- Akamai launches cloud instances with NETINT VPUs for efficient video transcoding.
- The Quadra T1U VPUs allow for encoding of up to 32 simultaneous streams in 1080p and support resolutions up to 8K.
- The solution offers significant operational cost savings and increased scalability for digital content.
- This is the first time these video processing units have been made available in the public cloud.
The expansion of online video has generated a growing need for more efficient solutions to handle the enormous workloads involved in transcoding multimedia content. In this context, Akamai has introduced a new category of cloud instances that employs video processing units (VPUs), marking an important technological milestone. This innovation represents the integration of hardware specialized in NETINT in a cloud environment, with Akamai being the first provider in the industry to make it accessible as a public cloud service.
The new Cloud Accelerated Compute instances Akamai's cloud instances have been specifically designed for workloads that require large audiovisual processing capacity without incurring high energy or financial costs. Thanks to the implementation of specialized chips, these instances provide a much more optimized alternative to traditional CPU-only architectures. For more information on cloud alternatives, you can explore how to use them. store images and videos.
Akamai and NETINT: A Step Forward in Multimedia Computing
The core of this technological innovation is NETINT's Quadra T1U VPUs., which allow video processing tasks to be performed with much greater efficiency than conventional solutions. These units are capable of handling up to 32 simultaneous video streams in 1080p and support resolutions that reach the 8K at 60 frames per second. In addition, they support key formats such as AV1, HEVC and H.264, including support for content HDR 8 and 10 bits.
Prior to this release, these VPUs were only available for on-premises environments. or colocation, which severely limited scalability and access for many organizations. Akamai's decision to integrate this technology into its cloud represents a democratization of access to high-performance video processing, without the need to purchase and maintain expensive on-premises hardware. This is especially relevant in an environment where optimize the quality of audiovisual content.
The shortage of cloud solutions truly optimized for specific tasks such as transcoding This has been a common barrier in the industry. This implementation allows media and entertainment companies to quickly adapt their operations without increasing their investments in IT infrastructure.
A paradigm shift in operational efficiency
NETINT VPUs represent an exponential improvement in terms of performance and savings. According to data shared by Akamai, these units can offer performance up to 20 times faster than CPU-only solutions. This translates into a significant release of computing resources, allowing other tasks in the content production chain – such as generating subtitles or dynamic packaging – run without bottlenecks.
The fact of power divert the most intensive tasks to hardware designed exclusively for this purpose It allows for a much more efficient redistribution of system resources. CPUs can focus on complementary processes, thus improving the overall user experience while reducing operational costs. For those interested in video enhancement, it may be helpful to know how to optimize low-quality videos.
Randal Horne, Chief Revenue Officer at NETINT, highlighted that this combination of VPUs with the Akamai cloud opens the door to cost savings up to ten times lower than with traditional platforms, which represents an important tactical advantage for businesses that handle large volumes of video.
Advantages for streaming companies and digital platforms
The rise of streaming And the growing demand for high-resolution content has put traditional infrastructures in jeopardy. From live video to on-demand content, platforms need solutions that allow them to manage these loads in a sustainable and scalable way. It is essential that companies adopt Effective solutions for video streaming.
With this proposal, Akamai seeks to position itself as the benchmark provider in the multimedia services environment.Its strategy, focused on openness, efficiency, and adaptability, aims to cover a market segment that has often been ignored by large traditional cloud platforms. The ability to combine these VPU instances with popular tools like Ffmpeg or GStreamer adds even more value for technical teams already using these solutions for their workflows.
In addition, the platform allows you to work with a network of external partners, offering an open and modular ecosystem that adapts to the needs of each client, from transportation to content monetization. To improve monetization, it is useful to know some apps to add music to videos.
A boost to performance and customization
At NAB 2025 in Las Vegas, held from April 6-9, Akamai showcased the full capabilities of its new cloud offering, including processing, distribution, and digital security options. The company took the opportunity to emphasize The importance of enabling faster and more cost-effective multimedia workflows.
By leveraging its cloud's distributed architecture, Akamai is able to minimize egress fees, offer generous processing allocations, and maintain a highly competitive price-performance ratioThis makes the platform a particularly attractive option for digital media outlets with high technical requirements and limited budgets. For those looking to record quality content, we recommend exploring recording options on Android.
This movement not only responds to a technological trend, but also reflects a real need on the part of companies operating in sectors where video plays a central role. The arrival of VPUs in the cloud means that there's no longer any need to compromise between quality, cost, and scalability: it's possible to have it all.
With this proposal, Akamai takes a decisive step in its strategy to become a key player in the distribution and processing of multimedia content. By integrating these emerging technologies into an accessible, flexible, and growth-ready environment, the company offers its customers a crucial competitive advantage in a market where efficiency and speed make the difference.
Passionate writer about the world of bytes and technology in general. I love sharing my knowledge through writing, and that's what I'll do on this blog, show you all the most interesting things about gadgets, software, hardware, tech trends, and more. My goal is to help you navigate the digital world in a simple and entertaining way.