AWS Elemental MediaTailor enables 4K and 8K linear channels

Amazon Web Services (AWS) has launched AWS Elemental MediaTailor Channel Assembly, a solution that simplifies the creation of 4K and 8K linear channels from existing video-on-demand (VOD) assets.

Traditionally, producing high-quality live channels in 4K or 8K resolution has required significant investment in expensive encoding hardware and software. AWS Elemental MediaTailor Channel Assembly offers an alternative path by leveraging pre-transcoded and packaged VOD content. This eliminates the need for costly new re-encoding processes, making the distribution of high-quality content more cost-effective.

The solution allows content creators to transform existing 4K and 8K videos into continuous, 24/7 broadcast channels. The method relies on manifest manipulation rather than computationally intensive live encoding processes. AWS Elemental MediaConvert can be used as needed to transcode content into HLS and DASH formats.

The implementation of AWS Elemental MediaTailor Channel Assembly also enables the creation of 8K channels without the need for dedicated 8K live encoders. It is important to ensure that the 8K assets used are consistent in terms of resolution, bitrate, and adaptive bitrate (ABR) ladder.

The technology is expected to significantly lower the barrier to offering high-resolution linear content to an audience demanding increasingly higher visual quality.