Castr blog
Live streaming guides from the team that runs it.
Practical articles on broadcasting, encoding, hosting, monetization, and everything in between, written by the Castr team.
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Tips & Tricks
Video Streaming Protocols Explained: How RTMP, SRT, HLS & WHIP Power Live Broadcasting
Learn how video streaming protocols work, including the different types of codecs and container formats and Castr supported protocols.
Apr 23, 2026 · 20 min
Tips & Tricks
Constant Bitrate (CBR): What It Is, How It Works, and When to Use It for Live Streaming
CBR stands for Constant Bitrate. It is a rate control method used in video and audio encoding where the bitrate stays fixed throughout the entire file or stream.
Apr 15, 2026 · 8 min
Tips & Tricks
Variable Bitrate (VBR): What It Is, How It Works, and When to Use It for Streaming
Variable Bitrate (VBR) is an encoding method that dynamically adjusts the bitrate depending on the complexity of the content being encoded.
Apr 15, 2026 · 13 min
Tips & Tricks
How Does Bitrate Affect Video Quality? A Complete Guide for Streamers
Too low, and your stream looks pixelated and unprofessional. Too high, and viewers experience constant buffering that drives them away.
Apr 14, 2026 · 15 min
Video Hosting
What Is BVOD (Broadcast Video On Demand)?
BVOD stands for Broadcast Video On Demand. Castr provides the infrastructure that makes this possible for organizations of any size.
Apr 14, 2026 · 11 min
Aspect Ratio
How to Calculate Video Aspect Ratio
The core formula for calculating aspect ratio is Width ÷ Height. You can also express the result as a clean ratio by dividing both numbers by their Greatest Common Divisor (GCD).
Apr 1, 2026 · 9 min
Aspect Ratio
What Is Vertical Video Aspect Ratio?
A vertical video aspect ratio is the ratio of a video's width to its height, where the height is greater than the width. The standard is 9:16.
Apr 1, 2026 · 17 min
Streaming Protocol
MPEG-DASH: What Is Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP and How It Works
MPEG-DASH is an open, international adaptive bitrate streaming standard that allows video content to be delivered over the internet using standard HTTP web servers.
Mar 12, 2026 · 18 min
Video Hosting
10 Best Private Video Hosting Platforms in 2026
Discover the 10 best private video hosting platforms for secure streaming, content protection, and full control over your videos and audience access.
Feb 23, 2026 · 20 min
Monetization
Pay-Per-View vs. On-Demand Streaming: Key Differences Explained
PPV is a model where users pay once to watch specific content for a limited time. VOD lets users watch video content anytime without a fixed schedule.
Feb 22, 2026 · 14 min
Monetization
What Are Pre-Roll Ads?
A pre-roll ad is a short promotional video advertisement that plays automatically before the viewer’s selected video content begins.
Feb 21, 2026 · 12 min
Tips & Tricks
10 Secure Video Streaming Tactics You Must Use for Content Protection
Learn 10 secure video streaming tactics for content protection using encryption, access, DRM and monitoring. Includes password geo-blocking referrer protection.
Feb 15, 2026 · 13 min
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