There is no single monthly price for running a 24/7 YouTube channel with AWS Elemental MediaLive. Estimate it in the AWS Pricing Calculator using your AWS region, channel class, inputs, output renditions, add-ons and running hours. Treat the MediaLive subtotal separately from the cost of any other services in the live-streaming architecture.
What the MediaLive estimate includes
AWS calculates MediaLive channel charges from the configured inputs, outputs and enabled add-on features. For an actual quote, use region-specific rates in the AWS Pricing Calculator; a MediaLive estimate is not automatically the total cost of a complete YouTube streaming setup. AWS notes that other applicable service and data-transfer charges may also apply. See the AWS Elemental MediaLive pricing page.
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For a 24/7 estimate, use your expected monthly running hours, then multiply the resulting monthly subtotal by 12 for an annualized on-demand comparison. AWS says on-demand running-resource duration is rounded up to the nearest minute, with a 10-minute minimum.
Prepare the calculator inputs
Before entering values, document the configuration you expect to run. A single “one input, one stream” estimate can understate the cost of a channel that produces several output renditions.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Innovative Product with Leading Technology】- Equipped with an advanced H.265 /H.264 dual encoding chip, supports 4K UHD (3840x2160) video input and output, with a maximum frame rate of 30fps at 4K resolution and up to 120fps at 2K and lower resolutions, delivering a smooth and detailed visual experience. It also supports HDCP 1.4 decryption, easily decoding various HDMI ultra HD video sources, delivering a cinematic visual experience for both professional live streaming and 4K ultra HD content transmission.
- 【Multi-protocol and Multi-platform Compatibility】- Fully compatible with streaming protocols such as HTTP, RTSP, RTMP(S), SRT, HLS(M3U8), MP4, Multicast(UDP, RTP, PTL), FLV, WebRTC, TRTC, ICECAST, it can simultaneously output 4 video streams with different protocols and push them to live streaming platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo with one click. Simultaneous live streaming across multiple platforms can be achieved without additional equipment.
- 【Highly Customizable Settings to Meet Individual Needs】- It supports adding static text, scrolling captions, brand logos, and timestamps. Users can freely adjust core parameters such as video resolution, frame rate, and bitrate, and also perform personalized editing functions such as video cropping, rotation, flipping, and mirroring. It supports dual input of HDMI embedded audio and line-in audio, with adjustable sound quality, making your live stream content more distinctive and allowing you to create a unique brand live stream style.
- 【Stable and Efficient Transmission, Easy Operation】- Employing HDMI to Ethernet core connection technology, it ensures stable and reliable network transmission with low latency and no lag, adapting to various network environments. Equipped with an intuitive user interface and detailed instruction manual, no professional technical background is required; setup can be completed quickly after connecting the device. It is also compatible with multiple terminals such as computers and mobile phones for management, and the video stream status can be viewed in real time via a URL.
- 【Lifetime Free Warranty and Technical Supports】- All URayCoder video codecs come with a lifetime free warranty and technical supports, supporting secondary development and feature customization to meet enterprise-level personalized needs. Meanwhile, we providing many kinds of customization services such as shell pattern printing, logo addition, hardware and function development, ensuring reliable quality and worry-free after-sales service.
- AWS region: Select the region where your MediaLive resources will run. Rates vary by region.
- Channel class: Compare single-pipeline and standard using the resilience you need as well as their respective rates.
- Inputs: For each input, record its type, codec, bitrate, resolution and count. If input switching uses more than one input, AWS applies the cost of two active inputs, even if the schedule includes more than two.
- Outputs: List every rendition and its codec, bitrate, resolution, frame rate and count. Include all configured outputs, not only the one you regard as the primary stream.
- Add-ons: Include any selected features, such as advanced audio, audio normalization or motion graphics. AWS applies add-on charges once per channel, not once per input or output.
- Running duration: Enter the expected hours per month. For a continuously running channel, estimate the hours it will actually be started, rather than assuming that a stopped or idle channel is free.
- Other architecture costs: Estimate applicable data transfer and charges for other services separately, then include them in a full-architecture total.
- Open the AWS Pricing Calculator and create an estimate for your planned MediaLive configuration.
- Select the AWS region and channel class, then enter the input configuration and the count and settings for each input.
- Add each output rendition with its codec, bitrate, resolution, frame rate and count.
- Include any add-on features and enter the expected running duration for your monthly estimate.
- Review the MediaLive subtotal. Add applicable idle-resource, data-transfer and other AWS service costs to produce a full-architecture estimate.
- Multiply the monthly on-demand subtotal by 12 for an annualized comparison. If you are considering a reservation, compare its terms and price against your actual configuration and expected utilization.
Why configuration changes the bill
Channel class and resilience
A single-pipeline channel uses the single-pipeline rate. A standard channel runs two processing pipelines in different Availability Zones for increased channel resiliency and uses the standard-class rate. Do not treat it as two separately billed channels; select the standard-channel pricing in the calculator and compare it with the single-pipeline rate.
Inputs, outputs and add-ons
Input charges depend on codec, bitrate and resolution. Output charges depend on codec, bitrate, resolution and frame rate. A channel producing an adaptive bitrate ladder can therefore have several separately chargeable outputs. The exact renditions are a design choice; AWS’s example is illustrative, not a required YouTube output ladder.
Rank #2
- 【Hardware H.265/H.264 Encoding at 1080P60】Dedicated hardware encoder delivers broadcast-quality 1080P60 streams with H.265/H.264 compression. Reduces bandwidth usage by up to 50% compared to legacy H.264-only solutions, while maintaining crisp, crystal-clear video output.
- 【Broad Protocol Support for IP Distribution】 Supports SRT, RTMP(S), RTSP, UDP, HTTP, HLS, WebRTC, TRTC, Icecast and SHOUTcast — integrate seamlessly with CDNs, surveillance NVRs, IPTV systems and browser-based monitoring dashboards. One device replaces multiple single-purpose streaming boxes.
- 【Browser-Based Setup in Minutes】 Set up in minutes through any browser — no software, drivers or OS compatibility issues. DHCP is enabled by default to prevent IP address conflicts on your network. Note: basic networking knowledge (IP address, RTSP/RTMP configuration) is recommended for advanced streaming setups.
- 【Compact Design with Flexible Deployment】Palm-sized form factor (approx. 90×54×29mm) fits easily behind monitors, on shelves, or in equipment racks. Low power consumption ensures reliable 24/7 operation for live events, remote monitoring, and digital signage.
- 【Professional Audio & OSD Overlay + 1-Year Warranty】 Supports HDMI embedded audio plus external 3.5mm input. Built-in OSD generator adds scrolling text, logos, or timestamps directly to the video stream — ideal for branding, event info, or security labeling. Backed by a 1-year warranty and 24/7 online technical support.
For a concrete reference, AWS’s pricing page gives an on-demand standard-channel example in US East (N. Virginia) totaling $3.942 per hour. The example specifies two 1080p HD HEVC inputs at 20 Mbps using input switching; AVC outputs at 1080p/5 Mbps/30 fps, 720p/2 Mbps/30 fps, 576p/1.2 Mbps/30 fps, 432p/0.8 Mbps/30 fps and 288p/0.5 Mbps/30 fps; and advanced audio at $0.300 per hour. This is AWS’s configuration-specific example as accessed in 2026, not a typical YouTube-channel price, a current quote for every region or a monthly bill for your setup.
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Running, paused and idle resources
A channel is running when started and idle when stopped. A running channel incurs charges for each attached input, including an inactive input or one that is not currently receiving content. It also incurs charges for every configured output, including outputs paused by a user or by Elemental Live. Pausing an output or pipeline is not the same as stopping the channel.
Rank #3
- 4K & HD STREAMING IN H.264 AND H.265 – Self-contained processor supporting H.264 and H.265 encoding in HD or Ultra HD (up to 2160p60) via SRT or RTMP, streaming directly to YouTube, Facebook, X, Twitch, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, OBS, Wowza, and many more — no encoding PC needed.
- 12G-SDI INPUT WITH STANDARDS CONVERSION – Supports input resolutions up to DCI 4K60 with an SDI input and SDI loop output, plus Teranex-powered automatic standards conversion so any HD or Ultra HD source streams cleanly at any target resolution.
- DUAL MONITOR OUTPUTS – Features both SDI and HDMI monitor outputs with a user-configurable standards converter on both the 12G-SDI Out and 4K HDMI Out, so you can feed a confidence monitor or downstream device at any required format independent of your streaming standard.
- ETHERNET + 5G/4G MOBILE WITH AUTO-FAILOVER – Connect via Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T) or tether a smartphone via USB-C for mobile data, with automatic switchover between connections — ensuring your stream stays on air even if the primary internet connection drops.
- CLOSED CAPTIONS, TIMECODE & REST API – Supports embedding CEA-608 and CEA-708 closed captions in live RTMP streams, source timecode over RTMP and SRT, and offers a REST API over Ethernet for external HTTP control — ideal for broadcast automation and accessibility-compliant workflows.
Stopping a channel changes it to idle; it does not necessarily remove every charge. AWS documents idle-channel charges for inputs and outputs. Idle push inputs can also incur charges whether they are unattached or attached to a stopped channel, while idle pull inputs do not incur an idle charge. If you leave resources configured between broadcasts, account for the applicable idle charges in your estimate.
On-demand or a 12-month reservation?
On-demand is the flexible comparison point for a workload whose duration or configuration may change. AWS also offers 12-month reservations for matching input, output and add-on configurations, and advertises savings of up to 75% compared with on-demand pricing. That is an AWS maximum claim, not a guaranteed discount for every configuration.
Rank #4
- ⭐【Innovative Product with Leading Technology】- Equipped with an advanced H.265 /H.264 dual encoding chip, supports 4K UHD (3840x2160) video input and output, with a maximum frame rate of 30fps at 4K resolution and up to 120fps at 2K and lower resolutions, delivering a smooth and detailed visual experience. It also supports HDCP 1.4 decryption, easily decoding various HDMI ultra HD video sources, delivering a cinematic visual experience for both professional live streaming and 4K ultra HD content transmission.
- ⭐【Multi-protocol and Multi-platform Compatibility】- Fully compatible with streaming protocols such as HTTP, RTSP, RTMP(S), SRT, HLS(M3U8), MP4, Multicast(UDP, RTP, PTL), ONVIF, FLV, WebRTC, TRTC, ICECAST, it can simultaneously output 4 video streams with different protocols and push them to live streaming platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo with one click. Simultaneous live streaming across multiple platforms can be achieved without additional equipment.
- ⭐【Highly Customizable Settings to Meet Individual Needs】- It supports adding static text, scrolling captions, brand logos, and timestamps. Users can freely adjust core parameters such as video resolution, frame rate, and bitrate, and also perform personalized editing functions such as video cropping, rotation, flipping, and mirroring. It supports dual input of HDMI embedded audio and line-in audio, with adjustable sound quality, making your live stream content more distinctive and allowing you to create a unique brand live stream style.
- ⭐【Stable and Efficient Transmission, Easy Operation】- Employing HDMI to Ethernet core connection technology, it ensures stable and reliable network transmission with low latency and no lag, adapting to various network environments. Equipped with an intuitive user interface and detailed instruction manual, no professional technical background is required; setup can be completed quickly after connecting the device. It is also compatible with multiple terminals such as computers and mobile phones for management, and the video stream status can be viewed in real time via a URL.
- ⭐【Lifetime Free Warranty and Technical Supports】- All URayCoder video codecs come with a lifetime free warranty and technical supports, supporting secondary development and feature customization to meet enterprise-level personalized needs. Meanwhile, we providing many kinds of customization services such as shell pattern printing, logo addition, hardware and function development, ensuring reliable quality and worry-free after-sales service.
Reserved rates are charged for every hour in each month of the commitment. Unused reserved minutes expire at month-end rather than carrying forward. A 24/7 workload may be worth comparing against a reservation, but use your actual regional configuration and expected usage to assess whether the commitment makes sense.
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Keep the MediaLive subtotal separate from the full bill
The calculator can help estimate MediaLive and a broader architecture, but the MediaLive processing subtotal alone is not the full cost of delivering a live stream. Add applicable transfer, packaging, delivery and other AWS service charges to the architecture estimate. The available MediaLive pricing information does not establish a special rate because YouTube is the destination, nor does it establish that audience size changes MediaLive input or output processing rates. Calculate audience delivery and distribution costs elsewhere in the architecture separately.
Best Value
- ⭐【Innovative Product with Leading Technology】- Equipped with an advanced H.265/H.264 dual encoding chip, supports 1920x1080 resolution input and output, achieving 60fps high-definition presentation with realistic and delicate color reproduction and lossless detail. It also supports HDCP 1.4 decryption, easily decoding various HDMI high-definition video sources, delivering a cinematic visual experience for both professional live streaming and high-definition content transmission.
- ⭐【Multi-protocol and Multi-platform Compatibility】- Fully compatible with streaming protocols such as HTTP, RTSP, RTMP(S), SRT, HLS(M3U8), MP4, Multicast(UDP, RTP, PTL), ONVIF, FLV, it can simultaneously output 4 video streams with different protocols and push them to live streaming platforms such as YouTube, Facebook, Twitch, and Vimeo with one click. Simultaneous live streaming across multiple platforms can be achieved without additional equipment.
- ⭐【Highly Customizable Settings to Meet Individual Needs】- It supports adding static text, scrolling captions, brand logos, and timestamps. Users can freely adjust core parameters such as video resolution, frame rate, and bitrate, and also perform personalized editing functions such as video cropping, rotation, flipping, and mirroring. It supports dual input of HDMI embedded audio and line-in audio, with adjustable sound quality, making your live stream content more distinctive and allowing you to create a unique brand live stream style.
- ⭐【Stable and Efficient Transmission, Easy Operation】- Employing HDMI to Ethernet core connection technology, it ensures stable and reliable network transmission with low latency and no lag, adapting to various network environments. Equipped with an intuitive user interface and detailed instruction manual, no professional technical background is required; setup can be completed quickly after connecting the device. It is also compatible with multiple terminals such as computers and mobile phones for management, and the video stream status can be viewed in real time via a URL.
- ⭐【Lifetime Free Warranty and Technical Supports】- All URayCoder video codecs come with a lifetime free warranty and technical supports, supporting secondary development and feature customization to meet enterprise-level personalized needs. Meanwhile, we providing many kinds of customization services such as shell pattern printing, logo addition, hardware and function development, ensuring reliable quality and worry-free after-sales service.
Or let it run in the cloud
If your goal is to keep uploaded video looping on a YouTube channel, rather than to build and cost an AWS MediaLive architecture, StreamNeo is a separate cloud service designed for that use. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once and go live. StreamNeo runs the loop in the cloud, so your computer and home connection do not have to stay on. It automatically recovers if YouTube drops the stream. The same slot supports video as uploaded, up to 4K 60fps, at one flat price per slot; the first day is free with no card.
StreamNeo’s monthly option is $9.99 per month. Learn more at StreamNeo, or start the free first day.
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