Ben Formesyn
Senior Specialist Solution Architect | Media Services & Edge | AWS
Senior Specialist Solution Architect | Media Services & Edge | AWS
A comprehensive guide to implementing accessibility features in streaming workflows. Covers HLS and DASH signaling for closed captions, audio descriptions, and subtitle tracks using AWS Elemental MediaLive, MediaConvert, and MediaPackage.
Detailed baseline configuration recommendations for broadcast-grade video quality. Covers codec selection (AVC, HEVC, AV1), rate control, GOP settings, adaptive quantization, and encoding parameters for optimal picture quality.
Explores accessibility technologies for television and OTT platforms. Covers captions, subtitles (CEA-608/708, DVB Teletext, DVB bitmap), audio description, and how these services support viewers with visual and hearing disabilities.
The AWS Breaking Barriers Challenge 2026 brought together 460 participants from Charities, Partners, Students and AWS Solution Architects across London, Manchester and Dublin for a 72-hour hackathon pairing 49 teams with 20 charities to build AI-powered solutions. I was responsible for the delivery of the cross-three-site AV and livestreaming solution, connecting all venues at 1080p for real-time collaboration, external public live streams, allowing the finalists at each site to present their solutions to the Judges and attendees.
Winners from each site were Bookmark Reading Charity (London), The King's Trust (Manchester) and Rehab Group (Dublin). The event organising team received a Special Recognition Award from the head of AWS UK, Alison Kay.
I'm a Senior Specialist Solution Architect at AWS, focusing on Media Services and Edge technologies. With over 20 years of experience in Broadcast and Content Delivery, I help customers design and implement cloud-based media workflows.
Media Services: AWS Elemental MediaLive, MediaConvert, MediaPackage, MediaTailor, and Interactive Video Service (IVS).
My expertise spans live video encoding, OTT streaming, content delivery networks, and edge security. I architect solutions that combine high-performance delivery with robust protection.
Edge Services: Amazon CloudFront, AWS WAF, AWS Shield Advanced, Lambda@Edge, and CloudFront Functions.
Interested in discussing content delivery with CloudFront, perimeter security with Shield Advanced and AWS WAF, AWS Media Services, broadcast workflows, or content delivery solutions? Feel free to reach out through LinkedIn or the AWS contact channels below.