NVIDIA Releases Hotfix Driver for NVENC Encoding Issues on GeForce GTX 16 Cards

NVIDIA recently released a hotfix driver update to address certain issues with the NVENC hardware encoder on GeForce GTX 16-series GPUs. This includes popular models like the GTX 1660, and GTX 1650 Ti.

Source: Nvidia

Hotfix Driver for NVENC Encoding Issues on GeForce GTX 16 Cards

Applications utilizing the hardware acceleration provided by the GPU’s NVENC unit resulted in corrupted videos or error messages. The hotfix driver is based in GeForce 551.68 and is not WHQL-certified.

The GeForce Hotfix display driver version 551.68 is based on the latest Game Ready Driver 551.61. This hotfix addresses the issue where using NVENC to encode videos may result in corrupted videos or error messages on GeForce GTX 1630/GeForce GTX 1650/GeForce GTX 1650 Ti GPUs.

NVIDIA has identified a bug in its latest 551.61 drivers, which could lead to video corruption or errors during GPU encoder utilization. Users using the GeForce GTX 1630, GTX 1650, and GTX 1650 Ti for video encoding through the NVIDIA NVENC encoder are urged to update their drivers.

These fixes will be incorporated into the next official driver release. The GeForce Hotfix driver is NVIDIA’s way of trying to get some of these fixes out to users more quickly. These drivers are beta, optional, and provided as-is. They run through a much abbreviated QA process.

Understanding NVENC and its Importance

NVENC, or NVIDIA Encoder, is a feature in NVIDIA graphics cards that performs video encoding, offloading this compute-intensive task from the CPU. It’s a dedicated part of your GPU used to encode video into a desired format (e.g., H.264, HEVC) faster and with less impact on your system’s performance.

Nvidia’s hardware encoder is a significant feature for streamers, video editors, and users of video conferencing software, as it allows for efficient video encoding and can result in better video quality and less strain on the CPU.

The Impact of the Hotfix

The hotfix released by NVIDIA is crucial because it addresses issues causing video corruption and errors during the encoding process. This means that users who rely on NVENC for video encoding – such as gamers who stream their gameplay, professionals who conduct video conferences, or content creators who render video – will see improved performance and stability.

The Importance of Driver Updates

Keeping your graphics drivers up-to-date is important for ensuring the smooth operation of your computer, particularly if you use graphics-intensive applications or games. Driver updates often provide performance improvements, add new features, and fix bugs that might have been present in previous versions. In this case, the hotfix driver released by NVIDIA is an important update for GeForce GTX 16-series GPU users who use NVENC for video encoding.

Future Developments

NVIDIA has stated that the fixes provided in this hotfix will be incorporated into the next official driver release. This is part of NVIDIA’s commitment to continually improve the performance and reliability of their GPUs. Users can look forward to even more stable and efficient video encoding in future driver updates.

Remember, before updating your drivers, it’s a good idea to back up your system or create a system restore point. This way, if there are any issues with the new drivers, you can easily revert your system back to its previous state. Always download driver updates directly from the manufacturer’s website to ensure you’re getting the official, safe version. For more information, users can visit the NVIDIA Customer Care support site.

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