I'm building a continuous 24/7 video channel that normally plays uploaded videos in a schedule. At specific times, it needs to switch to an incoming live stream, then automatically return to the scheduled video playlist when the live event ends. I initially considered Python and FFmpeg, but AWS seems to provide many of the required media services. What AWS architecture and tools would be a good fit for the scheduler, video storage, live-stream ingestion, automatic switching, and continuous delivery? I'm also considering a third-party CDN to help control data-transfer costs.
3 Answers
Look into AWS designs called linear channels and channel assembly. MediaLive can continuously play a VOD playlist and switch to a live input at scheduled times, then switch back afterward. MediaConnect may be useful if the live feed needs reliable transport before it reaches MediaLive, while MediaPackage can prepare the stream for viewers.
Be very careful with the cost. Keeping a MediaLive channel running 24/7, plus storage, processing, and data transfer, can become expensive even when the audience is small. A third-party CDN can reduce delivery costs, but it will not eliminate the cost of the always-on encoding and origin services. Estimate the monthly price and check whether a cheaper self-hosted FFmpeg setup or an on-demand architecture would work for your expected traffic.
A typical AWS stack would use Amazon S3 for uploaded videos, AWS Elemental MediaLive for the continuous channel and live input, and MediaPackage or another origin service for delivery. You can create a MediaLive schedule or playlist for the normal VOD loop and schedule input switches for live events. EventBridge Scheduler, Lambda, or Step Functions can manage the timing and switching logic, although AWS does not automatically provide the complete channel scheduler for you.
That makes sense. I already have the basic scheduler logic written in Python, so I mainly need a reliable place to run it and connect it to the AWS media services. I may need to replace the FFmpeg-based parts with AWS APIs or MediaLive inputs.