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To use CloudFront for video, first package the video into a streaming format such as HLS or DASH, store the resulting manifests and media segments at an origin, then configure a CloudFront distribution to serve those objects with cache behaviors suited to the format and content freshness. CloudFront delivers packaged media; it does not encode a raw video into adaptive-bitrate renditions.
What CloudFront does in a video workflow
CloudFront is the HTTP delivery layer between viewers and an origin. It serves manifests and media segments from edge caches when available, and retrieves objects from the origin when needed. That describes the delivery architecture, not a guaranteed latency or performance figure.
The Amazon CloudFront Developer Guide states: “You must use an encoder to package video content before CloudFront can distribute the content.” Common packaging formats include Apple HLS, MPEG DASH, CMAF, and Microsoft Smooth Streaming. For video on demand (VOD), an encoder such as AWS Elemental MediaConvert can package media for storage and delivery. For live video, AWS describes encoders such as MediaLive and origins such as MediaPackage or MediaStore. Amazon CloudFront Developer Guide: on-demand and live video streaming.
Choose the workflow, format, and origin
| Decision | VOD | Live |
|---|---|---|
| Media preparation | Encode and package the source into the formats your players need. | Use a live encoder and packaging workflow to produce live manifests and segments. |
| Typical origin | S3 or another HTTP server holding the packaged files. | A live media origin such as AWS Elemental MediaPackage or MediaStore in the documented AWS workflows. |
| Format and paths | Choose HLS, DASH, CMAF, or Smooth Streaming according to player support. | Choose a supported live format; manifest and segment path patterns depend on the format and endpoint. |
| Freshness | Set caching to reflect how often stored objects change. | Set caching and query-string handling to fit the live origin and its manifest update cadence. |
AWS’s video guidance covers both VOD and live delivery. Its S3 tutorial documents using CloudFront with an S3 origin for stored content: Create a simple CloudFront distribution with an S3 origin.
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Configure CloudFront for VOD stored in S3
- Encode and package the video. Configure an encoder or packager to generate the manifest and segments required by your player, for example an HLS playlist and its media segments. CloudFront distributes these files but does not generate the renditions or manifests.
- Store the packaged output. Upload the manifests and segments to an S3 bucket or place them on another HTTP origin. Keep the manifest’s referenced segment paths consistent with the object paths at the origin.
- Protect a private S3 origin. If viewers should not fetch protected objects directly from S3, configure CloudFront origin access control (OAC) and the required bucket permissions. This lets the distribution access the bucket without making the content publicly retrievable through the S3 URL. See AWS’s guidance for restricting access to an S3 origin.
- Create a distribution and select the origin. In CloudFront, create a distribution and set its origin to the bucket or server containing the packaged files. An origin is the resource CloudFront fetches objects from. AWS documents the setup in its S3 and CloudFront tutorial.
- Set viewer protocol and domain options. Serve viewers over HTTPS. If you use a custom domain, configure its DNS and certificate; AWS’s tutorial describes using AWS Certificate Manager for HTTPS with a custom domain. See the CloudFront tutorial.
- Configure the default and any additional cache behaviors. Match behavior path patterns to the files and settings that need them. Choose a cache policy based on how often objects change and which query strings, headers, or cookies genuinely affect the requested representation.
- Test through the distribution. Use the CloudFront object URL in your player or application and verify that the manifest loads and every referenced segment is reachable. Test both public access and any intended restrictions.
Configure cache behaviors for manifests and segments
A cache behavior determines how CloudFront handles requests matching a path pattern. Some video workflows need separate behaviors for manifests and segments because their routing, query strings, or freshness requirements differ. Do not assume a single pattern or TTL fits every format.
AWS’s MediaPackage live example uses distinct manifest and segment behavior patterns. For one HLS endpoint it shows .m3u8 manifests and .ts segments; for DASH it shows .mpd manifests and .mp4 segments. These are examples tied to that workflow, not universal file extensions. AWS live streaming with CloudFront.
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Cache policies determine selected values in the cache key, while origin request settings determine which values CloudFront forwards to the origin. A cache key identifies an object in the distribution. Include only query strings, headers, and cookies that are needed for correct content selection or origin behavior; forwarding everything without a reason can reduce cache sharing and increase origin requests. Control the cache key and Control origin requests.
Configure CloudFront for a MediaPackage live stream
The following settings come from AWS’s documented MediaPackage workflow. They are not generic defaults for every CloudFront live-streaming origin; confirm the requirements of your encoder, packaging endpoint, and player before applying them.
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- Set the origin to the MediaPackage endpoint and create cache behaviors whose path patterns match the endpoint’s manifest and segment requests.
- Redirect viewer HTTP to HTTPS for the applicable behaviors, as directed in AWS’s workflow.
- Keep the minimum TTL at five seconds or less for the documented MediaPackage setup to help prevent stale live content. Select the rest of the cache settings to match the origin’s update behavior.
- Forward only required query strings. The guide specifies
mfor MediaPackage manifest modification time. For LL-HLS manifest behaviors, forward_HLS_msnand_HLS_partso blocking playlist requests work. - Enable header-based MediaPackage CDN authorization between the MediaPackage endpoint and CloudFront, following the current MediaPackage-side instructions as well as CloudFront’s guide.
Use AWS’s MediaPackage live-streaming guide for the full endpoint-specific behavior patterns and authorization workflow.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Restrict access to private video
Choose an access method according to what the viewer needs to fetch. For a restricted HLS presentation made up of multiple files, signed cookies can grant access to a set of files without requiring a separate signed URL for every manifest and segment. Signed URLs are useful for individual files or clients that cannot use cookies.
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Before issuing signed requests, configure the relevant cache behavior to restrict viewer access and establish the trusted key group or signer. AWS explains the choice in its signed URL and signed cookie guidance; see also trusted signers and key groups. For private S3 content, use OAC as well so viewers cannot bypass CloudFront and retrieve the objects directly from the bucket.
Verify the delivery path and troubleshoot failures
- Manifest returns 403 or 404: Check the object key and path pattern, the origin configuration, and the S3 bucket policy or other origin permissions. For private content, also verify the viewer’s signed URL or cookie and the behavior’s trusted signer configuration.
- The manifest loads but playback fails: Inspect the manifest’s segment URLs and confirm that each referenced object exists, is reachable through CloudFront, and uses paths matching the configured behaviors.
- Live playback appears stale: Check the behavior’s TTL and whether the workflow’s required query strings are included in the cache key and forwarded to the origin. For MediaPackage LL-HLS, verify forwarding of
_HLS_msnand_HLS_parton manifest behaviors. - Origin requests behave incorrectly: Review the cache policy and origin request settings separately. Ensure that only values needed by the origin or to distinguish content are included.
- HTTPS or custom-domain requests fail: Verify the viewer protocol policy, domain configuration, and certificate setup for the distribution.
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