diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index e861222..56c170e 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -134,6 +134,11 @@ remote_max_delta=120
 # Much faster than passing the url to ytdl again, but may cause problems with some sites
 # Defaults to yes
 remote_direct_stream=[yes/no]
+
+# Parameter that mpv should use for hardware decoding
+# If properly configured can really improve thumbnail generation speed and cpu load
+# Default to no, see https://mpv.io/manual/master/#options-hwdec for the values
+mpv_hwdec=no
 ```
 (see [`src/options.lua`](/src/options.lua) for all possible options)
 
diff --git a/src/options.lua b/src/options.lua
index 73ed89c..f57fcb5 100644
--- a/src/options.lua
+++ b/src/options.lua
@@ -33,6 +33,8 @@ local thumbnailer_options = {
     -- Add a "--profile=<mpv_profile>" to the mpv sub-call arguments
     -- Use "" to disable
     mpv_profile = "",
+    -- Hardware decoding
+    mpv_hwdec = "no",
     -- Output debug logs to <thumbnail_path>.log, ala <cache_directory>/<video_filename>/000000.bgra.log
     -- The logs are removed after successful encodes, unless you set mpv_keep_logs below
     mpv_logs = true,
diff --git a/src/thumbnailer_server.lua b/src/thumbnailer_server.lua
index 0d0955e..2c096fc 100644
--- a/src/thumbnailer_server.lua
+++ b/src/thumbnailer_server.lua
@@ -38,8 +38,8 @@ function create_thumbnail_mpv(file_path, timestamp, size, output_path, options)
         -- Pass User-Agent and Referer - should do no harm even with ytdl active
         "--user-agent=" .. mp.get_property_native("user-agent"),
         "--referrer=" .. mp.get_property_native("referrer"),
-        -- Disable hardware decoding
-        "--hwdec=no",
+        -- User set hardware decoding
+        "--hwdec=" .. thumbnailer_options.mpv_hwdec,
 
         -- Insert --no-config, --profile=... and --log-file if enabled
         (thumbnailer_options.mpv_no_config and "--no-config" or nil),
@@ -270,4 +270,4 @@ register_timer = mp.add_periodic_timer(0.1, register_function)
 mp.register_script_message("mpv_thumbnail_script-slaved", function()
     msg.debug("Successfully registered with master")
     register_timer:stop()
-end)
\ No newline at end of file
+end)