New whitepaper gives broadcasters and OTT operators independent, codec-by-codec evidence that the VisualOn Optimizer transforms viewer quality of experience.

LAS VEGAS, April, 2026 (NAB Show) — VisualOn, Inc. and Cires21 today released a joint whitepaper at NAB 2026 demonstrating dramatic, measurable improvements in video quality of experience (QoE) achieved by integrating the VisualOn Optimizer,  an AI-Enhanced and Award-Winning Content Adaptive Encoding solution,  into Cires21’s Live transcoding pipeline. The findings arrive as broadcasters and streaming operators face mounting pressure to deliver flawless picture quality to mobile audiences while controlling bandwidth and infrastructure costs.

The whitepaper —“Enhancing Video Quality in Transcoding Pipelines: A Comparative VMAF Analysis”—benchmarks H.264, HEVC, and AV1 performance across software, NVIDIA NVENC, NETINT, and Intel QuickSync hardware using VMAF, the Netflix-developed perceptual quality standard. A key finding: Optimizer consistently rescues quality at lower resolutions and bitrates improving the rungs of the ABR ladder that make or break the mobile viewing experience.

“At NAB, everyone talks about quality — this whitepaper actually proves it. The VisualOn Optimizer doesn’t just improve the top of the ladder, it transforms the bottom, turning unwatchable low-bitrate streams into the same engaging user experiences. Cires21 has validated it works across every major hardware platform and codec in use today, from software to ASICs, adding value to win customers based on quality user experience along with bandwidth savings.” — Juan Casal, Chief of R&D, Cires21.  

Headline findings from the research:

• NVIDIA’s NVENC Excellence: The NVENC pipeline sees universal improvement, with VMAF gains of 7-15 points, pushing scores into the 90+ range.
• Rescuing Low Bitrates: For NETINT and Intel hardware, the Optimizer acts as a safety net for lower resolutions (360p-576p), often increasing VMAF scores by 15 to 19 points. This is crucial for maintaining viewer retention on mobile networks.
• Software Efficiency: VisualOn brings software encoding (AVC/HEVC) closer to the theoretical maximum quality for 1080p/720p streams.

VisualOn and Cires21 will be discussing the results and integration at NAB 2026. Attendees can visit Cires21at Booth #W2713. 

The whitepaper is available for download at https://www.visualon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Enhancing-Video-Quality-in-Transcoding-Pipelines-VisualOnCires21.pdf

About Cires21

With over 15 years of experience, Cires21 has become a leader in live video and audio technology for broadcasters, media, sports, and events.  By pioneering advanced solutions that redefine how individuals and businesses engage with media content. By combining our expertise in real-time media processing with the latest in AI technology, we’re shaping the next generation of seamless, high-quality video experiences.

About VisualOn 

VisualOn is a global leader in multimedia software solutions, delivering high-performance playback, encoding, and optimization technologies for OTT, broadcast, and consumer electronics markets. With a focus on quality, efficiency, and scalability, VisualOn enables partners worldwide to deliver superior video experiences across devices and platforms.