AWS Elemental MediaLive enables frame-accurate pipeline locking for streams without timecode

AWS Elemental MediaLive now offers Video Aligned Locking, a feature that synchronizes video pipelines without requiring timecode from the source. This eliminates the need for specialized hardware or complex external synchronization setups previously required for frame-accurate locking across outputs. The feature addresses challenges in digital streaming workflows where timecode is often unavailable or difficult to manage, particularly in non-traditional broadcast environments.

The new capability uses visual signatures to automatically identify and align specific frames across multiple video streams. This enables customers to achieve frame-accurate input switching across standard pipeline channels, as well as linked, cross-region single-pipeline channels. The feature supports outputs including HLS, MediaPackage, CMAF Ingest, UDP, and SRT, broadening compatibility with common streaming protocols.

Previously, achieving synchronization without timecode required significant investment in specialized hardware or intricate workflows. Video Aligned Locking simplifies this process by automating frame alignment through visual recognition, reducing operational complexity and hardware dependencies for broadcasters and streaming providers.

To configure Video Aligned Locking, customers can refer to the Requirements for Video Aligned Locking documentation. For additional guidance on channel synchronization, AWS provides a guide on Implementing Pipeline Locking, offering step-by-step instructions for deployment and optimization.