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With a 500-GB hard drive, the Kaleidescape Mini System can hold 75 DVDs or 825 CDs. It has the same user interface, quick content loading and detailed metadata as its big brothers.
Kaleidescape’s Mini System, one of the company’s latest DVD media servers, is meant to be a starter system for consumers looking for an all-in-one solution.
The system, which imports DVDs and CDs for play without the disc, features Kaleidescape’s slick user interface in a case about the size of a cable box.
I recently checked out the new Mini System, which Kaleidescape shipped to me filled with content from the first season of “Mad Men” to kids’ programming to recordings by Tony Bennett.
System Setup, Features
Setup of the system was simple, requiring only plugging in the power and HDMI cables. The system features:
- Ethernet connectivity
- RS-232 control
- HDMI, Component, composite and S-Video outputs
- Digital coax, optical and analog stereo audio outputs
If you’ve ever used a Kaleidescape system, or seen one in action, you know about the user interface, quick content loading and detailed metadata. The Mini System has all of that.
Unique Shape, Storage Space
The big difference in the Mini is its form factor and storage space. While it’s rackmountable, it fit perfectly in my home entertainment unit.
The built-in 500-GB hard drive stores up to 75 DVDs or 825 CDs, with expansion spots up to 1.5 terabytes. If you’re like me, with more than 200 DVDs, you’d use this system as an individual zone or expand the storage to hold all your content.
The Mini System, which also plays DVDs straight from the disc, comes with a remote control — Kaleidescape’s first unit to have one in the box.
Content Upscaled to 1080p
The player, as you’d expect, outputs at 1080p. But that’s where my only gripe with the unit lies; since it’s based on DVD technology, all of the content is upscaled to 1080p.
The system offers some native 1080p content built in, and the company’s announced Blue-Laser player promises to playback Blu-ray discs, but not import them. With Blu-ray’s use of Managed Copy, the future of importing true high-definition discs is unknown.
Overall, I loved having a single-component Kaleidescape system to check out. It’s easy to use and setting it up was as simple as plugging in a DVD player. If your customers are HD snobs (like me), the fact that its importing is limited to DVD-quality may be an issue, but if you’re using it in a bedroom or secondary room, it may not matter.
Kaleidescape Mini System
MSRP: $7,995
There appears to be some misinformation.’
Real didn’t obtain a license to store content like Kalidescape did
K-Scape does not have a license to store either. Their case involves specifications vs. agreement. They one their round because although the specification called for a physical disc to be in the drive, the agreement did not. No where is it found they have a license to load. Look at their own FAQ’s
Did the DVD CCA approve this product?
A:
The DVD CCA does not provide any certification, testing or approval service.
Q: Did you get a license from the MPAA to make copies of DVDs on hard disks?
A:
A Kaleidescape customer has a fair-use right to make copies of DVDs and CDs that he or she owns onto the Kaleidescape System’s hard disks. No license is required provided the copies will only be used for that customer’s personal home video entertainment.
Tell this to Real DVD.
@Willis: I think it’s one simple reason: cost. If Kalidescape wasn’t a super premium priced product, the lawsuits would have buried it. As is, the lucky few who can afford it come to less than 0.001% of the population. Not exactly a threat to profits if a Kalidescape owner occasionally rips a rental.
Kalidescape, its a wonder why this is legal yet other DVD copy devices/software is not. Its a double standard.
@ c not k: I’m not directly comparing the Kalidescape system to Real’s player on any basis other than price. The Kalidescape system is everything you have attested it to be.
I would be interested in seeing a third party study as to any supposed ‘up-time’ advantage Kalidescape would have over a RAID 5 equipped media server that has been properly configured. I’d be willing to put money on the fact that there would be no statisical difference between the two products in terms of reliability.
Oh, as a side note, as a Mercedes owner, while the price premium is true, my car spends more time in the shop than my Nissan… you might want a different analogy :)
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If I could spell. They won their round… Please show me anywhere that they have a license to load content.