The va-api (video acceleration api) enables hardware accelerated video decode/encode at various entry-points (vld, idct, motion compensation etc.) for the prevailing coding standards today (mpeg-2, mpeg-4 asp/h.263, mpeg-4 avc/h.264, and vc-1/vmw3). it provides an interface to fully expose the video decode capabilities in today's gpus.

platform definitions: ctg: cantiga, intel gma 4500mhd (gm45) ilk: ironlake, intel hd graphics for 2010 intel core processor family snb: sandybridge, intel hd graphics for 2011 intel core processor family ivb: ivybridge

this package installs the video decode & encode driver backend for the intel g45 chipsets and intel hd graphics for intel core processor family.

this package ensures a smooth upgrades from previous versions of debian. it can safely be removed if no other packages depend on it.