AWS Elemental Link Device Family

Video encoded with Link devices is encrypted using AES-128 and rotating keys from AWS Key Management Service (AWS KMS). AWS IoT Core handles device authentication and end-to-end security for connecting to AWS Elemental MediaLive.

There are two types of AWS Elemental Link devices, each providing different video outputs to AWS Elemental MediaLive. AWS Elemental Link HD devices send video to AWS Elemental MediaLive as high definition (HD) outputs up to 1080p at 60 frames per second (fps), with 8-bit color depth. In comparison, UHD devices can transfer video to MediaLive in ultra-high definition (UHD) 4K resolution up to 2160p at 60 fps, with high dynamic range (HDR) and 10-bit color depth. Each type of Link device requires a specific source input to support these outputs: Link HD devices use a 3G-SDI or HDMI video source, and Link UHD devices use a 12G-SDI or HDMI 2.0 video source. The devices also support different numbers of audio channels: Link HD devices support up to 8 audio channels, while Link UHD devices support up to 16 audio channels.

Link devices take a single video input as a source and send a single video output to AWS Elemental MediaLive. Set up requires three connections to begin streaming video to MediaLive: a power source, an IP network, and an SDI or HDMI video source. Link HD also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE) so you can use as few as two cables. On most networks (ones that use DHCP), no further configuration is needed. Link devices come preconfigured for your AWS Account; once connected, the device begins transferring video thumbnails, can be stopped and started, and is available to use in MediaLive. Link can go from out-of-the-box to live streaming in less than one minute.

You can find the Link HD and Link UHD Quick Start Guides and other documentation on the Link device resources page.

Link devices encode video using the HEVC codec, which is up to 50% more efficient than the AVC codec.

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.

Yes, Link devices work on networks with low bandwidth. Link devices use the HEVC codec to get high quality per bit along with a network-aware adaptive bitrate algorithm, adjusting in real time to changes in network conditions by varying the bitrate of the encoded video. 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 1080p at 60 FPS video. For Link UHD, 10 bit video requires more network bandwidth and we recommend having at least 25 Mbps for 4K (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.

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.

For use cases that require redundancy, two Link devices can feed a MediaLive standard channel, improving the resiliency of the workflow over a single-pipeline channel. For automatic failover, we recommend using AWS Elemental MediaPackage.

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.

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.

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 to MediaLive.

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.