AWS Elemental MediaPackage Specialized2017年〜
A service that packages and delivers live and on-demand video for multiple devices
What It Does
AWS Elemental MediaPackage is a service that packages video content into formats playable on various devices and players, and delivers it. It supports major streaming protocols including HLS, DASH, CMAF, and Microsoft Smooth Streaming, and provides features like DRM (digital rights management), ad insertion marker processing, and time-shift viewing (rewind and catch-up playback).
Use Cases
Used for content packaging in OTT (Over-The-Top) video streaming services, DRM protection and ad insertion for live sports streaming, cloud-based delivery infrastructure for TV stations, and providing time-shift viewing (catch-up) for live events.
Everyday Analogy
Think of it like a TV station's transmission facility. It takes programs produced in the studio and converts them into the appropriate format for each distribution channel - terrestrial, satellite, cable, and internet. It also handles recording (time-shift) and copyright protection (DRM).
What Is AWS Elemental MediaPackage?
AWS Elemental MediaPackage is a service for just-in-time packaging and delivery of video content. It takes video streams from encoders like MediaLive and converts them in real time into the format requested by the viewer's device or player. From a single input stream, it can simultaneously generate multiple formats like HLS (for Apple devices) and DASH (for Android and smart TVs), eliminating the need for separate encoding per device.
DRM and Content Protection
MediaPackage integrates with major DRM systems (Apple FairPlay, Google Widevine, Microsoft PlayReady) to prevent unauthorized copying of content. DRM encryption is applied in real time during packaging, so you can store the original stream unencrypted and only encrypt during delivery. It also supports CDN authentication tokens for access control, restricting content access to authorized users only. For detailed information on DRM and content protection, technical books (Amazon) also provide explanations.
Time-Shift and DVR Features
With MediaPackage's live delivery, enabling the time-shift viewing feature lets viewers rewind and replay the live stream. It can buffer up to 72 hours of content, allowing viewers to start watching from any point even during a live broadcast. It also offers a harvesting feature that extracts specific segments from a live broadcast and provides them as on-demand content. This lets you start catch-up delivery immediately after a live event ends.
Things to Watch Out For
- Billed based on the volume (GB) of packaged video output. Costs increase with more viewers
- Using DRM requires a separate DRM license server (SPEKE-compatible). AWS does not directly provide a DRM license server
- Extending the time-shift viewing buffer period increases storage costs. Set the required period appropriately
