AWS Elemental Statmux

AWS Elemental Statmux is an on-premises software and appliance solution for processing live video channels using statistical multiplexing (statmux). Statmux is a technology that allocates bits in real time among multiple video channels, combining the encoded outputs into a Multi-Program Transport Stream (MPTS). With AWS Elemental Statmux, you can originate live content and share it with distribution partners for delivery over satellite, cable, or terrestrial networks. AWS Elemental Statmux is deployed alongside AWS Elemental Live encoders, with cluster management using AWS Elemental Conductor Live.

Benefits

High video quality

Maintain high video quality while optimizing for fixed satellite or cable distribution bandwidth. AWS Elemental Statmux rate control provides high-quality predictions for bit rate allocations resulting in better picture quality across channels. You can tune quality settings on a per-channel basis using channel priority, adjusting settings without disruption to ensure that the highest-priority channels maintain the highest quality.

Flexible management

AWS Elemental Statmux can be deployed as a hardware appliance or as software installed on either a VM or bare metal. Management of AWS Elemental Statmux is simple using device clusters administered by AWS Elemental Conductor Live. Statmux is compatible with many conditional access and encryption systems for two stage multiplexing workflows.

Highly available

With AWS Elemental Statmux, several redundancy architectures are supported. You can choose faster redundancy by using 1:1 (active:active configuration) or save on cost by using an N+M (multiple active and multiple spares) mode. AWS Elemental Conductor Live automatically manages the replacement of a failed encoder node, and nodes can be replaced at any time for maintenance.

Increase efficiency

Build on-premises broadcast distribution workloads and deliver more channels using statistical multiplexing of multi-program content for live broadcast video. For content providers who distribute traditional broadcast video along with multiscreen linear video, combining AWS Elemental Statmux with AWS Elemental Live allows you to deliver both in a single architecture.

Improve bandwidth management

AWS Elemental Statmux has automatic bandwidth management to constantly minimize the amount of overhead in the output stream. The multiplex adapts to changes in audio and metadata flows in real time and adjusts the video pool accordingly.

Low latency

AWS Elemental Statmux is optimized for low end-to-end latency, with the option to use additional controls to further reduce latency.

FAQs

What is statistical multiplexing (statmux)?

Statmux is a technology that allocates bits in real time among multiple live video channels, combining the encoded outputs into a Multi-Program Transport Stream (MPTS). A statmux controller instantaneously adjusts the bitrate of each channel in a statmux pool to make the best use of total available bandwidth. The goal is to maximize network efficiency by optimizing picture quality for a group of channels within a fixed total bandwidth. 

What does AWS Elemental Statmux enable?

AWS Elemental Statmux enables broadcasters and content owners to generate content for distribution to headends via traditional broadcast methods. Combined with the advanced video encoding features of AWS Elemental Live, AWS Elemental Statmux extracts more bandwidth capacity from the network. With AWS Elemental Conductor Live managing the statmux workflow, you can achieve reliable 24/7 operations and redundancy.

What is the efficiency gain with AWS Elemental Statmux?

The efficiency gains vary depending on the codec, bandwidth, and number of channels. Typical bandwidth savings are in the 20% - 40% range depending on operating conditions.

What video codecs are supported?

AWS Elemental Statmux supports MPEG-2, H.264 (AVC), and 10-bit H.265 (HEVC) codecs, at resolutions up to 4K with HDR.

What type of redundancy is supported?

AWS Elemental Statmux supports 1+1 node redundancy with coordinated failover. The secondary backup node can emit a redundant output continuously or use output listening to detect issues with the primary node before taking over. To minimize costs, you can also choose to use an N+M redundancy architecture with near seamless maintenance backup.

What is the latency with AWS Elemental Statmux?

Achieving an end-to-end latency of under 4 seconds is possible, depending on the video formats being used and the general operating conditions. Optional parameters are available to further reduce latency with slight compromises in picture quality.

How do I make changes to my MPTS?

AWS Elemental Conductor Live is the primary interface for MPTS configuration and management. MPTS settings can be edited while an MPTS is running without the need to stop and restart.

Can I change the channel lineup, video pool size, and reserved bitrate for a running pool?

Yes, you can add or delete channels from a statmux pool without introducing discontinuity on the existing channels. You can also change the reserved bandwidth for a pool at any time.

Does AWS Elemental Statmux work with SMPTE 2110 and SMPTE 2022-6 based video inputs?

Yes, AWS Elemental Live can ingest SMPTE 2110 and SMPTE 2022-6 uncompressed video inputs and then send the encoded SPTS outputs to AWS Elemental Statmux for multiplexing.

Can I combine AWS Elemental Statmux with adaptive bitrate (ABR) type workflows in the same cluster?

Yes, AWS Elemental Live fully supports a unified headend architecture where the same source is encoded and used to feed multiple outputs including ABR, constant bitrate (CBR), and statistical multiplex outputs.

Documentation

For documentation about AWS Elemental Statmux, visit the documentation pages.