In BoxCast’s 2018 comparison, the original BoxCaster led the Teradek VidiU and Digicast DMB-8800A Premium on the reported video-quality measures and held its connection at higher simulated packet loss. That is a historical, vendor-authored test—not a current or independent ranking. The practical choice depends just as much on whether you need an encoder tied to BoxCast or a third-party RTMP setup, and whether the exact legacy hardware is still available and supported.
At a glance
| Encoder | Platform and setup | What the evidence establishes | Key qualification |
|---|---|---|---|
| BoxCaster | Works exclusively with BoxCast and requires a BoxCast streaming subscription to activate. HDMI and composite inputs; wired or wireless networking. BoxCast product sheet | Led the other two devices on the objective video measures in BoxCast’s 2018 test and stayed connected in its simulated packet-loss scenario. | Not a standalone open-platform RTMP encoder. Output resolution depends on the incoming format and settings. |
| Teradek VidiU | BoxCast documented a third-party RTMP setup route. Its 2018 test configuration used 720p, 3,300 kbps, high profile. | In BoxCast’s simulated packet-loss test, it disconnected at 9% packet loss. | These findings concern the unit and software tested at the time; current availability and support for particular revisions are not established. |
| Digicast DMB-8800A Premium / ChurchStreamer | BoxCast documents a ChurchStreamer-to-BoxCast RTMP setup route and example output settings. | In BoxCast’s simulated packet-loss test, it disconnected at 5% packet loss. | Configuration may be erased by power cycling, according to BoxCast’s setup article. Confirm the exact model revision and ingest requirements. |
The sources do not establish current stock, firmware status, warranties, manufacturer support, or total ownership cost for the legacy VidiU and DMB-8800A revisions. Treat compatibility and support as questions to verify for the specific unit, not assumptions.
What BoxCast’s comparison actually tested
BoxCast published its comparison on October 25, 2018. It split a 720p HDMI source—the Creative Commons video “Big Buck Bunny”—among the three encoders and streamed each to BoxCast. The team compared a 2:29 section of each resulting recording with the reference. The source was 24 fps and was converted to 30 fps; BoxCast noted that frame alignment was difficult and compared frame counts varied by less than 0.3%.
The encoding 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, described as the closest manual setting, although the comparison says the model could encode up to 4.8 Mbps. BoxCast explicitly cautioned that the scores were relative indicators for this experiment and should not be compared with results from other comparisons. Read BoxCast’s 2018 comparison and methodology.
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Reported video-quality scores
| Measure | BoxCaster | Teradek VidiU | 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 |
All figures are those reported by BoxCast for its 2018 experiment, not independently replicated ratings or general performance guarantees. In that test, BoxCaster ranked ahead on each listed measure; the numbers do not establish how these devices perform with other content, settings, firmware, or streaming paths.
Reported network behavior
For its network simulations, BoxCast shared a 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. BoxCaster showed roughly four seconds of visual artifacting without audio discontinuity in that test.
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 but no noticed artifacts, lost data, or discontinuity. These are observations from BoxCast’s particular setup and protocol path, not predictions for every network or a guarantee of field reliability.
Rank #2
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Which encoder fits your setup?
Choose BoxCaster if your workflow is already on BoxCast
BoxCaster is the clearest fit if you want BoxCast’s platform workflow and accept its subscription requirement. The product sheet describes HDMI and composite video inputs, H.264 high-profile level 4.2 encoding, embedded or RCA stereo audio, and wired or wireless networking. BoxCast also describes platform features such as scheduled broadcasts, distribution, and archiving. The device works exclusively with BoxCast and requires a BoxCast streaming subscription to activate, so do not treat it as an open-platform RTMP encoder.
Consider VidiU or DMB-8800A when you need a documented third-party route
BoxCast’s support material documents RTMP setup paths for VidiU and ChurchStreamer/DMB-8800A. That may be useful if you already own compatible hardware or need a third-party encoder, but an old setup article does not prove compatibility with every current streaming platform. Check the destination’s current ingest requirements and confirm that the exact hardware revision and firmware can meet them before relying on it for an event.
BoxCast’s support collection includes a VidiU setup article, but that listing alone does not verify support for every revision. The DMB-8800A article describes the model as previously offered by ChurchStreaming.tv as ChurchStreamer. Neither fact establishes current retail availability, warranties, or support.
Rank #3
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Inputs, resolutions, and settings that can affect the result
BoxCaster formats are input-dependent
BoxCast’s support page lists compatible HDMI formats through specified 1080p rates and supports analog NTSC/PAL over composite. Its output behavior depends on the source: 1080p30 outputs natively at 1080, while other 1080 sources generally output at 720 unless a qualifying 1080i60 signal is manually set to 1080. Check the camera or switcher’s exact output standard rather than assuming that a 1080-capable source will produce a 1080 stream. See BoxCaster-compatible video resolutions and frame rates.
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 video standard and input consistent during a broadcast.
DMB-8800A example output settings
BoxCast’s ChurchStreamer setup article gives example settings of 1080p at 4,800 kbps, 720p at 2,800 kbps, or lower resolutions at 1,000 kbps, with frame-rate choices keyed to source standards. These are setup examples from that article, not universal recommendations for every revision or ingest destination. The article also warns that power cycling can erase the configuration. Record the working settings and verify them after any reboot before an important stream. See BoxCast’s ChurchStreamer/DMB-8800A setup instructions.
Rank #4
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VidiU test settings are not a current preset recommendation
The 720p, 3,300 kbps, high-profile configuration belongs to BoxCast’s 2018 comparison. It describes that test, not a guaranteed best setting for a VidiU revision, a different destination, or current firmware.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Pre-purchase and deployment checklist
- Identify the exact model and hardware revision; do not rely on a family name alone for used equipment.
- Match the encoder’s input connectors to your camera, switcher, and audio setup.
- Confirm the required output resolution, frame rate, and destination ingest protocol.
- For BoxCaster, account for its BoxCast-only operation, activation subscription, and input-dependent output behavior.
- For VidiU or DMB-8800A, verify current availability of compatible hardware, firmware, setup documentation, and support before an event.
- Test using the actual network and destination, including recovery after a temporary uplink interruption; the 2018 simulation is not a substitute for a field test.
- Calculate total ownership cost using current vendor information. The available sources do not establish current prices for these units or the current subscription cost.
Common problems and practical checks
BoxCaster video fails after changing input or resolution
A mid-stream change of video standard can cause video failure. Return to one supported, fixed standard and input for the broadcast; check the camera or switcher output and the BoxCaster-compatible format list before going live.
BoxCaster does not output the expected 1080 resolution
Check the precise incoming format. BoxCast says 1080p30 outputs natively at 1080; other 1080 sources generally output at 720 unless a qualifying 1080i60 signal is manually set to 1080. Confirm the source and the applicable setting rather than inferring output from the camera’s maximum resolution.
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DMB-8800A settings disappear after a restart
BoxCast’s setup article warns that power cycling can erase configuration. Re-enter or verify the documented settings after reboot, and test the stream before the scheduled broadcast.
A legacy encoder will not connect to the destination
Check that the destination still accepts the configured ingest method and that the exact encoder revision and firmware support it. BoxCast’s documented RTMP path is for setup with BoxCast; it does not prove compatibility with all platforms. Also verify the stream key and the encoder’s output configuration against the destination’s current requirements.
Or let it run in the cloud
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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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