Net Insight is upgrading its internet media transport by partnering with NETINT to integrate their ASIC Smart VPU video processing chip with AI into the next release of Nimbra Edge.
Net Insight is upgrading its internet media transport solutions by partnering with NETINT Technologies. The two companies are integrating the NETINT ASIC Smart VPU video processing chip, which includes AI features, into the next release of Net Insight’s Nimbra Edge. A strategic move, this integration is aimed to expand Net Insight’s capabilities beyond transport to include video processing and transcoding features directly within its platform.
Until now, Net Insight has focussed on transport solutions, developing systems for high-quality content delivery. By incorporating NETINT’s VPU hardware, Nimbra Edge will now support real-time transcoding of AV1, HEVC and H.264 codecs, allowing users to manipulate transport streams dynamically, resulting in a substantial advantage in efficiency compared to software.
This development makes external transcoding solutions unnecessary, simplifying workflows and increasing efficiency. The new capabilities running on NETINT’s Smart VPU cards will be available in the next release of Nimbra Edge, set to launch in April 2025.
Smart VPU Chip
The Smart VPU Chip is a proprietary ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) that increases encoding density by expanding the number of encodable channels without increasing the rack footprint. This silicon hardware draws less power, in effect lowering heating and cooling costs without affecting video quality or latency. Results of this type are not achievable with CPU software-based video processing.
ASIC computer chips ike the Smart VPU combine several circuits on an SoC, supporting custom programming for specific tasks. Specialised VPU hardware components are designed to handle video-related tasks efficiently, such as encoding, decoding and real-time video processing. In contrast to CPUs or GPUs, VPUs are optimised for parallel processing of video data streams, which suits them for applications requiring high throughput with low power consumption. VPUs gain efficiency through hardware-accelerated pipelines that are customised for specific video codecs and processing algorithms.
Due to this design, VPUs can be plug-and-play, and are compatible with most cloud and on-premises video platforms. They integrate through standard APIs like FFmpeg, GStreamer and custom SDKs. VPUs support AV1, H.265/HEVC, H.264, VP9 and other codecs, with resolutions up to 8K UHD, handling multiple streams simultaneously.
A Broader Media Strategy
The addition of encoding and processing functionality is in line with Net Insight’s broader strategy of delivering versatile, end-to-end media systems. Supporting both on-premises and cloud-based processing, this integration is a foundation for further expansion into primary distribution, while continuing to develop contribution and production tools.
Other technical aspects of this expansiion can include frame rate conversion, bitrate compression, overlay insertion, deinterlacing and audio shuffling. By integrating these features directly, users can automate detailed workflows without relying on extra third-party tools. The result is a more agile, cost-effective and scalable platform for broadcasters, media companies, and live event producers and streamers.
Randal Horne, Chief Revenue Officer at NETINT Technologies said, “This collaboration gives broadcasters and media companies the advantage they are seeking with high-performance transport and intelligent video transcoding and processing, enabling services to scale without reducing video quality or profitability.”
“With NETINT’s VPU cards, we are adding an effective layer of functionality to Nimbra Edge,” said Christer Bohm, VP Product Management at Net Insight. “Now, we aren’t limited to content transport – we can enhance it, and automate complex workflows with intelligent, AI-driven processing, whether on-premises or in the cloud.” netinsight.net
