AWS Elemental Link FAQs
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AWS Elemental Link FAQs
Open allWhat formats of video and audio does AWS Elemental Link UHD support?
AWS Elemental Link UHD devices transport video to either AWS Elemental MediaLive or AWS Elemental MediaConnect in ultra-high definition (UHD) resolution up to 2160p at 60 fps, with support for high dynamic range (HDR) and 10-bit color depth. These devices use a 12G-SDI or HDMI 2.0 video source with support for up to 16 audio channels and Dolby audio passthrough.
What is AWS Elemental MediaLive?
AWS Elemental MediaLive is a cloud-based live video encoding service that offers fast, reliable, and easy-to-use delivery of high-quality live video streams. MediaLive streamlines live video operations by automating the configuration and management of ingest and encoding components for highly reliable delivery. The service provides broadcast-quality features, configurable capability, and supports industry standard formats and technologies. With the broadcast-grade encoding capabilities of MediaLive, the scale and elasticity of AWS, and the easy setup and management of AWS Elemental Link, you can efficiently deliver live streams to your audiences.
Can I install Link in a rack-mount configuration?
Link fits into facilities of practically any size and can be installed in any standard equipment rack. The device fits three across on a standard 19 in. rack shelf. Link devices are easy to transport and take up just a fraction of the space and power of a standard 1U server, making them ideal for flypacks and other types of remote production installations.
What video codec does Link use?
Link HD devices encode video with high quality per bit using the HEVC (High Efficiency Video Coding) codec. Link UHD encodes video using either HEVC or AVC (Advanced Video Coding) up to 2160p resolution at 60 fps, with support for 10-bit color depth and HDR.
What protocol does Link use to send video to AWS?
Link devices transport video with high resiliency using the delivery protocol Zixi, which combines content-aware and network-adaptive forward error correction with error recovery, while minimizing latency.
Will Link devices work with an internet connection that has relatively low bandwidth?
Yes, Link devices work on networks with low bandwidth. Link HD devices use the HEVC codec and Link UHD devices use the HEVC or AVC codec. Link encodes video with high quality per bit using a network-aware adaptive bitrate algorithm that adjusts in real time to changes in network conditions by varying the bitrate. While the exact bandwidth needed for a high-quality video stream depends on a number of factors including resolution, frame rate, and video complexity, we recommend having at least 5 Mbps for HD (1080p) at 60 FPS video. For Link UHD, 10 bit video requires more network bandwidth and we recommend having at least 25 Mbps for UHD (2160p) at 60 FPS video. If your network has less than bandwidth available, we recommend reducing the frame-rate and/or resolution to get the highest quality video.
What happens when bandwidth changes during my live event?
Link devices use a network-aware adaptive bitrate algorithm, adjusting in real time to changes in network conditions by varying the bitrate of the encoded video. This closed-loop feedback system minimizes packet loss to keep video smooth when network issues occur.
Can I set up redundant Links with failover?
For use cases that require redundancy with MediaLive, two Link devices can feed a standard channel, improving the resiliency of the workflow over a single-pipeline channel. For automatic failover, we recommend using AWS Elemental MediaPackage.
Can I use my Link device with more than one MediaLive channel?
Yes, you can use a single Link device as an input for multiple channels in MediaLive. For example, you could have one channel streaming video to viewers while a second channel creates a high-quality archive of your content.
Can Link send multiple channels of audio?
Yes, Link HD can send up to 8 and Link UHD up to 16 embedded audio channels to MediaLive. If your live stream has multi-language programming or surround-sound audio, Link can also support these workflows.
Can I move my Link to another AWS account?
Yes, you can transfer your Link device from one AWS account to another. If you have multiple AWS accounts or work with third parties that have their own accounts, this makes it easy to transfer device control to the account where video will be sent.
Can I move my Link from one AWS region to another?
Yes, you can transfer your Link device from one AWS region to another, as long as it’s a region that supports MediaLive. If you use Link for remote events that take place in different geographic locations, transferring the Link device to the closest AWS region for an event can improve the connectivity and latency of the live video feed.
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