Kaleidescape Unveils the Strato M: Revolutionizing Home Theater Accessibility
Kaleidescape has introduced the Strato M movie player, marking a significant step in making high-quality home theater experiences more accessible. Priced at $1,995, the Strato M offers reference 2K (1080p) video output, which, while a step down from the company's 4K offerings, still delivers superior quality compared to standard Blu-ray. This new player maintains support for lossless audio formats such as Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, ensuring an immersive sound experience that audiophiles will appreciate.
The Strato M is designed to function both as a standalone unit and as part of a larger Kaleidescape ecosystem. It comes with an internal 480GB solid-state drive, capable of storing approximately six high-resolution movies. For users with extensive libraries, the Strato M can be integrated with Terra Prime movie servers, allowing for expanded storage and seamless access to a vast collection of titles. The device boasts gigabit Ethernet connectivity, enabling rapid downloads of movies in around ten minutes, and features an intuitive user interface optimized for easy navigation of a smaller movie library.
One of the standout features of the Strato M is its ability to automatically offload watched movies after 48 hours, making room for new downloads without manual intervention. This smart storage management ensures that users can continuously refresh their viewing options without the hassle of managing space. Additionally, the Strato M provides access to the Kaleidescape movie store, which offers thousands of titles for purchase or rental, including movies, TV series, and concerts. Unlike streaming services, Kaleidescape’s approach involves downloading content, which eliminates buffering and preserves the highest possible quality.
From a technical standpoint, the Strato M supports Dolby Vision and HDR10, along with BT.2020 color space and 4:2:2 chroma subsampling. These features ensure that the visual output remains vibrant and true to the original content, even at 1080p resolution. Audio support includes fully lossless multi-channel and spatial object-based formats, maintaining the integrity of the soundtracks and enhancing the overall cinematic experience. The device's compatibility with various control systems, including Crestron and Control4, allows for seamless integration into existing home automation setups.
Kaleidescape’s move to lower the entry price with the Strato M aims to attract a broader range of movie enthusiasts and potentially tap into the commercial market. By offering a robust and high-quality movie player at a more accessible price point, Kaleidescape is positioning itself to expand its presence in both residential and commercial theaters. This strategic shift not only makes premium movie playback more attainable for everyday consumers but also opens new avenues for distribution in commercial settings, potentially revitalizing the theater experience with reliable and secure digital movie players.