An AWS Elemental MediaLive schedule switches the input feeding a running MediaLive channel; it does not switch between videos inside YouTube. To change the video sent to your YouTube live stream, attach each source to the channel, then create an input-switch action for each change. Choose fixed timing for a UTC wall-clock time, immediate timing for a prompt switch, or follow timing to begin a file input after a referenced file input ends.
What a MediaLive schedule changes
A schedule belongs to a MediaLive channel and holds actions that MediaLive passes to that running channel. An input-switch action changes which attached input the channel ingests. It does not select YouTube video objects or operate a YouTube playlist. In AWS’s words, “There is no implicit switching” in multiple-input channels: having several inputs attached does not make the channel change between them automatically. AWS Elemental MediaLive User Guide: Multiple-input channels and the schedule.
For this workflow, represent each video source as an input available to the MediaLive channel. The schedule action refers to the input attachment name, so the input must already be attached to the channel.
Choose the right schedule mode
| Mode | Trigger and use | Important behavior |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed | A planned wall-clock change, such as switching at a scheduled time. | Uses UTC time, not source timecode. The channel switches at the specified time. AWS documentation describes creation for a time at least 15 seconds and no more than 14 days ahead, with the schedule passing the action to the channel about 15 seconds before its start; a console field description in the documentation search gives a 30-second minimum in its context. These lead times are interface- and method-dependent, so check current guidance for the API or console path you use rather than treating either figure as universal. |
| Immediate | An operator or automation should trigger the change as soon as possible. | The action is passed to the channel immediately. For a standard two-pipeline channel, MediaLive internally schedules the switch 10 seconds ahead to align the pipelines. |
| Follow | The next file should begin after a referenced file input ends. | References a prior input-switch action. The referenced input must be a file input, and its source end behavior must be set to Continue for the documented workflow. |
For exact schedules, remember that fixed actions use UTC even when a source file has embedded timecode. Follow actions are tied to the end of the referenced file input, not a separately chosen wall-clock time. The behavior described here is documented in the AWS Elemental MediaLive schedule actions guidance and input-switch action details.
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Build the channel schedule
- Identify the channel and attach its inputs. Create or select the MediaLive channel, then attach every video source that the schedule will use. Record each input attachment name; input-switch actions refer to that name, not just a descriptive video title.
- Plan the sequence and timing. List the intended order of sources and choose fixed, immediate, or follow for each transition. AWS recommends controlling ingest through the schedule and making the first scheduled switch an immediate switch to the intended initial input. This makes the opening source explicit rather than relying on implicit selection.
- Add input-switch actions to the channel schedule. Give each action a unique action name, specify its start settings, and set the input-switch settings to the target input attachment. In the API schedule request, the start mode is represented by one of fixed, immediate, or follow. For follow mode, identify the prior input-switch action that points to the file input whose end should trigger the next input.
- Configure the output separately. Schedule actions control which source the channel ingests; they do not configure the YouTube destination. For an RTMP destination, AWS identifies the destination details as the protocol, address, port, application name, stream name or key, and credentials if required. Obtain those values from the downstream system operator and configure the channel output independently.
- Start the channel and verify the real workflow. Confirm that the expected input is active and inspect the actual output and transitions in your target workflow. The AWS material here establishes input switching and generic RTMP output configuration, not YouTube-specific setup steps or what viewers will see during a source change.
For the schedule and input behavior, see AWS schedule actions and AWS input switching.
Clip file inputs and account for restarts
Choose clip timecodes deliberately
A file input can be clipped with timecodes. Zero-based timecode counts from the start of the file. Embedded timecode uses the file’s source timecode and only works if that timecode is present; if it is absent, AWS says the clipping instructions are ignored. Check the file and the selected timecode method before relying on clip boundaries in a schedule. See AWS file input clipping guidance.
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Returning to a file starts it again
If MediaLive switches away from a static file input and later switches back, it ingests from the beginning of the file or from the beginning of its clip. It does not resume at the point where it previously left off.
A restart does not catch up to elapsed schedule time
If a restart occurs while the schedule indicates that a fixed or immediate file input should be active, MediaLive starts the file or clip at its beginning. It does not seek ahead by the time elapsed since the scheduled start. This matters when a schedule is meant to align clips to exact elapsed playback positions. See AWS schedule action behavior.
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Keep the YouTube boundary clear
MediaLive’s RTMP output documentation describes destination fields and a generic RTMP output group with one video and one audio encode. That does not establish that every configuration is suitable for YouTube, provide current YouTube control-panel instructions, or guarantee uninterrupted playback or a particular viewer-visible transition during an upstream input switch. Treat YouTube ingest configuration and viewer experience as separate items to confirm against current guidance for your account and workflow; do not assume that a MediaLive schedule action changes YouTube-side controls. See AWS RTMP destination guidance and AWS RTMP output group guidance.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Or let it run in the cloud
If the goal is simply to keep uploaded videos playing on a YouTube channel, StreamNeo is an alternative to configuring a MediaLive channel and schedule. Upload a recording or build a playlist, add your YouTube stream key once, and go live. StreamNeo loops the uploaded videos from the cloud, so no computer, OBS setup, or home connection has to stay on. It streams the uploaded video as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot; if YouTube drops the stream, StreamNeo automatically recovers. The first day is free with no card, one free day per account. Monthly billing is $9.99 per month. See StreamNeo or plans and pricing. For the AWS workflow, continue with MediaLive; for cloud looping of uploaded videos, start your free StreamNeo day.
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