Kaleidescape: The Ultimate Movie Player Chapter 1 [VIDEO REVIEW]

Manufacturer & Model
Kaleidescape Strato Player + Compact Terra 6TB Server
MSRP
$9990 ($5995 + $3995) as tested
Link
https://www.kaleidescape.com
Highlights
Lossless audio, disc-quality or better video, delivered via a premium hardware solution. Massive library of content available to pre-order, purchase or rent, including movies, concert films and television shows. Weekly special offers and carefully-curated movie bundles allow you to build a library of your favorite content in the highest quality available.
Summary
Kaleidescape is the high-octane content source to make the most of your home theater investment. Access over 13,000 movies - with more in 4K and lossless than any other source - for pre-order, purchase and rental. Direct download to your Kaleidescape server allows video as good as or better than UHD HDR discs, and audio delivered in lossless Dolby TrueHD + ATMOS and DTS-HDMA/DTS:X.

Kaleidescape offers the convenience of streaming coupled with higher-fidelity source material for the ultimate home theater experience.
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As the investment in your home theater space grows and grows and you continue to upgrade performance, at some point, you want to think about the quality of the content you're feeding it. After all, you don't buy a Ferrari and fill it up with 87 octane ethanol blend. You want high octane content to make the most of your equipment, and the Kaleidescape movie player system fits the bill.

This is no ordinary streaming box - it's not a streaming box at all. The Kaleidescape System offers all the convenience of streaming, with a few key differences:
  • The content is not streamed, it's downloaded to a Kaleidescape server connected to your home network
  • Because it doesn't need to stream smoothly via the internet, the files are much larger, and MUCH higher quality
  • It connects exclusively to the Kaleidescape Store, which offers pre-order, purchase and rental of over 13,000 titles and growing
For a special player like the Kaleidescape, a single video was not enough, so I'm producing a trilogy. For a complete look at the details, the benefits, and performance of the Kaleidescape movie player system, check out chapter 1 below!


Chapter 2: Lesser-known Kaleidescape Features
Chapter 3: The Kaleidescape Store - A Deep Dive


Kaleidescape Strato C Player Specifications
  • Resolutions: 2160p60/50/30/25/24, 1080p60/50/24, 1080i60/50, 720p60/50, 576i, 576p, 480i, 480p
  • Chroma: 4:4:4 8-bit up to 2160p60, 4:4:4 10/12-bit up to 2160p30, 4:2:2 12-bit up to 2160p60, 4:2:0 8/10/12- bit at 2160p50/60 only
  • Color spaces: BT.2020, BT.709, BT.601
  • HDR: HDMI 2.0a with support for SMPTE ST 2084 EOTF, SMPTE ST 2086 metadata
  • Network Connection: Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Base-T)
  • Audio Outputs
    • HDMI 2.0a (combined with video on the VIDEO connector)
    • HDMI 1.4 (audio-only on the DIGITAL AUDIO connector)
    • S/PDIF (coaxial RCA & TOSLINK connectors)
  • Audio Formats
    • Dolby Atmos
    • Dolby TrueHD
    • Dolby Digital
    • DTS:X
    • DTS-HD Master Audio
    • DTS Digital Surround
    • PCM
    • MPEG audio
  • Warranty: 5 years
  • Price: $5995

Kaleidescape Compact Terra Server Specifications
  • Storage Capacity: Available in 6TB, 12TB, & 18TB
  • Movie Storage: 6TB unit stores approximately 100 4K movies, 12TB stores approximately 200 4K movies, 18TB stores approximately 300 4K movies
  • Network Connection: Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Base-T)
  • Maximum Download Rate: 800Mbps
  • Playback Capability: Can accommodate 5 4K playback streams simultaneously
  • Warranty: 5 years
  • Price: $3995 (as tested)
Kaleidescape Terra Server Also Available in 48TB & 72TB Options
 
Last edited:

Todd Anderson

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Excellent vid! Look forward to Pt2 & 3!
 

perceval

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Oct 4, 2017
Messages
34
Wait... it advertises it will download high resolution 4k movies, but the streamer will only display in 2k?
So, if I get this right, downloaded files in 4k will be downscaled to 2k by the machine, and the projector will upscale the files back to 4k. Hmmm.... Why doesn't the streamer feed 4k resolution directly, if this is supposed to be the end all solution to your Ferrari system?
 

Travis Ballstadt

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Anthem AVM60
Main Amp
Emotiva BasX 5
Additional Amp
Emotiva UPA-500
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony UBP-X800
Front Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Center Channel Speaker
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Surround Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Front Height Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Angled Satellite
Rear Height Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Angled Satellite
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SVS PB2000
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JVC DLA X790R, Lumagen Radiance Pro 4240
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SeymourAV Proscenium 124” diagonal 2.40:1
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Harmony Elite - Moving to Unfolded Circle Remote 2
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Kaleidescape Strato C/Terra 48TB/Compact Terra 6TB, PLEX Server, AppleTV4K, Bluesound Node2i
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They still have those?
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Rega Planar 6, Rega Exact2 cart, Rega Aria Mk3 Phono Stage, Jolida JD202BRC, Rega RS-5 Speakers (2-channel system)
Wait... it advertises it will download high resolution 4k movies, but the streamer will only display in 2k?
So, if I get this right, downloaded files in 4k will be downscaled to 2k by the machine, and the projector will upscale the files back to 4k.
It plays 4K, aka 2160p, just fine.
 

perceval

Member
Joined
Oct 4, 2017
Messages
34
wow... I should never post without having coffee first!

My bad... somehow, in my head this morning, I got my resolutions wrong!

Sorry for the sidestep.
 

Travis Ballstadt

Administrator
Staff member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jul 26, 2017
Messages
1,080
Location
Seattle, WA
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Anthem AVM60
Main Amp
Emotiva BasX 5
Additional Amp
Emotiva UPA-500
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony UBP-X800
Front Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Center Channel Speaker
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Surround Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Front Height Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Angled Satellite
Rear Height Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Angled Satellite
Subwoofers
SVS PB2000
Video Display Device
JVC DLA X790R, Lumagen Radiance Pro 4240
Screen
SeymourAV Proscenium 124” diagonal 2.40:1
Remote Control
Harmony Elite - Moving to Unfolded Circle Remote 2
Streaming Equipment
Kaleidescape Strato C/Terra 48TB/Compact Terra 6TB, PLEX Server, AppleTV4K, Bluesound Node2i
Streaming Subscriptions
AppleTV+, Amazon Prime, HBO Max
Satellite System
They still have those?
Other Equipment
Rega Planar 6, Rega Exact2 cart, Rega Aria Mk3 Phono Stage, Jolida JD202BRC, Rega RS-5 Speakers (2-channel system)
wow... I should never post without having coffee first!

My bad... somehow, in my head this morning, I got my resolutions wrong!

Sorry for the sidestep.
They don't make it easy, with one terminology horizontally-based and the other vertically-based.
 

Travis Ballstadt

Administrator
Staff member
Thread Starter
Joined
Jul 26, 2017
Messages
1,080
Location
Seattle, WA
More  
Preamp, Processor or Receiver
Anthem AVM60
Main Amp
Emotiva BasX 5
Additional Amp
Emotiva UPA-500
Universal / Blu-ray / CD Player
Sony UBP-X800
Front Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Center Channel Speaker
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Surround Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Reference Cinema
Front Height Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Angled Satellite
Rear Height Speakers
NextLevel Acoustics Angled Satellite
Subwoofers
SVS PB2000
Video Display Device
JVC DLA X790R, Lumagen Radiance Pro 4240
Screen
SeymourAV Proscenium 124” diagonal 2.40:1
Remote Control
Harmony Elite - Moving to Unfolded Circle Remote 2
Streaming Equipment
Kaleidescape Strato C/Terra 48TB/Compact Terra 6TB, PLEX Server, AppleTV4K, Bluesound Node2i
Streaming Subscriptions
AppleTV+, Amazon Prime, HBO Max
Satellite System
They still have those?
Other Equipment
Rega Planar 6, Rega Exact2 cart, Rega Aria Mk3 Phono Stage, Jolida JD202BRC, Rega RS-5 Speakers (2-channel system)
Me too. @thrillcat 's got skills.
As for the Kaleidescape, it makes total sense to have a quality source to maximize the capabilities of the rest of the gear. I just personally need to get past the price though.
It wasn't easy for me to get past it either. But I found some mental gymnastics and value props that got me past it.
 
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