Cloud Video Encoding Workflows

Executive Summary

• Cloud-based live-to-tape workflows can record a switcher program output (line cut) and individual camera ISOs for later editing, using Grass Valley AMPP with AWS services.
• Live encoding quality depends on core parameters (codec, bitrate, resolution, framerate) and differs by delivery model, such as IPTV over managed networks versus OTT over unmanaged networks.
• AWS Elemental MediaConnect can ingest SRT streams in the cloud and forward them to recording applications, enabling compressed contribution workflows that can be edited on cloud workstations.

Key Industry Developments

• Cloud live-to-tape architecture with AMPP and AWS
• Traditional multi-camera production can rely on on-premises recorders and editing systems, which can limit cloud flexibility.
• A live-to-tape workflow can capture a switcher program output (line cut) and also record individual cameras (ISOs) to support later edits that require alternate angles or re-cuts.
• Grass Valley AMPP can be paired with Amazon FSx for Windows File Server as shared storage for recorded media assets.
• SRT contribution into cloud routing and recording
• AWS Elemental MediaConnect can receive an SRT stream in the cloud and forward the video to a recording application, supporting workflows where contribution transport and recording are decoupled.
• HEVC encoding is described as a way to reduce the required network data rate when transporting multiple live video streams to the cloud, which can be relevant when sending multiple camera feeds (for example, ISOs) alongside a program feed.
• Encoding configuration guidance for broadcast-grade output
• AWS Elemental MediaLive provides a recommended baseline configuration intended to deliver broadcast-grade video quality output for content types.
• MediaLive identifies primary video-quality drivers as codec, bitrate, resolution, and framerate, which vary by application and delivery network.
• MediaLive supports live encoding using MPEG-2, AVC, HEVC, and AV1, up to 4K resolution, with SDR/HDR and 8/10-bit 4:2:0 or 4:2:2 video.
• AI-assisted encoding toolset selection
• AWS Elemental MediaLive uses artificial intelligence models to select optimal encoding toolsets for the content being encoded.

Real-World Use Cases

• Multi-camera live-to-tape recording with cloud compute and shared storage
• GV AMPP Elastic Recorder X can run on an Amazon EC2 G5 instance and record streams to multiple formats.
• GV AMPP Elastic Recorder X can record HEVC live streams to ProRes 422 HQ, using Amazon FSx for Windows File Server for storage, aligning a compressed contribution format with an edit-friendly mezzanine format.
• Cloud ingest and forwarding for recording workflows
• AWS Elemental MediaConnect can receive an SRT stream in the cloud and forward video to a recording application, enabling a workflow where contribution arrives via SRT and recording occurs in cloud-hosted software.
• Remote editing on cloud workstations
• Editors can access Adobe Premiere running on Amazon EC2 instances through NICE DCV virtual desktop interfaces to edit recorded files, supporting remote access to editing environments without requiring local workstations.
• Encoding strategies by delivery network type
• IPTV delivery over managed networks may use a single encode and output with fixed resolution and framerate for target devices such as set-top boxes.
• OTT delivery over unmanaged networks may use an adaptive bitrate ladder with varied resolution, bitrate, and framerate per encode, packaged for delivery over the internet.

Why It Matters

• Workflow flexibility and asset completeness
• Recording both a line cut and ISOs supports post-production flexibility, because editors can re-edit using alternate camera angles while still retaining the program output as a reference deliverable.
• Network efficiency for multi-stream contribution
• Using HEVC to reduce network data rate can help when transporting multiple live streams to the cloud, which is a common requirement in multi-camera productions that need both program and ISO feeds.
• Operational separation of ingest, routing, recording, and editing
• SRT ingestion via MediaConnect and recording via a cloud-hosted recorder application enables modular workflows, where transport, routing, and recording can be scaled or changed independently.
• Encoding quality control aligned to delivery constraints
• MediaLive’s focus on codec, bitrate, resolution, and framerate provides a structured way to tune quality within constraints, while supporting both single-encode IPTV workflows and multi-rendition OTT ladders.

Sources

• https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/media/live-to-tape-video-workflows-on-the-cloud-with-grass-valley-ampp-and-aws/
• https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/media/optimizing-encodes-for-picture-quality-with-aws-elemental-medialive/