Low latency canvas contexts with desynchronized

The getContext() method now supports a desynchronized option, which provides a low-latency alternative to the now deprecated NaCl/PPAPI solution which used native OpenGL rendering. The new solution uses either 2d or webgl rendering. For example: `let context_type = '2d’; // Or 'webgl' canvas.getContext(context_type, {desynchronized: true});`

Comments

This feature is a continuation of https://www.chromestatus.com/feature/5648950090530816; that had a strong OffscreenCanvas flavour (see e.g. https://github.com/whatwg/html/issues/2659 and the associated bug http://crbug.com/646022). This particular feature applies to non-offscreen canvases. During Spec discussion, |lowLatency| changed name to |desynchronized|, hence some old stale references.

Demos

• https://codepen.io/miguelao/full/WKZaqd
• https://codepen.io/miguelao/full/ZjJNNw
• https://codepen.io/miguelao/full/mLLKLg

Documentation

• https://github.com/whatwg/html/issues/4087
• https://tinyurl.com/lowlatency-canvas-on-chromeos

Specification

Established standard

Status in Chromium

Blink components: Blink>Canvas

Enabled by default (tracking bug) in:

• Chrome for desktop release 75
• Chrome for Android release 75
• Android WebView release 75

Consensus & Standardization

• Firefox: Public support
• Edge: Public support
• Safari: Public support
• Web Developers: Strongly positive

Owners

• mcasas@chromium.org
• fserb@chromium.org
• tbuckley@chromium.org

Last updated on 2019-04-22