NETINT benchmarks claim VPUs deliver 5.8x better efficiency for AV1

As AV1 becomes the default for high-volume platforms, general-purpose compute is hitting a wall of diminishing returns. This shift suggests a structural change in data centers where CPUs are relegated to control-plane logic while dedicated ASICs handle the heavy media processing path. For operators, this isn't just about codec quality, but the long-term economics of rack space and power overhead. Competitors like NVIDIA and Intel are similarly pivoting toward integrated AV1 support, but the gap in power-per-stream remains a decisive metric for hyperscale deployments. Watch for whether neutral benchmarks from major cloud providers confirm these VPU density claims at full production loads.

The push for hardware-driven AV1 adoption comes as the codec achieves critical mass across the streaming landscape. As of early 2026, AV1 accounts for approximately 30% of Netflix's total viewing and over 75% of YouTube's video watch time, per reports from Free-Codecs and Transcodely in January 2026. This growth is supported by near-universal device certification; approximately 88% of large-screen devices certified between 2021 and 2025 now include native AV1 hardware decode support. Major shifts also occurred in the mobile segment after Apple integrated hardware-accelerated AV1 decoding into its M3 and A17 Pro chips.

While hardware makers like NETINT emphasize energy efficiency, the broader ecosystem is already preparing for the next iteration. The Alliance for Open Media (AOMedia) announced the AV2 codec specification in late 2025, promising up to 30% better compression than AV1. However, industry experts suggest that AV1 will remain the production standard for the majority of traffic through 2027 due to existing hardware lifecycles. Concurrently, the licensing environment has grown more complex. Per Sisvel in July 2025, roughly half of the finished AV1 device market is now licensed under its patent pool, signaling an end to the 'royalty-free' era for many hardware manufacturers. This shift validates the focus on power and density as the primary competitive battlegrounds for encoder vendors.