[DOUBT] CNN to predict the Coding Units depths in HEVC intra-prediction model

[PatchWorKs]

I found this interesting project that claims:
The average BD bitrate increase is: 6.60%. The average loss in BD-PSNR is: 0.6dB. The average encoding time reduction is: 71.5%.

Official git: https://github.com/wolverinn/HEVC-CU-depths-prediction-CNN

...does encoding experts thinks this approach really works ?

[rwill]

Trading coding efficiency for speed is known to work. Why ?