NewTek Releases TriCaster Update with Important Streaming Enhancements

January 28, 2012Posted by csandy

Yesterday NewTek released version 4a of it’s high definition TriCaster software.

This truly is a big revision and makes a lot of improvements – especially to the product’s built-in editor, SpeedEdit. The biggest gift from NewTek is the free inclusion of an AAC CODEC. For those of you who have attended one of my seminars or have otherwise learned best practices for streaming to iOS devices, the inclusion is very welcomed because it will save you money. Main Concept sells the AAC CODEC for $180.00. Now that NewTek is including it with their streaming product, that’s $180.00 you can keep in your pocket. Other advantages are that AAC requires less bandwidth for streaming audio while still getting great audio quality compared to other formats like MP3.

Another one of my favorite improvements in this update is simply yet effective. On the home screen of the TriCaster interface, you can select which monitor will be primary. If you use your TriCaster in mobile setting, it’s easy to lose track of which monitor is the interface and which one is the multiviewer. Now, instead of having to swap cables, you can just press a button. That’s good user-friendly design.

SpeedEdit has a vast array of improvements as well. My favorite is the better rendering performance and snappier performance overall. Also, better support for streaming video formats like H.264 are welcomed.

Stability is also a good. According to NewTek staff, TriCaster version 4 has been going through the paces for the last month. The result of thorough testing is an update that is reportedly rock solid.

Last of my favorites list is the first widespread application from the TriCaster Streaming API – the Livestream.com plugin. With Livestream’s plugin, the TriCaster now has a convenient way to produce multi-bitrate streams including simultaneous 720p HD and a mobile. I can’t wait to try the plug-in to see if it’s something I can recommend or use in the field myself. It sure looks promising.

All-in-all, this is a massive update and NewTek didn’t charge a cent for it. Amazing. Thanks NewTek!

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