Tag: compression
Nvidia Details ‘Neural Texture Compression’, Claims Significant Improvements
Games today use highly-detailed textures that can quickly fill the frame buffer on many graphics cards, leading to stuttering and game crashes in recent AAA titles for many gamers… [T]he most promising development in this direction so far comes from Nvidia — neural texture compression could reduce system requirements for future AAA titles, at least when it comes to VRAM and storage…. In a research paper published this week, the company details a new algorithm for texture compression that is supposedly better than both traditional block compression (BC) methods as well as other advanced compression techniques such as AVIF and JPEG-XL.
The new algorithm is simply called neural texture compression (NTC), and as the name suggests it uses a neural network designed specifically for material textures. To make this fast enough for practical use, Nvidia researchers built several small neural networks optimized for each material… [T]extures compressed with NTC preserve a lot more detail while also being significantly smaller than even these same textures compressed with BC techniques to a quarter of the original resolution… Researchers explain the idea behind their approach is to compress all these maps along with their mipmap chain into a single file, and then have them be decompressed in real time with the same random access as traditional block texture compression…
However, NTC does have some limitations that may limit its appeal. First, as with any lossy compression, it can introduce visual degradation at low bitrates. Researchers observed mild blurring, the removal of fine details, color banding, color shifts, and features leaking between texture channels. Furthermore, game artists won’t be able to optimize textures in all the same ways they do today, for instance, by lowering the resolution of certain texture maps for less important objects or NPCs. Nvidia says all maps need to be the same size before compression, which is bound to complicate workflows. This sounds even worse when you consider that the benefits of NTC don’t apply at larger camera distances.
Perhaps the biggest disadvantages of NTC have to do with texture filtering. As we’ve seen with technologies like DLSS, there is potential for image flickering and other visual artifacts when using textures compressed through NTC. And while games can utilize anisotropic filtering to improve the appearance of textures in the distance at a minimal performance cost, the same isn’t possible with Nvidia’s NTC at this point.
Read more of this story at Slashdot.
Nvidia details Neural Texture Compression, claims significant improvements over traditional methods
How to Enable or Disable Memory Compression in Windows 11
Using Windows 11’s memory compression feature, you can get your PC’s RAM to store more data than its original capacity. This allows your PC to read data faster, improving your overall experience. We’ll show you how to enable and disable memory compression on your computer.
Read This Article on How-To Geek ›
Get a leg up on soreness with this heat compression massager
TL;DR: As of August 21, you can get the Thrive X Heat Compression Leg Massager Sleeve for just $68.99 with code THRIVE11 — that’s a 42% discount.
After a long day, does the soreness in your feet and legs go away once you have a moment to rest? That soreness may be distracting, and it may be frustrating when you know you still have more to do in the day, but there may be something you can do. Heat and compression therapy are two common methods of reducing pain and inflammation around the body. You can combine that treatment and focus it on your sore legs and feet with the Thrive X Heat Compression Leg Massager Sleeve. This wearable leg massager is on sale for $68.99 (Reg. $119) with code THRIVE11.
How much easier would the day be with reduced leg pain?
Feeling the soreness building in your legs and feet could be a damper on your day, but with this wearable compression massager, you may be able to find some relief. When you’re feeling soreness in your legs or feet, put on the Thrive X to help alleviate some of your pain. It should be able to cover your full calf and feet.
From the screen, you can toggle through six massage modes, three intensities, and three heat levels to find one to help soothe your pain. Massage modes select which area or motion you want treated, with options for full calf, full foot, alternating, simultaneous, circular motion, and relaxing foot. Temperatures range from 95ºF all the way up to 131ºF, so you may want to experiment to find what’s comfortable for you. It even has an automatic shut-off timer in case you fall asleep while using it.
Get a foot and calf massage whenever you want
Whether you’re looking for pain relief or just want a relaxing way to wrap up the day, this wearable foot and calf massager could be a comforting thing to have around the house. For a limited time, get the Thrive X Heat Compression Leg Massager Sleeve while it’s on sale for $68.99 with code THRIVE11.
Prices subject to change.
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Thrive X Heat Compression Leg Massager Sleeve
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