Kaleidescape Makes Movie Rentals a Reality on Its Strato Platform

(February 4, 2021) Entering its 20th year of innovation, Kaleidescape has no peer when it comes to downloadable High Definition and 4K UHD movie content. Kaleidescape's customers currently enjoy access to thousands upon thousands of films sourced from 40 studios, all delivered with pristine video and lossless audio (yes, that includes cutting edge immersive sound presentations).

Until recently, Kaleidescape customers had to purchase every movie they wanted to view. Now, owners of the company's Strato products in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom can download and play rented movies. Once downloaded, rental movies can be reserved for up to 30 days, with a 48-hour unlimited viewing window upon pressing play. And if an owner chooses to purchase a rented movie, Kaleidescape will apply half the rental price to the overall cost.

This feature gives Strato owners the ability to enjoy content they might not otherwise choose to own while also providing them an opportunity to preview a film before committing to purchase.

Kaleidescape says its US-based customers can rent more than 8,000 4K and HD titles, with over 5,500 available in Canada and 700 in the UK. While not all titles eligible for purchase in 4K can be rented in 4K, all Atmos titles can be enjoyed with a lossless immersive sound presentation. Kaleidescape is actively locking down rental agreements with studios, so look for more titles to become available in the weeks and months ahead.

Special features, such as making-of segments, deleted scenes, audio commentary, and the like, are reserved for movie purchases only. However, bookmarked Kaleidescape scenes and songs are included with every rental. Additionally, some – not all – films still in theaters can be rented for a premium price.

For more information about Kaleidescape’s rental program and its entire product lineup, visit www.kaleidescape.com.

 

[JStewart]

I really wish their prices would come down out of the STRATOsphere or some other company would enter this segment. With disc sales declining it seems the way of the future for highest quality picture and sound with convenience.

 

[SRW1000]

Was there any pricing listed for rentals? Not that the equipment itself is in my budget, but I'd still like to know how much it would cost for a rental, or if it varies by title.

Checked the website again, and you can see the rental prices by going to the movies listing, and clicking on a title.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Was there any pricing listed for rentals? Not that the equipment itself is in my budget, but I'd still like to know how much it would cost for a rental, or if it varies by title.

Checked the website again, and you can see the rental prices by going to the movies listing, and clicking on a title.

No, they didn’t release any rental pricing info. I can check though. I’d assume the rental rates, much like their purchase rates, are variable. But, not entirely sure

 

[SRW1000]

Rental prices are showing up. Most are $8, and a few are $10.

 

[SRW1000]

I really like the search and filtering features on their website!

 

[Todd Anderson]

I really wish their prices would come down out of the STRATOsphere or some other company would enter this segment. With disc sales declining it seems the way of the future for highest quality picture and sound with convenience.

I’ve expressed this general thought to Kaleidescape several times over the years. Right now, they are focused on the custom install world and pricing reflects that - also, they essentially create their own digital movie files from source material received directly from studios. The process can’t be cheap.

That said, I think a cost conscious enthusiast-grade option would be well received by the larger market. I’d certainly like to see. Especially with the BD and 4K BD market showing signs of weakness!

 

[Todd Anderson]

I really like the search and filtering features on their website!

Are you an owner?

 

[SRW1000]

Are you an owner?

No, sad to say it's way outside of my budgetary range. Love the idea of the service though.

Maybe someday. . .

 

[Todd Anderson]

No, sad to say it's way outside of my budgetary range. Love the idea of the service though.

Maybe someday. . .

I think you’d enjoy the smart onscreen search functions within the system, itself. They’re neat!
I’d love to be an owner as well ;-)

 

[SRW1000]

I think you’d enjoy the smart onscreen search functions within the system, itself. They’re neat!
I’d love to be an owner as well ;-)

Maybe work with Kaleidescape on a sponsored giveaway?

The system is fantastic; it would be awesome to see an affordable version for the masses. (Or even us enthusiasts.)

 

[Sonnie Parker]

Definitely for the rich and famous. I would never be able to get it to add up for justification vs buying 4K and adding those to my own server and/or using Netflix/Amazon. Not to mention I'm not one to watch very many movies over and over again.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

The feature I’d like to see them add, and would make it worth it, would be mkv playback. Probably wouldn’t make sense for them yet, but when the physical media market truly starts to phase out, I’d pay for their hardware, and I’d move to buying my content in their store, but I don’t want to have to repurchase everything I already have on my PLEX server. If they opened up their hardware to play my existing files, I’d be more than willing to buy their hardware and use their store going forward.

 

[SRW1000]

The feature I’d like to see them add, and would make it worth it, would be mkv playback. Probably wouldn’t make sense for them yet, but when the physical media market truly starts to phase out, I’d pay for their hardware, and I’d move to buying my content in their store, but I don’t want to have to repurchase everything I already have on my PLEX server. If they opened up their hardware to play my existing files, I’d be more than willing to buy their hardware and use their store going forward.

Have you looked at the Zappiti Pro 4K HDR? Wouldn't help after physical media goes away, though.

 

[JStewart]

Kaleidescape will apply half the rental price to the overall cost.

This is interesting.

Not to mention I'm not one to watch very many movies over and over again.

Neither am I, but there are some and typically I rent first and if it’s going to get another watch, or 3, buy the disc.

It would be nice if a credit toward purchase could work for the big movie streaming services. Sort of the opposite of what’s done now, i.e. buy the disc and get a code to stream.

 

[Travis Ballstadt]

Have you looked at the Zappiti Pro 4K HDR? Wouldn't help after physical media goes away, though.

I ran a Zidoo for awhile. The Shield is still a better box, and the PLEX server/client setup is much better for administration of your files. But yes, I’m really thinking about the post-physical media world.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I’ll be revisiting Kaleidescape in the coming months... I’m hoping to dig a bit deeper into some of the concerns and wants that you all are putting on the table.