Migrate from Amazon Elastic Transcoder to AWS Elemental MediaConvert for Enhanced Video Processing

Mediaconvert Simplifies Video Processing Tasks

Introduction

As media content becomes more complex and grows in volume, organizations need scalable and cost-effective transcoding solutions. AWS Elemental MediaConvert provides a powerful service that meets the evolving needs of video professionals.

If you are still using Amazon Elastic Transcoder, note that this service will be discontinued on November 13, 2025. After this date, access to the Amazon Elastic Transcoder console and resources will no longer be available. Therefore, now is the right time to consider migrating to AWS Elemental MediaConvert for an advanced and flexible video processing solution.

Why You Should Migrate to MediaConvert

AWS Elemental MediaConvert offers a comprehensive range of features designed to enhance video processing efficiency. This service allows for greater scalability, enabling users to process multiple files simultaneously.

Key Features of AWS Elemental MediaConvert

1. High-Resolution Video Support

   • Supports resolutions up to 8K and frame rates of up to 120 FPS.

2. Broad Codec Compatibility

   • Works with various codecs, including HEVC, Apple ProRes, AV1, Dolby Audio, MPEG-2, and AVC.

3. CMAF Support for Streaming

   • Enables CMAF fragmented MP4 (fMP4) HLS and DASH video outputs, ensuring compatibility across devices.

4. IMF Package Ingest

   • Supports JPEG-2000 video with 10-bit UHD format and IMSC1 text captions.

5. Advanced Input Control

   • Allows for multiple audio selectors and enhanced video stream selection from transport streams.

6. Optimized Output Control

   • Includes features such as multi-pass encoding, Quality-Defined Variable Bitrate (QVBR), and de-blocking filters.

7. DRM and Encryption Support

   • Supports Google Widevine, Microsoft PlayReady, Apple FairPlay, and integrates with AWS Elemental Partners for added security.

8. Enhanced Caption and Subtitle Capabilities

   • Provides a wide range of subtitle and captioning options for different formats.

9. HDR Support

   • Compatible with HDR10, HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision to enhance video quality.

10. Robust Image Processing Features

    • Includes noise reduction, color correction, cropping, frame rate conversion, and image insertion.

11. Ad Insertion and Audio Normalization

    • Enables ad avail blanking, ESAM-based ad insertion, Nielsen watermarking, and volume normalization.

12. Flexible Pricing Options

    • Offers on-demand pricing with per-minute billing and reserved pricing for predictable workloads.

Key Considerations Before Migrating

Before transitioning to AWS Elemental MediaConvert, here are some crucial questions to consider:

1. Does MediaConvert Support My Input and Output Formats?

Yes! MediaConvert now offers full feature parity with Elastic Transcoder. To check specific format support, refer to the official AWS MediaConvert documentation.

2. Can MediaConvert Handle My Workload?

MediaConvert allows users to process multiple transcoding jobs concurrently. To verify throughput limits, visit the AWS Service Limits page and request an increase if needed.

3. How Do Pipelines and Queues Differ?

• Amazon Elastic Transcoder uses pipelines tied to a specific S3 bucket.
• MediaConvert replaces pipelines with queues, which are not restricted to a single bucket, offering greater flexibility.

4. What Are Presets and Templates?

• Presets save encoding parameters, allowing users to apply consistent settings.
• Job Templates go further, saving entire job configurations for streamlined workflows.

5. How Do I Receive Job Status Notifications?

• Amazon Elastic Transcoder uses Amazon SNS for notifications.
• MediaConvert integrates with Amazon CloudWatch Events, which can trigger automation via EventBridge, SQS, or AWS Lambda.

Practical Tips for a Smooth Transition

To ensure a seamless migration from Elastic Transcoder to MediaConvert, follow these best practices:

1. Use the Migration Guide and Script

AWS provides a GitHub script that helps convert Elastic Transcoder presets into MediaConvert-compatible presets. This simplifies the migration process.

2. Consider HLS Player Versions

In Elastic Transcoder, you choose the HLS version manually. MediaConvert automatically adjusts the HLS version based on feature requirements.

3. Take Advantage of SDK and API Support

MediaConvert integrates with AWS SDKs, allowing for workflow automation and monitoring. Refer to AWS documentation for setup guides.

4. Implement Workflow Automation

Leverage CloudWatch Events and EventBridge to create automated post-processing workflows, minimizing manual intervention.

5. Utilize Built-In DRM and Encryption

Ensure your video content remains secure with Widevine, PlayReady, and FairPlay DRM options.

Conclusion

As media organizations demand scalable and cost-effective transcoding solutions, AWS Elemental MediaConvert provides an ideal alternative to Amazon Elastic Transcoder. This transition enables users to enhance workflow automation, optimize encoding processes, and reduce operational costs.

Cloudastra offers end-to-end support for migrating to AWS Elemental MediaConvert, ensuring a seamless transition with minimal workflow disruptions. Additionally, for those working on Drupal-based media processing, implementing batch processing in Drupal 9.4 Queue Worker can further enhance automation and efficiency.

With MediaConvert, organizations can stay ahead of industry trends and ensure a robust, scalable media processing workflow that meets modern video production demands.

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