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

[DieZwei]

How do you configure yours, and if different from the above, I'm curious about your reasoning. And do you see "avoid" rather than "minimize" in your settings options?

I´m using a Strato S at the moment. One option is named "Minimize display mode changes (default)" - I believe this might be what @J.Green meant in his response rather than "avoid". I´ve got it set to "Allow display mode changes (use external scaler)" as I´m in fact using an external video processor (madVR Envy) and don´t want the Strato fiddle with framerate or dynamic range.
My OSD framerate is set to 24Hz like yours (incl. Envy motion interpolation) to avoid framerate switching between content and OSD.
I believe we´re pretty much in synch with our settings here.
I´ve got a Strato K incoming next week and see what its settings look like and how they behave.

 

[Imakeller]

I have a Strato K and a Trinnov and a MadVR in my system without any problems. Works perfectly.

Are you setup with HDMI 2.1 (48gb) throughout your signal chain? What is your display device?

 

[txfeinbergs]

If you want something that shows off your system try The Madison in 4K cinematic. Whether you like Taylor Sheridan's writing or not, you have to at least give him credit for shooting some of the most beautiful scenery in shows. Just FYI, all of his shows are shot at 24 fps. I was hoping to see what the system was capable of at 60 fps, but this is not that.

 

[OUTATIME]

I'd bet that a large percentage of Trinnov owners also have a Kaleidescape system. I wonder if any other Trinnov owners have reported any problems. Meanwhile, it's been crickets from both Trinnov and Kaleidescape tech support. My Trinnov dealer told me to wait for any answers after CEDIA ends. Patience is not one of my virtues. I did order the AV Pro 48 Gbps EDID manager to give it a try while I'm waiting.

I have Strato K and Trinnov Altitude 16 and I also have HDMI 2.1 issues between the two devices. My symptoms are that every time I startup my theater room while things are loading I temporarily see the Kaleidescape screen for a few seconds but then another HDMI sync happens, which I believe it is switching to HDMI 2.1, and then all I see is a black screen with "No Signal" from MadVR Envy. Interestingly, then if I goto the Kaleidescape local web server and do a restart on the Strato K then it will work fine in HDMI 2.1 up until I turn off my theater. Then on next startup I get the same issue.

Alternatively, changing either Strato K output or Trinnov input to HDMI 2.0 solves the issues. That wouldn't cause much issue until 8K or 4K60 cinematic content.

Were you ever able to resolve your issues?

 

[Imakeller]

I have Strato K and Trinnov Altitude 16 and I also have HDMI 2.1 issues between the two devices. My symptoms are that every time I startup my theater room while things are loading I temporarily see the Kaleidescape screen for a few seconds but then another HDMI sync happens, which I believe it is switching to HDMI 2.1, and then all I see is a black screen with "No Signal" from MadVR Envy. Interestingly, then if I goto the Kaleidescape local web server and do a restart on the Strato K then it will work fine in HDMI 2.1 up until I turn off my theater. Then on next startup I get the same issue.

Alternatively, changing either Strato K output or Trinnov input to HDMI 2.0 solves the issues. That wouldn't cause much issue until 8K or 4K60 cinematic content.

Were you ever able to resolve your issues?

I have no firsthand knowledge, but I’ve heard these AVpro Edge amplifiers can stabilize the HDMI EDID. Might be worth the $350 if it does the trick.

48Gbps 1x2 HDMI Distribution Amplifier​

AC-DA-12X2 is an AVPro Edge one-input to two-output, 48 Gbps HDMI 2.1b distribution amplifier that flawlessly divides incoming HDMI signals up to 8K/60 fps into two separate output streams. Current 8K media consoles or 4K sources pass through HDMI 1 to a capable display, while downscaling may be...

www.avproglobal.com

 

[OUTATIME]

I should add that I do have a PS5 Pro that is HDMI 2.1 and that works fine in this chain so it would seem that the HDMI 2.1 output on the Strato K is the most likely issue.

 

[David Shapiro]

No, no luck. I’m still trying to figure out how to use it. Chat GPT is trying to help, but nothing yet. Since I use the Trinnov as my video switched without either a Lumagen or MadVR, using a splitting device doesn’t make much sense. I’m not a dealer or a video engineer. I’m just a guy trying to make the system work. Kaleidescape tech support has been of no help whatsoever.

 

[OUTATIME]

No, no luck. I’m still trying to figure out how to use it. Chat GPT is trying to help, but nothing yet. Since I use the Trinnov as my video switched without either a Lumagen or MadVR, using a splitting device doesn’t make much sense. I’m not a dealer or a video engineer. I’m just a guy trying to make the system work. Kaleidescape tech support has been of no help whatsoever.

Yeah, I'm in the same boat as you because unlike Lumagen the MadVR Envy is also not an HDMI switch so I use the Trinnov for HDMI switching as well. I just mentioned the issue to my dealer today and he said that he just heard from another user with the same chain today and is having a similar issue between Strato K and Altitude. I'll post any updates I get, but I'm still leaning towards it being a Strato K HDMI 2.1 issue that hopefully a firmware update to the HDMI output would fix.

 

[by96]

but I'm still leaning towards it being a Strato K HDMI 2.1 issue that hopefully a firmware update to the HDMI output would fix.

I recently added an AVPro Edge 8K 4x4 matrix to the my system. I was using an AVPro Distribution Amplifier before to split the video from the audio from my Strato K, but decided to use a matrix instead to allow other devices to also split their signals. However, I have had significant problems getting the Strato K and matrix to play nice with each other, especially in passing Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD-MA. I do not have this problem with my Apple TV or PS5. Both of those work through the matrix without issue.

I have been on the phone with AVPro and they are perplexed by my issue but doing a deep dive into it.

Nevertheless, I found that putting an AVPro Edge Distribution Amplifier between the Strato K and matrix fixed the problem. It is bizarre to both me and AVPro support, but Strato K > Matrix > Arcam AV40 would not allow Dolby Atmos or DTS-HD-MA. However, Strato K > DA > Matrix > Arcam works perfect for all surround formats.

Now, one more interesting detail... The DA that I am using in the chain is the older 40Gbps one, not the current 48Gbps model (like the one linked a few posts above). When I tried the 48Gbps one in the chain, the same issue with Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD-MA occurred. Something about the older model DA just works for the chain.

All of this to say, my experimenting has narrowed down the problem to something between the Strato K and 48Gbps matrix and DA. Fortunately, AVPro is getting a Strato K in their lab to work with, so I hope they figure it out. But given all the problems people are seeing with Trinnov 8K boards and the Strato K, I am thinking there is something off with the Strato K HDMI.

 

[OUTATIME]

Yeah, I'm in the same boat as you because unlike Lumagen the MadVR Envy is also not an HDMI switch so I use the Trinnov for HDMI switching as well. I just mentioned the issue to my dealer today and he said that he just heard from another user with the same chain today and is having a similar issue between Strato K and Altitude. I'll post any updates I get, but I'm still leaning towards it being a Strato K HDMI 2.1 issue that hopefully a firmware update to the HDMI output would fix.

Maybe @J.Green can chime in here if they are aware of any HDMI 2.1 issues on Strato K with specific devices like Trinnov Altitude 16?

 

[FURY]

Has the 2.1 board issue been documented with the Altitude 32? I just received my Strato K 3 days ago and so far no issues with my 2.0board and my Alt 32/16 +4. I am reticent, of course, to go to the 2.1 board.

Thank you very much

FURY

 

[Hugo]

I just upgraded our theatre with a ARLed Sirius microled wall, have an Envy Extreme, an Altitude 16 and Novastar MX2000 in the chain. First 3 days everything ran quite well, suddenly when switching from 3D back to 2D the Envy crashed hard, had the boot screen come up etc. since the latest firmware the envy doesn’t handle 3d and dynamic subtitles. But itvworked with subtitles off but still bugs appeared, more about that later when I hear back from Madvr. Anyways besides that all worked fine until 4 days later when the ARled was about to leave and we suddenly had crazy handshake issues, probably hdcp. Tried changing cables, startup orders you name it. We thought the Envy had a problem as it still didn’t do a clean boot. We decided to run the envy at low motion AI at 60hz that kept things within 18gb/s as thatbseem not to cause handshake issues. I had one option left I didn’t try, swapping the audioquest 2m pearl hdmi 48 cable between the Envy and Nova MX200 for the Jupiter cable that came with the Strato K. And that did the trick! Unbelievable!
Hoping that the madvr issue and 3D will work soon with a new firmware.

 

[Gui0312]

I just upgraded our theatre with a ARLed Sirius microled wall, have an Envy Extreme, an Altitude 16 and Novastar MX2000 in the chain. First 3 days everything ran quite well, suddenly when switching from 3D back to 2D the Envy crashed hard, had the boot screen come up etc. since the latest firmware the envy doesn’t handle 3d and dynamic subtitles. But itvworked with subtitles off but still bugs appeared, more about that later when I hear back from Madvr. Anyways besides that all worked fine until 4 days later when the ARled was about to leave and we suddenly had crazy handshake issues, probably hdcp. Tried changing cables, startup orders you name it. We thought the Envy had a problem as it still didn’t do a clean boot. We decided to run the envy at low motion AI at 60hz that kept things within 18gb/s as thatbseem not to cause handshake issues. I had one option left I didn’t try, swapping the audioquest 2m pearl hdmi 48 cable between the Envy and Nova MX200 for the Jupiter cable that came with the Strato K. And that did the trick! Unbelievable!
Hoping that the madvr issue and 3D will work soon with a new firmware.

Strato K’s come with an AQ Jupiter cable?

 

[Reezepees]

Yess

 

[DieZwei]

I´ve got a couple of Ks incoming this week and have a setup with Trinnov Altitude32 (with HDMI 2.1 board) and AltitudeCI (also HDMI2.1) and madVR Envy Extreme MK2 at hand. Will do some tests and report back.

 

[DLCPhoto]

Maybe @J.Green can chime in here if they are aware of any HDMI 2.1 issues on Strato K with specific devices like Trinnov Altitude 16?

No, no luck. I’m still trying to figure out how to use it. Chat GPT is trying to help, but nothing yet. Since I use the Trinnov as my video switched without either a Lumagen or MadVR, using a splitting device doesn’t make much sense. I’m not a dealer or a video engineer. I’m just a guy trying to make the system work. Kaleidescape tech support has been of no help whatsoever.

Have you guys tried limiting the Strato K's output to 18 gbps (HDMI 2.0 functionality)? It was my understanding that HDMI 2.1 functionality in the Strato K had problems that KScape was reportedly aware of, and this was the recommendation to address it until it was fixed.

I don't recall reading that it has been fixed, so I would assume this work-around is still needed. See Post # 730 for a good summary.

18 gbps is still fine for 4k/HDR at 24 fps, even at 4:4:4, so you wouldn't be missing anything at this point, I don't think.

 

[OUTATIME]

Have you guys tried limiting the Strato K's output to 18 gbps (HDMI 2.0 functionality)? It was my understanding that HDMI 2.1 functionality in the Strato K had problems that KScape was reportedly aware of, and this was the recommendation to address it until it was fixed.

I don't recall reading that it has been fixed, so I would assume this work-around is still needed. See Post # 730 for a good summary.

18 gbps is still fine for 4k/HDR at 24 fps, even at 4:4:4, so you wouldn't be missing anything at this point, I don't think.

Yes, limiting either the K output to HDMI 2.0 or the Trinnov input to HDMI 2.0 works. Would only cause limitations for 8K or 4K60 HDR.

 

[OUTATIME]

Powering down the Strato K or doing a restart on the Strato K also gets HDMI 2.1 working fine for me for that session with FRL3 (24G) output.

 

[by96]

Have you guys tried limiting the Strato K's output to 18 gbps (HDMI 2.0 functionality)? It was my understanding that HDMI 2.1 functionality in the Strato K had problems that KScape was reportedly aware of, and this was the recommendation to address it until it was fixed.

I don't recall reading that it has been fixed, so I would assume this work-around is still needed. See Post # 730 for a good summary.

18 gbps is still fine for 4k/HDR at 24 fps, even at 4:4:4, so you wouldn't be missing anything at this point, I don't think.

I just tried limiting my K to 18Gbps. Unfortunately, it did not solve my problem passing Dolby Atmos through a 48Gbps matrix. I was hoping that it would fix the issue so that maybe we are all experiencing the same underlying problem. Oh well.

 

[DLCPhoto]

I just tried limiting my K to 18Gbps. Unfortunately, it did not solve my problem passing Dolby Atmos through a 48Gbps matrix. I was hoping that it would fix the issue so that maybe we are all experiencing the same underlying problem. Oh well.

Yeah, I wondered about that as well; unfortunately I'm not surprised that it didn't fix it, as they do seem to be separate issues. But no harm in trying!