An important new feature of Flash Player 10.1 is that it
can use the GPU to render graphical content on mobile devices. In
the past, graphics were rendered through the CPU only. Using the
GPU optimizes the rendering of filters, bitmaps, video, and text.
Keep in mind that GPU rendering is not always as accurate as software
rendering. Content can look slightly chunky when using the hardware renderer.
In addition, Flash Player 10.1 has a limitation that can prevent
onscreen Pixel Bender effects from rendering. These effects can
render as a black square when using hardware acceleration.
Although Flash Player 10 had a GPU acceleration feature, the
GPU was not used to calculate the graphics. It was only used to
send all the graphics to the screen. In Flash Player 10.1, the GPU
is also used to calculate the graphics, which can improve rendering
speed significantly. It also reduces the CPU workload, which is
helpful on devices with limited resources, such as mobile devices.
GPU mode is set automatically when running content on mobile
devices, for the best possible performance. Although
wmode
no
longer must be set to
gpu
to get GPU rendering,
setting
wmode
to
opaque
or
transparent
disables
GPU acceleration.
Note:
Flash Player on the desktop still uses the CPU to do software
rendering. Software rendering is used because drivers vary widely
on the desktop, and drivers can accentuate rendering differences.
There can also be rendering differences between the desktop and
some mobile devices.
