In BoxCast’s 2018 test, the original BoxCaster scored ahead of the Teradek VidiU and Digicast DMB-8800A Premium on the reported video-quality measures and stayed connected under the test’s highest packet-loss condition. That result is a historical, vendor-authored experiment—not an independent or current ranking. It also does not settle which encoder is right for you: the BoxCaster works only with the BoxCast platform and requires a subscription to activate, while BoxCast documents RTMP setup routes for the other two devices.
At a glance: the key trade-off
| Encoder | What the documented workflow offers | Important constraint |
|---|---|---|
| Original BoxCaster | HD encoding from HDMI or composite video, with wired or wireless networking; BoxCast platform features include scheduled broadcasts and platform-side distribution and archiving. | Works exclusively with BoxCast and requires a BoxCast streaming subscription to activate. Supported output depends on the source format. |
| Teradek VidiU | BoxCast documented a third-party RTMP setup route. In its 2018 test, the unit used RTMP/TCP. | The historical test describes a specific unit and software configuration. Current availability, revision-specific support, and compatibility are not established here. |
| Digicast DMB-8800A Premium / ChurchStreamer | BoxCast documents an RTMP setup path for the device previously offered as ChurchStreamer, with example encoding settings. | The documented device defaults to a static address, configuration can be erased by power cycling, and current revision availability and support are unverified. |
What BoxCast’s 2018 test measured
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, sent each stream 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 noted that aligning frames was difficult and the compared frame counts differed by less than 0.3%.
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The settings were close but not identical: the VidiU and DMB-8800A Premium were set to 720p high profile at 3,300 kbps; BoxCaster was set to 3.0 Mbps, which BoxCast described as the closest manual setting, although it said that BoxCaster could encode up to 4.8 Mbps. BoxCast cautioned that the objective scores should be read only as relative indicators within this experiment—not as absolute ratings or figures to compare with unrelated tests.
Reported video-quality results
| Measure (as reported) | BoxCaster | Teradek VidiU | DMB-8800A Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSNR average | 25.085 | 18.613 | 14.853 |
| SSIM all, dB | 9.423 | 6.217 | 5.302 |
| VMAF | 30.306 | 10.092 | 25.388 |
BoxCaster ranked ahead on all three measures in that test. These are results reported by BoxCast, not independent replications, general ratings of all hardware revisions, or predictions for other footage, settings, and network paths. Read BoxCast’s comparison and its test limitations.
#1 Best Overall
- Generic RTMP interface allows you to stream your live video content to a Wowza server or the platform of your choice at any time
- Streams over dual band MIMO Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or via a single 3G/4G USB modem
- Offers a free application for iOS that allows you to stream a second video feed to your mobile device
Network behavior in the simulated tests
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 the DMB-8800A. It reported roughly four seconds of visual artifacting for BoxCaster, but no audio discontinuity.
In a separate packet-loss scenario using a 3.5 Mbps uplink, BoxCast reported that the VidiU disconnected at 9% packet loss; the 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 observations describe BoxCast’s particular simulated setup and protocol path; they are not guarantees of real-world performance.
Rank #2
- 4K & HD STREAMING IN H.264 AND H.265 – Self-contained processor supporting H.264 and H.265 encoding in HD or Ultra HD (up to 2160p60) via SRT or RTMP, streaming directly to YouTube, Facebook, X, Twitch, Zoom, Microsoft Teams, OBS, Wowza, and many more — no encoding PC needed.
- 12G-SDI INPUT WITH STANDARDS CONVERSION – Supports input resolutions up to DCI 4K60 with an SDI input and SDI loop output, plus Teranex-powered automatic standards conversion so any HD or Ultra HD source streams cleanly at any target resolution.
- DUAL MONITOR OUTPUTS – Features both SDI and HDMI monitor outputs with a user-configurable standards converter on both the 12G-SDI Out and 4K HDMI Out, so you can feed a confidence monitor or downstream device at any required format independent of your streaming standard.
- ETHERNET + 5G/4G MOBILE WITH AUTO-FAILOVER – Connect via Gigabit Ethernet (10/100/1000BASE-T) or tether a smartphone via USB-C for mobile data, with automatic switchover between connections — ensuring your stream stays on air even if the primary internet connection drops.
- CLOSED CAPTIONS, TIMECODE & REST API – Supports embedding CEA-608 and CEA-708 closed captions in live RTMP streams, source timecode over RTMP and SRT, and offers a REST API over Ethernet for external HTTP control — ideal for broadcast automation and accessibility-compliant workflows.
How the devices differ in setup and compatibility
Original BoxCaster: straightforward within BoxCast, not an open-platform encoder
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 works exclusively with the BoxCast platform and needs a BoxCast streaming subscription to activate. Do not treat it as a standalone encoder for arbitrary RTMP destinations.
For BoxCast’s supported formats, the source signal matters. Its support documentation says 1080p30 outputs natively at 1080; other 1080 sources generally output at 720 unless a qualifying 1080i60 signal is manually set to 1080. Analog NTSC/PAL is supported over composite. 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.” Check your camera or switcher’s exact format before relying on 1080 output or changing inputs during a broadcast. See BoxCast’s compatible resolutions and frame rates.
Rank #3
- Stream up to 4K HDR with color-accurate 10-bit 4:2:2 output — deliver broadcast-quality visuals from set to post with high fidelity and consistency.
- Dual HEVC + AVC compression and 256-bit military-grade encryption — enjoy efficient bandwidth use and ultra-secure streaming across both local and cloud workflows.
- Local + cloud streaming with multi-viewer support — stream to up to four local devices (without internet) and unlimited remote viewers via Teradek TV or browser.
- Camera-mounted design with quiet cooling & OLED menu interface — mounts directly to the camera or sits in video village, while the redesigned heat and quieter fan helps reduce noise on set.
- Seamlessly integrated remote collaboration tools — built-in voice chat, messaging, user management, and support for Frame.io and other integrations to connect your team in real time.
Teradek VidiU: a documented third-party RTMP route, with revision uncertainty
BoxCast’s 2018 comparison configured the VidiU at 720p, 3,300 kbps, high profile and described the tested workflow as RTMP/TCP. It also reported strict constant-bitrate behavior for the unit and software used at that time. BoxCast’s support collection lists a VidiU setup article, but that does not establish current support or compatibility for every VidiU revision. Confirm the exact model, firmware, and receiving platform’s current ingest requirements before deployment. Check BoxCast’s third-party encoder support collection.
DMB-8800A Premium / ChurchStreamer: check the model and preserve configuration
BoxCast says the DMB-8800A Premium was previously offered by ChurchStreaming.tv as ChurchStreamer, and documents a ChurchStreamer-to-BoxCast RTMP setup. Its example settings are 1080p at 4,800 kbps, 720p at 2,800 kbps, or lower resolutions at 1,000 kbps, with frame-rate settings tied to source standards. The same instructions say the device ships with a static address by default and warn that power cycling can erase its configuration. Treat these as setup directions for the documented device—not proof that every revision has the same controls or works with a current ingest endpoint. Verify the model revision, network setup, and destination requirements before relying on it. Read BoxCast’s ChurchStreamer setup directions.
Rank #4
- Innovative Product with Leading Technology - This Avmatrix video encoder is ideal for broadcast video and audio, support live broadcast for YouTube, Facebook, Livestream, Twitch, Periscope, Coffeine, Akamai, Niconico, Afteeca, Bilibili etc.
- Multi-streaming Output - Support up to 3 video streams output simultaneously. You can push these 3 video streams to multi-platform at the same time.
- Multi-protocol Support - Support HTTP, RTSP, RTMP, RTMPS, SRT, UDP, RTP, Multicast, Unitcast, etc streaming protocol.
- HDMI loop-out function The HDMI Loop Out allows you to keep an eye on the latest push stream video. Video encoding support up to 1080p60
- graphic overlays Support for custom graphic overlays
Which encoder should you choose?
Choose BoxCaster if your workflow is already BoxCast-based
- You intend to stream through BoxCast and accept the subscription requirement for activation.
- Your input connectors and exact source format fit the device’s documented limits.
- You value the results of BoxCast’s historical test, while understanding they do not establish how a current or different setup will perform.
Consider VidiU or DMB-8800A if you need third-party encoder setup
- You already own a compatible unit or need an RTMP-capable workflow outside the BoxCaster’s platform lock-in.
- You can confirm the exact revision, current firmware, receiving service’s ingest rules, and whether the device is available and supportable.
- For the DMB-8800A, you can account for its documented static-address default and protect its configuration from power cycling.
Before buying or deploying any of the three, confirm the model revision, required connectors, target resolution and frame rate, stream destination and protocol, expected network conditions, subscription obligations, and current access to support. Current prices, stock, warranty coverage, firmware status, and manufacturer support for the legacy VidiU and DMB-8800A revisions are not established by the cited documentation.
For a YouTube stream that must stay live around the clock
These hardware encoders are not interchangeable with a cloud service that loops uploaded video. If your goal is a 24/7 YouTube channel playing pre-recorded material, StreamNeo is a different option: it runs from the cloud, streams uploaded videos to YouTube, and does not require a computer to stay on. It is not a camera encoder and streams to YouTube only. See StreamNeo for details.
Best Value
- H.264
- H.265 Stream
- 1080p 60fps
- 12G-SDI In/Loop Out
Or let it run in the cloud
- Upload a recording or build a playlist.
- Add your YouTube stream key once.
- Go live; StreamNeo loops the video from the cloud.
- Nothing at home has to stay on.
- Uploaded video streams as made, up to 4K 60fps, at one price per slot.
- Automatic recovery is included if YouTube drops the stream.
- The first day is free with no card, one free day per account.
- Monthly: $9.99 per month.
Start your free StreamNeo day.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the original BoxCaster work as a general RTMP encoder?
No. BoxCast says the original BoxCaster works exclusively with its platform and requires a BoxCast streaming subscription for activation.
Are the BoxCaster, VidiU, and DMB-8800A test scores directly comparable with other encoder reviews?
No. BoxCast explicitly says its objective scores are relative to its own test, not absolute ratings or comparable with scores from separate comparisons.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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