Module 3: Video Encoding & Delivery
Design an encoding ladder, build a VOD transcoding pipeline on AWS Media Services, and reason about CDN caching/cost tradeoffs. VOD-focused — live production is covered separately in Module 4. Capstone: an end-to-end VOD pipeline with an ABR ladder.
Prerequisites
- Completion of Module 1 (Video Player Engineering) or equivalent understanding of ABR manifests
- Basic command-line comfort — this module is FFmpeg-heavy
Learning Outcomes
By the end, you can design an encoding ladder, build a VOD transcoding pipeline on AWS Media Services, and reason about CDN caching/cost tradeoffs for a production delivery setup.
Weekly Curriculum
Week 1Encoding Fundamentals
The same video, encoded two different ways, can cost 3x more to deliver for zero visible quality gain.
Codec landscape at encoder-side depth (H.264/H.265/AV1), rate-distortion tradeoffs (CRF vs capped-VBR), GOP structure & keyframe alignment, FFmpeg pipeline basics. Lab: build a 3-rendition ABR ladder with FFmpeg, verify keyframe alignment.
Week 2AWS Media Services for VOD
This is the config screen where one wrong setting can silently double your AWS bill.
MediaConvert job configuration, encoding ladder design, per-title encoding concept, HLS/DASH/CMAF packaging, WebVTT/TTML captions. Lab: configure a MediaConvert job producing a CMAF-packaged ABR ladder with captions.
Week 3CDN & Delivery, Capstone
Netflix and a five-person startup use the exact same CDN concepts — the difference is entirely in the caching policy.
CDN fundamentals, cache-key design, TTL strategy for manifests vs segments, origin shield, multi-CDN strategy, cost optimization. Capstone: build an end-to-end VOD pipeline — upload → MediaConvert → S3 → CloudFront — with correct caching policy.
Who It's For
OTT/VOD Platforms
Engineers owning the transcoding pipeline who need to design (not just configure) an encoding ladder and caching strategy.
Cloud/DevOps Engineers
Teams standing up AWS Media Services pipelines who need the "why" behind MediaConvert configuration choices, not just the console clicks.
Cost-Conscious Teams
Anyone whose CDN/egress bill needs explaining — this module covers where the money actually goes.
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Pricing
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