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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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 adaptive bitrate streaming standard that delivers video 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
Livestream
Progressive vs Interlaced: Which Scan Type Delivers Better Video Quality for Streaming?
Progressive scanning draws every line in one pass; interlaced alternates odd and even lines, showing half a frame at a time. Compare both.
Feb 12, 2026 · 10 min
CDN
What Is a Video CDN? How Content Delivery Networks Power Seamless Streaming
A video CDN distributes your video through geographically spread edge servers, cutting latency and buffering for smoother streaming worldwide.
Feb 11, 2026 · 13 min
Streaming Protocol
RTSP: Real-Time Streaming Protocol Explained
RTSP (Real-Time Streaming Protocol) is a network protocol that controls streaming media servers and sets up media sessions between client and server.
Feb 11, 2026 · 10 min
Tips & Tricks
10 Best Live Streaming Software for Churches
Discover the best live streaming software for churches, including Castr, Restream, StreamYard, OBS, Boxcast, Vimeo, Facebook, YouTube, Dacast, and Wirecast.
Jan 29, 2026 · 19 min
Tips & Tricks
HDMI vs SDI: Complete Guide to Video Connectors for Professional Streaming
SDI & HDMI are the two most popular connectors used for data transmission. Know the differences between them and choose one that fits you.
Jan 29, 2026 · 14 min
Video Hosting
What is Video Hosting?
Video hosting is a cloud-based service that stores, encodes, and delivers video content to viewers through streaming technology.
Jan 29, 2026 · 16 min
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