First, its a new product. With all newly released products there will be bugs that need to be fixed. The VidiU is no exception. However, given the price point and the fact that its marketed as a consumer device, I think its a pretty good product.
IMAGE QUALITY: Very very good with respect to web streaming. Keep in mind its not broadcast quality. Even in HD streaming at 2.2Mbs there was still some pixelizing during camera movement. However, it was minimal in HD and the delay from the camera to the viewable stream online was only 3-4 seconds. It was also very smooth video with no choppiness. Even at the mobile setting (250kbs) the image was better than anything else I’ve ever seen streamed at that bitrate. Grade: B+
WIFI SETUP: Overall the menus are pretty basic and easy to get used to. It took about a minute to figure out how to use it without the iOS app. Connecting to a Wifi signal was pretty fast and easy and the unit stores and saves Ustream and Wifi usernames and passwords so you don’t have to re-enter them everytime you use the unit. Very glad Teradek set it up that way. Pretty standard and easy to use if you’re on Wifi. Grade: A
ETHERNET SETUP: I did not get to test an ethernet conncetion setup so no review for that.
3G/4G MODEM SETUP: Here’s where the unit fell short in my opinion. I tried three different modems and none of them worked. According to Teradek support, all you have to do is plug in the USB modem, select USB Modem as the source for a signal, and you’re ready to do. Supposed to be very user friendly. All three of my modems I tested (AT&T, Sprint, Verizon) said "No Modem Installed" and there’s no way to manually set up a 3G/4G modem so if it doesn’t recognize yours then you’re out of luck. In full disclosure, one of the modems was the AT&T Beam which was just released May 10th according to Teradek which I was unaware of. Teradek support said I need to use a supported USB modem, however, there is nothing anywhere online that lists what USB modems are and are not supported by the VidiU. When I connected the Beam to my laptop, I had to install the AT&T software to use it. Perhaps the VidiU needs to have a manual configuration option that allows for the connect software to be installed on the unit. My only really option right now is either use the unit on WiFi only or wait and hope Teradek releases a firmware update with support for the AT&T Beam sometime soon. Right now I have to mark the unit accordingly. GRADE: D
TECHNICAL SUPPORT: I’m very impressed that I got an email response from Teradek Technical Support at 11p CT about my issues. Make me feel like they take issues very seriously. However, I have to grade solely on the VidiU technical support and that means more than just a response from the rep. It also means what supporting documents and resources are available online with regards to the unit. Here Teradek has dropped the ball. The only information I was able to find online is the one web page Teradek has to market the VidiU and two videos they have posted on Vimeo. A quick startup guide and a basic navigation video. While helpful, they barely scratch the surface on what you need to know about the video. There weren’t even any posts on the Teradek forum about the VidiU. I think Teradek needs to add a specs page that includes information such as what USB modems are supported and how to manually configure a wired ethernet connection. Those would be very useful. I have a feeling this category may improve but for now they miss the mark. GRADE: C-
iOS APP: In short, I couldn’t get it to work. It kept crashing and locking up on my personal iPhone 4 and my iPhone 4S work phone. Figuring out how to get in the settings and change the WiFi from 5Ghz to 2.4Ghz so you can use the app is not easy. Its sort of hidden. The menus changed after the last firmware update so the Vimeo video that shows you how to do it isn’t correct if you have the updated software. GRADE: F
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: I have an iPhone 4 that has been put through the paces. The hotspot feature is active but the phone no longer produces a WiFi signal to connect to. Because of that the only way to use the hotspot is through the USB cable or Bluetooth. I tried connecting my iPhone to the VidiU using the USB cable in an attempt to use the iPhone’s hotspot. In short, it didn’t work. The only way to use the iPhone hotspot is through WiFi. Its not Teradek’s fault my phone is junk and needs replaced so no mark downs for that but just be aware you can’t tether the iPhone to the VidiU using the USB cable and use it as a modem.
OVERALL GRADE AT THIS TIME: C
ADVICE: The VidiU is a good product but I’d suggest waiting a few more months until the bugs are fixed. Just since I started testing it tonight there have been 2 firmware updates released and an update to the iOS app so its a work in progress but I think it will ultimately turn out to be a great piece of equipment for live streaming.