Kaleidescape may not be a name you are familiar with in Australia. This is because the company has so far not had a presence down.
If you are familiar with the brand and what it does-DVS. Produce some of the finest movie players at home that are usually reserved for the luxurious customized installation market can the company’s arrival on our banks be the most exciting news you read all year.
It’s definitely up there with the most exciting AV messages for me at least.
According to the company, Kaleidescape is the “only digital film provider with loss -free sound and full reference video quality” via its players, who after the recent launch of Strato M now sit on three models.
Strato M is more entry-level according to Kaleidescape standards, emitting only in 2K quality and it sits under Strato C and Strato V. Both of these players emit in 4K quality, where Strato V has the extra advantage of Dolby Vision HDR support.
All three players are now available to buy in Australia along with Kaleidescape’s Terra Prime Media servers for storing content downloaded from the brand’s store.
Australian pricing is confirmed as AU $ 3,999 for Strato M, AU $ 5,899 for Strato C and AU $ 7,499 for Strato V. Terra Prime Servers starting at AU $ 10,999 for 12 TB storage space.
Great news for big movie film fans
While the brand is new in Australia, I have been familiar with Kaleidescape for some time as I am a home theater enthusiast and the brand has had a cult -like after abroad. What I don’t know is exactly how its products work.
Fortunately, my US-based colleague Al Griffin has previously been given the opportunity to experience a full kaleidescape system for himself, and based on his impressions I can’t wait to experience it myself.
What seems to be clear to Kaleidescape’s success is not necessarily the equipment it produces, but its online store for movie transfers and the user interface to navigate through a downloaded collection. As AL said in his article, “Videos downloaded from the company’s store have a 10 times higher bitrate than typical streaming services and consequently presenting a crisper image that is free of compression articles.”
“And unlike streaming services,” he adds, “all use the lost and highly compressed Dolby Digital Plus Audio format, provides Kaleidescape loss-free, bit-for-bit soundtracks in Dolby Atmos and DTS: X formats also offered on Ultra HD Blu-Ray Disc.
In fact, Priscilla Morgan, President and COO told the company, “Kaleidescape achieves the Mezzanin files directly from the studies, and we have a comprehensive review process from our content team that ensures the quality that the instructor intended.”
I am a sucker for top quality movies at home, both in terms of image and sound. I’ve even demanded before my TV’s built-in streaming apps sound better than Apple TV 4K. While I am currently happy with the quality, I am able to get home, both from the best streaming services and my growing collection of Ultra HD 4K Blu-ray disks, the prospect of being darkened by a kaleidescape media player is one that is hard not to be excited about.
Kaleidescape says 3,000 titles are available from the launch today, with more people being added on a daily basis. Content will of course be the true key factor for Kaleidescape’s success. When my colleagues on what hi-fi? Review the Strato C movie player in England last year, noting that the film shop lacked content from larger studios, including Disney and NBC Universal, among others due to licensing restrictions. I have not yet been able to confirm whether these studios are also missing in the Australian store, but will update this article as soon as I find out.
Bridging the gap
I was a little skeptical about the breadth of the home theater community in Australia, but Priscilla quickly debunked these thoughts and assured me that “Australia has passionate home theater enthusiasts who appreciate the very best in image and sound quality.”
She added that “Feedback from Australian dealers and distributors indicated that there is a strong demand for kaleidescape and they are excited that it will finally come to their market.”
Do not make errors, a kaleidescape system will be best suited as an addition to a dedicated home theater. Not only because it is likely to be equipped with a screen and sound system to faithfully reproduce high quality movies, TV shows and concert videos from Kaleidescape’s store, but also because with a home theater they are likely to be the only ones willing to spend great on the required equipment.
That said, Strato M could especially present himself as a more cost -effective option. Priscilla Morgan adds, “With Strato players and Terra Prime servers that range in capabilities and price points, we offer a wide range of products to customers who want to enter the Kaleidescape -Ecosystem.” So what could have been seen as only an ambition for many could now be a more realistic temptation.
With Kaleidscape products that are now available in Australia, I hope I don’t have to wait too long to discover what they are really capable of. I’m just worried that once I do, I will no longer be happy with the reality of my living room setup.
