Using AWS MediaTailor Channel Assembly vs. MediaLive for Static File Live Streaming

Executive Summary

AWS MediaTailor Channel Assembly offers a more cost-effective and simpler solution for creating live linear channels from existing VOD content compared to AWS MediaLive when working with pre-packaged HLS or DASH content.

Key Benefits:

• Eliminates unnecessary transcoding costs
• Provides straightforward content scheduling
• Reduces operational complexity

⚠️ Important: MediaLive remains the preferred solution when source content requires transcoding, format changes, or when working with raw inputs like MP4 files.

Understanding the AWS Media Services

AWS Elemental MediaTailor Channel Assembly

AWS MediaTailor Channel Assembly is a manifest-only service designed to create linear streaming channels using pre-existing video-on-demand (VOD) content mixed with live content.

Key Features:

• Fetches manifests from the origin
• Assembles a live sliding manifest window
• Provides static and dynamic playlist capabilities
• Reuses existing multi-bitrate transcoded video segments

AWS Elemental MediaLive

AWS MediaLive is a real-time video encoding service that can ingest various input types, transform live video content, and create outputs for broadcast and streaming delivery.

Key Features:

• Handles various input formats
• Transcodes into different formats and resolutions
• Provides significant processing capabilities

Use Case Scenario: Creating a Cost-Efficient FAST Channel

Business Challenge

A media company wants to launch several Free Ad-Supported Television (FAST) channels using their existing content library with the following requirements:

1. Utilize a large catalog of movies and TV shows
2. Use content already encoded and packaged as HLS and DASH streams in Amazon S3
3. Create 24/7 linear channels with scheduled content
4. Implement ad insertion capabilities for monetization
5. Minimize costs and operational complexity

MediaTailor Channel Assembly Solution

Using AWS MediaTailor Channel Assembly, the company can create virtual linear channels by assembling their existing pre-packaged content without re-transcoding.

Workflow:

1. Define source locations pointing to existing HLS/DASH content in S3 or CloudFront
2. Create channels with appropriate output formats (HLS, DASH, CMAF)
3. Schedule programs using static or dynamic playlists
4. Integrate ad breaks for monetization
5. Deliver the stream to viewers via CloudFront

Service Comparisons

Source Input Options

MediaTailor Channel Assembly Source Inputs

Supported formats:

• HLS (HTTP Live Streaming)
• DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP)
• CMAF (Common Media Application Format) with HLS and DASH manifests

Hosting options:

• Amazon S3 buckets
• HTTP/HTTPS servers including CDNs like CloudFront
• Other web-accessible origins

💡 Tip: Ensure content is encoded and packaged with similar characteristics across assets for optimal performance.

MediaLive Source Inputs

Supported input formats:

• MP4 files
• Transport Stream (TS) files (.ts or .m2ts)
• HLS streams or VOD assets
• RTMP Pull/Push
• RTP Push
• AWS Elemental Link
• MediaConnect flows
• SRT caller
• SMPTE 2110 stream
• CDI inputs
• Multicast

Management Complexity

MediaTailor Channel Assembly Management

1. Register source locations and VOD sources
2. Create channels and define outputs
3. Schedule programs in the timeline
4. Start/stop channels as needed

MediaLive Management

1. Set up input security groups
2. Configure inputs with proper parameters
3. Create channel with appropriate encoding settings
4. Manage output groups and destinations
5. Set up audio rendition groups
6. Handle input switching
7. Manage and monitor transcoding

Comparison Table

Feature/Aspect	AWS MediaTailor Channel Assembly	AWS MediaLive
Primary Function	Manifest assembly service (no transcoding)	Real-time video encoding service
Content Processing	No content processing; manifest manipulation only	Full transcoding and processing of video content
Supported Source Formats	Pre-packaged HLS, DASH	Wide range including MP4, TS files, HLS, RTMP, RTP
Source Origin Support	S3, HTTP/HTTPS, CloudFront	S3, HTTP/HTTPS, MediaConnect, RTMP servers, MediaStore
Cost Structure	Lower: ~$0.10/hour for basic channels	Higher: Varies by input/output; ~$0.70-$3.94/hour for standard HD channel
Transcoding Capability	None - requires pre-transcoded content	Full transcoding capabilities
Management Complexity	Low - simple manifest-based assembly	High - requires encoding knowledge and parameter tuning
Setup Time	Faster - simple configuration	Longer - more parameters and options to configure
Input Format Requirements	Strict - assets need similar encoding parameters	Flexible - can normalize disparate content
Best For	Pre-encoded static file playlists	Raw files or live sources requiring transcoding
Ad Insertion	Built-in, no SCTE-35 markers needed	Requires conditioning content with SCTE-35 markers
Resource Utilization	Lower - manifest manipulation only	Higher - full video processing
Scaling Complexity	Simple - automatically scales	More complex - may require channel reconfigurations
Infrastructure Requirements	Minimal	Substantial for high-quality transcoding

Best Practices When to Choose MediaTailor Channel Assembly

Pre-packaged content: When your content is already encoded and packaged as HLS or DASH.
Cost-sensitive operations: When minimizing operational costs is critical.
Simple scheduling needs: When you need basic linear channel scheduling without complex processing requirements.
Multi-channel operations: When launching multiple thematic channels from the same content library.
Ad-supported channels: When you need straightforward ad insertion without SCTE-35 marker conditioning.

When to Choose MediaLive

Format conversion needed: When your source content is in formats like MP4 that require transcoding before delivery.
Quality enhancement required: When the input content needs quality improvements or standardization.
Advanced processing needed: When you need features like advanced audio normalization, image overlays, or motion graphics.
Live inputs: When working with actual live inputs rather than static files.
Format variety: When dealing with a wide variety of input formats that need normalization.

Conclusion

For media companies with existing pre-packaged content (HLS, DASH), AWS MediaTailor Channel Assembly offers a far more cost-effective and operationally simpler solution for creating virtual linear channels compared to AWS MediaLive. The service's manifest-only approach eliminates unnecessary transcoding costs while still enabling sophisticated channel scheduling and monetization through ad insertion.

MediaLive remains the superior choice when working with raw content that requires transcoding or when specific video processing needs exist. However, for straightforward linear channel creation from existing properly packaged static files, MediaTailor Channel Assembly provides a compelling value proposition that can reduce costs by 90% or more while simplifying operations.

The choice between these services should be driven by your content format, processing requirements, operational capabilities, and budget constraints. For many FAST channel operators with pre-packaged libraries, MediaTailor Channel Assembly represents the optimal balance of cost, features, and simplicity. Additional Resources

[AWS MediaTailor Documentation](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/mediatailor/)
[AWS MediaLive Documentation](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/medialive/)
[AWS Pricing Calculator](https://calculator.aws/)
[AWS Media Services Blog](https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/media/)

Security

⚠️ Important: Always follow AWS security best practices when implementing these services. Ensure proper IAM roles, VPC configurations, and encryption settings are in place.