AWS Elastic Transcoder is a scalable, cost-effective media transcoding service that allows you to convert media files into formats suitable for playback on devices like smartphones, tablets, and desktops. This article provides a practical example of using AWS Elastic Transcoder to convert a video file from one format to another.

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What Is AWS Elastic Transcoder?

AWS Elastic Transcoder enables:

• Format Conversion: Transcode media files into various formats and resolutions.
• Preset Support: Use built-in presets for popular formats or create custom ones.
• Integration: Works seamlessly with S3 for input and output media storage.

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AWS Elastic Transcoder Media Conversion Example

Objective

We’ll convert a video stored in Amazon S3 from its original format to an MP4 file optimized for web and mobile playback.

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Step 1: Prepare the Media Files

Upload Input Media to S3

1. Navigate to the S3 Console → Create Bucket.
2. Upload your input video file (e.g., input-video.mov) to the S3 bucket (e.g., example-media-bucket/input/).

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Step 2: Set Up an Elastic Transcoder Pipeline

1. Navigate to the Elastic Transcoder Console:
   • Go to AWS Management Console → Elastic Transcoder → Pipelines → Create Pipeline.
2. Configure the Pipeline:
   • Name: Enter a descriptive name (e.g., example-transcoder-pipeline).
   • Input Bucket: Select the S3 bucket where the input file is stored (e.g., example-media-bucket).
   • Output Bucket: Select or create an S3 bucket for storing the output file (e.g., example-media-bucket/output/).
   • IAM Role: Choose an existing IAM role or let Elastic Transcoder create one for you.
3. Create the Pipeline:
   • Click Create Pipeline.

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Step 3: Create a Transcoding Job

1. Navigate to Jobs:
   • In the Elastic Transcoder Console, go to Jobs → Create New Job.
2. Job Settings:
   • Pipeline: Select the pipeline you created earlier.
   • Input:
     • Input Key: Specify the path to the input file (e.g., input/input-video.mov).
   • Output:
     • Key: Specify the output file name (e.g., output-video.mp4).
     • Preset: Choose a preset (e.g., System preset: Generic 720p for web and mobile compatibility).
   • Thumbnail Settings (Optional):
     • Generate thumbnails for the video by specifying a thumbnail pattern (e.g., thumbnails-{count}).
3. Create the Job:
   • Click Create Job.

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Step 4: Monitor the Transcoding Process

1. Check Job Status:
   • In the Jobs section, monitor the status of your transcoding job.
   • The status will change from Submitted to Progressing and finally to Complete.
2. Verify Output:
   • Navigate to the output S3 bucket.
   • Confirm that the transcoded file (e.g., output-video.mp4) and thumbnails (if generated) are present.

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Step 5: Play the Transcoded Media

• Download the output file from S3 or use an S3 pre-signed URL to access it.
• Verify the video’s compatibility on different devices and platforms.

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Best Practices for Using AWS Elastic Transcoder

1. Use Presets:
   • Leverage built-in presets for common formats and resolutions to simplify configuration.
2. Optimize Costs:
   • Choose the appropriate resolution and format to balance quality and cost.
3. Enable Encryption:
   • Use S3 encryption to secure input and output files.
4. Monitor Jobs:
   • Use CloudWatch to monitor transcoding job metrics and troubleshoot issues.

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Common Use Cases

1. Streaming Optimization:
   • Convert high-resolution files into adaptive bitrates for streaming platforms.
2. Device Compatibility:
   • Transcode media into formats supported by various devices.
3. Content Delivery:
   • Prepare media for distribution across web and mobile platforms.

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Conclusion

AWS Elastic Transcoder simplifies media file conversion with its managed infrastructure and integration with AWS services like S3. By following this example, you can set up a pipeline, create a transcoding job, and deliver media optimized for different platforms. Elastic Transcoder provides a reliable and scalable solution for media processing needs.