In BoxCast’s historical 2018 comparison, the original BoxCaster led the Teradek VidiU and Digicast DMB-8800A on the video-quality scores and simulated network tests BoxCast reported. That is not a current, independent ranking: BoxCast conducted the test, sent all three encoders to its own platform, and cautioned that the scores apply only to that experiment. The practical choice also depends on platform lock-in, input formats, and whether a specific legacy unit can still be supported.
At a glance: the biggest difference is platform dependency
| Encoder | Platform and setup implications | What the available evidence establishes |
|---|---|---|
| Original BoxCaster | Works exclusively with BoxCast and requires a BoxCast streaming subscription for activation. It is not a standalone, open-platform RTMP encoder. | BoxCast documentation describes its inputs and format limits; BoxCast’s 2018 test reported the strongest scores among these three devices in its specific test. |
| Teradek VidiU | BoxCast documented an RTMP setup route for a VidiU. Suitability depends on the unit revision and the destination platform’s current ingest requirements. | The 2018 test used a VidiU configured for 720p at 3,300 kbps, high profile, and reported an interruption at a tested packet-loss level. Those observations concern the unit and software used then. |
| Digicast DMB-8800A Premium / ChurchStreamer | BoxCast documented a ChurchStreamer-to-BoxCast RTMP setup path. The device’s default static address and configuration behavior can add setup and recovery considerations. | BoxCast’s support directions give example output settings and warn that power cycling can erase configuration. Confirm the exact revision and destination requirements before relying on it. |
For a buyer who prioritizes the result of BoxCast’s 2018 test and is willing to use BoxCast, the original BoxCaster is the clearest fit. A VidiU or DMB-8800A may make more sense when an existing unit and an RTMP workflow fit the intended destination, but the evidence does not establish current availability or support for particular legacy revisions.
What BoxCast’s 2018 comparison actually tested
BoxCast published the comparison on October 25, 2018. It split a 720p HDMI source—the Creative Commons video “Big Buck Bunny”—among the three encoders, streamed each to BoxCast, downloaded the resulting recordings, and compared a 2:29 segment with the reference. The source was 24 fps and was converted to 30 fps for the comparison. BoxCast said frame alignment was difficult and the compared frame counts differed by less than 0.3%.
The settings were close, but not identical: VidiU and DMB-8800A Premium were set to 3,300 kbps at 720p high profile. BoxCaster was limited to 3.0 Mbps, which BoxCast described as its closest manual setting; the article says that model could encode up to 4.8 Mbps. BoxCast cautioned that its objective scores were relative indicators for this test and should not be compared with scores from unrelated comparisons.
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Reported video-quality metrics
| Metric | BoxCaster | Teradek VidiU | Digicast DMB-8800A |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSNR average | 25.085 | 18.613 | 14.853 |
| SSIM all, dB | 9.423 | 6.217 | 5.302 |
| VMAF | 30.306 | 10.092 | 25.388 |
In that vendor-authored experiment, BoxCaster ranked ahead on all three reported metrics. These figures are not independent ratings, population statistics, or evidence about newer devices, other video scenes, network paths, or current firmware.
Reported behavior under network impairment
BoxCast shared a network connection from a MacBook Pro and used Apple’s Network Link Conditioner. In a reduced-uplink test, BoxCast reported about four seconds of discontinuity for DMB-8800A. It reported roughly four seconds of visual artifacting for BoxCaster, but no audio discontinuity.
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In a separate packet-loss scenario using a 3.5 Mbps uplink, BoxCast reported that VidiU disconnected at 9% packet loss, DMB-8800A disconnected at 5% with about four seconds of discontinuity, and BoxCaster reached 10% packet loss with a reduced encoded bitrate and no noticed artifacts, lost data, or discontinuity. These are observations from BoxCast’s simulated setup, not guarantees of how the devices will behave on a particular venue’s network.
BoxCaster: best result in the test, with a BoxCast-only workflow
BoxCast’s product sheet describes the original BoxCaster as an HD encoder with HDMI and composite video inputs, H.264 high-profile level 4.2 encoding, embedded or RCA stereo audio, and wired or wireless networking. It also says the device works exclusively with the BoxCast platform and requires a BoxCast streaming subscription to activate. Its platform supports scheduled broadcasts and platform-side distribution and archiving; those are not features of a standalone general-purpose encoder.
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Check the input format before expecting 1080 output
BoxCast’s support page lists supported HDMI formats through specified 1080p rates and supports analog NTSC/PAL input over composite. Output behavior depends on the source format: 1080p30 outputs natively at 1080; other 1080 sources generally output at 720 unless a qualifying 1080i60 signal is manually set to 1080. Verify the camera or switcher’s exact output standard before assuming the stream will be 1080.
BoxCast warns: “The BoxCaster has to encode for a specific standard so switching between standards mid-stream (e.g. changing resolutions or switching from HDMI to RCA) will cause video failure.” Keep the input standard consistent for the duration of a broadcast.
Rank #4
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Teradek VidiU: a documented RTMP route, but version-specific evidence
In the 2018 comparison, BoxCast configured the VidiU at 720p, 3,300 kbps, high profile. The comparison describes the tested workflow as RTMP/TCP and reports strict constant-bitrate behavior and disconnection at 9% simulated packet loss. Those statements describe the unit and software used at the time, not every VidiU revision.
BoxCast’s support collection lists a VidiU setup article, which establishes a documented route for sending a third-party encoder to BoxCast. It does not establish current support for every revision or compatibility with every streaming platform. Confirm the exact model and firmware, and check the intended destination’s current ingest requirements before purchase or deployment.
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Digicast DMB-8800A Premium / ChurchStreamer: verify configuration and revision
BoxCast says the DMB-8800A Premium was previously offered by ChurchStreaming.tv as ChurchStreamer and documents an RTMP setup path from ChurchStreamer to BoxCast. Its directions state that the device ships with a static address by default and provide these example output settings:
- 1080p at 4,800 kbps
- 720p at 2,800 kbps
- Lower resolutions at 1,000 kbps
- Frame-rate settings selected to match source standards
These are settings in BoxCast’s documented setup directions, not a recommendation for every platform or network. The support article also warns that power cycling can erase configuration. Record the working settings and verify that the unit retains them through the power interruptions likely at its installation site.
How to choose and what to verify before buying
- Choose by destination first. If you require a general RTMP encoder, the BoxCaster’s BoxCast-only activation makes it a poor fit. The documented VidiU and ChurchStreamer routes are specifically to BoxCast and do not guarantee compatibility with all destinations.
- Match connectors to the source. Check whether your camera or switcher outputs HDMI or composite, and confirm that the chosen encoder accepts the required input.
- Confirm resolution and frame rate end to end. Compare the source format with the encoder’s supported formats and the platform’s ingest requirements. For BoxCaster, verify the precise 1080 input standard and its expected output behavior.
- Test the real network path. The BoxCast packet-loss results are a historical simulation, not a field guarantee. Test using the venue’s uplink, wired or wireless path, and intended streaming destination.
- Identify the exact hardware revision. Current retail availability, firmware status, warranty coverage, repair options, and manufacturer support for the legacy VidiU and DMB-8800A revisions are not established here.
- Calculate total ownership cost. Include any required BoxCast subscription for BoxCaster activation and any platform costs applicable to the workflow you choose. Current device prices and total costs for these products are not established.
Or let it run in the cloud
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