LiveU Solo vs Teradek VidiU Pro (ep .301) Comparison, shoot-out, and live streaming
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- In this episode of 5 THINGS, Michael pits the LiveU Solo against the Teradek VidiU Pro.
If you need to stream via Wi-Fi, 3G/4G cellular, or a hard Ethernet line while you're on the go, what's the best portable unit? Which unit has more features? Which is most reliable when live streaming? In this episode, we test the LiveU Solo vs the Teradek VidiU Pro.
0:00 Introduction
1:43 What do they do?
3:08 Setup and Connectivity
6:16 Flexibility and Usability
8:35 Streaming Quality
11:53 Conclusions
Complete transcript and blog at 5thingsseries.com/liveu-solo-v...
What 5 THINGS do you want to know about? Let me know!
Web: 5thingsseries.com
Facebook: / 5thingsseries
Twitter: / michaelkammes
1. What do they do?
Both units have a ton of similarities; so let’s get those out of the way first so we can focus on the ooey gooey differences.
At the core of both units is the ability to take an SD or HD video source, usually, HDMI, encode the signal, and stream it out to the web to sites like RUclips or Facebook. This can be via a traditional Ethernet Internet connection, going mobile with Wi-Fi, or even streaming via a USB cellular 3G/4G connection.
Both The LiveU Solo and VidiU Pro have the ability to bond across a number of onboard connections, which gives you the ability to have an added level of not only redundancy but also throughput, to ensure your signal is getting out smoothly and at the highest bandwidth possible. Both units, however, charge extra for this feature, which I’ll get into later.
Both units can take AC power, run on an internal battery, are small in size, and both weigh under a pound (although the VidiU Pro is less than half of that) and they easily mount on your camera or attach to your Batman utility belt.
The units also have built-in batteries so you can stream for several hours before having to recharge. Both models also have webpage backends to control the units…. to varying degrees.
The Solo and VidiU Pro both do their jobs very well. But the devil is certainly in the details, and that’s what we’re going to tackle next.
2. Setup and Connectivity
The LiveU and Teradek units both allow setup via a web browser on your computer or mobile device. LiveU, via the LiveU Portal, and Teradek via the web server on the unit.
LiveU is pretty straightforward. Create an account at solo.liveu.tv/, boot up your LiveU Solo unit (although this may take a while), and connect your Solo to the internet. Then, enter in your Solo serial number into the portal, and you’re off and running. You now can do your entire streaming configuration of the Solo signal on the webpage for your unit. Now, this is a blessing and a curse…which I’ll get into a bit later on.
Teradek’s setup is very similar. Boot up the unit, which doesn't take as long as LiveU, get your unit on your local network - it doesn’t even have to access the internet at this point. It just needs an IP address so your local computers or Wi-Fi-enabled cellular devices can see it. Unlike the Solo, the VidiU Pro has a web server built in, which makes configuration a bit easier.
Why is that Michael?
Having a local web server built in means I don’t need to have Internet connectivity on my laptop or workstation if I’m out in the field and want to configure the unit. Yes, I know, you can use cellular devices like your phone to configure their unit, but if cellular service on location is lacking for your phone’s carrier, now what? It’s a slight issue, but I think having a web server built into the unit as Teradek does makes for an easier way of local configuration.
Speaking of cellular connections, at this point, if you’re planning on going into the great wide open and streaming via 4G connections, make sure you’ve purchased your cellular modems and chosen the right data plan - one that won’t throttle your bandwidth or cut you off at the knees during an event.
Now it’s time for the speeds and feeds and goes in and goes out part of our review.
......and we're out of room here! Head over to 5thingsseries.com/liveu-solo-v... for the rest of the transcript and blog!
My thanks to LiveU for their financial support and sponsorship of this episode.
Until the next episode: learn more, do more.
#LiveUSolo #TeradekVidiUPro #Streaming #5THINGS #LiveStreaming #CDN #Video #BatteryLife #Broadcast #HDMI #Audio #Connectivity #RUclips #Facebook #LRT #Teradek #Review #Tech #Signal #LiveU 
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Great review!! Thank you.
Another great review Michael, thank you!
I think this is one of the best reviews I've ever heard in my life. My only suggestion is to use only one name to identify the product as you are often switching
I think you're overlooking the auto reconnect feature on the Vidiu. You mentioned embedded web interface, but I didn't hear about Vidiu's app which is very handy.
Hi Michael, thanks for this comparison. but can you use the Live U with a video switcher to facebook or even use it with OBS, Wirecast or vMix just to be able to get the graphics, lower 3rds of those applications and able to use multicams and send out via HDMI to Live U to Facebook? Thanks
for those of you who own ULive how much would you charge a client to broadcast LIVE a meeting or focus group etc. Hourly? Flat rate?
dude this episode has literally been more helpful than all of the customer support people i have spoken to at the local cellular companies.
Thank you so much for the comment and for watching!
With the LiveU Solo, Instead of usb modems can it connect by android phone (samsung s7) and tether thru usb?
how could you use the LiveU Solo link to a switching desk for broadcast.
Were they tested in a city where signals are everywhere? I would like to see the results of being out in the country miles away from any town. I'm going to be running live feeds this year from remote locations and the LiveU looks like a good choice if it could work outside of cities and towns.
Should test the jvc hm-200 camera that has built in streaming with USB modem. I use it and it only drops out about 3-5 times a year.
This was so helpful! Thank you
Great review! Thank you so much, Michael. I'll buy the brand new VidiU X from Teradek. Hopefully most of the shown bugs in your video should be solved by now. :-)
I appreciate the comments! Thanks for watching, Dirk!
Thank you so much for this video. Helps me out so much.
You're welcome - thanks for watching!
I you don't have internet signal to connect to the webpage to configure the LiveU how will you stream ? ;-)
I have been experiencing the exact same issue with multiple interruptions while streaming with the Teradek VidiU Pro. This is why I am thinking of switching to the LiveU Solo. Yes, there is an auto reconnect feature with the VidiU Pro, but what good is a livestream that encounters numerous interruptions?
Learn more, do more!!! I like That. Thank you for the information. Great video.
I regularly use the LiveU LU600 on jobs for a particular company, and am quite impressed with its performance. It has literally saved the day when the internet has failed. The LU600 would be overkill for my needs, as you also need the server, as well. I've been quite curious on the LiveU Solo. Thanks for a spectacular review.
Thanks for the input, and thanks for watching!
I've had the LiveU big brother LU 200E for a few years and used it with only one T-Mobile modem. Never failed to transmit a 1080P or 1080i, even from places where I could not get phone service with my T-Mobile Samsung phone. Never dropped a stream during hours-long shoots.
where r u based buddy? looking into this for South Florida ... any thoughts?
Love the review!
Thank you, and thanks for watching!
Could not agree more, used the LiveU solo a lot last year, never failed.
great review, the only missing part is how it handles in different locations via modems but that;s for another day of testing i gues :) well done
Michael Kammes yes definitely. I mean the most important is how it handles disconnecting. If you had perfect conditions and terradek still disconnects and you have to restart stream manually that’s huge problem. If LiveU can continue stream after some connection issues without restarting stream and losing viewers, it’s HUGE win. Together with the battery lasting almost twice as much, there is no reason to not choosing LIVEU.
@MichaelKammes - have you tested the VidiU Go? If so did they solve the shortcomings of the Pro with the newer unit?
I have 3 Vidiu units. The drop outs happen on all of them Usually at the the highest transmitting rate
we streamed with the vidu for 5 hours straight to a broadcaster without a hitch
Thanks
This was great. However, you should be comparing to the Teradek VidiU GO! (the big brother to the "pro").
I wished for such kind of comparison when I first started live streaming years ago but there was none and I have to experiment everything myself. I own Vidiu, Vidiu pro and Solo and could not agree more with Michael's review. Vidiu gave me huge stress about its reliability during live shows and I have several stoppages for no reason. When I press the start/stop button, occasionally it will show the "ready" word although we are already live! The speed test is also sucky many times with either super low speed or failed test result. Btw my firmware is always the latest.
I took the plunge and got the solo despite being more expensive in the cloud subscription and never looked back. It is so much more stable and has never failed a stream. As what Michael said, Vidiu has lots of settings to play with in the device menu but is simply a jack of all trades, and not a master at its core function which is to provide reliable and stable stream. Get Solo, forget about Vidiu. You will not regret it.
I'm currently looking at the LiveU Solo v VidiU Go + Nodes. Based on your experience, would you still opt for the LiveU Solo over the VidiU Go? Did you figure out the cause of your streaming interruptions?
I'm also trying to choose between LiveU Solo, Teradek Vidiu Go or Teradek Wave. Do you have any suggestion which is better?
Nice Video. I Like your presentation style. Very sympathic dude!
Thanks for the comment and positive wishes. I appreciate you watching!
Can you add slingstudio in your review....
Who can i activate the 2nd 2sim cards on the solo .
Can the LiveU be plugged into an AC outlet while live broadcasting + recharging the internal batteries simultaneously?
Yes
Good info.
Thank-you - and thanks for watching!
great video! I wish you could've done a test to see how long each unit would stream while plugged in to power. I have an upcoming live stream event that way go on for an upwards of 9 hours. Wondering if the lIveU is a safe option. I know these units can get pretty hot. Wondering if 9 hours isn't safe.
Great suggestion! I hope the rest of the info was helpful!
Thanks for watching.
I know this is an old but people may watch this and they need to know something about the new liveU pro. The liveu touts it can send SRT (which is faster, more secure and has less packet loss the RTMP) - but the solo unit does not actually send SRT. I talked with LiveU today and they said the SRT endoding does not happen in the unit. It happens via the LRT cloud bonding. If you don't use LRT you don't get SRT. This means that the unit itself is not sending the SRT. And the whole point of using SRT (at least for me) is to reduce bandwidth needs and packetloss. SRT encoding does not happen in the device so no bandwidth savings when you send the stream to the LRT cloud. Once the video hits the LRT cloud it gets converted to SRT and then sent where ever you direct it. So from the LRT cloud to your destination the bandwidth usage is optimized. But that has no impact on your own bandwidth usage from the unit to the LRT Cloud. So if anyone plans to use SRT to save bandwidth from the unit to the LRT cloud, it won't help at all.
Thanks for the additional information, Steve - and thanks for watching.
Michael, What Verizon USB modem models you were using?
Mahalo!
GOOD MORNING, I HAVE A FEW QUESTIONS: LIVEU SOLO 1) DOES IT TRANSMIT ONLY TO ONE SOCIAL NETWORK OR TWO SIMULTANEOUSLY? 2) DON'T TRANSMIT TO INSTAGRAM?? 3) EVERY TIME YOU GO DO LIVE DO YOU HAVE TO CONFIGURE URL CODES AND KEYS ON THE PC?
Dont you think a better comparison would have been the Cube and not the VidiU? Esp at the price points?
Nonetheless this was very informative. Thanks for taking the time!!
Does the solo allow you to record this stream via se card or external hard drive via usb connection ?
great video... I am seriously considering buying the Live U solo... can anyone give me recommendations as the best modems to buy? Would I be best diversifying with an ATT and a Verizon? Or would It be OK to use two Verizons and have 1 big data plan? Thanks in advance!
Michael Kammes hi michael. Thanks for the reply. Interesting stats. I guess I'm just wondering if i have 2 modems from same network if it won't be as fast as diversifying cards
Hi Matt, Thank you for your interest in the LiveU Solo. I would love to get you in contact with our Solo Specialist to answer all of your questions. Can you please provide me with your email address? We look forward to hearing from you.
Hello,
Which streaming encoder would you recommend at the end of 2022?
The choice is between LiveU Solo, Teradek Vidiu Go and Teradek Wave.
The unit will be used to stream from places where there is no ethernet connection. So bonding multiple mobile networks is a must.
Thank you!
Hello! I haven't researched them in a few years, so I don't think I'm going to be able to give a well-researched answer, unfortunately. I do appreciate you watching, however!
@@michaelkammes Thanks!
Great video! Just so you know, "vs." is pronounced "versus" rather than "verse." :)
What about the newly announced Teradek Vidiu Go?
Have you tested the VidiU Go? I'm currently looking into it and based on the specs, I'm leaning towards that over the LiveU Solo.
Michael, does LiveU Solo allow you to place Title and Current Time on the stream? If so, is this an added cost?
Okay Michael. One more question if you can? Can I still use Solo bonding feature when using RTMP to a specific CDN. I'm currently streaming RTMP to restream.io service which sends to my FB, RUclips & UStream at the same time.
Hi, the only time the unit is not bonding is if you only have one connection or the LRT is turned off. We will be happy to further assist you if you have any more questions, all we need is your email address! We hope to hear from you soon. Thank you.
Tks Michael! I believe I have been able to get all my questions answered. I thank you very much for the information, video and time to respond.
can you do a update on the LiveU Solo
Unfortunately, I no longer have the unit, so an update is pretty unlikely. Thanks for watching!
Hi Michael thanks for the video. What's the title of the movie at 10min? Thanks
Hi!
"Event Horizon"!
Also, at the end of each of my 5 THINGS episodes (in the credits) I list all movies used.
Thanks for watching!
@@michaelkammes thanks much appreciated
I need an RTMP 264 streamer with just a landline.
Anyone know?
@@michaelkammes TY!
I also own a regular Vidiu (not the pro version) and considering to replace with LiveU Solo because i really need the ability to bond 2 4G LTE modems since i stream mostly from field . And also Vidiu is very laggy, slow menu response, the only thing good is the built-in web server. Thanks for your review!
Hello koko, are you interested in selling your Vidiu?
@@barrynesbitt7232 are you interested in selling your Vidiu?
I still need to test h.264 high profile with my CDN. I want to save on bandwidth for my hobbyist shoots and ramp up the quality for events where I'm compensated.
Does anyone experience problems sending high profile to any particular video service? (YT/twitch/FB/twitter/etc)
I'm using Restream where transcoding is an upsell. They provide guidelines and warnings when my stream is out of spec to the endpoints. I'm definitely going to test high profile and look into my CDN options.
price ?????
Ice poseidon used to use the Teradek and he had nothing but problems. Since moving over to LiveU he rarely has issues.
thank YOU !
You're quite welcome. Thanks for watching!
@@michaelkammes if you are doing say HS Football - and you have the option of perhaps running cable 500 to 1000 feet ... would it be better to do that with a secure connection or use say a LIVE U?
@@sergiomenezes1236 Extending Cat5 or Cat6 is a good idea, but expect signal degradation after ~100m of cable length. 500 to 1000 feet will certainly exceed that. Unless you have some sort of booster or repeater, you should try wireless via cellular. Wi-Fi is an option, but you may need a repeater or booster as well. Good luck!
@@michaelkammes very cool of you to answer and provide guidance! God Bless and I hope your channel booms! You're a swell guy! Thanks
@@sergiomenezes1236 Anytime. Good Luck!
Four years later and LiveU solo has done little to improve their usability. Their support is slow and their help docs are outdated. The VidiU has made some changes to its software and is a lot easier to use now. LiveU is probably more reliable, but I don't get the impression they really care to make changes to their UX. Nearly every issue you brought up about the LiveU is still an issue today. The Vidiu has made improvement and has surpassed the LiveU in many ways. (Except I do have concerns the VidiU is not as reliable.)
If LiveU sponsored this, it makes me wonder...What if they a$ked you to say that the Vidiu stopped on you 4 or 5 times.
Michael Kammes
I'm happy to hear that! The thought did cross my mind though!!
As a user of teradek vidiu pro for a few years...it's crap.
Random resets, software laggy, constantly reboots.
Today my LiveU solo arrived - build quality is a whole different beast - and so far, it's been flawless with all tests I've thrown at it
Waiting for a 5G solution
When someone loves you, the way they talk about you is different. You feel safe and comfortable.
Spanish. Subtitulado spanish!!!!!!
Great Idea!
As an immediate alternative, you can read the transcript located here: 5thingsseries.com/episode/liveu-solo-vs-teradek-vidiu-pro/ and have your web browser translate it for you automatically!
Thanks for watching (and reading!)
2 Years later smart people are pushing 720p and 2k bit rates to ensure consistent stable streams.
Stop switching names between ‘liveU’ and ‘solo’ keep getting confused.... just choose one and stick with it when you explain
Sponsored by LiveU? credibility of this review is trashed!
Dude, your videos would be so much better if you just stop with all the gimmicks.
Thanks for the input, and I hope the gimmicks didn't stop you from the free information and review. Thanks for watching!