do related to the sleep issues. I assume this does not happen with sonys official drivers.

TDO: Agreed that the information here is a bit difficult to follow due to the different model of Vaio Zs. I try to be clear when posting if things apply to the old or new model Zs. If the drivers continue to take separate paths a new thread for the VPCZ11/12 Vaio Z will be opened. I have needed to clean things up here for a while anyways. "My discoveries on Vaio Z’s Hybrid Graphics" hardly applys to what is dicussed here now since this has become such a large community effort. The drivers also apply to more than just the Vaio Zs so thats why I was starting to migrate some of the info over to my spot at LaptopVideo2Go since it seems to fit more of what I am doing anyways.

Czez: Yeah all of the information Namaiki posted is spot on. 197.45 or the 197.72 INF Namaiki modded (glad to see this BTW) should work with OpenCL 258.49 too but you may see a slight flicker periodically if powermizer is not disabled.

Namaiki: Fantastic information as always. I am glad someone is on their game. How is the 197.72 set that you modded working for you?

 

So do the new drivers work without any overlays? And does the Nvidai graphics powerdown?
Any downsides, really works 100%? where can I get these?

 

The Lenovo 189.92 Hybrid Graphics drivers is the latest known to work on the VPCZ11/12. AFAIK everything works fine with the possible exception of the Sleep issue that Qwaarjet noted back on page 165.

Here is a quick link for you: Nvidia 189.92 / Intel 2104 64bit (VPC model VaioZ notebooks only)

 

I got a BSOD a couple of weeks ago, but nothing since then doing what I usually do.

man, it's nothing compared to what you do keeping the customizations for each manufacturer.

 

Is there a new 32bit windows 7 version in the near feature? if not, i think i´ve to do a 64bit install later this year in holidays...

 

Is there a website or something to test out CUDA? I'm on a Z12 running the 189.92 drivers.

I'm runnng Roxio Creator 2010 PLUS and not seeing any CUDA related logos in encoding. I"m wondering if the 'PLUS' version deletes CUDA support or if its the 189.92 drivers.

 

Try the trial version of Badaboom, it uses the graphics to speed up video encoding: badaboomit.com

 

Thank you for that link. I took a Video_TS folder on my HD, and outputted to a PS3 with the highest quality and it turned in about 13.3 FPS.

Roxio Creator has always been overpriced and filled with bloatware. Creator 2010 PLUS is sold exclusively at Target and strips out some of the HD functionality including CUDA (I suspect). At $70, it's a complete rip-off and stripping out CUDA makes me want a refund or free upgrade to standard or pro.

 

Anyone got some drivers higher than the 18x series for the Z11? Heard there we're some developments, but can't seem to find anything newer just yet.

 

260.xx driver is coming while z11 and z12 stuck with 189.92...

 

Is there any noticeable improvement using driver version 189.92 ?

1 - Performance in games
2 - Power management (battery life)

 

Not sure if anyone has tested newer drivers for the Z11/12 on the Nvidia side since a few months ago when we couldn't get them working. I too am curious due to the progress we have seen and the new BIOs that was released. I guess everyone is waiting on me to post a new package.

I doubt you will see too much of a difference on the Nvidia side though I have seen people report some improvement. I would think the Intel side should see more improvement due to a larger jump in the version. Wish I had more specific info for you.

 

Nautis: 666 Posts!

 

Mwahahah, Then it is time! Release the kracken! Oh wait with this I am at 667 nevermind.

-

I have started posting my Modding 101 educational series at LV2G. In Modding 101 I will give the ins and outs of general driver modding and more advanced lessons in modding Hybrid Graphics. One important thing that I am working on posting and I have been considering a while is completely changing up the way Hybrid Graphics drivers are modded and packaged. See, technically the Nvidia and Intel drivers can be modified and installed separately if done properly. The long term benefit of doing it this way may be the that you should not have to sign the drivers any longer since they will use existing separate certificates. It also opens up the possibility of being able to upgrade each part easier and quicker due to smaller downloads. This is still just an idea for now however. I am a bit unsure about moving too far away from the way it is officially packaged even if they are technically separate drivers.

Anyways drivers posted are the task at hand before anything else right now.

EDIT: Something else that I forgot to post there that is very important. I stumbled across something on the Intel Forums and it seems there is a large group of users who are reporting black screen issues with these newer drivers (not just hybrid graphics users). Intel has said that they have "a tentative root cause for this issue" and "are working to resolve this issue as quickly as possible" so fingers crossed that this will fix our issue also.

 

I tried to install latest nvidia driver (257.21) and it allowed me to install the audio driver. Is there any problem doing so ?

 

I have the same problem with Evernote. I added the WhiteList key and it works fine when switching from Stamina to Speed - I no longer get asked to kill Evernote. It does not work going the other way, from Speed to Stamina.

This makes sense. Does the Intel chip have a whitelist?

 

Nope whitelist and switching are both handled by the nvidia drivers so it should be universal.

In the future there will be a link on the taskbar icon that you can click and set a program through it to block or unblock. It should be similar to the whitelist though I do not see the programs that were added through the whitelist on it. Using this may fix your problem

 

So what is the latest official x64 drivers that will run on my Benq S42. Pretty sure i'm currently running something from Asus.

 

Fellow Joybook S42 user,

197.xx
Try use this inf: NVCADM.INF
With these drivers: ftp://ftp.us.dell.com/video/nVidia_Geforce-GT335M_A01_R273113.exe (thanks to Dell/Alienware, Intel, nVidia and Nautis)

258.xx

 

Thanks for the quick reply. It is odd though - I don't get the error going Intel --> NVidia, I do get the error going the other way.

I've only tried it a couple of times. I'll do some more experimenting.

Thanks for all your help. You are the only one answering these kinds of questions.

 

I have a Vaio Z11 with an External Monitor connected through HDMI. The resolution of the external monitor is 1920 x 1200. The Vaio Z is 1600 x 900. I am using the standard NVIDIA 8.16.11.8880 driver.

Everything works fine, except I get occasional 1 second black-outs of the HDMI External Monitor (the VAIO screen does NOT black out).

What causes it and how do I fix it?

 

namaiki, which of those 2 do you use. They both signed so I dont have to enable test mode, it only ever caused problems for me.

Edit: Neither of these work for me, both install a Intel driver, but nothing on the Nvidia side with no way to switch. Unless I needed to do it in test mode, which i didn't for either.

 

kulprit, are you running the R1.20 bios?

Both work for me. The 197.72 is the one that I am currently using. It does not need to be signed.

The 258.69 I have used before without issue as well. I am not sure if those need to be signed or not, as I needlessly signed them after I installed them.

 

Before updating the BIOS for my VPCZ11, the Optimus drivers did not function and the NV card was invisible.

After the BIOS was updated, Optimus works. However, the power saving & NV confidential overlay seem to be two main issues, which cause me turning back to the original driver.

 

I am running Bios 1.20 yeah.

Tried signing both of them. Eventually got 191.97, the master set of Nautis's working, but had to sign them and remove the test mode watermark.

If you find you are getting better performance on your current driver i'll keep trying.

 

You're right. It works fine now. It switches either way without a prompt.

I used a key of "WhiteList" The capitalization may be important.

Thanks again.

Ron

 

Anyone else with a Vaio Z who tried the alienware driver mod?

Tried them myself but the screen went black during installation and then I couldnt change from nvidia to intel.

EDIT:
Now using the 258.49 drivers, everything works fine besides...

cant extend my desktop onto another monitor, says my gpu only supports one monitor.

 

Posted [Nvidia 258.96 / Intel 2020] with PhysX and the INF included here at LV2G. Still will not work with VPC model Vaio Zs.

 

Can't wait for the VPC z11 drivers, waiting eagerly to test them out ^_^

 

Yeah sorry. It is a bit easier for me to test and release drivers for the old Vaio Z as it is what I have and can confirm work. I am working on the new package right now for the Z11/12 to test, I hope something magically got triggered in an update that will allow the new drivers to work properly, you guys are much overdue.

P.S. Yes I have resorted to "magic" on the Z11/12.

 

i saw 189.86 with 2104 for 5745PG...
i also found this
188.98 for v460 with hybrid
http://consumerdl.lenovo.com.cn/UserFiles/Driver/en/Downloads and Drivers/V460/WIN7/IN3VDO10WW6.exe

188.98 for w701ds without hybrid
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/6md627ww.zip
you need to run the application to extract w701ds driver then you can untick the installation option in the end.

comparison between this 2 driver
intel

Code:

difx32.dll
difx64.dll
difx64.exe
Gfxres.ar-SA.resources
Gfxres.cs-CZ.resources
Gfxres.da-DK.resources
Gfxres.de-DE.resources
Gfxres.el-GR.resources
Gfxres.en-US.resources
Gfxres.es-ES.resources
Gfxres.fi-FI.resources
Gfxres.fr-FR.resources
Gfxres.he-IL.resources
Gfxres.hu-HU.resources
Gfxres.it-IT.resources
Gfxres.ja-JP.resources
Gfxres.ko-KR.resources
Gfxres.nb-NO.resources
Gfxres.nl-NL.resources
Gfxres.pl-PL.resources
Gfxres.pt-BR.resources
Gfxres.pt-PT.resources
Gfxres.ru-RU.resources
Gfxres.sk-SK.resources
Gfxres.sl-SI.resources
Gfxres.sv-SE.resources
Gfxres.th-TH.resources
Gfxres.tr-TR.resources
Gfxres.zh-CN.resources
Gfxres.zh-TW.resources
gfxSrvc.dll
GfxUI.exe
GfxUI.exe.config
hccutils.dll
hkcmd.exe
ig4dev32.dll
ig4dev64.dll
ig4icd32.dll
ig4icd64.dll
igcompkrng500.bin
igcompkrng575.bin
igd10umd32.dll
igd10umd64.dll
igdkmd64.sys
igdumd32.dll
igdumd64.dll
igdumdx32.dll
igfcg500m.bin
igfcg575m.bin
igfxcpl.cpl
igfxdev.dll
IGFXDEVLib.dll
igfxdo.dll
igfxdv32.dll
igfxexps.dll
igfxext.exe
igfxpers.exe
igfxpph.dll
igfxrara.lrc
igfxrchs.lrc
igfxrcht.lrc
igfxrcsy.lrc
igfxrdan.lrc
igfxrdeu.lrc
igfxrell.lrc
igfxrenu.lrc
igfxresn.lrc
igfxress.dll
igfxrfin.lrc
igfxrfra.lrc
igfxrheb.lrc
igfxrhun.lrc
igfxrita.lrc
igfxrjpn.lrc
igfxrkor.lrc
igfxrnld.lrc
igfxrnor.lrc
igfxrplk.lrc
igfxrptb.lrc
igfxrptg.lrc
igfxrrus.lrc
igfxrsky.lrc
igfxrslv.lrc
igfxrsve.lrc
igfxrtha.lrc
igfxrtrk.lrc
igfxsrvc.dll
igfxsrvc.exe
igfxTMM.dll
igfxtray.exe
igkrng400.bin
igkrng500.bin
igkrng575.bin
iglhcp32.dll
iglhcp64.dll
iglhsip32.dll
iglhsip64.dll
iglhxa64.cpa
iglhxa64.vp
iglhxc64.vp
iglhxg64.vp
iglhxo64.vp
iglhxs64.vp
igxpco64.dll
igxpun.exe
oemdspif.dll

nvidia:

Code:

nvBridge_int.km_ > nvBrigdge_int.kmd
nvdisp_IH.nvu
nvmvle.cat - certificate
nvmvle.INF - Driver Catalog
nvtmmhyb.dl_ > nvtmmhyb.dll - hyb = hybrid?

 

Can I use different screen resolutions for the two video cards?
I want to put on nvidia 1600x900 and 1400x800 on intel!
Naturally from a card to another, the resolution should change automatically!

 

Not really. If you have two monitors connected to your laptop, the nVidia video card or the Intel video card will connect to both. Both monitors can have different resolutions.

 

So... i can't :-(
since I saw a blur of video using the nvidia card at resolution of 1400x900, I want to use it to native resolution, but I also wanted to keep resolution of 1400x900 passing to the intel card (always on the LCD of the notebook).
no external software?

 

Samsung Q530, Q430 and Q330 are also using Nvidia Hybrid Graphic.

 

Seems to be oddly conflicting information on whether these use Hybrid Graphics or not. The Q430 is on sale at best buy and does not seem to have Hybrid Graphics. I read one review that said the Q330 has Hybrid Graphics found drivers online for it and they seem to be Optimus drivers, so no Hybrid Graphics there either.

The Hybrid Graphics notebooks that I currently know of are:
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - BenQ Joybook S42
NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT - Fujitsu Amilo XI 3650
NVIDIA GeForce GT 130M - Acer Aspire 5935G
NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS - Sony Vaio Z (Older VGN-Z)
NVIDIA GeForce G105M - Asus UX50V
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M - Acer Aspire 5745G
NVIDIA GeForce GT 310M - Acer Aspire 5745G
NVIDIA GeForce GT 330M - Sony Vaio Z (Newer VPC-Z11)
NVIDIA GeForce G105M - HP Pavilion DM3-1150EL
NVIDIA NVS 3100M - Lenovo Thinkpad T410s
NVIDIA GeForce 305M - Levono IdeaPad V460
NVIDIA GeForce 310M - Levono IdeaPad V460
NVIDIA GeForce G210M - Asus UL30VT
NVIDIA GeForce G210M - Asus UL50VT
NVIDIA GeForce G210M - Asus UL80VT
NVIDIA GeForce GT 335M - Dell Alienware M11x

Excuse the odd formatting.

 

@Nautis:
tried it on a VPCZ, but unfortunately the set-up in that big glob installs only the audio drivers...
is there are known way to force an install of the graphics drivers as well?

 

Not supported on the VPCZ yet.

 

Thanks for your info about Q330 Nautis, actually i just read it at local newspaper and decide to post the info without further search because i was not in front computer at that time...

anyway i found something new...

Code:

Intel DriverVer=04/21/2010,8.15.10.2119

Nvidia 189.90 and Intel 2119 for hybrid graphic...

Dell Hybrid 189.90 released - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

hmm... i am curious about vpc z graphic driver...
currently the laptop isn't here... so i can't try anything...

edit2: not as easy as i thought...................

<strike>can anyone here try this:
add the following file from original 188.80 to 25x driver

Code:

nvBridge_int.kmd
nvdisp_IH.nvu
nvtmmhyb.dll

and edit the inf file then try to install...
</strike>

edit3: added inf
VPCZ1 inf for 189.90 dell driver...
or attachment...

edit4: information about edited inf

Code:

;11,,igfxexps.dll,1 - i don't know what this file is use for but it is disabled now, please try what happen if you removed the ";"

nvcod1919.dll replaced nvcod190.dll also don't have any idea...

machine.inf from the original 188.80 sony driver is needed

ig4dev64.dll = 1
ig4dev32 = 1
are removed

nvhotkey.dll not added

 

What are you trying to do? Mod the 258.96 driver for the Z11/12?

 

yup, at first i am thinking to mod the 258.96 to vpcz1 but later i found it is easier to mod dell 189.90 with intel 2119 to vpcz1.