The Tool Desk
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What you pay for when switching inputs
AWS’s billing model is based on the channel and its attached inputs, not on the number of switch actions. AWS says a running channel incurs a charge for each attached input, including one that is not currently active or receiving content. For a channel configured for input switching, AWS’s pricing page says it charges for two active inputs even if the schedule includes more than two. AWS MediaLive pricing
That means an inactive input can still contribute to the bill while the channel is running. Switching between inputs does not, in the cited pricing description, add a separate fee each time you trigger a switch.
Estimate the additional input cost
- Find the current hourly input rate for your Region and input specification on the AWS Elemental MediaLive pricing page. Input rates depend on factors including codec, resolution, and bitrate; channel class and Region also affect the applicable rate.
- Multiply that rate by the channel’s billable running time, taking account of any applicable minimums or reservation arrangement shown in current AWS pricing.
- Compare the one-input baseline with the switching configuration. AWS describes the latter as applying two input charges, so a rough incremental estimate is one additional input rate over the running period.
This is an estimate based on AWS’s documented billing model, not a prediction of an account-specific invoice. Check current pricing for your precise setup before committing to a budget.
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Illustrative AWS figure—not a universal rate
AWS’s live-streaming solution guide gives an example input price of $0.234 per hour for HD AVC in a US East (N. Virginia) example with specified AVC outputs. It is an illustration tied to those assumptions, not a quote for other Regions, channel classes, codecs, resolutions, or bitrates. The guide does not state a publication year. AWS live-streaming solution cost example
Switching configuration affects operations, not just the estimate
Attaching multiple inputs does not make MediaLive switch between them automatically. AWS says you must add scheduled input-switch actions; there is no implicit switching or designated main input. If you need an immediate switch with less delay, an input prepare action can reduce the delay. AWS describes preparation as an operational step, not a separate switch fee. AWS input switching documentation AWS schedule actions documentation
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What this estimate does—and does not—cover
The estimate above concerns MediaLive input charges only. It is not the full cost of producing or delivering a YouTube stream. AWS’s cited deployment example includes separate MediaPackage and CloudFront charges, but the reviewed AWS sources do not establish YouTube-specific fees or account terms. Do not treat the MediaLive increment as the entire end-to-end cost of streaming to YouTube.
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