New Core 2.1 Pricing Plan FAQ

Need help configuring Core for the first time? Check out the Core Guide.

If you're unsure about what you need, what is free, and what is not, see #3 below.

1. What’s the reason behind another pricing change?

As you might know, we changed our Core pricing earlier this year. After receiving a lot of feedback from our users, we decided that the best way forward was to simplify the entire process and make it more affordable and accessible. That's why we moved to a Pay-As-You-Go model where you only pay for what you use. We hope to continue simplifying the pricing as we develop the platform.

In Core 2.1, we removed the inbound data charges and added two additional plans (Plus and Pro) to better accommodate heavy users.

2. How is the new plan different from previous plans?

Previous plans required a fixed monthly fee even if you didn't use Core, and forced you into pricing tiers with different levels of accessible features. The new Core 2.1 Basic plan eliminates the fixed monthly fee. Billing is based on the data and services you use.

Additionally, Core 2.1 Plus and Core 2.1 Pro plans have built-in data and/or service allowances at a lower rate than simply paying as you go. These plans may be more cost-effective for higher-usage accounts.

Customized Enterprise Plans are available for the most demanding users. If interested, please contact our Sales department at sales@teradek.com to walk you through the Enterprise options.

3. How does this all work? What should I expect when I connect my device for the first time? And what are these dedicated Engines?

When you connect your device to Core, you can begin streaming right away without having to worry about Sputnik and Helios Engines (Core actually uses a Sputnik which we call the shared Sputnik, but it does not have any cost for you other than the outbound data which is defined later in this FAQ). For more advanced users with special requirements, dedicated Cloud and Self-hosted engines provide several unique features you can learn about below.

Connecting to Core for the first time: All Core users are able to:

• Stream to multiple destinations simultaneously via RTMP/RTMPS, SRT, and MPEG-TS
• Remotely configure Teradek codecs
• Operate bonding devices (Bond, VidiU Go, Link Pro, etc..)

If you only require the features listed above, you will only be billed for your data usage (which is defined later in this FAQ). If you don't use Core for a day, a couple of weeks, a month, then you will pay nothing.

If you have selected Core 2.1 Plus or Core 2.1 Pro, there will be a monthly fee, regardless of how often you use Core.

For specialized features, check out the dedicated servers below:

Dedicated Cloud-Hosted: Suitable for users with a fleet of codecs or advanced IP video routing workflows, dedicated Cloud-Hosted servers run full time on Core and offer specialized features. There are two types:

Sputnik Engine: This server costs $75 per billing cycle (or portion thereof) on Core 2.1 Basic and Core 2.1 Plus plans, and $50 per billing cycle (or portion thereof) on a Core 2.1 Pro plan, and offers:

• Static IP addresses and fixed TCP and UDP port ranges for MPEG-TS, SRT and RTSP servers (see this article for ports used)
• MPEG-TS server (allows clients such as VLC Media Player to access the stream with MPEG-TS over TCP pull decoding)
• SRT server (allows SRT clients such as VLC to receive the stream in SRT Caller mode)
• RTSP server (allows RTSP/RTP clients such as VLC Media Player to access the stream)
• Recording
• Custom worldwide ingest and end points (one ingest / end point per instance)
• Supports up to 5 Teradek devices simultaneously per instance
  

Helios Engine: This server costs $75 per billing cycle (or portion thereof) and offers:

• Backup Switcher* (redundant streaming) or 3rd party encoder ingest (via RTMP, SRT, or MPEG-TS)
• MPEG-TS server (allows clients such as VLC Media Player to access the stream with MPEG-TS over TCP pull decoding)
• SRT server (allows SRT clients to receive the stream in SRT Caller mode)
• RTSP server (allows RTSP/RTP clients such as VLC Media Player to access the stream)
• Recording
  
  *A single Helios Engine allows the use of a single Backup Switcher*
  
  

Self-Hosted: If you prefer to manage your own Teradek Sputnik Engine, you may purchase our self-hosted servers, or install our software on your own server. Our software supports up to 5 devices per license, making it perfect for large businesses and power users.

Self-hosted Sputnik servers are only compatible with Core Enterprise plans. If you have a self-hosted Sputnik connected to your Core 2.1 Enterprise plan, you will not pay for the data going through that server.

The self-hosted Sputnik option offers all of the capabilities found on the Cloud-Hosted Sputnik Engine. Self-hosted Helios Engines with Backup Switcher or Generic Ingest (RTMP, MPEG-TS, SRT, etc.) are not available at this time.

4. What if I don't want to change plans?

You can continue with your current plan. If you want to jump to the new plan, you can change to a new plan through the Core management interface at https://corecloud.tv.

All new users that sign up to Core starting April 29, 2019 will be choosing a Core 2.1 plan.

5. Who will this impact?

New Core clients and those who decide to switch to any of the Core 2.1 plans.

6. Should I change to 2.1 pricing?

There are a few reasons to change to a Core 2.1 plan:

• You want to have the Teradek devices connected to Core so they are always available to stream or change settings but you don’t want to pay for inbound data.
• You don’t know how much you would stream in a given month and you want to prevent a high invoice with Core 2.1 Plus or Core 2.1 Pro.
• You will be sending video 24/7 through Core and want to use your own Self-Hosted server and not to pay for the streamed data.
• Want to keep the monthly cost fixed by exclusively using Self-Hosted servers along with Core Enterprise.

7. Does Core 2.1 pricing come with extra functionality?

New features such as Workspace Sharing for use with the Core TV app for iOS are only available on a Core 2.1 plan, and will not be available on legacy plans.

8. Which 2.1 tier is best for me? Can you give examples?                                               

• If you only want to pay for Core when using it, choose Core 2.1 Basic.
• If you are going to use Core every month and you want to access a better data rate, choose Core 2.1 Plus.
• If you are going to be using Core a lot, want to access the cheapest data cost, choose Core 2.1 Pro.
• If you want to use your own self-hosted Sputnik to avoid data-related costs, choose Core Enterprise.

9. Will I be charged if I add additional encoders, decoders, or Airmix to Core?     

No. This is one of the most impressive features of the new pricing plan: you can add as many devices or connections as you like and you will only be charged for the data/engines used.

10. Is there somewhere that I can estimate my monthly payments?                                   

Check out our Core cost estimator at:

https://teradek.com/pages/core-calculator

To keep the cost under control and without any variation, use Core Enterprise and to use your own self-hosted Sputnik.

11. What’s included in “Outbound” data charges?                                                                 

All data streaming out of the Core platform, including streaming to online video platforms, decoders, and recording streams on Core.

12. Do I need a special Sputnik Engine for my Link Pro?        

You do not need a special engine to run a Link Pro. Simply log in to your Core account from the Link Pro and select a server region, and an On Demand Sputnik specific to the Link Pro is created automatically.

Any TCP-based data (e.g. checking email, web browsing, watching YouTube videos) that is sent through the Link Pro while logged into the Core account is charged at $5/GB.

This $5/GB charge is only for the data sent through the On Demand Sputnik used by the Link Pro.

This $5/GB charge is separate from any data charges accrued by the Link Pro based on how it's connecting to the internet (e.g. if it's using cellular data using the Nodes using Telna SIMs or other carrier SIMs, or over USB connection to supported USB modems / dongles / Wi-Fi hotspots, those data charges are separate and billed by each respective carrier).

13. What options do I have for payment?                                                                             

We have a number of different options for you.

Pay As You Go: This is the easiest and most flexible option. Simply connect your credit card to your Core account and we'll bill you for your usage at the end of every month.

Credits (coming soon): Just like topping up a SIM card, simply choose how much money you want to credit your account with. We will charge your credit card once to process the payment, but your card will not be stored on Core. When your credit runs low, simply add more to the account.

Purchase Orders: For businesses, schools, and others with special requirements, we can accept POs for credits to a Core account. Get in touch with our Sales team to get this started: sales@teradek.com. 

14. If I put a credit on Core will it roll over to the next month?                                           

Yes. With the new pricing plan, there is no expiration. Your credits will roll over indefinitely.

15. If I don’t use all the data included with my Core 2.1 Plus or Core 2.1 Pro plans, will it roll over to the next month?                                                                                                   

No. The included monthly data does not roll over to the next month.  

16. What if I want a refund on the credit I put on Core?                                                        Unfortunately, there are no refunds for unused Core credits. If you have further questions, please contact support@teradek.com.

17. How do I check my data usage and expected monthly charge?                                      We added a new interface to Core that gives you real-time updates on all of your data and server usage, in addition to the dollar amount that you will be charged at the end of your billing period.

To access your data usage, click your username in the upper right corner of the Core UI, then select My Account.

18. What about Sharelink?                                                                                                     

At this time, Sharelink will remain the same.

19. I already own a Sputnik. Why do I have to pay monthly for it now?                             

For customers with legacy Teradek servers or their own custom Sputnik servers, we have implemented a new monthly licensing fee to prolong the life of your investment. This fee provides regular updates and improvements (including future new features), in addition to priority support, which was not offered to users with custom servers.

Alternatively, you can select Core Enterprise and stream as much as you want through your self-hosted Sputnik without any additional charge for the data going through that Sputnik.

20. I want to use a Sputnik Engine without Core. How do I do that now?                           

Please contact sales@teradek.com for more information. This is a special consideration for unique workflows and is not available on a case-by-case basis.

21. What is a Sputnik or Helios Engine? Is it a server?                                                         

The Sputnik and Helios Engines are server types. Each offers a specific set of features.

More info about the different servers can be found here.

22. Do I need a special server for bonding with Bond, VidiU Go, etc.?                                 

Not anymore. Our de-muxing software (formerly part of our Sputnik server) is included with Core.

23. How does the Transcoder work?                                                                                       

If you choose to use the Transcoder, an instance will be spun up when you begin streaming and shut down when you stop. For persistent Transcoder instances (i.e. runs full time), contact the sales team for more info: sales@teradek.com.

Our Transcoder is perfect for HEVC streamers (Bond Backpack, Cube 700, VidiU Go) where you need to convert the feed to H.264 prior to delivery. We’re working to make this solution easier to use so keep an eye out for updates.