Strato V black screen and audio cutout issues

[LoveCinema]

So, this is a firmware/software issue that will be fixed?

No one from K has referenced any identified issues that would require hardware changes. Certainly there are hardware limitations like the 1080p GUI, but this isn't something to be "fixed." I'd imagine if somehow there was a hardware issue, K would initiate a repair/replacement process to address it. (To be clear, there's no sign that any such thing is needed.)

The key being that there's no new player hardware on the horizon. The last player (Strato C) lasted 8 years and is still going, so even if K were to look to release another new player on a tighter timeline, I can't imagine we'd see anything before 2027 or so.

Also, for the record, we're in a forum of vocal and passionate users. As any of the dealers will point out, not every Strato V user is experiencing these problems, and many users have seen their issues (largely) addressed. As a non-V owner that has been watching things, it certainly seems like things are moving in the right direction.

 

[josh]

I can't imagine we'd see anything before 2027 or so.

I think I'd take that bet. To be clear, I know nothing about any plans within Kaleidescape. But if there are dealers now telling clients to avoid the Strato V due to the limitations (which I think is now happening) then there will be pressure to come up with a newer version sooner. Suspect it will be very similar to the V but with a full 4K UI and possibly a second HDMI port for audio out.

 

[LoveCinema]

I think I'd take that bet. To be clear, I know nothing about any plans within Kaleidescape. But if there are dealers now telling clients to avoid the Strato V due to the limitations (which I think is now happening) then there will be pressure to come up with a newer version sooner. Suspect it will be very similar to the V but with a full 4K UI and possibly a second HDMI port for audio out.

I'd love to see it; I think we all would. I originally thought 2026 CEDIA at earliest, but then...

Let's face it, the Strato V is still a work in progress. K's still chasing down issues, primary HD Conversions are lagging (I'm ~50% after 9 months), HD Extras/Alt Cut conversions haven't even started, and there's a LOT of DV updates standing between K and any other digital store.

Optimistically, let's say the V is in great shape for it's one year anniversary. Then K announces another player a year later? I'd love to see it, but having watched the Strato V roll out, I hope they keep the next player in the oven until it's ready to serve.

 

[Decelerate]

No one from K has referenced any identified issues that would require hardware changes. Certainly there are hardware limitations like the 1080p GUI, but this isn't something to be "fixed." I'd imagine if somehow there was a hardware issue, K would initiate a repair/replacement process to address it. (To be clear, there's no sign that any such thing is needed.)

The key being that there's no new player hardware on the horizon. The last player (Strato C) lasted 8 years and is still going, so even if K were to look to release another new player on a tighter timeline, I can't imagine we'd see anything before 2027 or so.

Also, for the record, we're in a forum of vocal and passionate users. As any of the dealers will point out, not every Strato V user is experiencing these problems, and many users have seen their issues (largely) addressed. As a non-V owner that has been watching things, it certainly seems like things are moving in the right direction.

That's the issue. Pay substantially more for an 8 year old product or roll the dice on the latest V. Seems like no clear answer. I may just wait things out more...

 

[LoveCinema]

That's the issue. Pay substantially more for an 8 year old product or roll the dice on the latest V. Seems like no clear answer. I may just wait things out more...

I'd highly consider the used market if you're looking to step into the K ecosystem. Used Strato C's were selling as low as $1,500 (now settling closer to $2,000). Strato S devices, which are effectively a Strato C with built-in Storage, still regularly appear and sell for less than the cost of a Strato V. There is a very strong secondary market with these devices, so chances are you could buy in, get your feet wet with K, then sell and upgrade in a year or two. Just a thought.

Also, I wouldn't get tied up on the 8 year old thing. Other products that dropped in a similar timeframe: Oppo 205 Disc Player, Lumagen Radiance Pro, Trinnov Altitude16, and on and on. Lots of racks proudly filled with 8-10 year old pieces of equipment out there.

 

[Decelerate]

I'd highly consider the used market if you're looking to step into the K ecosystem. Used Strato C's were selling as low as $1,500 (now settling closer to $2,000). Strato S devices, which are effectively a Strato C with built-in Storage, still regularly appear and sell for less than the cost of a Strato V. There is a very strong secondary market with these devices, so chances are you could buy in, get your feet wet with K, then sell and upgrade in a year or two. Just a thought.

Also, I wouldn't get tied up on the 8 year old thing. Other products that dropped in a similar timeframe: Oppo 205 Disc Player, Lumagen Radiance Pro, Trinnov Altitude16, and on and on. Lots of racks proudly filled with 8-10 year old pieces of equipment out there.

Didn't think about going used. Will look into a used C+terra as the S is limited in download speeds to only 100mbps.

 

[Twoifbyland]

Strato V owner here. I get a dropout every 4th movie or so. Watched aliens today and had two.. they only last about 3 seconds but still annoying. Only using hdr 10 titles, kscape to Lumagen to Denon/projector. I’ve pondered moving the Lumagen between the Denon and the projector so all my video and audio go straight to the AVR - if that could solve the dropouts. Is this worth considering or are people here getting dropouts even without a video processor in the chain?

 

[gonzalc3]

I haven’t had an audio dropout. I connected the v player and other sources to an arcam av40 and then the arcam to the lumagen radiance pro, and lumagen to the jvc rs 3200…

 

[Furnace Inferno]

Watched Better Man last night and 1 single audio drop again, will need to check what the timing was but it was on the boat when Robbie is talking to Nicole Appleton just before the song.

This morning I’ve now swapped out the PixelGen HDMI from the Strato V to Lumagen and the 2m HDMI audio out from the Lumgaen to the Lyngdorf, to 3M HDMI cables since Lumagen recommend 3m lengths (even though all my other devices work fine at higher frame rates to boot!). Will do some more testing and see how it goes, starting to wonder if the audio out from the Lumagen outputting as 720p is creating some kind of syncing issue with the Strato V which causes it to resync the audio.

 

[Furnace Inferno]

Took too long to edit but just to add:

Maybe I’ll try swapping the cables around and having Video and Audio going to the Lyngdorf on one cable rather than being split and video out from the Lyngdorf to the projector. That way I can still have independent control for each device on the Lumagen for HDR, game mode and other bits if the cable change doesn’t work.

 

[Bluth]

First movie watched on my new Strato V. Mickey 17. One 1-2sec audio drop out. No video drop outs. Don’t have my madvr core yet so just denon x3800h to my np5. Using 2m cord with the strato. I guess compared to my r volution or zidoo it’s an improvement, but for the price would love for it to be perfect!

 

[rafaelsmith]

Watched Novocaine ...HDR10 version. One 1-2sec audio drop out during fight scene in the restaurant. No video dropouts.