Channel Types - Amazon IVS
STANDARD ChannelsADVANCED-HD ChannelsADVANCED-SD ChannelsBASIC Channels

Channel Types

There are four channel types: STANDARD, ADVANCED_SD, ADVANCED_HD, and BASIC. When you create a channel, the default type is STANDARD.

There are two types of video processing, transcoding and transmuxing. This is determined by the channel type, whether the channel is configured for multitrack video input, and whether the broadcaster uses a multitrack-enabled client. (Multitrack video is configured with the multitrackInputConfiguration API property of the Channel data type.)

  • Video on STANDARD (without multitrack input) and ADVANCED channels is transcoded: multiple qualities are generated from the original input, to automatically give viewers the best experience for their devices and network conditions. Transcoding allows higher playback quality across a range of download speeds. Transcoding is the best option for broadcasters with limited first-mile internet connectivity and/or limited device capabilities (e.g., mobile phones instead of desktop PCs).

  • Video on STANDARD (with multitrack input enabled and the broadcaster using a multitrack-enabled client) and BASIC channels is transmuxed: Amazon IVS delivers the original input to viewers. Similar to transcoding, transmuxed multitrack input delivers viewers the best experience for their devices and network conditions.

All transcoded channels have transcode presets, which determine which renditions are produced. Think of these as ABR ladders. They allow you to trade off available download bandwidth and video quality, to optimize the viewing experience.

  • STANDARD channels have one, default transcode preset.

  • ADVANCED channels have two, selectable transcode presets:

    • Constrained bandwidth delivery uses a lower bitrate than STANDARD for each quality level. Use it if you have low download bandwidth and/or simple video content (e.g., talking heads).

    • Higher bandwidth delivery uses a higher bitrate for each quality level. Use it if you have high download bandwidth and/or complex video content (e.g., flashes and quick scene changes). This is the default.

STANDARD Channels

Single-Track Video Input

STANDARD channels are transcoded. The highest video resolution produced is full HD, 1080p. This is the default channel type.

  • Transcode presets: There is one, default transcode-preset ladder.

  • Audio: For renditions 360p and below, audio is transcoded. For other renditions: original audio is passed through.

Input Resolution and Maximum Bitrate Ladder Details

1080p60 at 8.5 Mbps

  1. Video: source passthrough, audio: source passthrough

  2. Video: 720p60 at 3.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  3. Video: 480p30 at 1.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  4. Video: 360p30 at 0.63 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  5. Video: 160p30 at 0.23 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

1080p30 at 8.5 Mbps

  1. Video: Source passthrough, audio: source passthrough

  2. Video: 720p30 at 2.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  3. Video: 480p30 at 1.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  4. Video: 360p30 at 0.63 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  5. Video: 160p30 at 0.23 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

Less than 1080p60 and greater than 720p60, at 8.5 Mbps

  1. Video: source passthrough, audio: source passthrough

  2. Video: 720p60 at 3.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  3. Video: 480p30 at 1.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  4. Video: 360p30 at 0.63 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  5. Video: 160p30 at 0.23 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

Less than 1080p30 and greater than 720p30, at 8.5 Mbps

  1. Video: source passthrough, audio: source passthrough

  2. Video: 720p30 at 2.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  3. Video: 480p30 at 1.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  4. Video: 360p30 at 0.63 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  5. Video: 160p30 at 0.23 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

720p60 at 8.5 Mbps

  1. Video: 720p60 at 3.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  2. Video: 480p30 at 1.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  3. Video: 360p30 at 0.63 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  4. Video: 160p30 at 0.23 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

720p30 at 8.5 Mbps

  1. Video: 720p30 at 2.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  2. Video: 480p30 at 1.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  3. Video: 360p30 at 0.63 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  4. Video: 160p30 at 0.23 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

Less than 720p30/60 and greater than or equal to 480p30/60, at 8.5 Mbps

  1. Video: 480p30 at 1.4 Mbps, audio: source passthrough

  2. Video: 360p30 at 0.63 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  3. Video: 160p30 at 0.23 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

Multitrack Video Input

STANDARD channels are transmuxed when the input is multitrack video. The highest video resolution produced is limited by the multitrackInputConfiguration.maximumResolution property. The specific renditions are dynamic depending on the broadcaster’s system and environmental requirements.

For all video renditions, audio is source passthrough.

ADVANCED-HD Channels

ADVANCED-HD channels are transcoded. The highest video resolution produced is HD, 720p.

  • Transcode presets: There are two, selectable transcode-preset ladders.

  • Audio: Audio is transcoded.

Input Resolution and Maximum Bitrate Ladder Details

720p60 up to 1080p60, at 8.5 Mbps

Transcode preset: higher bandwidth delivery (default):

  1. Video: 720p60 at 3 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  2. Video: 480p30 at 1.3 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  3. Video: 360p30 at 0.7 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  4. Video: 160p30 at 0.27 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

  5. Audio-only at 64 kbps

Transcode preset: constrained bandwidth delivery:

  1. Video: 720p60 at 2.2 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  2. Video: 480p30 at 0.8 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  3. Video: 360p30 at 0.4 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  4. Video: 160p30 at 0.22 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

  5. Audio-only at 64 kbps

720p30 up to 1080p30, at 8.5 Mbps

Transcode preset: higher bandwidth delivery (default):

  1. Video: 720p30 at 2.3 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  2. Video: 480p30 at 1.3 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  3. Video: 360p30 at 0.7 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  4. Video: 160p30 at 0.27 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

  5. Audio-only at 64 kbps

Transcode preset: constrained bandwidth delivery:

  1. Video: 720p30 at 1.9 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  2. Video: 480p30 at 0.8 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  3. Video: 360p30 at 0.4 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  4. Video: 160p30 at 0.22 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

  5. Audio-only at 0.08 Mbps

Less than 720p30/60 and greater than 480p30/60, at 8.5 Mbps

Transcode preset: higher bandwidth delivery (default):

  1. Video: Source transcoded at 2.3 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  2. Video: 480p30 at 1.3 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  3. Video: 360p30 at 0.7 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  4. Video: 160p30 at 0.27 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

  5. Audio-only at 64 kbps

Transcode preset: constrained bandwidth delivery:

  1. Video: Source transcoded at 1.9 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  2. Video: 480p30 at 0.8 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  3. Video: 360p30 at 0.4 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  4. Video: 160p30 at 0.22 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

  5. Audio-only at 64 kbps

480p30/60 at 8.5 Mbps

Transcode preset: higher bandwidth delivery (default):

  1. Video: 480p30 at 1.3 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  2. Video: 360p30 at 0.7 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  3. Video: 160p30 at 0.27 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

  4. Audio-only at 64 kbps

Transcode preset: constrained bandwidth delivery:

  1. Video: 480p30 at 0.8 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  2. Video: 360p30 at 0.4 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  3. Video: 160p30 at 0.22 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

  4. Audio-only at 64 kbps

ADVANCED-SD Channels

ADVANCED-SD channels are transcoded. Available renditions are capped at input quality, with no up-conversion.

  • Transcode presets: There are two, selectable transcode-preset ladders.

  • Audio: Audio is transcoded.

Input Resolution and Maximum Bitrate Ladder Details

480p30/60 up to 1080p30/60, at 8.5 Mbps

Transcode preset: higher bandwidth delivery (default):

  1. Video: 480p30 at 1.3 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  2. Video: 360p30 at 0.7 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  3. Video: 160p30 at 0.27 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

  4. Audio-only at 64 kbps

Transcode preset: constrained bandwidth delivery:

  1. Video: 480p30 at 0.8 Mbps, audio: 128 kbps

  2. Video: 360p30 at 0.4 Mbps, audio: 64 kbps

  3. Video: 160p30 at 0.22 Mbps, audio: 48 kbps

  4. Audio-only at 64 kbps

BASIC Channels

BASIC channels are transmuxed. A single rendition is produced.

  • Transcode presets: NA

  • Audio: Source audio is passed through.

Input Resolution and Maximum Bitrate Ladder Details

Greater than 480p30/60 and less than or equal to 1080p30/60, at 3.5 Mbps

Source encoding parameters (no ladder)

480p30/60 at 1.5 Mbps

Source encoding parameters (no ladder)