# Prerequisites to start using MediaConvert
<a name="setting-up"></a>

Before you start using MediaConvert, you need an AWS account, at least one input file stored in Amazon S3 or on an HTTP/HTTPS server, an Amazon S3 bucket for your output files, and an IAM role with the correct permissions. 

For information on how to upload files to Amazon S3, see [Uploading objects in the *Amazon S3 User Guide*](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonS3/latest/userguide/upload-objects.html). 

For information about creating an Amazon S3 bucket for your output destination, see [Creating a bucket in the *Amazon S3 User Guide*](https://docs.aws.amazon.com/AmazonS3/latest/userguide/create-bucket-overview.html). 

The following topics describe how to sign up for an AWS account and then how to configure your IAM role.

**Topics**
+ [Setting up IAM permissions](iam-role.md)