AWS details protocol port requirements for Elemental MediaConnect output destinations
This AWS Elemental MediaConnect documentation outlines how output destinations are defined for various streaming protocols, including CDI, NDI, RIST, RTP, SRT, ST 2110 JPEG XS, and Zixi. It details the required port configurations for each protocol, noting that MediaConnect automatically reserves additional ports for error correction where needed. The article serves as a technical guide for configuring media flows through AWS Elemental MediaConnect.
Key Takeaways
- MediaConnect automatically reserves port+1 for RIST and ports +2/+4 for RTP-FEC to handle error correction data.
- Zixi pull outputs are now standardized to use port 2077 by default, while Zixi push requires explicit port definition.
- NDI discovery protocol uses TCP-5959 for network announcements if a custom port for the media stream is not provided.
- SRT listener outputs utilize a CIDR allow list to manage secure handshakes between callers and the MediaConnect destination.
Why It Matters
As live video transport shifts from satellite to cloud, managing protocol-specific port overhead becomes a critical scaling factor for broadcasters. This technical hardening simplifies high-density distribution by preventing port conflicts in complex multiformat workflows. For the broader ecosystem, it signals AWS's focus on protocol interoperability between professional standards like ST 2110 and internet-friendly formats like SRT. Watch for MediaConnect to potentially expand its 'Router' capability to further automate these protocol handoffs across its global network backbone.
Additional Context
The technical documentation update follows a period of rapid expansion for the service. In March 2026, AWS added NDI support as a live video source for MediaConnect, allowing production teams to bridge NDI-based environments with standards-based cloud distribution without custom transcoding (per Amazon, March 2026). This expansion is part of a broader push to modernize broadcast infrastructure, as seen in Fox Corporation’s recent commitment to use AWS Elemental services for its 'Fox One' platform to support AI-driven highlight generation and content enrichment (per TheDesk, April 2026). Infrastructure competition remains high as the global cloud video streaming market is projected to reach $12.7 billion by 2034. According to CRN and Synergy Research Group, as of Q1 2026, AWS maintains a leading 28% share of the overall cloud infrastructure market, though it faces increasing pressure from Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud, particularly in AI-integrated media management (per CRN, May 2026). To maintain its lead, AWS has emphasized high-availability features in MediaConnect, such as the MediaConnect Router launched in late 2025, which allows content providers to dynamically switch between feeds across different AWS regions to achieve 'five 9's' (99.999%) of availability for global sports and news events (per Amazon, November 2025).
Read full article at docs.aws.amazon.com