# Input codecs in MediaLive
<a name="inputs-supported-codecs"></a>

This section provides information about the video and audio codecs that each input type can ingest in AWS Elemental MediaLive

**Topics**
+ [

# Codecs supported in MediaLive inputs
](inputs-supported-list.md)
+ [

# Supported codecs by input type
](inputs-supported-codecs-by-input-type.md)
+ [

# Characteristics for video and audio sources
](inputs-video-audio-characteristics.md)

# Codecs supported in MediaLive inputs
<a name="inputs-supported-list"></a>

MediaLive supports the following video codecs in sources:
+ H.264 (AVC)
+ H.265 (HEVC)
+ MPEG-2

MediaLive supports the following audio codecs in sources:
+ AAC
+ Dolby Digital
+ Dolby E wrapped in PCM
+ Dolby Digital Plus
+ MPEG Audio
+ PCM

# Supported codecs by input type
<a name="inputs-supported-codecs-by-input-type"></a>

The following table lists the video and audio codecs that each type of MediaLive input type supports.


| Media type | Video codecs | Audio codecs | 
| --- | --- | --- | 
| CDISee [Characteristics for video and audio sources](inputs-video-audio-characteristics.md) for more information. | Uncompressed video | Dolby E wrapped in PCMPCM | 
| HLSSee [HLS inputs](#hls-inputs-anchor), after this table. | H.264 (AVC) |  AAC Dolby Digital Dolby Digital Plus  | 
| Link HD | Any codec that is included in a Link container is always supported by MediaLive. | Up to 8 channels of PCM audio when using HDMI or SDI input | 
| Link UHD | Any codec that is included in a Link container is always supported by MediaLive. | Up to 8 channels of PCM audio when using HDMI inputUp to 16 channels of PCM audio when using SDI inputDolby DigitalDolby Digital Plus | 
| MediaConnect |  H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) MPEG-2  |  AAC Dolby Digital Dolby E wrapped in PCM Dolby Digital Plus MPEG Audio PCM  | 
| MP4 | H.264 (AVC)H.265 (HEVC)MPEG-2 | AACDolby E wrapped in PCM | 
| RTMP | H.264 (AVC) | AAC | 
| RTP |  H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) MPEG-2  |  AAC Dolby Digital Dolby E wrapped in PCM Dolby Digital Plus MPEG Audio PCM  | 
| SMPTE 2110 stream | Uncompressed | Dolby DigitalDolby Digital PlusPCM | 
| SRT caller |  H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) MPEG-2  |  AAC Dolby Digital Dolby E wrapped in PCM Dolby Digital Plus MPEG Audio PCM  | 
| SRT Listener |  H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) MPEG-2  |  AAC Dolby Digital Dolby E wrapped in PCM Dolby Digital Plus MPEG Audio PCM  | 
| Transport Stream (TS) file |  H.264 (AVC) H.265 (HEVC) MPEG-2  |  AAC Dolby Digital Dolby E wrapped in PCM Dolby Digital Plus MPEG Audio PCM  | 

**HLS inputs**

The audio and video assets can be multiplexed in a single stream. Or the audio can be in a separate audio rendition group. If you are using audio in a rendition group, the group can be selected by using the **Group ID** and **Name** that is in the **\$1EXT-X-MEDIA** tag.

# Characteristics for video and audio sources
<a name="inputs-video-audio-characteristics"></a>

**Orientation**

MediaLive supports any aspect ratio — landscape or portrait.

**Input frame rate**

MediaLive only supports constant frame rate (CFR) inputs. It does not support variable frame rates (VFR).

**Other characteristics**


| Container | Video characteristics | Audio characteristics | 
| --- | --- | --- | 
| CDI—MediaLive only supports these characteristics for CDI inputs. |  [\[See the AWS documentation website for more details\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/medialive/latest/ug/inputs-video-audio-characteristics.html)  |  [\[See the AWS documentation website for more details\]](http://docs.aws.amazon.com/medialive/latest/ug/inputs-video-audio-characteristics.html)  |