Kaleidescape Ownership Regrets? - Othello Cinema 2024

[@nuclearcrypto7743]

The price of the player is fine, it’s the storage price that needs to come down.

[@myhomeaudio8751]

Ya for the storage they are charging it doesn’t make sense. May be I would just consider strato v. Not there server storage

[@stevewright1539]

@@nuclearcrypto7743 but with the V you don’t “need” the storage. Of course you’ll want it but not an immediate need. I do think a 4TB drive in the V would be more than enough for most and the company knows this.

[@SkylakeProCinema]

@@nuclearcrypto7743 price is whatever its subjective. Sell a bitcoin its all just small toy money. Where the titles at? Where are all movies?

[@bigjack79]

I’m a firm believer in supply and demand. I think in the long run they are hurting theirselves. Eventually, some one like Apple will provide lossless audio for their paid movies. Fast access to lossless audio probably sells a higher percentage of the units. So when this is disrupted by someone like Apple, they will lose a large percentage of their customers base.

[@MHillaryPhotography]

My worry is if the go bust - I've lost everything if I need to redownload

[@av_nirvana]

The system doesn’t require access to the internet except to purchase. If (big if, they have studios blessing) they go bust they won’t repossess the equipment and you have all your content stored locally until the hardware dies. If you buy a movie on K you can delete and download as often as you want/need. If you own a movie on disc there is disc to digital, prices starting at $5 to add it to your Kaleidescape library (some studios more). If you own a movie on K in HD and it is released in 4K you can upgrade for a small fee vs buying a new disc at full price (Se7en this morning was $4.92). If HDR or Atmos is added to a movie you own, you simply download an update. Lots of value points once you’ve bought into the ecosystem.

[@ballstadt]

Everyone talks about what happens when Kaleidescape goes out of business, I'd be more concerned about what happens when my ripping solution is deemed illegal and they stops making discs. Studios want to eliminate discs - they're a hassle and an unnecessary expense. Kaleidescape is the option for the same quality delivered over the internet. They need to provide a secure space for holding the studios' intellectual property. They have the trust of the studios and the backing of the studios, whereas PLEX still operates in a gray area full of torrents and illegal rips. When you rip your media, you're defeating the included copy protection which is breaking the law whether you think it should be or not. It is illegal and PLEX and EMBY and Kodi and all the others could be shut down just like Zappiti was - on the lam from copyright infringement only to resurface as R_Volution. How long do you think they have?

[@extreamtechguy1891]

Most common folks can’t spend 25k on storage so if they go bankrupt like they did in the past by the way…If you have 8tb and you have bought 25tb of movies you get to keep your 8tb the rest lost…

[@ballstadt]

@ they restructured, signed deals with the studios and launched the movie store during that bankruptcy. They are in a very strong position right now.

[@extreamtechguy1891]

@@ballstadt well I hope so I don’t like any company going bust but I’m not convinced Kaleidescape is the future But time will tell

[@stevewright1539]

I cannot disagree with those that say the price of the hardware alone, it is too expensive. I do wish that entry fee was a one time expense and future expenses for additional or replacement hardware could be offset by service fees. Try to license something like Fathom releases while they are in theaters, downloadable trailers and pre shows that can be preconfigured. I do think for the money spent the Movie store needs to be more current. I did watch Godzilla Minus One on disc and it still resides on my server. I’d rather have it in Kaleidescape. What others may be missing is everything else Kaleidescape brings. The upkeep of software and back end that monitors your system. Getting the best possible release (in most cases) before disc. Video and audio quality that is superior to disc. Integration with home control systems. The overall experience is something worth saving for. It can be the cherry on top of a completed home theater system.

[@holgerschever6321]

A few more thoughts on it: I think its not the problem, that is expensive. The problem is, that its dramatically expensive. If we would talk about hardware cost of 2...3000 bucks it would be fine. But if you set it up well, you end up beyond 10000 right? The 2nd issue is availability. In Germany e.g. Its not. And number 3: It doesnt feature alternsaive language tracks. Easily spoken, if the hardware cost would be around 3000 dollar or Euro, all produced lamguages would be in and it would be available globally... Then it would be a total different story

[@av_nirvana]

Availability is a fair point, it Kaleidescape must license with studios for every country so it doesn’t necessarily make sense to go global immediately. But they’re doing everything legally and with permission. The Kaleidescape absolutely has alternate language tracks when available. When it comes to the price, everyone needs to decide for themselves what they’re willing to invest in, and if they’d rather invest money or time and effort. But when you’re paying $10k for a projector, $5k for a screen, $20k or more in speakers, amps and subs, why would you skimp on the source? If you bought a Ferrari would you put an 87 octane ethanol blend into the gas tank?

[@holgerschever6321]

@av_nirvana Thanks for the nice response! In our comunity we had a poll a time ago. Most of uns invest ~20...25k into the HC gear. And reach a remarkable results by that.so.. 30% on top for the source plus 15 bucks per movie... Puh... All i say is, really a lot people would be willing to invest significantly more than for netflix or apple+ if they could get uncompressed video and audio. And uncompressed content, this is what should be the goal. Without beeing forced to end up on the cost level, that kaleidoscape is on right now

[@garyharper2943]

@@av_nirvanaI would if it was a lease.

[@iampuzzleman282]

Really really really big problem is most of the stuff I stream and it's compressed form not available on Kaleidoscope. It's really unfortunate the big time subscription streamers don't offer a lossless stream it's still freaking compressed. It's horrible horrible horrible. Most people don't have systems that can accommodate uncompressed streams so why bother and that sad. Netflix HBO etc often have wonderful things to watch and they were originally produced presumably without compression and then they transmitted to all their subscribers at a compressed form so no one ever ever ever gets to hear what they produced in all its glory and that's profoundly profoundly profoundly profoundly sad.

[@confinoj]

Cost is now more tolerable with the Strato V to a point that I have really thought about it despite being a big Plex user. Storage is still ridiculous. Access to disc quality rentals for movies I don't want to own and sooner access to new releases is the biggest draw for me. However I have an issue being tied to just the one player that would be in my dedicated theater. With Plex I can watch on any device in the house plus almost every disc purchase comes with a digital code so on the go access when travelling especially for the kids is nice. I would have to double dip on many movies otherwise. These days ripping a disc to Plex takes very little time and effort. Disc arrives from Amazon, put it in my drive, let makeMKV rip it, come back in 45min, cut/paste to my Plex folder, done. Sometimes forced subs adds some extra time but that's it.

[@ballstadt]

So the time to get a movie on your PLEX is, let's say 20 minutes looking for the best price of the disc. At least 4 hours for delivery (for Amazon same day if available). 45 minutes to rip it. Another few minutes to get back to the server and move it into the folder system, done. So let's say 6 hours - being generous. That seems like a lot of time, considering this morning I saw the Se7en 4K was available in Kaleidescape for an upgrade from HD price of $4.92, I clicked Upgrade and 11 minutes later it was ready to watch. The cost of storage includes much more than a hard drive. It's the cost of R&D and content security to prevent it from becoming a hacking source. Studios want to eliminate discs - they're a hassle and an unnecessary expense. Kaleidescape is the option for the same quality delivered over the internet. They need to provide a secure space for holding the studios' intellectual property. They have the trust of the studios and the backing of the studios, whereas PLEX still operates in a gray area full of torrents and illegal rips. When you rip your media, you're defeating the included copy protection which is breaking the law whether you think it should be or not.

[@confinoj]

@@ballstadt You need to separate time waiting to watch the movie vs time personally spent getting movie into Plex. I already said one of the main draws of k-scape for me is not having to wait for new releases but that’s just me being impatient. In terms of my own time spent it’s

[@ballstadt]

@ why do I need to separate them? To make your argument work?

[@confinoj]

@@ballstadtNo because they are actually different. Time waiting to watch a movie before it’s available costs nothing other than patience. Time actually spent getting a movie into Plex has true value - time is money.

[@craig891]

“The Kaleidescape Store is unavailable in your territory.”

[@ballstadt]

@@craig891 this is a real issue for some. They are working to bring it to more territories in 2025.

[@Munakas-wq3gp]

I would never bother ripping movies since I rarely watch old movies again.

[@davidbrown1532]

K Scape is awesome! No regrets for purchasing. The movies are rather cheap when on sale. It is designed for me; simple and idiot proof with devastating performance.

[@SkylakeProCinema]

21k movies are found there of about 280k movies that have made it way to DVD. So unless you in that narrow window of said 19-21k titles you still buying the 250,000 other titles not found there.

[@SkylakeProCinema]

Then ripping and making it seamless to the home theater as you would have anyways

[@robotag95]

Does Kaleidescape stream to different devices or just the one that is plugged into it?

[@ballstadt]

Depends. It's all on your wired network. If you buy the Strato V, it's only one player. If you have a Terra or Compact Terra server, you can add several players throughout your house and access the same server.

[@robotag95]

@@ballstadt But you have to have the players at each display? Like I could not play it on my laptop or phone even in the same network right?

[@ballstadt]

@ correct

[@scruffy8861]

Movie lovers for decades are the baby boomers who have the coin for Kaleidescape. At the same time if like me, are up to date on Hollywood movies. Too few titles of interest from Hollywood these days (a different conversation) getting into Kaleidescape doesn't make sense.

[@almac2323]

Agreed! I love my K-Scape money well spend! I watch movies for escapism not to do work like ripping disc!

[@KASmonkeys]

yeah it's not the same as playing your own ripped files - it's buying the new movies and watching them whenever like Apple or Prime.

[@KASmonkeys]

I'd seriously consider it at £3k

[@SkylakeProCinema]

Your statement could trigger most, but it has some weight and truth in it.

[@stevewright1539]

@@KASmonkeys I was able to get in at $2k. Used market with some warranty left. That said, I will be adding storage and will run the current player into the ground and then buy a new player.

[@av_nirvana]

Except it’s the quality of disc and doesn’t require the effort of finding buying ripping and maintaining. Other than that tho sure. Just like I said in the video. Invest the time or invest the money. You choose.

[@SkylakeProCinema]

@@av_nirvana marginal upgrade in quality. No Remux, no ability to improve, no ability to access over 250,000 movie titles due to just licensing issues. Many more people have a appetite for cinema more than your 400 movies

[@jamiealite]

It’s so over priced. Not worth the money

[@av_nirvana]

Invest time or invest money. Your choice.

[@trucanuck28]

Plex is the same thing

[@ballstadt]

@@trucanuck28 pLeX iS tHe SaMe ThInG

[@SkylakeProCinema]

I own A Stratos V: and I'll explain as carefully and kindly big glaring issues. Its pretty much useless to * younger generation users; when they come requesting the hundreds to thousands of titles not even found on K. Imagine how embarrassing that is when the people you entertain doesn't even want the common titles found on K. The movies on K you would already have ripped and ready to play. I spent, more than K complete ecosystem on titles not found on in. Doesn't replace anime titles, not boutique" as you claim, which is typically what someone defends K with. I'll explain this very factual. There is 52,000 blu ray titles. K ONLY has 9000 blu ray titles from those titles. I dont need to bore you with the titles. Just expand the mind, be about movies and not just the hardware. Bigger world, younger and don't like what's just cookie cutter titles on K. Plus you need to re buy the titles you already own. Seeing the movies early, overrated, on titles that are common, but also titles no US bound, territories. I ENJOY FRENCH FILMS, military movies, modern ones anime and the endless titles. Some coating 150$ each and not found on K. Have a 20 something come over and ask for a title watch how It's not on K. Just try it yourself. Find a common gundam title. U cant...

[@SkylakeProCinema]

I'll add that K is for people not really serious about movies. They wouldn't find what they need when it comes to that. It's like PC valve steam but with less titles. No offense. I bought into this too, but I won't sit around and promote it to people when I'm about being as truthful about things in my life. No way. K SPACE is for a older generation of user, not too serious about titles, and looking to have as less work as possible. K space limitation is on their end not mine. So as a better host, I need to get deep and curated titles not found there and use a modded Dune player with almost K space experience. If you find doing the extra work too much, that's on you. I rather have a more much more curated experience one not found even on K Space. Full 7.1 unmixed Anime titles with better sound than most movies that released to your common Playlists since 2011 now. That's a lot or movies not found on K. K space will only age like milk if it doesn't step up. Licenses are hard trust me even Sony has issues. So good luck