Kaleidescape provides consumers with a premium home theater experience with a line of professional-grade movie players and servers supported by an extensive movie download store and mobile app. Kaleidescape delivers audio and video quality that rivals physical media, but with the convenience of an instant download. But one of the barriers faced by many folks to the Kaleidescape ecosystem has been the cost of entry. That cost of entry just dropped significantly with the company’s new STRATO V movie player. At $3,995, it sells for the same price as its predecessor, the STRATO C, but now the player itself has on-board storage to hold up to ten movies so it’s not necessary to also purchase one of the company’s media servers.
The STRATO V
Previous Kaleidescape players have included no on-board storage so it has been necessary to pair the player with at least one Kaleidescape server for storage of the content. These starts at approximately $5,000. The new Strato V can be used as a standalone device in a single playback zone and its on-board solid-state storage drive (960 GB) is enough to store approximately 10 reference quality 4K movies. Kaleidescape also provides a new streamlined interface for standalone use that is optimized for navigating a small movie library.
The Strato V can download a 4K movie from the Kaleidescape servers in as little as 10 minutes over Gigabit Ethernet, during movie playback, without sacrificing performance. Downloads become a candidate for automatic deletion 48 hours after playback, making room for more movies when using only internal storage. Purchased movies remain available to the owner on the Kaleidescape servers, while rented titles expire 30 days after rental or 48 hours after playback of the rented title is first started (whichever comes first).
Of course, if you like keeping your movie collection local, the Strato V is compatible with the company’s full ecosystem including Kaleidescape’s Terra Prime movie servers. When using this expanded storage the navigation interface defaults to the full Kaleidescape user interface.
Multiple Strato V movie players can be grouped with one or more Terra movie servers. This allows users to scale the size and functionality of the Kaleidescape system.
On the Inside
On the inside Kaleidescape states that the Strato V integrates new electronics and grounding topology. The addition of player-side decode for high-bitrate audio codecs provides flexibility to maximize sound quality with a range of downstream components. The signal path has been upgraded to provide higher quality and robustness.
Comparison
| STRATO V | STRATO C | |
| Price | $3,995 | $3,995 |
| Internal Storage | 960GB (SSD) | None |
| Group Storage | Compatible with content stored on a Terra or Strato model (with internal storage) when connected via a local network | Compatible with content stored on a Terra or Strato model (with internal storage) when connected via a local network |
| Media Tech Note: Upscaling provided for HD and SD content | Kaleidescape movie store downloads 4K Dolby Vision 4K HDR10 4K SDR HD SD | Kaleidescape movie store downloads 4K HDR10 DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW (from Kaleidescape Disc Server) |
| Video Resolution Compatibility | 2160p60/50/30/25/24, 1080p60/50/24, 1080i60/50, 720p60/50, 576i, 576p, 480i, 480p | 2160p60/50/30/25/24, 1080p60/50/24, 1080i60/50, 720p60/50, 576i, 576p, 480i, 480p |
| Video Output (HDMI) | HDMI 2.1 (with HDCP 2.3 Copy-Protection | HDMI 2.0a (with HDCP 2.2 Copy-Protection |
| HDR Support | HDR10 (SMPTE ST 2084, 2086) Dolby Vision (standard and low latency) | HDR10 (SMPTE ST 2084, 2086) |
| Audio Output | HDMI 2.1 (combined with video) Digital Audio (coaxial RCA and TOS link connectors) | HDMI 2.0a (combined with video) HDMI 1.4 (audio-only) Digital Coaxial/Optical |
| Audio Format Surround Sound via HDMI | Dolby Atmos Dolby TrueHD Dolby Digital DTS:X DTS-HD Master Audio DTS Digital Surround PCM MPEG audio | Dolby Atmos Dolby TrueHD Dolby Digital DTS:X DTS-HD Master Audio DTS Digital Surround PCM MPEG audio |
| Audio Format via Digital Coaxial / Digital Optical | Dolby Digital DTS Digital Surround PCM (2ch, up to 96kHz/24-bit) | Dolby Digital DTS Digital Surround PCM (2ch, up to 96kHz/24-bit) |
| Control Support | Kaleidescape remote included Front-panel IR receiver window IR input (1/8in mini plug) Kaleidescape control protocol over Ethernet (supported by Josh.ai, Crestron, AMX, Control4, Savant, the Kaleidescape apps, and other apps & control systems) Lutron RA3 and HomeWorks control over Ethernet | Kaleidescape remote included Front-panel IR receiver window IR input (1/8in mini plug) Ethernet control from Crestron, AMX, Control4, Savant, the Kaleidescape App for iPad, and other apps & control systems |
| Dimensions (WHD) | 7.87 × 1.52 × 10.0 in 20.0 × 3.9 × 25.4 cm | 7.87 × 1.52 × 10.0 in 20.0 × 3.9 × 25.4 cm |
| Weight | 4.2 lbs 1.91 kg | 4.2 lbs 1.91kg |
Kaleidescape Movie Store
As mentioned previously, the Strato V provides access to the Kaleidescape movie store. The movie store offers thousands of 4K and HD titles, including movies, TV series, and concerts, with over one hundred currently available in Dolby Vision, with more to come. Movies are available with lossless multichannel and object-based audio, including Dolby Atmos and DTS:X.
With the availability of the Strato V, customers can choose between the Strato V and previously released Strato C movie players, depending on their needs.
- Strato V is targeted to new customers and those who have a TV or projector with Dolby Vision support, or older audio equipment that does not decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS:HD. The player also provides a more affordable entry into the Kaleidescape ecosystem, with storage of up to ten movies and the ability to grow as desired.
- Strato C is great for current Kaleidescape customers who have a Co-Star configuration, or a large library of HD content.
Kaleidescape also offers a Disc-to-Digital program. This is provided to assist customers who want to transition their DVD and Blu-ray disc collections to the Kaleidescape platform. This provides users the option to get the benefits of the Kaleidescape ecosystem without having to repurchase every movie at full price.
From Tayloe Stansbury, chairman & CEO of Kaleidescape: “Kaleidescape has delivered on what customers have been asking for with the new Strato V movie player, now offering Dolby Vision with lossless audio at a lower cost of entry,…It’s a testament to our commitment to continued innovation as the Strato V integrates new electronics and playback capabilities while maintaining the high level of performance we’re renowned for.”
Initial Impressions
The Strato V is a welcome addition to the Kaleidescape movie player line as it offers enough onboard storage combined with a stripped-down interface to get you started but is also expandable so users can build out to a larger Kaleidescape system.
Also, for dedicated Kaleidescape fans, you can use the Strato V as a more modest standalone system if you so choose.
Tech Note: It really helps if you have Gigabit internet service as 4K downloads can take of lot of time otherwise.
Price & Availability
The Kaleidscape Strato V is available for $3,995 via Authorized Dealers and Online Retailers including BEST BUY.
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Chris Boylan
July 16, 2024 at 7:50 pm
Kaleidescape under $4K with no additional storage requirement? That’s big news!