Flash Player gets hardware acceleration

Version 10.2 available now

Adobe has released version 10.2 of its Flash Player for Windows, Mac OSX and Linux.

The latest release, which is available for download today, features Stage Video, a full hardware-accelerated pipeline which builds on the H.264 decoding included in version 10.1.

The new functionality allows full 1080p HD video playback using just 1-15 per cent of CPU usage according to Adobe, but the company points out that the speed bump might not be immediately apparent.

"Websites and content providers will first need to update their video players before users experience Stage Video playback with Flash Player 10.2 on their sites. For developers, this typically means updating a SWF player file," the company reports.

Flash Player 10.2 also includes support for custom native mouse cursors, multiple monitor full-screen support, Internet Explorer 9 hardware accelerated rendering support, and enhanced sub-pixel rendering for better text readability.

Adobe says that companies like Vimeo, Brightcove, Epix, and YouTube have already started working on Stage Video support but offers a number of sample videos to get the ball rolling.