NEWS: Strato K Movie Player with 8K capability and new "4K Cinematic" full-chroma & higher bitrate support

[Imakeller]

All cables are 2.1 8k rated. Are you saying I have to change a setting somewhere? Or thinking I was using a cable that doesn’t support 2.1?

I was thinking about make sure you use 2.1 input with the JVC, but that wouldn’t be your issue if the Envy isn’t showing an 8K input. Cables are always a concern with 2.1, but I assume you used the K-scape supplied cable to go from the K to the Envy, which is odd that the Envy isn’t showing an 8K input. I’m stumped. K-scape has a K installation guide with a little about 8K, but I don’t think it helps your situation.

https://www.kaleidescape.com/support/article/Strato-K-Installation-Guide#_TOC_20014

 

[DLCPhoto]

The Mad VR does in fact read Core MK 2 Premium on the system info on screen display when I hit the OK button. Waiting to hear back from the Mad VR team. Will give you my thoughts if and when we get this figured out.

Yes, then it *should* work.

In the Strato K's settings, can you confirm that it is set to output 8k?

And your JVC should be set to EDID A for 8k support (with 8k enabled in the AVR's settings as well).

If all of these are configured properly, then the cables are a potential limiting factor (despite whatever the claims are of the manufacturer). The other possibility is that there a known issue with HDMI 2.1 functionality in the Strato K, creating problems with HDMI signal stability, that could be a factor here as well.

 

[4:4:4]

Apologies to the Mods who have asked us to stop populating this “announcement” thread…

Some users are questioning whether to have local storage or how to expand their current capability in light of the new Strato K and the 4K Cinematic offerings. Here was my analysis for my application.

The Cost of Storage

I purchased my initial 8TB SSD Terra Prime Server in April to start my adventure in the world of K. I had hoped I could resist the urge to purchase a lot of movies, some of which I already owned in multiple earlier formats. My goal was to always have all my K movies accessible by being stored locally. Well, it took 2 months to fill up the SSD.

On the morning of June 18th, unbeknownst to me, the Strato K was about to be introduced. I had run the numbers on the four different Terra Servers but still decided I would order a second 8TB SSD Terra Prime. Luckily, I was watching this Forum and saw that my K reality was about to change.

When I saw that 4K Cinematic was coming out and the extra storage that would be required (plus keeping SDR, HDR and/or DV copies of the same movie), I cancelled my SSD order and, as others say here, “Buy Once, Cry Once” by ordering the 120TB Terra Prime Server. It was a HUGE up-front price, but when I looked at the different Terras' cost-per-movie, there was no other server that made sense for my goals. (Plus, each of the 4 internal HDDs is field replaceable.)

I have used US List Dollars here, which were difficult to confirm, and some users may get discounting from their dealer. Here are the numbers:



When I looked at what it was costing for some of the beautiful movie Collections being offered, even when there is a sale, they are occupying hundreds of dollars in storage to keep these movies close at hand.

I recognize that some of these prices are simply unjustifiable for many people's budget. I have been fortunate to be able to spend "discretionary income" on my "toys".

Sadly, in the high end world of home theatre, "If you want the best, ‘ya gotta pay". Welcome to Kaleidescape!!

(P.S. NO REGRETS )


EDIT: Chart updated to July 2026 pricing for the 8TB HDD Terra Server

 

[rafaelsmith]

Apologies to the Mods who have asked us to stop populating this “announcement” thread…

Some users are questioning whether to have local storage or how to expand their current capability in light of the new Strato K and the 4K Cinematic offerings. Here was my analysis for my application.

The Cost of Storage

I purchased my initial 8TB SSD Terra Prime Server in April to start my adventure in the world of K. I had hoped I could resist the urge to purchase a lot of movies, some of which I already owned in multiple earlier formats. My goal was to always have all my K movies accessible by being stored locally. Well, it took 2 months to fill up the SSD.

On the morning of June 18th, unbeknownst to me, the Strato K was about to be introduced. I had run the numbers on the four different Terra Servers but still decided I would order a second 8TB SSD Terra Prime. Luckily, I was watching this Forum and saw that my K reality was about to change.

When I saw that 4K Cinematic was coming out and the extra storage that would be required (plus keeping SDR, HDR and/or DV copies of the same movie), I cancelled my SSD order and, as others say here, “Buy Once, Cry Once” by ordering the 120TB Terra Prime Server. It was a HUGE up-front price, but when I looked at the different Terras' cost-per-movie, there was no other server that made sense for my goals. (Plus, each of the 4 internal HDDs is field replaceable.)

I have used US List Dollars here, which were difficult to confirm, and some users may get discounting from their dealer. Here are the numbers:

View attachment 10927

When I looked at what it was costing for some of the beautiful movie Collections being offered, even when there is a sale, they are occupying hundreds of dollars in storage to keep these movies close at hand.

I recognize that some of these prices are simply unjustifiable for many people's budget. I have been fortunate to be able to spend "discretionary income" on my "toys".

Sadly, in the high end world of home theatre, "If you want the best, ‘ya gotta pay". Welcome to Kaleidescape!!

(P.S. NO REGRETS View attachment 10925)

That is quite the premium for not having to wait 10min.

 

[Imakeller]

Yikes! I kinda wish you wouldn’t have done that analysis @4:4:4 . As much as I would love everything stored locally, I think I’m going to just stick with my current server and embrace “active storage management” and try to plan ahead with downloading.

 

[Balthazar2k4]

I have opted for the on-demand approach and speeding up those demands with the 8TB SSD model. For me it works because I have the internet bandwidth to support that plan and make it viable. I own more movies than a 30TB model would afford and the 120TB would certainly work, but if I want to maintain the 'at my fingertips approach' would find me buying another one in a year or two. That simply isn't practical for my wallet.

 

[lujan]

Yikes! I kinda wish you wouldn’t have done that analysis @4:4:4 . As much as I would love everything stored locally, I think I’m going to just stick with my current server and embrace “active storage management” and try to plan ahead with downloading.

I have opted for the on-demand approach and speeding up those demands with the 8TB SSD model. For me it works because I have the internet bandwidth to support that plan and make it viable. I own more movies than a 30TB model would afford and the 120TB would certainly work, but if I want to maintain the 'at my fingertips approach' would find me buying another one in a year or two. That simply isn't practical for my wallet.

I do the same. I keep a list of my movies on a spreadsheet so always (or almost always) know in advance what movie I will watch next. My current 8TB is fine when doing it this way. In fact, I rarely get far over 50% full on the Terra.

 

[thrillcat]

I do the same. I keep a list of my movies on a spreadsheet so always (or almost always) know in advance what movie I will watch next. My current 8TB is fine when doing it this way. In fact, I rarely get far over 50% full on the Terra.

View attachment 10929

It would actually be kind of a cool feature to allow the cycling and "queue" feature of the standalone setup to those with smaller servers, so you can just always have things refreshing automatically, and being replaced after you view them unless you've specifically flagged something to stay local.

 

[cyberkryten]

@4:4:4 I'm not sure I wanted to know the price per movie for storage, so I'm going to forget I read that and definitely not let anyone else in the house know the number!

It's fine having spreadsheets and other ways of tracking things, but the whole point of getting a Kaleidescape was simplicity and the fact my wife can choose and play a movie when I'm not about which will get worse if I get a Strato K for the cinema and repurpose the Strato C for the living room.

As a very new user who's hit 80% used of 8TB (non Cinematic) in less than a week, definitely thinking about this myself in terms of managing downloads. I have some 'favourite' films I always want to keep local, but not entirely sure how to manage it with that and then tagging the ones my wife is likely to want to watch as well.

 

[rafaelsmith]

I have been doing very well with just a standalone player....for us movie night(s) are usually Fri and Sat...at most 4 movies/week. With ~10 movies worth of storage I can keep the 4-5 favorites I use for demo, calibration testing, etc and have room to cover what we will be watching during the week. Thus far I have not had a single time where I was wishing I had storage........now seeing that cost breakdown ...I really hope that it never happens =P

Worst case is Fri or Sat comes around and we are still undecided......just means a 10min break to fill our drinks, make some popcorn and hit the head.

tldr: I am the worst possible customer for Kaleidescape =P

 

[by96]

View attachment 10927

Great summary! I do believe the 8TB Terra Compact (non-Prime) is $4,995 MSRP. If buying new, it was the only one I could personally justify.

Compact Terra Movie Server 8TB

Compact Terra stores high-fidelity movies downloaded from Kaleidescape and plays them back on network-connected Strato movie players. Learn more.

www.kaleidescape.com

 

[Balthazar2k4]

@rafaelsmith I have been doing player only storage for about the last year (since I sold my 48TB Terra Prime) and for the most part have lived fine with it. I think the new 4K Cinematic file sizes are not compatible with my patience and so I am hoping the SSD server will ease that. Certainly not a necessity, but I am far too impatient to wait 20 minutes for a download

 

[rafaelsmith]

@rafaelsmith I have been doing player only storage for about the last year (since I sold my 48TB Terra Prime) and for the most part have lived fine with it. I think the new 4K Cinematic file sizes are not compatible with my patience and so I am hoping the SSD server will ease that. Certainly not a necessity, but I am far too impatient to wait 20 minutes for a download

Ha, another reason I am resisting getting the K. =P I feel it would be the start of a expensive slope beyond my means.

 

[Imakeller]

Every server should have the fast downloading capability. Every server should have serviceable drives. The video wall should show all of your purchases, with some visual cue to indicate if downloaded locally or not. Just some gripes I have, but overall I’m an enthusiastic fan of K-scape.

 

[lujan]

I have been doing very well with just a standalone player....for us movie night(s) are usually Fri and Sat...at most 4 movies/week. With ~10 movies worth of storage I can keep the 4-5 favorites I use for demo, calibration testing, etc and have room to cover what we will be watching during the week. Thus far I have not had a single time where I was wishing I had storage........now seeing that cost breakdown ...I really hope that it never happens =P

Worst case is Fri or Sat comes around and we are still undecided......just means a 10min break to fill our drinks, make some popcorn and hit the head.

tldr: I am the worst possible customer for Kaleidescape =P

Not really, the worst possible customer would be those that don't even get a standalone player.

 

[rafaelsmith]

Not really, the worst possible customer would be those that don't even get a standalone player.

Ok 2nd worse. Since they seem to not make much from movie sales....and the bulk of their profitability comes from servers sales.

 

[4:4:4]

Ok 2nd worse. Since they seem to not make much from movie sales....and the bulk of their profitability comes from servers sales.

I think K should provide movies for free as long as you agree to keep them in local storage.
It is the marketing equivalent of “giving away the razor to sell the blades”.

 

[DrNeal]

I do the same. I keep a list of my movies on a spreadsheet so always (or almost always) know in advance what movie I will watch next. My current 8TB is fine when doing it this way. In fact, I rarely get far over 50% full on the Terra.

View attachment 10929

How many movies would that be and are you taking into consideration the larger 4KC files?

 

[Patricio]

Yes, then it *should* work.

In the Strato K's settings, can you confirm that it is set to output 8k?

And your JVC should be set to EDID A for 8k support (with 8k enabled in the AVR's settings as well).

If all of these are configured properly, then the cables are a potential limiting factor (despite whatever the claims are of the manufacturer). The other possibility is that there a known issue with HDMI 2.1 functionality in the Strato K, creating problems with HDMI signal stability, that could be a factor here as well.

EDID A confirmed on the JVC. Waiting for dealer to sort it out with mad vr.

 

[MadScientist]

I must admit that I am very fickle when I am watching movies by myself. I will start watching one movie, then 15-20 min later switch to another movie and continue to do so for 60-90 min when I turn off my system and go for dinner. In the old days I used to have to get up and switch discs but now I love just sitting in my seat and using the remote to select a different movie.

I say this because having multiple movies downloaded on my server would be very important to me. I know some of the members have talked about downloading movies as and when needed, but I am not sure this will work for me.

MadScientist