NETINT: Unleashing The Next Frontier in High-Performance Video Processing

NETINT, a video hardware solutions specialist, has just unlocked a new chapter in video technology with the 2024 Technical & Engineering Emmy Award-winning AV1-enabled Quadra VPU. By seamlessly integrating the AV1 codec, the Quadra VPU pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in live and real-time video streaming, offering unprecedented efficiency, operational density, quality, and scalability. This Emmy-award-winning video processing unit leverages AV1 and revolutionizes how digital content is encoded, streamed, and delivered in real-time. Alex Liu, NETINT’s co-founder and COO, and Mark Donnigan, their head of strategic marketing, spoke with us about their new product and the advantages of AV1.

A New Era in AV1-enabled Video hardware

NETINT Quadra VPU isn’t just an upgrade — it’s a complete rethinking of video processing with AV1 as a vital part of the design. Purpose-built for the demands of today’s hyperscale environments, the AV1-enabled Quadra VPU introduces an entirely new level of hardware optimization, combining the company’s dedicated silicon with the flexibility of software. By utilizing advanced AV1 compression technology, Quadra ensures better video quality at lower bitrates while drastically cutting down on bandwidth costs.

“AV1-enabled Quadra represents a shift in how we think about video encoding. It’s not just an evolution; it’s a revolution,” says Liu. “We’ve worked tirelessly to create a product that redefines the relationship between performance and efficiency.”

Leveraging AV1 for Quadra was an obvious choice for NETINT. “I think it's super clear to the industry that AV1 is the next generation codec,” said Donnigan. “As more video content and entertainment experiences move to the Internet, consumer quality expectations are rising."

Liu noted, “We were a very early adopter — in fact, we were the first hardware implementation of AV1 in silicon. NETINT shipped the first commercial product with AV1 in early 2021.”

Power and Flexibility, Perfectly Combined

Quadra’s breakthrough design centers on delivering ultra-high performance without compromise. Thanks to a dedicated ASIC architecture, Quadra’s processing power is focused solely on video, providing unparalleled speed and efficiency. The result? An AV1-enabled VPU that easily handles the most complex video streams, all while consuming just 20 watts of power.

“At its core, Quadra is about flexibility,” says Donnigan, “By integrating a customizable AV1-enabled video encoder, we’ve empowered our customers to take full control of their workflows, from hyperscale data centers to live-streaming platforms.”

Unmatched Efficiency, Extraordinary Savings

With video consumption skyrocketing, data centers face enormous energy and cost challenges. Traditional CPUs struggle with the intense computational demands of modern codecs. NETINT Quadra changes that equation, offering hardware acceleration that slashes energy consumption by as much as 80% for the same number of streams.

“We’ve taken the massive power demands of advanced video codecs and distilled them into a small piece of silicon,” explains Liu. “This means our clients can leverage the AV1-enabled Quadra to operate with far fewer resources, saving millions in operation costs.”

Redefining the Video Experience

AV1-enabled Quadra doesn’t just transform backend processes — it reimagines the user experience. By leveraging AV1, NETINT enables a new level of video quality, from live sports streaming to immersive experiences, cloud gaming, and video conferencing.

“With the AV1-enabled Quadra, every pixel is sharper, every frame smoother, and every interaction faster. AV1 is the future of video, and Quadra puts that future in everyone’s hands today,” states Donnigan. “We’re not just keeping pace with the industry — we’re leading it.”

Built for the Future, Ready for Today

The NETINT AV1-enabled Quadra VPU is designed to evolve as video demand grows. Its software-defined architecture ensures customers will be ready for whatever comes next. Its seamless integration with existing platforms and open developer tools empowers businesses to customize workflows and unlock new opportunities.

“With the AV1-enabled Quadra, we’ve created a product that’s not only powerful but future-proof,” says Liu. “Whether streaming to millions of viewers or optimizing for on-demand video, Quadra will help you stay ahead.”

An Expanding Ecosystem

Liu and Donnigan agree that AV1 adoption is now expanding beyond the large industry players.

Liu explained, “I think AV1 has already seen broad adoption on the software decoder side. And a few key suppliers have started to support it on the encoder.”

“It’s following the codec adoption trajectory I’ve seen for many years. More people who want to adopt AV1 can now do it economically,” added Donnigan.

Liu continued, “For the trend to keep going, I think it’s important to continue to lower the cost on the encoder side like we’re doing. On the decoder side, we’ll need more manufacturers to push decoding to their mid and lower-level media SoCs and APUs."

The Key to Staying Ahead

For NETINT, AOM membership is essential.

"We actively participate in the AOM technical meetings to understand the trends. We also participate in many detailed discussions regarding the features for the hardware implementation work for the next generation codecs,” said Liu. “These activities are crucial for our long-term growth and establishing a vibrant AVx ecosystem.”