BoxCast News Center

This week brings a big firmware update for Spark, plus a round of fixes across the platform.

Spark

Firmware update

• Start, stop, or extend a broadcast right from Spark's screen.
• Set a PIN on Spark to protect these controls from accidental or unauthorized use.
• Spark local recordings now use MKV instead of MP4. MP4 recordings could drop frames, especially as broadcasts ran longer, and MKV avoids that. MKV uploads are already supported.
• Added asynchronous sample rate conversion, so Spark can handle multiple asynchronous 48kHz audio sources and 44.1kHz audio over HDMI.
• Reduced CPU usage.
• Improved the Spark screen by using the GPU, which eliminates tearing and shuts the screen down properly when the unit powers off.
• Spark now logs power sequencer faults and peaks on each boot, which helps our support team troubleshoot power issues in the field.

Streaming

Bug fixes

• Fixed an issue where video markers outside of a broadcast's trim range were still displayed
• Fixed an issue where duplicating a broadcast didn't use the same thumbnail as the original

Improvements

• Improved FPS reporting in stream diagnostics
• Improved performance for Private channels

Streaming

Bug fixes

• Fixed a couple of issues with Sharing, including one that had been escalated by customers
• Fixed an issue where changing the source of an audio-only broadcast didn't work as expected
• Fixed an issue where some clips couldn't be downloaded

Improvements

• Unified the pagination style across the platform so it looks and behaves the same everywhere
• Made a few tweaks to clarify how ACH payment methods are added and saved during checkout
• Improved how we display and explain storage billing and overages, so it's easier to see what you're using and what you're being charged for

OTT

Bug fixes

• Fixed a bug with the rewind button in the Roku app

Improvements

• Added a check that verifies your app details and credentials before an OTT app build is submitted, so issues get caught up front instead of partway through a build

Mixing Station Anywhere is now BoxCast RemoteMix! It's the same product, and the same team, it just has a new name to match the BoxCast family.

Also, our partnership with Mixing Station isn't going anywhere. It's still included with your subscription, just like today.

We've got more coming for BoxCast RemoteMix soon, so keep an eye out, and happy mixing!

Streaming

Bug fixes

• Fixed an issue where the dashboard incorrectly allowed caption selection on audio-only broadcasts.
• Fixed an issue causing unusual scrolling behavior in the BoxCast.tv chat panel.
• Resolved video player quality selector menu flickering and unresponsiveness.
• Solved an issue with address autofill when using the 1Password extension.

Streaming

Bug fixes

• Fixed a issue where simulated live broadcasts could be scheduled with an end time set before the start time
• Resolved an error causing infinite retry loops in the video decoder configuration
• Removed the outdated platform status button from the embed/API SDK settings page
• Fixed a bug where Sharing suggested clips' cards failed to show thumbnails and returned a 403 Forbidden error

Improvements

• Added a new “Default App” option under organization info in Settings, so you can choose which Dashboard you'd like to default to at login
• Monthly and trial users can now switch their payment method to Check or Purchase Order (PO) on the billing page

Mixing Station Anywhere

Improvements

• Applied minor font and UI updates

OTT

Bug fixes

• Solved an issue where broadcasts were taking too long to populate to OTT apps

Streaming

Bug fixes

• Fixed a bug where scoreboard selections were not appearing in iOS when using bulk upload tool
• Solved a player bug where time stamps were missing on the play bar during live broadcasts
• Fixed a player bug where the gray bar moved when a live broadcast was paused

Mixing Station Anywhere

Bug fixes

• Solved an issue where MS Agents downloaded with identical filenames, no matter the platform or version, leading to confusion

Improvements

• Implemented audio UI hints to help troubleshoot when audio is silent or missing

OTT

Bug fixes

• Solved events taking too long to appear in a bundle after adding

We fixed some more bugs across the platform this week.

Streaming

Bug fixes:

• Fixed an issue where trimming a broadcast made video marker timestamps incorrect
• Fixed a bug where authentication properties were not saving on custom RTMP destinations

Mixing Station Anywhere

Bug fixes:

• Fixed an issue where removing a channel from a virtual group sometimes required a refresh to show the change
• Fixed a glitch where control panels and charts stutters when dragging
• Fixed an issue on TASCAM Sonicview where the ratio node in the Gate chart couldn't be dragged while set to Expander

OTT

Bug fixes:

• Fixed an issue where Roku thumbnails were not displaying properly

This week we squashed a few bugs to keep things running smoothly for you!

Streaming

Bug fixes:

• Fixed an error signing in with Google when using the 1Password extension
• Fixed a Firefox-specific CSRF token error on the login page
• Fixed a pagination bug where controls temporarily disappear after deleting a broadcast from a channel
• Fixed an issue where adding or removing broadcasts on pages other than the first didn't update the view until refresh

Mixing Station Anywhere

Bug fixes:

• Fixed an issue where the Mixing Station Agent Menu Bar Icon could become invisible

OTT

Bug fixes:

• Updated upcoming live events to display "Come back later and watch live" instead of the "How To Watch" button

Mixing Station Anywhere

Bug fixes:

• Cancelled MSA subscription case can’t self serve on return
• Adjust channel strip meters when RF block present
• Manual input for knobs doesn’t accept 0

Improvements:

• Allow X-Touch extenders to move controlled zones
• Add remote diagnostics logging
• Explicitly reconnect websocket on message handling error rather than closing it
• Updated Mixing Station compatibility to version 3.0.0
• Removed active mix button from tray menu, now it opens MSWeb so user can select the mix they’re looking for
• Implemented mixing station direct download buttons in MSA
• Channel Processing support for legacy Qu series mixers

Streaming

Bug fixes:

• Scroll jump bug when deleting a channel
• Numbers inverted on analytics graph
• Sharing render issue
• Thumbnail when duplicating broadcast picks new thumb instead of duplicating thumb
• Update sportzcast wording
• Fixed stuck end of trial path for users interested in MSA + Streaming
• Minor UI fix for player icons
• Bulk thumbnail upload issue
• Clicking “go live” was throwing js error in console
• Waiting for stream button occasionally showing up during live streams

Improvements:

• Released 4K60 compatibility from any source, including Spark
• Re-enabled highlights feature for paid streaming plans
• Updated branding on log in pages

OTT

Bug fixes:

• Behavior for deleting a bundle
• OTT build screenshots having blank images
• Rows getting duplicated in Roku

We just made it easier to keep an eye on your gear. Mixing Station Anywhere now supports RF monitoring, so you can track battery life, signal strength, and more for your Shure and Sennheiser mics without breaking a sweat.

This is live now for all paid accounts—go ahead and check it out!

Head over to our support article to get started. Have a great day, and happy mixing!