To create an Amazon Interactive Video Service (IVS) channel, choose an AWS Region, create the channel in the Amazon IVS console, then send video to its ingest endpoint using an encoder such as OBS. Keep the stream key private; use the separate playback URL to watch the broadcast. Recording to Amazon S3 is optional.
What you need before creating a channel
- An AWS account and the IAM permissions needed to create and manage Amazon IVS resources.
- A selected AWS Region. IVS channels are regional resources, so manage a channel in the Region where you created it. A stream can be contributed from anywhere and watched from anywhere.
- A video source: for example, a camera and microphone, OBS Studio, or a browser application using the IVS Web Broadcast SDK.
Channel creation provides three values with different purposes: an ingest endpoint and stream key for the broadcaster, and a playback URL for viewers. The key authorizes someone to send video to your channel; do not share it as though it were a viewing link.
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Create an Amazon IVS channel in the console
- Choose the Region. Open the Amazon IVS console and select the AWS Region where you want the channel to live.
- Start channel creation. Choose Create Channel. Accept the default configuration or enter a channel name. Names do not have to be unique; use the ARN to identify the resource unambiguously.
- Choose whether to record. For live playback alone, recording is not required. If you want automatic recording, create or select a recording configuration associated with an S3 bucket, then associate it with the channel during setup.
- Create the channel and save its connection details. When setup completes, note the ingest server, stream key, and playback URL. Expand the additional ingest options if you plan to use SRT. Store the stream key securely; anyone who obtains it can contribute a stream to your channel.
Choose a broadcast method
Quick camera and microphone test in the console
The console broadcast workflow is useful for a quick manual test. Allow browser access to your camera and microphone, select the input devices, and start broadcasting. This path uses live-video input and consumes resources, so it can incur AWS charges.
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Stream from OBS Studio
AWS’s IVS guide documents OBS Studio version 30.2 or later. In OBS, select Amazon IVS as the service and enter the stream key for your channel. Configure resolution and bitrate within the limits for that channel type, and use a two-second keyframe interval as AWS recommends. For protocol, prefer RTMPS unless you have a specific, verified reason to use RTMP.
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OBS is free and open-source software. The channel type constrains acceptable input settings; exceeding its limits can disconnect the stream, so check those limits before starting.
Use an encoder with RTMPS, RTMP, or SRT
IVS supports RTMPS, RTMP, and SRT ingest. RTMPS is the recommended default and uses TLS 1.2 or later. Do not choose insecure RTMP without a specific, verified need. For SRT, use the endpoint and passphrase values shown in the ingest options; protect the passphrase just as you would protect a stream key. SRT uses port 9000.
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Build a browser broadcast
For a browser-based product, use the Amazon IVS Web Broadcast SDK. Initialize the client with the channel’s ingest endpoint and a broadcast preset that matches the backend channel type. The client and channel configurations must align; a mismatched preset can prevent a successful broadcast.
Verify the live stream
Start the broadcast, then open the channel’s Playback tab in the console or load the playback URL in a viewer. AWS says playback typically becomes viewable after a brief delay, usually under 30 seconds. The playback URL is globally usable, and IVS routes playback through its delivery network; AWS advises against proxying that URL through a custom domain.
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For IVS low-latency delivery, AWS describes the service capability as under five seconds, not a guarantee for every end-to-end network or broadcast. AWS says to use the Amazon IVS Player for the lowest possible latency; third-party HLS players are not supported for that lowest-latency mode.
Choose latency and recording settings
Latency mode
The API defines LOW for near-real-time interaction and NORMAL for broadcast and delivery up to Full HD. The default is LOW. Choose based on whether audience interaction needs near-real-time response; actual viewer experience can vary by playback client and network.
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Optional S3 recording
Recording is a separate choice from live delivery. To enable automatic recording, create an S3 bucket and an IVS recording configuration, then associate that configuration with the channel. The console supports setting this up during channel creation; the CLI workflow requires creating the configuration and bucket first.
Advanced option: create a channel with the AWS CLI
The CLI route is intended for users comfortable managing AWS resources from a terminal. With AWS CLI configured for the correct account and Region, a basic channel can be created with:
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aws ivs create-channel --name test-channel
The response contains channel details, including the ingest endpoint, stream key, and playback URL. Preserve the endpoint and playback URL for their respective tasks, and treat the stream key as a secret. For recording, create the S3 bucket and recording configuration first, then reference the configuration when creating the channel.
Security, cost, and operational checks
- Protect contribution credentials: Never publish the stream key or SRT passphrase in public code, screenshots, or logs.
- Use the right Region: Channel resources are independent across Regions; choose the intended Region at creation and return to it for management.
- Stay within channel limits: Match the encoder’s resolution and bitrate to the channel type, and use the recommended two-second keyframe interval.
- Plan access and quotas: AWS’s getting-started guidance recommends checking service quotas and taking steps to prevent undesired content and viewers.
- Account for input charges: Live-video input incurs AWS costs, and console broadcasting also consumes resources. The setup guidance does not establish a current dollar rate; check AWS pricing for your Region and configuration before running a production stream.
Troubleshoot common setup problems
The encoder cannot connect
- Confirm that the encoder has the ingest endpoint and stream key for this channel, not the playback URL.
- Check that the channel is being managed in its creation Region and that the encoder is using a supported ingest protocol.
- If using SRT, confirm the endpoint and passphrase and that network access allows port 9000.
The stream disconnects or will not start
- Check that resolution and bitrate are within the channel type’s limits; input that exceeds them can disconnect the stream.
- Confirm the encoder configuration matches the selected service and channel type. For OBS, select Amazon IVS and use the channel’s stream key.
- For a browser SDK integration, align the broadcast preset with the backend channel type.
The viewer cannot see the stream yet
- Confirm the broadcast has started, then allow for the brief startup delay; AWS says it is usually under 30 seconds.
- Use the channel’s playback URL or the console Playback tab. Do not give viewers the stream key, which is for contribution.
- If you need the lowest possible latency, use the Amazon IVS Player rather than a third-party HLS player.
The browser broadcast has no camera or microphone
Allow the browser to access the intended camera and microphone, then select those devices in the console workflow. If permission was denied, change the browser’s site permissions and retry.
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