Setting the rate control mode
If the codec in a video encode is AV1, H.264 (AVC), or H.265 (HEVC), you can configure the rate control mode. The rate control mode lets you configure the video quality and video bitrate in MediaLive.
Note
The information in this section assumes that you are familiar with the general steps for creating a channel, as described in Creating a channel from scratch, and specifically with setting up the video.
When encoding visually complex video (such as high-motion sports events with brightly dressed crowds in the background), there is always a trade-off between high video quality and low bitrate. Higher video quality requires higher bitrate. There is less trade-off with visually simple video such as cartoons.
AWS Elemental MediaLive offers several options that provide different balances of video quality versus bitrate.
To set the rate control mode and bitrate for the output
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On the Stream settings pane, for Video, for Codec settings, choose H264 or H265.
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For H.264 and H.265, in the Rate Control section, for Rate control mode, choose QVBR or CBR or VBR. The default mode is CBR. For information about choosing the best option and about completing the other fields in the Rate control mode section, see the sections below.
For AV1, note that the rate control mode is always QVBR.
Topics
Quality-defined variable bitrate mode (QVBR)
With quality-defined variable bitrate mode (QVBR), MediaLive aims for a specific quality and uses only the bitrate that it needs to reach that quality. Video quality will match the specified quality except when the video is very complex. In this case, when it's not possible to reach the desired quality without exceeding the maximum bitrate, MediaLive observes the maximum bitrate. This means that the video doesn't achieve the desired quality.
We recommend this mode if you or your viewers pay for bandwidth, for example, if you are delivering to a CDN such as Amazon CloudFront or if your viewing users are on mobile networks.
With QVBR mode, you can specify a target quality, or you can let MediaLive determine the target quality.
Option 1: Setting a target quality
To set up in QVBR mode with a target quality that you specify, complete the fields as follows:
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Max bitrate: See the table that follows this list.
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Quality level: See the table that follows this list.
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Bitrate (H.264 and H.265 only): Enter the same value as you enter in Max bitrate.
This field has no effect on quality level in QVBR mode, but MediaLive does use it for calculating the output charges for this output. For more information about charges, see the MediaLive price list
. If you leave Bitrate empty, MediaLive calculates charges using the value in the Max input bitrate in the Input specifications section of the channel configuration. -
Buffer size: Set to twice the maximum bitrate.
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Buffer fill percentage (H.264 and H.265 only): Set to 90%.
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Ignore the other fields in this section. They aren't used for QVBR.
Values to use: Set the Max bitrate and Quality level for your most important viewing devices. See the following table for suggestions.
| Viewing Device | Quality Level | Max Bitrate |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Screen | 8 to 10 | 4,000,000 to 6,000,000 |
| PC or Tablet | 7 | 1,500,000 to 3,000,000 |
| Smartphone | 6 | 1,000,000 to 1,500,000 |
How it works: The bitrate can change with each frame (in order to obtain at least the specified quality), but it can't exceed the maximum bitrate. The encoder does not attempt to maintain an average bitrate. It always reaches the maximum bitrate if that is necessary to obtain the specified quality. On the other hand, if the quality can be obtained with lower bitrates, the encoder doesn't use a higher bitrate.
Option 2: Letting MediaLive determine the quality level
To set up in QVBR mode with a target quality that MediaLive determines, complete the fields as follows:
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QVBR quality level: Leave the field empty.
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Max bitrate: Enter the maximum rate you want the output to use.
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Bitrate (H.264 and H.265 only): Enter the same value as you enter in Max bitrate.
This field has no effect on quality level in QVBR mode, but MediaLive does use it for calculating the output charges for this output. For more information about charges, see the MediaLive price list
. If you leave Bitrate empty, MediaLive calculates charges using the value in the Max input bitrate in the Input specifications section of the channel configuration. -
Buffer size: Set to twice the maximum bitrate.
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Buffer fill percentage (H.264 and H.265 only): Set to 90%.
How it works: You don't specify a target quality. Instead, MediaLive infers the quality you want based on the following fields you completed:
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The output video resolution (the values in the Height and Width fields that are also in this Video section).
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The maximum bitrate.
The bitrate can change with each frame (in order to obtain at least the quality that MediaLive has identified), but it can't exceed the maximum bitrate. The encoder does not attempt to maintain an average bitrate. It always reaches the maximum bitrate if that is necessary to obtain the identified quality. On the other hand, if the quality can be obtained with lower bitrates, the encoder doesn't use a higher bitrate.
Variable bitrate mode (VBR)
This mode doesn't apply to AV1. With variable bitrate mode (VBR), you specify an average bitrate and a maximum bitrate. Video quality and bitrate vary, depending on the video complexity.
Choose VBR instead of QVBR if you want to maintain a specific average bitrate over the duration of the channel. If bitrate does not need to be constrained, then consider using QVBR.
To set up VBR mode, complete the fields as follows:
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Bitrate (average bitrate). Try to assess the expected complexity of the video, and set a suitable average bitrate.
If you leave Bitrate empty, MediaLive sets the average bitrate to 5 Mbps.
The value you enter in Bitrate also affects the output charges for this output. If you leave Bitrate empty, MediaLive calculates charges using the value in the Max input bitrate in the Input specifications section of the channel configuration. For more information about charges, see the MediaLive price list
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Max bitrate: Set a value that accommodates expected spikes.
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Buffer size:Set to twice the maximum bitrate.
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Buffer fill percentage: Set to 90%.
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Ignore the other fields in this section. They aren't used for VBR.
How it works: The bitrate can change with each frame (in order to obtain the best quality) but it can't exceed the specified maximum bitrate. The encoder also ensures that as the channel progresses, the stream meets the specified average bitrate. This mode is useful when you expect short spikes in the complexity of the video. The encoder aims for the average bitrate but spikes to the maximum bitrate for a short time when necessary.
Constant bitrate mode (CBR)
With constant bitrate mode (CBR), you specify a bitrate. Video quality varies, depending on the video complexity.
Choose CBR only if you distribute your assets to devices that cannot handle variable bitrates.
But if it's acceptable for the bitrate to occasionally differ from a specified rate, then consider using VBR or QVBR. Over the duration of the channel, you might obtain both a lower bitrate and better quality with VBR or QVBR.
To set up CBR mode, complete the fields as follows:
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Bitrate: Set the Bitrate to balance the video quality and the output bitrate. If you leave this field empty, MediaLive sets the bitrate to 5 Mbps.
The value you enter in Bitrate also affects the output charges for this output. If you leave Bitrate empty, MediaLive calculates charges using the value in the Max input bitrate in the Input specifications section of the channel configuration. For more information about charges, see the MediaLive price list
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Buffer size: Set to twice the bitrate.
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Buffer fill percentage: Set to 90%.
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Ignore the other fields in this section. They aren't used for CBR.
How it works: The output always matches the specified bitrate. Sometimes that bitrate results in higher-quality video, and sometimes it results in lower-quality video.
