These days with streaming media so popular with consumers the public has become conditioned to the instant access and searchability that streaming platforms provide.

The only problem with streaming media is the quality of the content. Yes, streaming content is much better than even just a couple of years ago, but even the best streaming content cannot compare to physical media.

There is a solution out there however—Kaleidescape. The high-performance, luxury AV company offers a platform that delivers the convenience of streaming with the quality of physical media.

Supporting both the convenience and quality that are the hallmarks of the Kaleidescape platform, the company just announced its Terra Prime 96TB Movie Server and Terra Prime 72 TB Movie Server products.

These products in tandem with the company’s Strato C 4K Movie Player or Strato 4K Movie Player allow homeowners to effortlessly enjoy uncompressed TV shows, movies and concerts in dedicated home theaters, multipurpose media rooms, and throughout their homes as part of whole-house AV systems.

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Sending me the Terra Prime 96TB Movie Server, along with a Strato C 4K Movie Player, I tried these components in my home theater that includes an Integra AVR, Digital Projection E-Vision projector, Screen Innovations screen, and Aerial Acoustics speakers.

Terra Prime 96TB Movie Server Features and Setup

Once I unboxed the Terra Prime 96TB Movie Server and Strato C 4K Movie Player, I placed the products on top of my AV furniture cabinet so I could easily disconnect everything to send the products back to Kaleidescape.

Taking a quick look at the Kaleidescape products: Externally, the products utilize a modern and understated industrial design. The look of these products allow the products to reside in an AV furniture cabinet without looking out of place. Of course, the products can also reside in a typical rack environment if dealers are building a more sophisticated AV system.  

Kaleidscape explains the new Terra Prime 96TB Movie Server, along with the 72TB version incorporate new board designs and processors that deliver more power. The products also incorporate 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity to facilitate faster downloads among other things.  The 96TB version is specified to store approximately 1,600 uncompressed 4K movies, while the 72TB Terra Prime Movie Server is specified to store about 1,200 uncompressed 4K movies.

• Kaleidescape states the Terra Prime 96TB and 72TB movie servers incorporate new board designs with faster processing and improved networking capabilities.
• The Terra Prime Movie Servers incorporate 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet connectivity.
• The Calif.-based company supports the servers with its Disc-to-Digital program to facilitate the transfer of DVD and Blu-ray libraries to digital.
• The Terra Prime 96TB Movie Server holds around 1,600 full bandwidth 4K movies.
• The Terra Prime 72TB Movie Server stores approximately 1,200 full bandwidth movies.

Physically, the Kaleidescape products are simple to setup. I started by running Ethernet cables from my Access Networks Core system to the server and movie player. I then disconnected the FIBBR HDMI 2.1 cable from my Panasonic UHD disc player and connected it to the Strato C Movie player. I then plugged both Kaleidescape products into a TRENDnet PDU for power.

Moving onto the rest of the setup I downloaded the Kaleidescape app, and I followed the company’s instructions on how to commission the system, which basically required me to simply log into a local Kaleidescape web page, which I did using my iPhone. The access allows me “see” the Terra Prime 96TB Movie Server and Strato C 4K Movie Player on my network and it asks me to add a component, and that’s pretty much the entire setup process.

For the sake of clarity, I should point out the main reason why I downloaded the Kaleidescape App from the Apple App Store was to provide a control option beyond the system’s included remote control. The app did not aid the setup process, I simply used Safari on my phone to gain access to the local Kaleidescape connections.

Performance and Final Thoughts

Circling back to my earlier commentary in which I said the Kaleidscape platform merges the best attributes of streaming content and physical media, all I can say is try the system for yourself.

The system allows homeowners to browse their content in whatever manner they choose. Once an interface style has been chosen, the system is easy to navigate using the app, remote control, or in all likelihood a third-party control system from companies such as Crestron, Control4 and Savant.

Using the system, I checked out movies such as Marvel’s The Avengers, as well as Gladiator, Pacific Rim; and I watched the documentary Gray Eagles. Once a title is selected, the video will immediately start playing quickly followed by the audio with both the audio and video in sync.

What really surprised me—I’ve seen plenty of Kaleidescape content over the years—was that sure … I’ve knew movies like Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises would look and sound great, but seeing the clarity, image depth and realism of the video of the Gray Eagles documentary. The vibrancy of the image, the trueness of the colors, the smoothness of the content produced a spectacular large-screen experience. I didn’t see image artifacts, judder or any issues of latency watching any of the content, and the voice over narration was clear and articulate.  

The audio sounded fuller, deeper, more impactful with greater response than any streaming content I’ve ever watched.

Using the Kaleidescape Store is also easy. Titles are organized by movies or television, and from there users can search new releases, and the type of content by genre. For example, under television, homeowners can find action titles such as Arrow and Justified or comedies like Friends. Searching through movies is similar through genre titles such as drama, action, comedy, animated, sci-fi, and more.

Downloads will vary in cost depending on several factors, and the store also offers rental options in case someone doesn’t want to own a title, but wants to watch the content. It is important to point out that Kaleidescape’s prices are competitive with content that’s downloadable from Amazon Prime, The Apple iTunes Store and other similar services.

In addition, the downloading of content will vary in speed depending on the speed of the network, the size of the movie or TV show—remember Kaleidescape content is not compressed, it is bit-for-bit to retain full image quality and audio fidelity. A few years ago, for example before Comcast updated my network speed, it took about 20 minutes to download a rental of the movie, F9: The Fast Saga in 4K with HDR and Dolby Atmos. Three years ago, my network speed was 600Mbps. Today my Comcast network plan provides 1G network speeds and with the Kaleidescape system using a wired connection, as well as the new Terra Prime 96TB Movie Server with the Strato C 4K Movie Player download speeds are now much faster.

I know I’m gushing about Kaleidescape, but my enthusiasm is well earned. Even details like the user experience with the app is great. Navigation easily supports searches for content within users’ content library and the Kaleidescape Store, which is accessible from the app. Actions respond quickly and I personally find the app much more convenient than the supplied remote.

The new Terra Prime 96TB Movie Server continues a long-running trend from the Calif.-based company. I personally think the Kaleidescape platform is the greatest source component solution the consumer AV market has ever seen. Audiophiles may argue that a turntable like the Linn Sondek LP12 is the greatest source component ever conceived. The problem with that is a case could be made that Linn’s solution, which is over 50 years old represents the pinnacle of home audio performance.

Kaleidescape however, has continued to improve and refine its hardware, operating system, and system navigation.  Products like Terra Prime 96TB Movie Server are the latest example that proves the home entertainment company still has its “A-game” in developing products that enable the best possible home AV experience.

Pros:

• Visually, the Terra Prime Servers, and the Strato C Movie Player can reside in view of homeowners or within an equipment rack without looking out of place.
• The user experience is seamless, homeowners will not recognize any differences from selecting content from Kaleidescape or their streaming services.
• Kaleidescape content delivers the highest levels of picture and sound quality.

Cons:

• There is no “con” with the Kaleidescape platform. The user experience is great and there is no better way to access home video content.

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