Hello all. I’m not sure if this question/scenario has been answered. I have a 7.2.4 B&W CT7 system with Anthem AVR 1120, Sony 7000ES, Strato C, with all three legacy gaming systems. I am finalizing an update to my theater space. I am upgrading to Trinnov Altitude 16 with amplifier, MadVR Extreme. I was thinking of also upgrading to the new Strato K with this theater upgrade. However with the issues being mentioned here I am considering holding off on the Strato K. Does anyone have any thoughts? Are the glitches ironed out?
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NEWS: Strato K Movie Player with 8K capability and new "4K Cinematic" full-chroma & higher bitrate support
- Thread starter josh
- Start date
JonProphet
Well-known member
Yer good. Buy it now. “All the issues” 
As reported the upgrade from a C will be noticeable.
As reported the upgrade from a C will be noticeable.
Naiera
Well-known member
Why a MadVR instead of a Lumagen Radiance Pro, though? You could save a ton of money buying the latter. MadVR seems to be the default around here, but the core functionality (DTM) is a bit better on Lumagen 
Sounds like a great set up.
Your system is perfect for the Strato K.
I did some upgrades too, new projector etc.
After a long wait I can tell you the Strato K delivers the goods.
4KC Movies of many of my favorites look and sound stunning like never before.
It is truly an immersive experience that I enjoy as often as I can.
I have not experienced any of the issues that I have read about.
In fact, going from the C to the K was a considerable upgrade for me.
It works faster and has performed flawlessly.
Obviously different set ups and viewers are all unique and offer their own experiences.
With you set up it is a no brainer.
Good luck and enjoy, I’m excited for you.
Your system is perfect for the Strato K.
I did some upgrades too, new projector etc.
After a long wait I can tell you the Strato K delivers the goods.
4KC Movies of many of my favorites look and sound stunning like never before.
It is truly an immersive experience that I enjoy as often as I can.
I have not experienced any of the issues that I have read about.
In fact, going from the C to the K was a considerable upgrade for me.
It works faster and has performed flawlessly.
Obviously different set ups and viewers are all unique and offer their own experiences.
With you set up it is a no brainer.
Good luck and enjoy, I’m excited for you.
MadVR tone mapping is excellent. Plus the cheapest Envy is 5K new. I’m not sure how much the Lumagen Pro lists for but I thought it was the same or more expensive.Why a MadVR instead of a Lumagen Radiance Pro, though? You could save a ton of money buying the latter. MadVR seems to be the default around here, but the core functionality (DTM) is a bit better on Lumagen
I thought the cheapest Envy is $7K new. Maybe it's the MK1 that is $5K and the MK2 is $7K?
You can still buy the MK1 and it lists for 5K. You do lose HDMI 2.1 input capability, but it still has HDMI 2.1 output capability.
In all of my research it seems the MadVR would be the better fit for my system with the DTM, apparently Trinnov and MadVR partner for compatibility testing, the AI algorithms also seem intriguing and future proof given the current environment. I'm excited to see how the 4KC looks once the upgrades are completed
Naiera
Well-known member
Pretty sure LRP is more excellent though
The CEO and President of Lumagen runs a Trinnov in his theater.
I believe were´re not getting anywhere discussing which DTM is "better". This has been done on other forums at length and has the potential to get another thread closed.
DTM is an interpretation of the incoming signal, so there´s no right or wrong anyway.
The Envy exposes more settings to adjust the DTM to the end user, which can be a good thing or a bad thing.
DTM is an interpretation of the incoming signal, so there´s no right or wrong anyway.
The Envy exposes more settings to adjust the DTM to the end user, which can be a good thing or a bad thing.
HDR/DV/DTM is just a "mess", especially for PJ owners, irrespective of which camp you sit in. Thank goodness for K and their SDR options.
Naiera
Well-known member
I certainly don't mean to start a religious war. I've just noticed that MadVR seems to be the default hereI believe were´re not getting anywhere discussing which DTM is "better". This has been done on other forums at length and has the potential to get another thread closed.
DTM is an interpretation of the incoming signal, so there´s no right or wrong anyway.
The Envy exposes more settings to adjust the DTM to the end user, which can be a good thing or a bad thing.
I won't poke around in that subject any further.My deep and sophisticated researchPretty sure LRP is more excellent though
)) has taught me that 'which is better' between MADVR and Lumagen appears to be defined by the tribal mentality of the devotees on both sides as much as it is by the facts. I can understand that. It might have started with facts. ie. when I jumped into video processing the 2 camps were vehemently proclaiming victory. As it happened a new feature that we needed (can't remember what) was available in the MADVR not the Lumagen where it was in the pipeline for later. We had demo'ed them both and the MADVR won out. I think that position has changed several times since but the tribes stay resolute regardless. So I stay out of it TBH and recommend, try them both and buy what you need and can best afford. There is no long term permanent answer that I could recommend.TBH even what people like their image to look like is pretty subjective? i.e. I have always favoured what I would call the Sony 'look' on TVs. Some of the competitors have over time favoured turning everything up to '11' (video equivalent of Spinal Tap's amps) and it might be impressive but some don't feel natural somehow. It helps to understand what 'should' deliver the best results and why but then go for what you like not what you are told you should like is the golden rule. All of this applies to audio too which is a similar minefield although one with slightly less variables.
(edit I hadn't seen the post above which was posted as I was writing but religious war is an apt description)
Naiera
Well-known member
Furnace Inferno
Well-known member
I’m not sure I fully agree with that. HDR is a mess from the perspective of there not being a set standard which everyone follows and supports. DV is all well and good for “maintaining the original intent” with the metadata but not when it’s not the default format and not everyone supports it.
The other big issue is there are no consumer displays which can play every movie without some kind of tonemapping which they all do differently and aren’t even uniform across formats on the same display.
That’s where Lumagen/madVR DTM trump all others and nigh on remove any of that variability so you can just watch without worrying about it. Is it always going to get it perfect, no but neither will any other system relative to the mastering displays. SDR movies are good and all but you lose the WCG, not all movies have an SDR option and there is also no way of telling if it’s been derived from the HDR grade or not. All the James Bond movies for example have 4K SDR but those aren’t from HDR because they haven’t been remastered yet.
I’ve only compared one SDR movie which I did HDR10 vs Cinematic HDR10 vs SDR and I discounted the SDR option early on because the greens weren’t as rich in the opening trees and water. The DTM though looked pretty much identical to the SDR grade in how each scene looked it just had a fraction more highlight brightness as it’s mid laser vs high laser.
You pick your poison really, so I guess I am sort of agreeing
.
Naiera
Well-known member
It's possible to do SDR with BT.2020 though. I wish KS had that on their SDR versions.