Table of Contents

Class H264DecoderBlock

Namespace
VisioForge.Core.MediaBlocks.VideoDecoders
Assembly
VisioForge.Core.dll

H.264/AVC video decoder block that converts compressed H.264 bitstreams into raw video frames. This block supports multiple decoder implementations including software (FFmpeg, OpenH264), hardware-accelerated (NVIDIA NVDEC, VAAPI on Linux, DXVA on Windows), and can automatically select the best available decoder for optimal performance. Essential for decoding H.264 content from files, streams, and live sources in media processing pipelines.

Supported profiles: Baseline, Main, High, High 10, High 4:2:2, High 4:4:4

Performance: Hardware decoders can achieve 4K@60fps or higher depending on GPU capabilities

Use cases: Video playback, transcoding, streaming, video editing, surveillance systems

Implements the VisioForge.Core.MediaBlocks.MediaBlock. Implements the VisioForge.Core.MediaBlocks.IMediaBlockInternals. Implements the IDisposable. 
public class H264DecoderBlock : MediaBlock, IMediaBlock, IDisposable, IMediaBlockInternals

Inheritance

Implements

Inherited Members

Extension Methods

Constructors

H264DecoderBlock(IH264DecoderSettings)

Initializes a new instance of the VisioForge.Core.MediaBlocks.VideoDecoders.H264DecoderBlock class with specific decoder settings. This constructor allows you to specify exactly which H.264 decoder implementation to use and configure its parameters according to your application's requirements.

public H264DecoderBlock(IH264DecoderSettings settings)

Parameters

settings IH264DecoderSettings

The H.264 decoder settings that define which decoder to use and how to configure it.

H264DecoderBlock()

Initializes a new instance of the VisioForge.Core.MediaBlocks.VideoDecoders.H264DecoderBlock class with automatic decoder selection. This constructor automatically detects and selects the best available H.264 decoder on the system, prioritizing hardware-accelerated decoders when available, then falling back to software decoders. The selection order is: FFmpeg → OpenH264 → NVIDIA NVDEC → VAAPI (Linux) → Error if none available.

public H264DecoderBlock()

Properties

Input

Gets the primary input pad for receiving H.264 encoded video data.

public override MediaBlockPad Input { get; }

Property Value

MediaBlockPad

Inputs

Gets all input pads available on this decoder block.

public override MediaBlockPad[] Inputs { get; }

Property Value

MediaBlockPad[]

Output

Gets the primary output pad that provides decoded raw video frames.

public override MediaBlockPad Output { get; }

Property Value

MediaBlockPad

Outputs

Gets all output pads available on this decoder block.

public override MediaBlockPad[] Outputs { get; }

Property Value

MediaBlockPad[]

Settings

Gets or sets the H.264 decoder configuration settings that control decoder selection, performance options, and hardware acceleration preferences. These settings determine which decoder implementation will be used and how it will be configured.

public IH264DecoderSettings Settings { get; set; }

Property Value

IH264DecoderSettings

Type

Gets the media block type identifier for this H.264 decoder.

public override MediaBlockType Type { get; }

Property Value

MediaBlockType

Methods

Build()

Builds and initializes the H.264 decoder element within the pipeline, creating the necessary GStreamer elements and configuring the pads.

public override bool Build()

Returns

bool

true if the decoder was successfully built and initialized; false if an error occurred.

CleanUp()

Performs cleanup of internal resources, disposing of the decoder element and resetting the build state.

public void CleanUp()

Dispose(bool)

Releases unmanaged and - optionally - managed resources.

protected override void Dispose(bool disposing)

Parameters

disposing bool

true to release both managed and unmanaged resources; false to release only unmanaged resources.

GetCore()

Gets the underlying GStreamer element for advanced configuration and control.

public BaseElement GetCore()

Returns

BaseElement

The core H.264 decoder element instance.

GetElement()

Gets the native GStreamer element for direct manipulation and advanced use cases.

public Element GetElement()

Returns

Element

The underlying GStreamer H.264 decoder element.

IsAvailable(H264DecoderType)

Determines whether the specified H.264 decoder implementation is available on the current system. This method checks for the presence of required libraries, drivers, and hardware support for the requested decoder type. Ensure the appropriate NuGet SDK redistribution packages are included in your project for the decoder types you intend to use.

public static bool IsAvailable(H264DecoderType decoder)

Parameters

decoder H264DecoderType

The specific H.264 decoder type to check for availability (FFmpeg, OpenH264, NVDEC, VAAPI, etc.).

Returns

bool

true if the specified decoder is available and can be used; otherwise, false.

IMediaBlockInternals.SetContext(MediaBlocksPipeline)

Sets the pipeline context for this decoder block, establishing the connection to the parent pipeline and enabling access to shared resources.

void IMediaBlockInternals.SetContext(MediaBlocksPipeline pipeline)

Parameters

pipeline MediaBlocksPipeline

The parent MediaBlocksPipeline that contains this decoder.

See Also