AWS Elemental Cheat Sheet

• AWS Elemental helps you process and deliver video content at any scale.
• What it offers:
  • Cloud-based services that run entirely on AWS without needing your own servers
  • On-premises equipment and software for situations where you need local video processing
  • Professional video quality suitable for TV broadcasts, streaming apps, and websites
  • Powers major streaming events like Netflix NFL streams, the Super Bowl on Tubi, and the Olympics on Peacock
  • Pay only for what you use with no upfront costs or long-term contracts.

AWS Elemental Media Services

AWS Elemental MediaLive

What it does: Processes live video in real-time and prepares it for streaming to viewers.

Main capabilities:

• Takes live video (like from cameras or encoders) and compresses it into smaller sizes that work better for internet delivery
• Supports both always-on channels (like 24/7 news networks) and one-time events (like concerts or sports games)
• Creates multiple versions of the same video at different quality levels so viewers get the best quality their internet can handle
• Built-in backup systems across multiple data centers mean your stream stays online even if something fails.
• Automatically manages all the technical infrastructure, scaling, and monitoring without you needing to do anything.

Video formats it supports:

• H.264/AVC: Works on almost every device, most commonly used
• H.265/HEVC: A Newer format that uses less bandwidth but provides the same quality
• MPEG-2: Older format still used in traditional broadcasting
• Input types: Can accept video from various sources, including RTP, HLS, RTSP, and RTMP
• Quality levels: Supports everything from standard definition up to ultra-high definition 4K

TV broadcast features:

• Inserts ad markers (SCTE-35) that tell systems exactly when to show commercials
• Adds closed captions for deaf and hard-of-hearing viewers (supports CEA-608 and CEA-708 standards)
• Handles multiple language audio tracks for international audiences
• Includes audio descriptions for visually impaired viewers
• Automatically fixes volume levels to prevent ads from being too loud (follows FCC rules)

Advanced features:

• Statistical Multiplexing (Statmux): Smartly shares available bandwidth across multiple channels to maximize quality for satellite, cable, or over-the-air broadcasts
• MediaLive Anywhere: Lets you run encoding on your own equipment, but control everything from AWS, useful when you need video processing to happen locally
• Workflow Monitor: Shows a visual map of all your video workflows and how they connect, making it easier to understand and troubleshoot your setup

Pricing:

• Pay-as-you-go: Charged by the hour for what you use (minimum 10 minutes)
• Reserved pricing: Save up to 70% by committing to use it for 12 months (good for 24/7 channels)
• Small fees apply even when not actively encoding to keep everything ready.

AWS Elemental MediaConvert

What it does: Converts video files into formats optimized for different devices like phones, tablets, and smart TVs.

Main capabilities:

• Takes your source video files and creates versions that play smoothly on iPhones, Android phones, web browsers, smart TVs, and more
• Handles any size video library from a few files to millions automatically
• Provides broadcast-quality output comparable to traditional TV
• Automatically adjusts resources based on how many videos you’re processing.
• Monitors jobs and automatically retries if something goes wrong

Video formats it handles:

• Input and output codecs: H.264 (most common), H.265 (better compression), AV1 (newest), Apple ProRes (for professional editing), MPEG-2 (legacy)
• Professional color handling with 10-bit 4:2:2 support for high-quality productions
• HDR support, including Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG, for enhanced picture quality
• Resolutions from standard definition up to 8K ultra-high definition
• Frame rates up to 120 frames per second for smooth motion and slow-motion playback

• Output packaging: HLS (Apple devices), DASH (cross-platform), CMAF (works with both), Smooth Streaming (Microsoft)

Professional features:

• Add logos, watermarks, or graphics anywhere on the video
• Automatically normalize audio volume across all your videos
• Insert markers for ad placement in on-demand content
• Add custom metadata to video manifests
• Protect content with DRM: Widevine (Android/Google), PlayReady (Microsoft/Xbox), FairPlay (Apple devices)
• Include closed captions as separate files or embedded in the video

Job organization:

• Job: One video conversion task that takes source files and creates output files
• Preset: Saved settings you can reuse for consistent output across many jobs
• Job Template: Complete job configuration you can use repeatedly with just a few changes
• Queue: Manages which jobs run first and how many run at the same time

Speed boost option:

• Accelerated Transcoding: Process videos up to 25 times faster by using more computing power, great when you need videos ready quickly

Pricing:

• Charged per minute of video processed
• Extra fees for advanced features like faster processing, newer codecs (HEVC, AV1), and HDR

AWS Elemental MediaPackage

What it does: Prepares and packages video content on-the-fly for delivery to viewers across different devices and platforms.

Main capabilities:

• Takes live or on-demand video and packages it instantly in formats that work on different devices and content delivery networks
• Provides broadcast-quality viewing that automatically handles sudden audience growth from thousands to millions of viewers
• Built-in redundancy across multiple data centers ensures your stream stays up.
• No need to predict audience size—it scales automatically based on actual viewers.

Output formats:

• HLS: Works great on Apple devices and most platforms (industry standard)
• Low-latency HLS (LL-HLS): Near real-time streaming with only 2-6 seconds delay for interactive experiences
• DASH: Universal format that works across different platforms and devices
• CMAF: Single format that serves both HLS and DASH viewers, reducing costs

Video quality support:

• H.264: Works everywhere with good compression
• H.265/HEVC: Better compression for newer devices (available with CMAF)
• HDR-10: Enhanced picture quality with better colors and contrast
• Captions: Supports CEA-608, CEA-708 (TV standards), and WebVTT (web subtitles)

Content protection:

• DRM encryption that prevents unauthorized copying or sharing
• Works with Apple FairPlay (iOS devices), Google Widevine (Android), and Microsoft PlayReady (Windows/Xbox)
• Controls which content delivery networks can access your content
• Restricts access based on IP addresses for added security

DVR-like features for live streams:

• Start over: Viewers can restart a live program from the beginning
• Pause and resume: Watch live content on your own schedule
• Catch-up TV: Watch shows that aired earlier
• Time delay: Add controlled delays for compliance or content review
• Convert live to on-demand: Automatically save live streams for later viewing

Reliability features:

• Accepts two video feeds from MediaLive, so if one fails, it automatically switches to the backup
• Monitors video quality in real-time and switches to backup sources if quality drops
• Works with CloudFront Origin Shield to reduce server load when serving multiple content delivery networks

Pricing:

• Live streams: Pay per gigabyte going in and per gigabyte going out
• On-demand content: Pay per gigabyte, packaged and delivered

AWS Elemental MediaTailor

What it does: Inserts personalized ads into video streams and creates 24/7 streaming channels from your video library.

Ad insertion features:

• Inserts ads on the server side before the video reaches the viewer, making ad-blocking impossible
• Shows different ads to different viewers based on their interests, location, and viewing history
• Ads blend seamlessly into content with no buffering or quality differences
• Automatically converts ads to match your content quality (resolution, bitrate, etc.)

Channel assembly:

• Create 24/7 streaming channels from existing on-demand videos without re-encoding
• Only modifies playlists, not the actual video files, keeping costs low
• Add commercial breaks anywhere without special markers in your source videos
• Cost-effective for channels that don’t have huge audiences
• Schedule content like a traditional TV channel with flexible programming

Supported formats:

• Apple HLS: Best for Apple devices and broad compatibility
• MPEG-DASH: Industry standard for cross-platform streaming
• CMAF: Single format that works for both HLS and DASH players

Ad tracking:

• Client-side tracking: Detailed viewer analytics from video players
• Server-side tracking: Ad metrics for older devices that don’t support modern tracking
• Follows IAB (Interactive Advertising Bureau) standards for standardized reporting
• Real-time dashboards showing ad performance and revenue

How it works with other systems:

• Works with any standard content delivery network
• Compatible with most ad servers that follow industry standards (VAST/VMAP)
• Connects to any video origin accessible via standard web protocols
• Automatically scales to handle audience surges without configuration

Pricing:

• Pay based on how many ads you insert and how much content you assemble
• No upfront costs or commitments

AWS Elemental MediaConnect

What it does: Reliably transports live video over the internet with quality guarantees, replacing expensive satellite connections.

Main capabilities:

• Adds a quality layer on top of regular internet to ensure reliable video delivery
• Automatically detects and fixes transmission problems like packet loss and network congestion
• Encrypts video during transport to protect your content
• Monitors connection quality in real-time with detailed metrics
• Costs 30% or more less than traditional satellite distribution

Transport options it supports:

• Zixi: High-quality error correction for reliable delivery
• SRT (Secure Reliable Transport): Open-source with built-in encryption
• RIST: Industry standard for reliable internet streaming
• RTP: Basic real-time protocol for video delivery
• RTP-FEC: Adds error correction without needing retransmission
• NDI: Popular in production environments
• AWS CDI: AWS’s own protocol for uncompressed video
• ST 2110 JPEG XS: Broadcast standard with light compression

Types of video it handles:

• Transport Streams: Regular compressed video with audio and data combined
• CDI Flows: Uncompressed or lightly compressed video for professional production quality
• Supports bitrates over 120 Mbps for high-quality feeds

Useful features:

• Send one video source to multiple destinations at once
• Share video streams between different AWS accounts securely
• Industry-standard monitoring that alerts you to common broadcast problems
• Integrates with CloudWatch for monitoring and EventBridge for automation

Hybrid setup:

• MediaConnect Gateway software lets you connect on-premises equipment to AWS seamlessly

Pricing:

• Charged per hour, your connections are active, plus data transfer
• No charges for transfers between MediaConnect and other AWS services in the same region

AWS Elemental MediaStore

Important: Service ending November 13, 2025

What’s happening:

• Current users can continue using it normally until November 13, 2025
• After November 13, 2025, you won’t be able to access your containers or the console
• AWS recommends migrating to Amazon S3 combined with MediaPackage

What it was designed for:

• Fast, reliable storage specifically optimized for live streaming
• Stored video segments and playlist files with very low latency
• Positioned between the live encoder (MediaLive) and content delivery network (CloudFront)

What to use instead:

• Amazon S3: For storing video segments with automatic deletion of old files
• MediaPackage: For live stream packaging and just-in-time delivery
• This combination provides better performance and lower costs

AWS Elemental Appliances and Software

• Physical equipment and software you install in your own facilities for situations where cloud processing isn’t suitable.

When you need on-premises equipment:

• Direct connections to professional cameras and video equipment (SDI cables)
• Video must be processed on private networks within your building
• Internet bandwidth is limited or unreliable
• Integration with existing local storage systems
• Regulatory requirements mandate local processing

Two options available:

• Pre-built appliances: Ready-to-use hardware delivered and installed
• Software licenses: Install on your own servers and equipment

AWS Elemental Live

What it does: Encodes live video on your premises from professional cameras and equipment.

Key features:

• Accepts professional video inputs directly from cameras via SDI connections
• Creates high-quality video suitable for sending to AWS or other destinations
• Works with MediaConnect to send video securely to the cloud
• Available in different models (L800 and L900 series) with varying capabilities

Common uses:

• Encoding video locally before sending to the cloud
• Backup encoding for critical broadcasts
• Hybrid workflows combining local and cloud processing

AWS Elemental Conductor

What it does: Central management system for controlling multiple Elemental Live encoders.

Key features:

• Control multiple encoders from one interface
• Schedule live events across different locations
• Distribute workload across multiple encoders
• Provides failover if one encoder fails

Common uses:

• Large broadcast facilities with many encoding systems
• Multi-location setups requiring central control
• Complex productions with scheduling needs

AWS Elemental Statmux

What it does: Optimizes video quality when distributing multiple channels over limited bandwidth.

Key features:

• Combines multiple video channels into one stream
• Dynamically allocates bandwidth to channels that need it most based on content complexity
• Maximizes overall quality within bandwidth limits
• Used for satellite, cable, and over-the-air distribution

Common uses:

• Satellite distribution to cable providers
• Cable systems with limited capacity
• Broadcast networks with fixed bandwidth

AWS Elemental Link

What it does: A Simple hardware device that sends live video directly to AWS.

Key features:

• Small, portable device that connects to video sources
• Sends video directly to MediaLive or MediaConnect
• Available in HD and UHD versions
• Manage and monitor remotely through the AWS console

Common uses:

• Remote event coverage (concerts, sports, conferences)
• News reporting in the field
• Corporate events and meetings
• Educational institution streaming

Pricing:

• Link HD: Contact AWS for pricing
• Link UHD: $4,995 per device (plus tax and shipping)

Best Practices

Setup recommendations

• Always use CloudFront with Media Services for better performance and cost savings
• Set up services across multiple data centers for reliability
• Use dual video feeds for live streams to prevent outages
• Use MediaConnect for critical video transport

Encoding tips

• Use Quality-Defined Variable Bitrate (QVBR) mode to balance quality and bandwidth
• Create multiple quality levels that match your viewers’ devices
• Test different settings with sample content before going live

Operations

• Use reserved pricing for 24/7 channels to save money
• Monitor everything with CloudWatch dashboards
• Set up automatic alerts for problems
• Review and optimize settings regularly

AWS Elemental References:

https://aws.amazon.com/media-services/elemental/

https://aws.amazon.com/medialive/

https://aws.amazon.com/mediaconvert/

https://aws.amazon.com/mediapackage/

https://aws.amazon.com/mediatailor/

https://aws.amazon.com/mediaconnect/

https://aws.amazon.com/mediastore/

https://aws.amazon.com/elemental-appliances-software/