You generally cannot send an OBS stream directly to an Amazon CloudFront distribution. OBS needs an ingest endpoint that accepts a broadcaster’s stream; CloudFront delivers already-encoded and packaged video from an origin to viewers. For an AWS-managed live workflow, send OBS output to a compatible ingest and encoding service, prepare it for playback with AWS Elemental MediaPackage or an appropriate MediaStore origin, then deliver it through CloudFront.
Why OBS does not connect straight to CloudFront
OBS is an encoder and streaming-output client: its Stream settings take a service or custom server address and a stream key. CloudFront is the delivery layer viewers request video from. It does not supply the OBS ingest URL and key for the documented HTTP live-video workflow. AWS’s CloudFront guide states, “You must use an encoder to package video content before CloudFront can distribute the content.” AWS: Video on demand and live streaming video with CloudFront
Do not paste a CloudFront distribution domain into OBS’s Server field as if it were an RTMP ingest address. CloudFront documents a legacy RTMP StreamingDistribution API for delivery from an origin; that is not evidence that a CloudFront distribution is the ingest endpoint OBS needs. CloudFront StreamingDistribution API
The AWS live-streaming path
Think of the workflow as four separate jobs: OBS produces the broadcaster’s stream; an ingest endpoint receives it; AWS services encode, package, or provide an origin for playback; and CloudFront distributes the resulting manifests and video segments to viewers. A viewer then uses an HLS- or DASH-capable player.
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- OBS: sends the stream to a compatible ingest service.
- Ingest and encoding: AWS Elemental MediaLive is AWS’s real-time encoder in its documented live design.
- Packaging or origin: MediaPackage packages output for playback across device types and can support features such as DRM. MediaStore is an origin option when MediaLive’s output is already in the formats viewer devices need.
- Delivery: CloudFront serves viewer requests from the configured origin, with cache behaviors suited to the stream’s manifests and segments.
AWS describes this architecture in its live-streaming guidance and reference solution. The full MediaLive–MediaPackage–CloudFront design is a production-oriented example, not a mandatory setup for every broadcaster; choose services according to ingest, packaging, playback-format, security, and operational needs. AWS: Live streaming with CloudFront · AWS: Live Streaming on AWS solution
Set up OBS to send to a compatible ingest endpoint
First create and configure the ingest destination. The OBS documentation does not give an AWS-specific ingest URL or key, so obtain the actual server address and stream key from the ingest service you choose. Do not guess these values or substitute the CloudFront domain.
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- In OBS, open Settings → Stream.
- Choose a listed service if your destination is supported there, or choose the custom streaming server option.
- Enter the ingest service’s server URL and stream key exactly as provided.
- Set the output and video settings to values supported by that ingest service and suitable for your upload connection. OBS advises accounting for both available upload speed and the destination’s limits; there is no universal CloudFront bitrate to copy.
- Start streaming and verify that the ingest and downstream AWS workflow receive and package the stream before testing playback through the CloudFront distribution.
OBS recommends leaving defaults alone unless you have a reason to change them. A higher frame rate such as 60 fps can put more load on the system than 30 fps, so confirm the computer can encode steadily before increasing it. The OBS guide’s example of a Twitch bitrate limit is specific to Twitch, not a CloudFront or general streaming limit. OBS Studio: Streaming Guide
Configure CloudFront for the live origin and format
For a MediaPackage live channel, AWS’s guidance is to create a CloudFront distribution using the MediaPackage endpoint as an HTTPS origin, set the origin path as appropriate, and configure cache behaviors for that endpoint’s manifest and segment requests. The precise paths depend on the endpoint format and enabled features, so use the AWS instructions for the actual output rather than applying one cache policy to every stream. AWS: Live streaming with CloudFront
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| Output format | Manifest pattern | Segment pattern |
|---|---|---|
| HLS | .m3u8 |
.ts |
| CMAF | .m3u8 |
.mp4 |
| DASH | .mpd |
.mp4 |
AWS advises a minimum TTL of five seconds or less for these live cache policies to help prevent stale content. If the workflow uses LL-HLS, forward the _HLS_msn and _HLS_part query parameters on manifest requests. AWS also recommends enabling header-based MediaPackage CDN authorization between MediaPackage and CloudFront. Match cache behavior, query forwarding, and authorization to the endpoint and playback features in use. AWS: Live streaming with CloudFront
Choose MediaPackage or MediaStore based on the workflow
- Choose MediaPackage when the workflow needs packaging for multiple device types or features such as DRM. Its endpoint can be configured as the HTTPS origin for CloudFront.
- Consider MediaStore as an origin when the encoded output is already in the formats required by the viewer devices. It is not interchangeable with a packaging service when the stream still needs that packaging work.
These are architectural choices, not alternate OBS server addresses: OBS still sends to a compatible ingest destination, and CloudFront still serves content from an origin. AWS’s live guide describes the service roles and format-sensitive setup. AWS: Live streaming with CloudFront
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Common problems and what to check
- OBS will not connect: verify that the Server URL and stream key came from a configured ingest service and were entered exactly. A CloudFront distribution domain is not a substitute for those ingest details.
- Ingest works but viewers see no playback: check that encoding and packaging or origin delivery are functioning, and that CloudFront points to the correct origin and path.
- Playback starts late or shows stale content: review the live manifest and segment cache behaviors, including the minimum TTL guidance of five seconds or less.
- LL-HLS requests fail or behave incorrectly: check that
_HLS_msnand_HLS_partare forwarded for manifest requests. - MediaPackage rejects delivery through CloudFront: check the recommended header-based CDN authorization configuration between the services.
- OBS drops frames or struggles at a higher frame rate: reduce encoding demands or frame rate and check that the selected output is within the ingest service’s limits and the available upload capacity.
Costs and operational trade-offs
This architecture uses multiple AWS services, and the required combination depends on whether you need real-time encoding, packaging, a particular origin format, DRM, or LL-HLS. It also requires configuring and maintaining ingest, origin, distribution behaviors, and playback. AWS’s cited architecture guidance does not establish a single total price for this workflow; check current AWS pricing for the specific services and usage you configure before estimating costs.
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