Mediaconvert job failing with 1040 error code for a certain video target

Question

Hi everyone,  
  
I'm using Mediaconvert Job Template to create multiple outputs. HLS & DASH. Each group outputs 5 renditions of content starting from 240 up-to 1080. To preserve the aspect ratio of original content only height is provided in job template.  
  
I encountered rather strange issue. My job is failing with error code 1040 and message "Error initializing encoder for video target \[5] initialization failed: Invalid level specified for the selected resolution."  
  
Video Target \[5] is 1080 output. If I provide width, only for 1080 output, for media groups, job is processed. Adding video stream information from mediainfo.  
  
Video  
ID                                       : 1  
Format                                   : AVC  
Format/Info                              : Advanced Video Codec  
Format profile                           : Main@L4.2  
Format settings                          : CABAC / 4 Ref Frames  
Format settings, CABAC                   : Yes  
Format settings, Reference frames        : 4 frames  
Format settings, GOP                     : M=4, N=24  
Codec ID                                 : avc1  
Codec ID/Info                            : Advanced Video Coding  
Duration                                 : 5 min 26 s  
Bit rate                                 : 10.0 Mb/s  
Width                                    : 1 998 pixels  
Height                                   : 1 080 pixels  
Display aspect ratio                     : 1.85:1  
Frame rate mode                          : Constant  
Frame rate                               : 24.000 FPS  
Color space                              : YUV  
Chroma subsampling                       : 4:2:0  
Bit depth                                : 8 bits  
Scan type                                : Progressive  
Bits/(Pixel*Frame)                       : 0.193  
Stream size                              : 390 MiB (97%)  
Language                                 : English  
Encoded date                             : UTC 2020-08-24 18:57:34  
Tagged date                              : UTC 2020-08-24 18:57:34  
Color range                              : Limited  
Color primaries                          : BT.709  
Transfer characteristics                 : BT.709  
Matrix coefficients                      : BT.709  
Codec configuration box                  : avcC  
  
Dimensions of video are a bit odd but it is failing for 1080 output only. Like mentioned above If I provide width for 1080 rest of renditions are processed even without width.  
  
Level for 1080 is LEVEL_4 and Profile is HIGH.  
  
Any help is appreciated.

Answer

If the job is configured to use the input's width of 1998, it will require the level that is specified in the standard recommendations for AVC. The players should use the same standards. If a player requires level 4, you will have to set the width to one that is supported for that level. 1920 is supported with level 4, this is why the job is successful when the level is set to 4.

Answer

Hi,  
  
I wanted to expand a little on my colleague's comments. When the width is left blank it will automatically use the input's width. The input file you have provided has a width of 1998 which you can find using a tool such as mediainfo. If you look at the table for AVC Levels located here https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advanced_Video_Coding#Levels you will see for level 4 the maximum width for height 1080 is 1920. Same with level 4.1, however. 4.2 maximum width is 2,048.   
  
In the future you can also set the level to "auto" and MediaConvert will pick the correct one automatically.

Answer

Thanks for the explanation. Does changing level of profile effect the playback of content on different devices?

Answer

Hi  
  
Please change the 1080 rendition to "level 4.2" of "high profile". Then it should work. It is because "level 4.0" supports up to 1024.

Mediaconvert job failing with 1040 error code for a certain video target

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