AMD Unveils Alveo MA35D Media Accelerator for Data Centers

Introduction: AMD's Leap into Dedicated Video Encode Cards

Launching the First AMD-Branded Video Encode Card

AMD is introducing the Alveo MA35D, a new dedicated media accelerator and video encode card designed for data centers. This release, the first of its kind under the AMD brand, is a direct successor to the Xilinx line of cards and marks a significant step in AMD's expansion into the market for dedicated video encode cards.

Alveo MA35D: A Pure Video Encode Card

Designed for Real-Time Video Encoding in Data Centers

• Purpose-Built Design: Unlike competing GPU-based products from Intel and NVIDIA, the Alveo MA35D is a pure video encode card, focusing solely on real-time video encoding.
• Efficiency Focus: This design strategy allows the MA35D to specialize in video encoding, potentially offering more optimal and efficient performance in this specific task.

Hardware Specifications of the Alveo MA35D

Significant Generational Upgrade and Advanced Features

• Video Stream Capacity: The MA35D quadruples the maximum number of simultaneous video streams, supporting up to 32 1080p streams.
• Codec Support: Adds support for AV1 codec and 8K resolution encode.
• Underlying Technology: Features two Video Processing Units (VPUs), each with 8GB LPDDR5 memory and PCIe 5.0 x4 connectivity.
• Process Technology: Built on a 5nm process, though the specific fab remains undisclosed.

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Target Market and Usage

Focused on Live Streaming and Interactive Video Services

• Primary Users: The card is aimed at live streaming services, cloud gaming, video conferencing, and similar applications that require real-time encoding of large numbers of video streams.

Performance and Power Efficiency

Improved Encoding Quality and Reduced Power Consumption

• Enhanced Encoding: The Alveo MA35D boasts improved H.264 and H.265 encode quality comparable to high-end software presets, with AV1 offering significant bitrate efficiency.
• Energy Efficiency: The card's typical power consumption is around 35 Watts, translating to just over 1W per stream for 1080p60, marking a significant efficiency improvement over its predecessor.

AI Acceleration and Image Quality Improvements

Utilizing AI for Advanced Encoding Techniques

• AI Processor: The card includes a 22 TOPS throughput AI processor to enhance video encode quality, employing region-of-interest encoding and artifact detection for better bitrate efficiency.

Product Design and Form Factor

Compact and Passive Cooling

• Physical Design: The MA35D maintains a single slot half-height half-length form factor, passively cooled and entirely powered via the PCIe slot.

Pricing and Availability

Market Release and Cost

• Launch Timeline: AMD is currently sampling the Alveo MA35D to partners, with production shipments expected in the third quarter of the year.
• Pricing: The suggested retail price for the Alveo MA35D is set at $1595.

Conclusion: AMD's Strategic Expansion in Video Encoding

A New Era for AMD in Data Center Video Encode Solutions

The launch of the Alveo MA35D represents a strategic move for AMD into the realm of dedicated video encoding solutions for data centers. By combining advanced hardware capabilities with AI-enhanced encoding techniques, AMD aims to meet the growing demands of live streaming and interactive video services, offering a compelling alternative in a market traditionally dominated by GPU-based solutions. The Alveo MA35D's focus on efficiency, quality, and performance sets a new benchmark in the industry, highlighting AMD's commitment to innovation in the data center space.