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{{Infobox company
{{Infobox company
| name = Kaleidescape, Inc.
| name = Kaleidescape, Inc.
| logo = Kaleidescape Logo.png
| logo = Kaleidescape (logo).svg
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| type = [[Private company|Private]]
| foundation = [[Mountain View, California|Mountain View]], [[California]]<br />(February, 2001)
| foundation = [[Mountain View, California|Mountain View]], [[California]]<br />(February, 2001)
| location = [[Mountain View, California|Mountain View]], [[California]]<br />and [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]], [[Ontario]]
| location = [[Mountain View, California|Mountain View]], [[California]]<br />and [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]], [[Ontario]]
| key_people = Tayloe Stansbury, [[Chief executive officer|CEO]]<ref>{{cite web |last1=Prange |first1=Stephanie |title=Kaleidescape Appoints New CEO |date=17 November 2020 |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/kaleidescape-appoints-new-ceo/|access-date=29 January 2021}}</ref>
| key_people = Cheena Srinivasan, [[Chief executive officer|CEO]]
| homepage = [http://www.kaleidescape.com/ kaleidescape.com]
<ref name=IndustryStandardEmployeeCount>{{cite news
|last = Takahashi
|first = Dean
|title = Kaleidescape launches DVD upscalers to compete with Blu-ray
|publisher = The Industry Standard
|date = 2008-06-18
|url = http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/06/18/kaleidescape-launches-dvd-upscalers-compete-blu-ray
|access-date = 2008-06-24
|archive-url = https://archive.today/20130204220206/http://www.thestandard.com/news/2008/06/18/kaleidescape-launches-dvd-upscalers-compete-blu-ray
|archive-date = 2013-02-04
|url-status = dead
}}</ref>
| homepage = [http://www.kaleidescape.com/ kaleidescape.com]
}}
}}


'''Kaleidescape''', Inc. is a [[Mountain View, California|Mountain View]], [[California]]-based private company, founded in 2001, which designs multi-room [[Streaming media|home entertainment]] server systems that store and play back video and audio content (such as movies, television shows, and music) to movie players that can be connected to televisions or projectors.<ref name="NYTimes">{{cite news
'''Kaleidescape''', Inc. is an American [[multimedia]] company based in [[Mountain View, California|Mountain View]], [[California]]. Founded in 2001, it designs multi-room [[Streaming media|home entertainment]] server systems that store and play back video and audio content (such as movies, television shows, and music) to movie players that can be connected to televisions or projectors.
| last = Rothman
| first = Wilson
| title = A Movie Library In Your Living Room
| work = New York TImes
| date = 2006-09-27
| url = https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/27/technology/circuits/27serv.html
| access-date = 2008-06-24 }}</ref> The company began marketing its products in 2003.<ref name="SeattleTimesMarketDate">{{cite news
| last = Healey
| first = Jon
| title = Lawsuit may cause DVD jukebox to tilt
| work = Los Angeles Times
| date = 2005-04-18
| url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002244360_btdvdpiracy18.html
| access-date = 2008-06-24 }}</ref> Research and development is carried out partly by Kaleidescape Canada based in [[Waterloo, Ontario|Waterloo]], [[Ontario]].


==History==
==History==


=== Early history ===
=== 2001-2014; Founding and early history ===
Kaleidescape was founded in 2001 by Michael Malcolm, Dan Collens, and Cheena Srinivasan. Malcolm had previously founded [[Network Appliance, Inc.|Network Appliance]] and [[CacheFlow]].<ref name="SeattleTimesMarketDate">{{cite news | last = Healey| first = Jon| title = Lawsuit may cause DVD jukebox to tilt| work = Seattle Times| date = 2005-04-18| url = http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002244360_btdvdpiracy18.html| access-date = 2008-06-24|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20050428080150/http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/businesstechnology/2002244360_btdvdpiracy18.html | archive-date = 2005-04-28 }}</ref> Malcolm self-funded the startup and the company spent over two years developing its technology in "[[stealth mode]]".
Kaleidescape was founded in 2001 by Michael Malcolm, Dan Collens, and Cheena Srinivasan.


Malcolm had previously founded [[Network Appliance, Inc.|Network Appliance]] and [[CacheFlow]].<ref name="SeattleTimesMarketDate" /> Malcolm self-funded the startup and the company spent over two years developing its technology in "[[stealth mode]]". The company originally focused on building home theatre movie servers that could store digital copies of customers’ DVD and Blu-ray collections to help streamline the DVD and Blu-ray experience.<ref name=":1" /> Kaleidescape’s first movie server was introduced in 2003 and could import DVD content onto a series of hard drives, utilize the company’s Movie Guide database to identify and sort films, and then present the customer’s movie collection in an onscreen user interface.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaleidescape Strato 4K Ultra HD Movie Player Review |url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/kaleidescape-strato-4k-ultra-hd-movie-player-review |website=SoundandVision |access-date=29 April 2020}}</ref>
Kaleidescape originally focused on building home theater movie servers that could store digital copies of customers’ DVD and Blu-ray collections.<ref name=":1" /> Its first movie server was introduced in 2003 and allowed customers to import DVD content onto a series of hard drives, utilize the company's movie guide database to identify and sort films, and then present the customer's movie collection in an onscreen user interface.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kaleidescape Strato 4K Ultra HD Movie Player Review |url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/kaleidescape-strato-4k-ultra-hd-movie-player-review |website=SoundandVision |date=23 August 2016 |access-date=29 April 2020}}</ref>


In 2004, the DVD Copy Control Association, the licensor of CSS (content scramble system), the technology for the copy control of DVDs, [[DVD Copy Control Association, Inc. v. Kaleidescape, Inc.|sued Kaleidescape for breach of contract]]. The DVD CCA alleged that its CSS License did not permit Kaleidescape's movie servers to serve DVDs from copies on hard disk.<ref name=USATodayLawsuit>{{cite news | last = Wong| first = May| title = Film industry group sues DVD jukebox maker| publisher = USA Today| date = 2004-12-08| url = https://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/gear/entertainment/2004-12-08-multidvd-suit_x.htm?csp=34%3E| access-date = 2008-06-24 }}</ref> In June 2014, Kaleidescape and DVD CCA reached a settlement agreement and as of 2019, the company had license agreements with 29 studios to allow the purchase and download of content from its movie store.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cepro.com/audio-video/interview_kaleidescape_ceo_single_room_solutions_hdr10/|title=Interview: Kaleidescape CEO Discusses Single Room Solutions, HDR10|date=2019-05-01|website=CEPRO|language=en|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref> The case, although only for breach of contract and not a copyright case, was considered by some to be an important recent test of [[fair use]] precedent,<ref name=ExtremeTechFairUse>{{cite news | last = Hachman| first = Mark| title = Can You Legally Rip a DVD? Trial to Test 'Fair Use'| publisher = The Industry Standard| date = 2007-03-25| url = https://www.foxnews.com/story/can-you-legally-rip-a-dvd-trial-to-test-fair-use| access-date = 2008-06-24 }}</ref> given advancements in technology and the digital media rights field.<ref name=InfoWeekDRM>{{cite news | last = Merritt| first = Rick| title = Trial Could Test Digital Media Rights | publisher = InformationWeek| date = 2007-03-16| url = http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=198001817| access-date = 2008-06-24 }}</ref>
In 2010, Kaleidescape released its M300 and M500 Blu-ray players as part of its Premiere line for home cinemas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/kaleidescape-outs-m300-and-m500-blu-ray-players-copiers/|title=Kaleidescape outs M300 and M500 Blu-ray players, copiers|website=Engadget|language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref> The M500 had Blu-ray copying abilities to allow customers to import Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs onto home servers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/kaleidescape-m500-movie-player-rips-blu-ray-discs-5536210|title=Kaleidescape M500 Movie Player Rips Blu-Ray Discs|last=VanHemert|first=Kyle|website=Gizmodo|language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref> To address the copyright concerns of movie studios, Kaleidescape required the Blu-ray disc to be present when the content was played from the server.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/kaleidescape-outs-m300-and-m500-blu-ray-players-copiers/|title=Kaleidescape outs M300 and M500 Blu-ray players, copiers|website=Engadget|language=en|access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hothardware.com/news/kaleidescape-sort-of-supports-bluray-on-new-m300-and-m500-players|title=Kaleidescape (Sort Of) Supports Blu-ray On New M300 And M500 Players|last=Willington|first=Ray|date=2010-05-11|website=HotHardware|language=en-us|access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref> Later that year, Kaleidescape launched the industry's first Blu-ray server with its release of its new 100-disc Blu-ray vault.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/12/13/kaleidescape-launches-100-disc-blu-ray-movie-server/|title=Kaleidescape launches 100-disc Blu-ray movie server|website=Engadget|language=en|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref> The vault, when paired with the M300 or M500 players, could rip, store, and stream copies of Blu-ray movies throughout a home.<ref name=":0" /> The server’s internal storage could hold 2,700 DVD titles or 485 Blu-ray discs but is dependent on the size of the hard drives you bought with your system.<ref>{{cite web |title=KALEIDESCAPE 1U+ MOVIE SERVER WITH 18TB OF STORAGE |url=https://www.audiovisualsolutionsgroup.com/kaleidescape-kaleidescape-1u-server-with-4-x-6-tb.html |website=Audio Visual Solutions |access-date=24 April 2020}}</ref>


===2010-2014; Addition of Blu-ray===
In July 2013, Kaleidescape launched the Cinema One as the company's new entry-level high-definition entertainment server.<ref name="ElectronicHouse">{{cite news|url=http://www.electronichouse.com/article/kaleidescape_offers_4k_cinema_one_movie_server/|title=Kaleidescape Offers $4K Cinema One Movie Server|last=Clauser|first=Grant|date=2013-07-13|access-date=2013-12-05|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131213002606/http://www.electronichouse.com/article/kaleidescape_offers_4k_cinema_one_movie_server|archive-date=2013-12-13|publisher=Electronic House}}</ref> Cinema One is a movie server that allows users to watch films instantly and jump to special scenes, bypassing menus. Through Kaleidescape's online movie store, which launched in beta in 2012 and officially opened in May 2013,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/05/02/kaleidescape-store-launches-blu-ray-quality-downloads-ultraviolet/|title=Kaleidescape's online video store officially opens, promises Blu-ray quality downloads|last=Lawler|first=Richard|website=Engadget}}</ref> users are able to add high-definition and standard definition movies to their collections instantly.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/personal/2013/07/23/kaleidescape-debuts-new-movie-server/2576343/|title=New Movie Server Lets You Watch Films Instantaneously|last=Snider|first=Mike|date=2013-07-13|access-date=2013-12-05|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> Cinema One allows the storage and playback of up to 100 Blu-ray quality, 600 DVD quality or 6,000 CD quality titles.<ref name="DigitalTrends">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/kaleidescape/|title=Kaleiedescape Brings Its Exotic Media Servers to Wider Audience with $4,000 Cinema One|last=Dension|first=Caleb|date=2013-07-13|access-date=2013-12-05|publisher=Digital Trends}}</ref>
In 2010, Kaleidescape released its M300 and M500 Blu-ray players as part of its Premiere line for home cinemas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/kaleidescape-outs-m300-and-m500-blu-ray-players-copiers/|title=Kaleidescape outs M300 and M500 Blu-ray players, copiers|website=Engadget|date=11 May 2010 |language=en|access-date=2019-07-25}}</ref> The M500 had Blu-ray copying abilities to allow customers to import Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs onto home servers.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://gizmodo.com/kaleidescape-m500-movie-player-rips-blu-ray-discs-5536210|title=Kaleidescape M500 Movie Player Rips Blu-Ray Discs|last=VanHemert|first=Kyle|website=Gizmodo|date=11 May 2010 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref> To address the copyright concerns of movie studios, Kaleidescape required the Blu-ray disc to be present when the content was played from the server.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/05/11/kaleidescape-outs-m300-and-m500-blu-ray-players-copiers/|title=Kaleidescape outs M300 and M500 Blu-ray players, copiers|website=Engadget|date=11 May 2010 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hothardware.com/news/kaleidescape-sort-of-supports-bluray-on-new-m300-and-m500-players|title=Kaleidescape (Sort Of) Supports Blu-ray On New M300 And M500 Players|last=Willington|first=Ray|date=2010-05-11|website=HotHardware|language=en-us|access-date=2019-08-08}}</ref> Later that year, Kaleidescape launched the industry's first Blu-ray server with its release of its new 100-disc Blu-ray vault.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2010/12/13/kaleidescape-launches-100-disc-blu-ray-movie-server/|title=Kaleidescape launches 100-disc Blu-ray movie server|website=Engadget|date=13 December 2010 |language=en|access-date=2019-08-15}}</ref> The vault, when paired with the M300 or M500 players, could rip, store, and stream copies of Blu-ray movies throughout a home.<ref name=":0" />


Through Kaleidescape's online movie store, which launched in beta in 2012 and officially opened in May 2013,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.engadget.com/2013/05/02/kaleidescape-store-launches-blu-ray-quality-downloads-ultraviolet/|title=Kaleidescape's online video store officially opens, promises Blu-ray quality downloads|last=Lawler|first=Richard|website=Engadget|date=2 May 2013 }}</ref> users are able to add high-definition and standard definition movies to their collections instantly.<ref name="USAToday">{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/personal/2013/07/23/kaleidescape-debuts-new-movie-server/2576343/|title=New Movie Server Lets You Watch Films Instantaneously|last=Snider|first=Mike|date=2013-07-13|access-date=2013-12-05|publisher=USA Today}}</ref> Cinema One allows the storage and playback of up to 100 Blu-ray quality, 600 DVD quality or 6,000 CD quality titles.<ref name="DigitalTrends">{{cite news|url=http://www.digitaltrends.com/home-theater/kaleidescape/|title=Kaleiedescape Brings Its Exotic Media Servers to Wider Audience with $4,000 Cinema One|last=Dension|first=Caleb|date=2013-07-13|access-date=2013-12-05|publisher=Digital Trends}}</ref>
=== Recent history ===
Kaleidescape's current product line was announced in 2015, and consists of the Strato movie player and the Terra movie server.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cepro.com/article/kaleidescape_strato_4k_movie_player_does_4k_hdr_atmos_but_still_no_netflix|title=Kaleidescape Tackles Complete 4K Ecosystem with Strato Player and UHD Content|last=Jacobson|first=Julie|website=www.cepro.com|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref> The Strato is a movie-playback device and is compatible with different control systems and universal remotes, and can hold anywhere from 105 Ultra 4K HDR movies to 1500 DVD quality movies, depending on which version of the device is purchased.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://bgr.com/2018/10/24/kaleidescape-strato-s-media-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato S is the world's best media player|last=Meek|first=Andy|date=2018-10-24|website=BGR|language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/video-player/kaleidescape-strato-ultra-hd-movie-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato Ultra HD Movie Player Review|last=Eberle|first=Chris|date=2018-02-05|website=HomeTheaterHifi.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.audioadvice.com/content/kaleidescape-strato-movie-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato Movie Player Review {{!}} Audio Advice {{!}} Audio Advice|website=www.audioadvice.com|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref> Content is added to the device by downloading movies from the Kaleidescape movie store.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hometheaterreview.com/kaleidescape-strato-4k-movie-player-reviewed/|title=Kaleidescape Strato 4K Movie Player Reviewed|website=HomeTheaterReview.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref> The Terra provides computing and caching services to enhance the performance of the Strato, and provides extra storage space for movies purchased from the store.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cepro.com/article/kaleidescape_strato_4k_movie_player_does_4k_hdr_atmos_but_still_no_netflix|title=Strato Does 4K|website=CEPRO}}</ref>


=== 2015-present ===
The Strato C movie player was released in 2017.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://robbreport.com/gear/electronics/kaleidescape-strato-movie-player-digital-4k-uhd-video-2746653/|title=Strato Movie Player|website=Robb Report}}</ref> It has no hard drive to store content, but streams content from either the Strato S or the Terra movie server, with the same audio and video quality of the Strato S.<ref name=":1" />  That same year, Kaleidescape also released its 1U+ Movie Server, which was an upgrade of the 1U Server.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://essentialinstall.com/news/home-cinema/kaleidescape-1u-movie-server-available/|title=New Kaleidescape 1U+ Movie Server Available Now, Stores Up To 800 Blu-ray Movies|last=Gustafson|first=Alice|date=2017-03-16|website=Essential Install|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-10-02}}</ref>
In 2015, Kaleidescape released the Strato movie player and the Terra movie server.<ref name="launch">{{Cite web|url=https://www.cepro.com/article/kaleidescape_strato_4k_movie_player_does_4k_hdr_atmos_but_still_no_netflix|title=Kaleidescape Tackles Complete 4K Ecosystem with Strato Player and UHD Content|last=Jacobson|first=Julie|website=www.cepro.com|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref> The Strato is a movie-playback device which holds Ultra 4K HDR movies as well as DVD quality movies depending on the model.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://bgr.com/2018/10/24/kaleidescape-strato-s-media-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato S is the world's best media player|last=Meek|first=Andy|date=2018-10-24|website=BGR|language=en|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web|url=https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/video-player/kaleidescape-strato-ultra-hd-movie-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato Ultra HD Movie Player Review | last=Eberle|first=Chris|date=2018-02-05|website=HomeTheaterHifi.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.audioadvice.com/content/kaleidescape-strato-movie-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato Movie Player Review {{!}} Audio Advice {{!}} Audio Advice|website=www.audioadvice.com|access-date=2019-09-06}}</ref> The Terra provides computing and caching services to enhance the performance of the Strato, and provides extra storage space for movies purchased from the store.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cepro.com/article/kaleidescape_strato_4k_movie_player_does_4k_hdr_atmos_but_still_no_netflix|title=Strato Does 4K|website=CEPRO}}</ref> Content for the Strato can be added by downloading movies from the Kaleidescape movie store.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hometheaterreview.com/kaleidescape-strato-4k-movie-player-reviewed/|title=Kaleidescape Strato 4K Movie Player Reviewed|website=HomeTheaterReview.com|language=en|access-date=2019-09-11}}</ref>


In November 2020, Tayloe Stansbury was appointed Kaleidescape's new CEO.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Sait|first=Daniel|title=KALEIDESCAPE APPOINTS NEW CEO AND VP OF MARKETING|url=https://essentialinstall.com/news/kaleidescape-appoints-new-ceo-and-vp-of-marketing/|website=Essential Install|date=17 November 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-17|title=Talking with Kaleidescape's New CEO and VP of Marketing|url=https://www.residentialsystems.com/blogs/taking-with-kaleidescapes-new-ceo-and-vp-of-marketing|access-date=2020-12-04|website=Residential Systems|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-17|title=Kaleidescape Names Software Exec as New CEO|url=https://www.cepro.com/audio-video/kaleidescape-names-software-exec-as-new-ceo/|access-date=2020-12-04|website=CEPRO|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Kaleidescape Appoints New CEO – Media Play News|date=17 November 2020 |url=https://www.mediaplaynews.com/kaleidescape-appoints-new-ceo/|access-date=2021-01-29|language=en-US}}</ref> Norma Garcia-Muro also joined the company as vice president of marketing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sait|first=Daniel J.|date=2020-11-17|title=Kaleidescape Appoints New CEO and VP of Marketing|url=https://essentialinstall.com/news/kaleidescape-appoints-new-ceo-and-vp-of-marketing/|access-date=2020-12-10|website=Essential Install|language=en-GB}}</ref>
In October 2018, the company introduced the Kaleidescape mobile app for home cinema.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.technologyintegrator.net/article/kaleidescape-issues-a-mobile-app/|title=Kaleidescape Issues A Mobile App|last=Staff|first=Technology Integrator|website=Technology Integrator|language=en|access-date=2019-10-16}}</ref><ref name="Kaleidescape Introduces Mobile App">{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/kaleidescape-introduces-mobile-app|title=Kaleidescape Introduces Mobile App|date=2018-10-31|website=Sound & Vision|language=en|access-date=2019-10-16}}</ref>  The app can be used to buy movies from the movie store, control the playback of films, concerts, and TV shows, and receive movie recommendations.<ref name="Kaleidescape Introduces Mobile App"/> It includes a remote designed to make it easy to control the onscreen display using a smartphone, and is free to Kaleidescape owners.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hiddenwires.co.uk/products/kaleidescape-introduces-mobile-app|title=Kaleidescape introduces mobile app|website=www.hiddenwires.co.uk|language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.technologyintegrator.net/article/kaleidescape-issues-a-mobile-app/|title=Kaleidescape Issues A Mobile App|last=Staff|first=Technology Integrator|website=Technology Integrator|language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref> In December, Kaleidescape announced a partnership with BBC Studios - Americas to bring BBC documentaries and TV series to Kaleidescape.<ref name="residentialsystems.com">{{Cite web|url=https://www.residentialsystems.com/technology/bbc-studios-americas-brings-programming-to-kaleidescape|title=BBC Studios – Americas Brings Programming to Kaleidescape|date=2018-12-04|website=Residential Systems|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref> The deal marked the first time the company offered episodic content in 4K Ultra HD and HDR.<ref name="residentialsystems.com"/>


Kaleidescape expanded into theaters in 2024 by sellings its hardware to cinema owners. Cinemas use the technology to access older movie titles, with payments for viewing the titles being paid directly to the studios by the theater.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Giardina |first1=Carolyn |title=Luxury Tech Brand Kaleidescape Expands Into Cinema Business With Service to Bring Library Titles to Theaters (EXCLUSIVE) |url=https://variety.com/2024/film/news/cinemacon-kaleidescape-theaters-alamo-1235957044/ |website=Variety |access-date=2024-04-08}}</ref>
In November 2020, Tayloe Stansbury was appointed Kaleidescape’s new CEO.<ref name=":6">{{Cite web|last=Sait|first=Daniel|title=KALEIDESCAPE APPOINTS NEW CEO AND VP OF MARKETING|url=https://essentialinstall.com/news/kaleidescape-appoints-new-ceo-and-vp-of-marketing/|website=Essential Install}}</ref> Tayloe joined the company’s board of directors in August, and previously served as interim CEO of Watermark Insights, CTO of Intuit, and Executive Vice President of Product and Operations at Ariba.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-17|title=Talking with Kaleidescape’s New CEO and VP of Marketing|url=https://www.residentialsystems.com/blogs/taking-with-kaleidescapes-new-ceo-and-vp-of-marketing|access-date=2020-12-04|website=Residential Systems|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref name=":6" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-17|title=Kaleidescape Names Software Exec as New CEO|url=https://www.cepro.com/audio-video/kaleidescape-names-software-exec-as-new-ceo/|access-date=2020-12-04|website=CEPRO|language=en}}</ref> Norma Garcia-Muro, named one of the Top 50 Women in Global Cinema,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-17|title=Talking with Kaleidescape’s New CEO and VP of Marketing|url=https://www.residentialsystems.com/blogs/taking-with-kaleidescapes-new-ceo-and-vp-of-marketing|access-date=2020-12-10|website=Residential Systems|language=en-GB}}</ref> also joined the company as Vice President of Marketing.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sait|first=Daniel J.|date=2020-11-17|title=Kaleidescape Appoints New CEO and VP of Marketing|url=https://essentialinstall.com/news/kaleidescape-appoints-new-ceo-and-vp-of-marketing/|access-date=2020-12-10|website=Essential Install|language=en-GB}}</ref> She previously worked as Head of International Marketing at Lucasfilm and director at Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-11-17|title=Kaleidescape Names Software Exec as New CEO|url=https://www.cepro.com/audio-video/kaleidescape-names-software-exec-as-new-ceo/|access-date=2020-12-10|website=CEPRO|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":6" />


== Products ==
== Products ==


=== Strato S ===
===Strato movie player===
The Strato S is a “movie player,” a disc-less playback device that users can add content to by downloading titles from Kaleidescape's movie store to the device's hard drive.<ref name=":3" /> The Strato S is available in a 6TB and a 12TB version;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bgr.com/2018/10/24/kaleidescape-strato-s-media-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato S is the world's best media player|last=Meek|first=Andy|date=2018-10-24|website=BGR|language=en|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.audioadvice.com/videos-reviews/kaleidescape-strato-movie-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato Movie Player Review|website=Audio Advice|language=en|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref> there is also an external server called the Terra if more space is needed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.audioadvice.com/videos-reviews/kaleidescape-strato-movie-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato Movie Player Review|website=Audio Advice|language=en|access-date=2019-11-12}}</ref> The rear of the Strato S provides a connection for the external power supply, an HDMI output, an audio only HDMI output, a toslink and coax digital audio output, a USB connection, an ethernet connection, and a rear IR input.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.audioadvice.com/videos-reviews/kaleidescape-strato-movie-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato Movie Player Review|website=Audio Advice|language=en|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/video-player/kaleidescape-strato-ultra-hd-movie-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato Ultra HD Movie Player Review|last=Eberle|first=Chris|date=2018-02-05|website=HomeTheaterHifi.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-22}}</ref> It has built-in 802.11ac WiFi, and can output 3840x2160 resolution at 60 Hz along with extended color and HDR.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hometheaterhifi.com/reviews/video-player/kaleidescape-strato-ultra-hd-movie-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato Ultra HD Movie Player Review|last=Eberle|first=Chris|date=2018-02-05|website=HomeTheaterHifi.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-06}}</ref> It supports a range of audio formats, including Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital, PCM, DTS:X, DTS-HD Master Audio, and MPEG audio.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bgr.com/2018/10/24/kaleidescape-strato-s-media-player-review/|title=Kaleidescape Strato S is the world's best media player|last=Meek|first=Andy|date=2018-10-24|website=BGR|language=en|access-date=2019-12-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hdgear.highdefdigest.com/52157/kaleidescapestratomovieplayer.html|title=Kaleidescape Strato Movie Player Gear Review {{!}} High-Def Digest|website=hdgear.highdefdigest.com|access-date=2019-12-06}}</ref> Playback from the hard drive or the network delivers bit rates up to 100 Mbps and frame rates up to 60 fps.<ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />


Kaleidescape released the Strato movie player in 2015.<ref name="launch"/> The Strato is a movie-playback device which holds Ultra 4K HDR movies as well as DVD quality movies depending on the model.<ref name=":2"/> In 2017 it released the Strato C,<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://robbreport.com/gear/electronics/kaleidescape-strato-movie-player-digital-4k-uhd-video-2746653/|title=Strato Movie Player|website=Robb Report|date=22 September 2017 }}</ref> a disc-less movie player with no internal storage.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title=Kaleidescape Strato System Review – Projector Reviews|url=https://www.projectorreviews.com/kaleidescape/kaleidescape-strato-system-review/|access-date=2021-01-20|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Kaleidescape Luxury Home Cinema Plays 11,000-Plus Movies in 4K Ultra HD|url=https://www.maxim.com/gear/kaleidescape-luxury-home-cinema-2019-12|access-date=2021-01-20|website=Maxim|date=10 December 2019 |language=en-us}}</ref> It supports 4K at 60 frames per second as well as surround formats including [[Lossless compression|lossless]] DTS:X and Dolby Atmos.<ref name=":9" />
=== Strato C ===
The Strato C is a smaller movie player with no internal storage.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|title=Kaleidescape Strato System Review – Projector Reviews|url=https://www.projectorreviews.com/kaleidescape/kaleidescape-strato-system-review/|access-date=2021-01-20|language=en-US}}</ref> It can connect to the Terra or the Strato S and access content stored on those devices’ internal hard drives.<ref name=":9" /><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Kaleidescape Luxury Home Cinema Plays 11,000-Plus Movies in 4K Ultra HD|url=https://www.maxim.com/gear/kaleidescape-luxury-home-cinema-2019-12|access-date=2021-01-20|website=Maxim|language=en-us}}</ref> It supports 4K at 60 frames per second as well as surround formats including lossless DTS:X and Dolby Atmos.<ref name=":9" />


=== Terra ===
=== Terra ===
For customers who require more storage space, Kaleidescape designed the Terra Movie Server.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hdguru.com/review-kaleidescape-strato-the-best-4k-server-weve-tested/|title=Review: Kaleidescape Strato The Best 4K Player We've Tested|date=2017-07-26|website=HD Guru|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref>
Terra movie servers are used for additional storage space and faster download speeds than Strato.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hdguru.com/review-kaleidescape-strato-the-best-4k-server-weve-tested/|title=Review: Kaleidescape Strato The Best 4K Player We've Tested|date=2017-07-26|website=HD Guru|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref> It can supply content to multiple Strato players,<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.audioconcept.co.uk/kaleidescape-terra-movie-server|title=Kaleidescape Terra movie server|website=Audio Concept|language=en|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/kaleidescape-digital-download-convenience-meets-4k-disc-quality/39472|title=Kaleidescape: Digital Download Convenience Meets 4K Disc Quality {{!}} High-Def Digest|website=www.highdefdigest.com|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref> allowing those players to access their own library or that of the Terra.<ref name=":3" />


The Terra comes with either 24 or 40TB of storage - allowing storage of more than 400 4K Ultra HD movies, 600 Blu-ray quality, or 3600 DVD quality movies -  and can supply content to as many as 50 Strato players.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.audioconcept.co.uk/kaleidescape-terra-movie-server|title=Kaleidescape Terra movie server|website=Audio Concept|language=en|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.highdefdigest.com/news/show/kaleidescape-digital-download-convenience-meets-4k-disc-quality/39472|title=Kaleidescape: Digital Download Convenience Meets 4K Disc Quality {{!}} High-Def Digest|website=www.highdefdigest.com|access-date=2019-11-06}}</ref> Once connected to the network, the Strato players can either access their own movie collections, or those of the Terra.<ref name=":3" /> For homes with more than one Strato, the Terra can handle up to ten 4K streams or 15 Blu-ray streams at a time.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web|url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/kaleidescape-strato-4k-ultra-hd-movie-player-review|title=Kaleidescape Strato 4K Ultra HD Movie Player Review|date=2016-08-23|website=Sound & Vision|language=en|access-date=2019-11-26}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.electronichouse.com/home-theater/kaleidescape-to-offer-4k-movies-for-new-strato-4k-movie-player/|title=Kaleidescape to Offer 4K Movies for New Strato 4K Movie Player|last=Cericola|first=Rachel|date=2015-10-21|website=Electronic House|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-26}}</ref> The Terra also provides computing and caching services to enhance the performance of the Strato players.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://star-power.com/audio-video/kaleidescape-revolutionize-the-way-you-watch-your-movies-2/|title=Kaleidescape - Revolutionize the Way You Watch Your Movies|date=2016-06-21|website=Starpower {{!}} Only the Best|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.twice.com/product/cedia-expo-kaleidescape-unveils-strato-4k-hdr-movie-player-new-alto-players-terra-server-58995|title=CEDIA Expo: Kaleidescape Unveils Strato 4K HDR Movie Player, New Alto Players, Terra Server|date=2015-10-15|website=TWICE|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-26}}</ref>
The Terra also provides computing and caching services to enhance the performance of the Strato players.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://star-power.com/audio-video/kaleidescape-revolutionize-the-way-you-watch-your-movies-2/|title=Kaleidescape - Revolutionize the Way You Watch Your Movies|date=2016-06-21|website=Starpower {{!}} Only the Best|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.twice.com/product/cedia-expo-kaleidescape-unveils-strato-4k-hdr-movie-player-new-alto-players-terra-server-58995|title=CEDIA Expo: Kaleidescape Unveils Strato 4K HDR Movie Player, New Alto Players, Terra Server|date=2015-10-15|website=TWICE|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-26}}</ref>


==Kaleidescape movie store==
==Kaleidescape movie store==


The Kaleidescape movie store launched in May 2013 in the US and June 2013 in the UK, becoming the first online store to allow users to download Blu-ray quality movies via an internet-based delivery platform.<ref name=Engadget>{{cite news | last = Lawler| first = Richard| title = Kaleidescape's online video store officially opens, promises Blu-ray quality downloads.| publisher = Engadget | date = 2013-05-02| url = https://www.engadget.com/2013/05/02/kaleidescape-store-launches-blu-ray-quality-downloads-ultraviolet/| access-date = 2014-05-30 }}</ref><ref name="Home Media Magazine">{{cite news| last = Gruenwedel| first = Erik| title = Kaleidescape Movie Store Launches in the U.K.| publisher = Home Media Magazine| date = 2013-06-06| url = http://www.homemediamagazine.com/vod/kaleidescape-movie-store-launches-uk-30620| access-date = 2014-05-30 }}</ref> The movie store is built to work only with Kaleidescape's playback systems.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Hunt|first=Bill|title=Kaleidescape: A Glimpse at the Future of 4K Home Entertainment|url=https://thedigitalbits.com/featured/articles/the-future-of-4k-entertainment/page-2|access-date=2020-12-15|website=thedigitalbits.com|language=en-gb}}</ref> Purchased and downloaded movies are downloaded completely to the Strato or Terra products, and played back on the Strato.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hometheaterreview.com/kaleidescape-strato-4k-movie-player-reviewed/|title=Kaleidescape Strato 4K Movie Player Reviewed|website=HomeTheaterReview.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-02}}</ref>
The Kaleidescape movie store launched in May 2013 in the US and June 2013 in the UK, becoming the first online store to allow users to download Blu-ray quality movies via an internet-based delivery platform.<ref name=Engadget>{{cite news
| last = Lawler
| first = Richard
| title = Kaleidescape's online video store officially opens, promises Blu-ray quality downloads.
| publisher = Engadget
| date = 2013-05-02
| url = https://www.engadget.com/2013/05/02/kaleidescape-store-launches-blu-ray-quality-downloads-ultraviolet/
| access-date = 2014-05-30 }}</ref><ref name="Home Media Magazine">{{cite news
| last = Gruenwedel
| first = Erik
| title = Kaleidescape Movie Store Launches in the U.K.
| publisher = Home Media Magazine
| date = 2013-06-06
| url = http://www.homemediamagazine.com/vod/kaleidescape-movie-store-launches-uk-30620
| access-date = 2014-05-30 }}</ref> The movie store is only built to work with Kaleidescape's playback systems. Kaleidescape starts with the Hollywood studio “mezzanine” files for each film.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web|last=Hunt|first=Bill|title=Kaleidescape: A Glimpse at the Future of 4K Home Entertainment|url=https://thedigitalbits.com/featured/articles/the-future-of-4k-entertainment/page-2|access-date=2020-12-15|website=thedigitalbits.com|language=en-gb}}</ref> The company then uses a proprietary process to create a digital version of the file, which is made available on the movie store.<ref name=":7" /> Rather than streaming from the cloud, purchased and downloaded movies are downloaded completely to the company's Strato S or Terra products, and played back on the Strato.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hometheaterreview.com/kaleidescape-strato-4k-movie-player-reviewed/|title=Kaleidescape Strato 4K Movie Player Reviewed|website=HomeTheaterReview.com|language=en|access-date=2019-08-02}}</ref> The only way to add content to a Kaleidescape system is to download movies from the store to the device’s hard drive.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://hometheaterreview.com/kaleidescape-strato-4k-movie-player-reviewed/|title=Kaleidescape Strato 4K Movie Player Reviewed|website=HomeTheaterReview.com|language=en|access-date=2020-01-03}}</ref><ref name=":5" /> The store allows users to upgrade movies from SD to HD to UHD.<ref name=":5" /> Kaleidescape supports download speeds of up to 100 Mbps, and it is possible to set a maximum download speed and a download schedule.<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":4" />


The movie store's initial title offerings included a multi-year license agreement with Warner Bros.<ref name="Gigaom">{{cite news | last = Roettgers| first = Janko| title = Watch your data caps: Kaleidescape starts offering Blu-ray quality movie downloads.| publisher = Gigaom| date = 2013-05-01| url = http://gigaom.com/2013/05/01/watch-your-data-caps-kaleidescape-starts-offering-blu-ray-quality-movie-downloads/| access-date = 2014-05-30 }}</ref> The movie store expanded its availability to Canada in September 2013.<ref name="AdvancedTelevision">{{cite news | title = Kaleidescape for Canada| publisher = Advanced Television| date = 2013-09-06| url = http://advanced-television.com/2013/09/26/kaleidescape-for-canada/| access-date = 2014-05-30 }}</ref> In October 2013, Kaleidescape announced a multi-year studio agreement with Lionsgate, resulting in the addition of approximately 2,000 titles to the store.<ref name="GeekDad">{{cite news | last = Dave| first = Banks| title = Upgrade Your Home Theater with the Kaleidescape Cinema One.| publisher = Geek Dad| date = 2013-03-04| url = http://geekdad.com/2014/03/kaleidescape-cinema-one-home-theater/| access-date = 2014-05-30 }}</ref> As of 2021, the company had license agreements with a number of studios,<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Hunt|first=Bill|title=Kaleidescape: A Glimpse at the Future of 4K Home Entertainment|url=https://thedigitalbits.com/featured/articles/the-future-of-4k-entertainment/page-2|access-date=2020-12-22|website=thedigitalbits.com|language=en-gb}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite web|date=2021-03-18|title=Kaleidescape Celebrates 20th Anniversary|url=https://www.residentialsystems.com/news/kaleidescape-celebrates-20th-anniversary|access-date=2021-03-24|website=Residential Systems|language=en-GB}}</ref> including all the major movie studios, and had licensed over 12,000 DVD, UHD, and Blu-ray-quality movies, and over 2,000 TV seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kaleidescape Strato System Review-Special Features|url=https://www.projectorreviews.com/kaleidescape/kaleidescape-strato-system-review-special-features/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Projector Reviews|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite web|date=2018-06-11|title=Kaleidescape Strato 4K Movie Player Reviewed|url=https://hometheaterreview.com/kaleidescape-strato-4k-movie-player-reviewed/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=HomeTheaterReview|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":10" />
The movie store's initial title offerings included a multi-year license agreement with Warner Bros.<ref name="Gigaom">{{cite news
| last = Roettgers
| first = Janko
| title = Watch your data caps: Kaleidescape starts offering Blu-ray quality movie downloads.
| publisher = Gigaom
| date = 2013-05-01
| url = http://gigaom.com/2013/05/01/watch-your-data-caps-kaleidescape-starts-offering-blu-ray-quality-movie-downloads/
| access-date = 2014-05-30 }}</ref> The movie store expanded its availability to Canada in September 2013.<ref name="AdvancedTelevision">{{cite news
| title = Kaleidescape for Canada
| publisher = Advanced Television
| date = 2013-09-06
| url = http://advanced-television.com/2013/09/26/kaleidescape-for-canada/
| access-date = 2014-05-30 }}</ref> In October 2013, Kaleidescape announced a multi-year studio agreement with Lionsgate, resulting in the addition of approximately 2,000 titles to the store.<ref name="GeekDad">{{cite news
| last = Dave
| first = Banks
| title = Upgrade Your Home Theater with the Kaleidescape Cinema One.
| publisher = Geek Dad
| date = 2013-03-04
| url = http://geekdad.com/2014/03/kaleidescape-cinema-one-home-theater/
| access-date = 2014-05-30 }}</ref>

As of 2020, the company had license agreements with 45 studios,<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Hunt|first=Bill|title=Kaleidescape: A Glimpse at the Future of 4K Home Entertainment|url=https://thedigitalbits.com/featured/articles/the-future-of-4k-entertainment/page-2|access-date=2020-12-22|website=thedigitalbits.com|language=en-gb}}</ref> including all the major movie studios, and had licensed over 11,000 DVD, UHD, and Blu-ray-quality movies, and over 2,000 TV seasons.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Kaleidescape Strato System Review-Special Features|url=https://www.projectorreviews.com/kaleidescape/kaleidescape-strato-system-review-special-features/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=Projector Reviews|language=en-US}}</ref><ref name=":8" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-06-11|title=Kaleidescape Strato 4K Movie Player Reviewed|url=https://hometheaterreview.com/kaleidescape-strato-4k-movie-player-reviewed/|access-date=2020-12-22|website=HomeTheaterReview|language=en-US}}</ref> This includes close to 400 4K/HDR titles that are only available for digital delivery and are not available on disc.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-09|title=Kaleidescape Strato S 4K Ultra HD Movie Player Review Page 2|url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/kaleidescape-strato-s-4k-ultra-hd-movie-player-review-page-2|access-date=2020-12-29|website=Sound & Vision|language=en}}</ref>

;Major Studio Support
* Warner Bros.
* Sony Pictures Home Entertainment
* NBCUniversal
* Lionsgate
* Twentieth Century Fox
* Walt Disney Studios
*MGM<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://restechtoday.com/metro-goldwyn-mayer-kaleidescape/|title=Metro Goldwyn Mayer's Films Now Available from Kaleidescape|date=2019-11-12|website=Residential Tech Today|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-14}}</ref>
*Paramount<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-09-09|title=Kaleidescape Strato S 4K Ultra HD Movie Player Review Page 2|url=https://www.soundandvision.com/content/kaleidescape-strato-s-4k-ultra-hd-movie-player-review-page-2|access-date=2020-12-29|website=Sound & Vision|language=en}}</ref>

;Minor Studio Support
* Cinedigm
* Kino Lorber
* Magnolia
* Moving Art
* The Orchard

==Legal issues==
In 2004, the DVD Copy Control Association, the licensor of CSS (content scramble system), the technology for the copy control of DVDs, [[DVD Copy Control Association, Inc. v. Kaleidescape, Inc.|sued Kaleidescape for breach of contract]]. The DVD CCA alleged that its CSS License did not permit Kaleidescape's movie servers to serve DVDs from copies on hard disk. They sued to stop the company from selling these movie servers. Kaleidescape Systems allow users to [[ripping|rip]], store, and [[streaming media|stream]] video from DVDs.<ref name=USATodayLawsuit>{{cite news
| last = Wong
| first = May
| title = Film industry group sues DVD jukebox maker
| publisher = USA Today
| date = 2004-12-08
| url = https://www.usatoday.com/tech/products/gear/entertainment/2004-12-08-multidvd-suit_x.htm?csp=34%3E
| access-date = 2008-06-24 }}</ref> The case, although only for breach of contract and not a copyright case, was considered by some to be an important recent test of [[fair use]] precedent,<ref name=ExtremeTechFairUse>{{cite news
| last = Hachman
| first = Mark
| title = Can You Legally Rip a DVD? Trial to Test 'Fair Use'
| publisher = The Industry Standard
| date = 2007-03-25
| url = http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,260961,00.html
| access-date = 2008-06-24 }}</ref> given advancements in technology and the digital media rights field.<ref name=InfoWeekDRM>{{cite news
| last = Merritt
| first = Rick
| title = Trial Could Test Digital Media Rights
| publisher = InformationWeek
| date = 2007-03-16
| url = http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=198001817
| access-date = 2008-06-24 }}</ref> In 2007, Kaleidescape won the case. In fact, the DVD CCA had alleged that Kaleidescape had breached terms in a document called the General Specifications. The court ruled that the General Specifications are not even part of the contract.<ref name=InfoWeekWin>{{cite news
| last = Merritt
| first = Rick
| title = Judge Rules Against DVD Consortium
| publisher = InformationWeek
| date = 2007-03-29
| url = http://www.informationweek.com/news/internet/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=198701302
| access-date = 2008-06-24 }}</ref>

On August 13, 2009, a California appellate court reversed the lower court's decision that the General Specifications is not part of the CSS License, and sent the case back to the lower court for further proceedings (see ''[[DVD Copy Control Association, Inc. v. Kaleidescape, Inc.]]''). This appellate court ruling did not address the issue of whether Kaleidescape violated the contract (contrary to some news reports), instead deferring that determination to the lower court.<ref name=CourtofAppeal>{{cite news
| last = Elia
| first = Franklin D.
| title = DVD Copy Control Association v. Kaleidescape, Inc., Case H031631, Decision
| publisher = Court of Appeal of the State of California, Sixth Appellate District
| date = 2009-10-17
| url = http://www.kaleidescape.com/files/legal/DVDCCA-vs-Kaleidescape-Court-of-Appeals-Opinion.pdf
| access-date = 2009-10-17 }}</ref><ref name=CRNlose>
{{cite news
| last = Kraemer
| first = Brian
| title = Court Rules Against Kaleidescape DVD Ripping Technology
| publisher = The Channel Wire
| date = 2009-08-13
| url = http://www.crn.com/retail/219300063;jsessionid=T3FIY0CFR32WPQE1GHOSKHWATMY32JVN
| archive-url = https://archive.today/20130120031851/http://www.crn.com/retail/219300063;jsessionid=T3FIY0CFR32WPQE1GHOSKHWATMY32JVN
| url-status = dead
| archive-date = 2013-01-20
| access-date = 2009-08-13
}}
</ref>
In March 2012, the Superior Court ruled that Kaleidescape had violated the terms of the contract, and issued an injunction prohibiting it from selling or supporting the products in question.<ref name=Injunction>{{citation
| last = Monahan
| first = William J.
| title = DVD Copy Control Association v. Kaleidescape, Inc., Case No. 1-04-CV-031829, Permanent Injunction Order
| publisher = Superior Court of the State of California, Santa Clara County
| date = 2012-03-08
| url = http://www.kaleidescape.com/files/legal/DVDCCA-vs-Kaleidescape-Injunction-Order-20120308.pdf
| access-date = 2012-03-13 }}</ref>

The California 6th District Court of Appeal granted Kaleidescape a temporary stay of the injunction on March 29, 2012. This temporary stay stops the injunction from coming into effect, while the Court of Appeal decides whether or not to stay the injunction during the entire appeal process.

In June 2014, Kaleidescape and DVD CCA reached a settlement agreement. As of 2019, the company had license agreements with 29 studios to allow the purchase and download of content from its movie store.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cepro.com/audio-video/interview_kaleidescape_ceo_single_room_solutions_hdr10/|title=Interview: Kaleidescape CEO Discusses Single Room Solutions, HDR10|date=2019-05-01|website=CEPRO|language=en|access-date=2019-10-09}}</ref>


==References==
==References==
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[[Category:Companies based in Sunnyvale, California]]
[[Category:Companies established in 2001]]
[[Category:Companies established in 2001]]
[[Category:Electronics companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Computer companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Technology companies based in California]]
[[Category:Technology companies based in the San Francisco Bay Area]]
[[Category:Software companies based in California]]
[[Category:Software companies based in California]]
[[Category:Software companies of the United States]]
[[Category:Video rental services]]
[[Category:Video rental services]]
[[Category:Online content distribution]]
[[Category:Online content distribution]]
[[Category:Online retailers]]
[[Category:Online retailers]]
[[Category:Online retailers of the United States]]
[[Category:Online retailers of the United States]]
[[Category:Computer hardware companies]]

Latest revision as of 00:28, 24 December 2024

Kaleidescape, Inc.
Company typePrivate
FoundedMountain View, California
(February, 2001)
HeadquartersMountain View, California
and Waterloo, Ontario
Key people
Tayloe Stansbury, CEO[1]
Websitekaleidescape.com

Kaleidescape, Inc. is an American multimedia company based in Mountain View, California. Founded in 2001, it designs multi-room home entertainment server systems that store and play back video and audio content (such as movies, television shows, and music) to movie players that can be connected to televisions or projectors.

History

[edit]

2001-2014; Founding and early history

[edit]

Kaleidescape was founded in 2001 by Michael Malcolm, Dan Collens, and Cheena Srinivasan. Malcolm had previously founded Network Appliance and CacheFlow.[2] Malcolm self-funded the startup and the company spent over two years developing its technology in "stealth mode".

Kaleidescape originally focused on building home theater movie servers that could store digital copies of customers’ DVD and Blu-ray collections.[3] Its first movie server was introduced in 2003 and allowed customers to import DVD content onto a series of hard drives, utilize the company's movie guide database to identify and sort films, and then present the customer's movie collection in an onscreen user interface.[4]

In 2004, the DVD Copy Control Association, the licensor of CSS (content scramble system), the technology for the copy control of DVDs, sued Kaleidescape for breach of contract. The DVD CCA alleged that its CSS License did not permit Kaleidescape's movie servers to serve DVDs from copies on hard disk.[5] In June 2014, Kaleidescape and DVD CCA reached a settlement agreement and as of 2019, the company had license agreements with 29 studios to allow the purchase and download of content from its movie store.[6] The case, although only for breach of contract and not a copyright case, was considered by some to be an important recent test of fair use precedent,[7] given advancements in technology and the digital media rights field.[8]

2010-2014; Addition of Blu-ray

[edit]

In 2010, Kaleidescape released its M300 and M500 Blu-ray players as part of its Premiere line for home cinemas.[9] The M500 had Blu-ray copying abilities to allow customers to import Blu-rays, DVDs, and CDs onto home servers.[10] To address the copyright concerns of movie studios, Kaleidescape required the Blu-ray disc to be present when the content was played from the server.[11][12] Later that year, Kaleidescape launched the industry's first Blu-ray server with its release of its new 100-disc Blu-ray vault.[13] The vault, when paired with the M300 or M500 players, could rip, store, and stream copies of Blu-ray movies throughout a home.[13]

Through Kaleidescape's online movie store, which launched in beta in 2012 and officially opened in May 2013,[14] users are able to add high-definition and standard definition movies to their collections instantly.[15] Cinema One allows the storage and playback of up to 100 Blu-ray quality, 600 DVD quality or 6,000 CD quality titles.[16]

2015-present

[edit]

In 2015, Kaleidescape released the Strato movie player and the Terra movie server.[17] The Strato is a movie-playback device which holds Ultra 4K HDR movies as well as DVD quality movies depending on the model.[18][19][20] The Terra provides computing and caching services to enhance the performance of the Strato, and provides extra storage space for movies purchased from the store.[21] Content for the Strato can be added by downloading movies from the Kaleidescape movie store.[22]

In November 2020, Tayloe Stansbury was appointed Kaleidescape's new CEO.[23][24][25][26] Norma Garcia-Muro also joined the company as vice president of marketing.[27]

Kaleidescape expanded into theaters in 2024 by sellings its hardware to cinema owners. Cinemas use the technology to access older movie titles, with payments for viewing the titles being paid directly to the studios by the theater.[28]

Products

[edit]

Strato movie player

[edit]

Kaleidescape released the Strato movie player in 2015.[17] The Strato is a movie-playback device which holds Ultra 4K HDR movies as well as DVD quality movies depending on the model.[18] In 2017 it released the Strato C,[3] a disc-less movie player with no internal storage.[29][30] It supports 4K at 60 frames per second as well as surround formats including lossless DTS:X and Dolby Atmos.[29]

Terra

[edit]

Terra movie servers are used for additional storage space and faster download speeds than Strato.[31] It can supply content to multiple Strato players,[19][32][33] allowing those players to access their own library or that of the Terra.[19]

The Terra also provides computing and caching services to enhance the performance of the Strato players.[34][35]

Kaleidescape movie store

[edit]

The Kaleidescape movie store launched in May 2013 in the US and June 2013 in the UK, becoming the first online store to allow users to download Blu-ray quality movies via an internet-based delivery platform.[36][37] The movie store is built to work only with Kaleidescape's playback systems.[38] Purchased and downloaded movies are downloaded completely to the Strato or Terra products, and played back on the Strato.[39]

The movie store's initial title offerings included a multi-year license agreement with Warner Bros.[40] The movie store expanded its availability to Canada in September 2013.[41] In October 2013, Kaleidescape announced a multi-year studio agreement with Lionsgate, resulting in the addition of approximately 2,000 titles to the store.[42] As of 2021, the company had license agreements with a number of studios,[43][44] including all the major movie studios, and had licensed over 12,000 DVD, UHD, and Blu-ray-quality movies, and over 2,000 TV seasons.[45][43][46][44]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Prange, Stephanie (17 November 2020). "Kaleidescape Appoints New CEO". Retrieved 29 January 2021.
  2. ^ Healey, Jon (2005-04-18). "Lawsuit may cause DVD jukebox to tilt". Seattle Times. Archived from the original on 2005-04-28. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
  3. ^ a b "Strato Movie Player". Robb Report. 22 September 2017.
  4. ^ "Kaleidescape Strato 4K Ultra HD Movie Player Review". SoundandVision. 23 August 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2020.
  5. ^ Wong, May (2004-12-08). "Film industry group sues DVD jukebox maker". USA Today. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
  6. ^ "Interview: Kaleidescape CEO Discusses Single Room Solutions, HDR10". CEPRO. 2019-05-01. Retrieved 2019-10-09.
  7. ^ Hachman, Mark (2007-03-25). "Can You Legally Rip a DVD? Trial to Test 'Fair Use'". The Industry Standard. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
  8. ^ Merritt, Rick (2007-03-16). "Trial Could Test Digital Media Rights". InformationWeek. Retrieved 2008-06-24.
  9. ^ "Kaleidescape outs M300 and M500 Blu-ray players, copiers". Engadget. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 2019-07-25.
  10. ^ VanHemert, Kyle (11 May 2010). "Kaleidescape M500 Movie Player Rips Blu-Ray Discs". Gizmodo. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  11. ^ "Kaleidescape outs M300 and M500 Blu-ray players, copiers". Engadget. 11 May 2010. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  12. ^ Willington, Ray (2010-05-11). "Kaleidescape (Sort Of) Supports Blu-ray On New M300 And M500 Players". HotHardware. Retrieved 2019-08-08.
  13. ^ a b "Kaleidescape launches 100-disc Blu-ray movie server". Engadget. 13 December 2010. Retrieved 2019-08-15.
  14. ^ Lawler, Richard (2 May 2013). "Kaleidescape's online video store officially opens, promises Blu-ray quality downloads". Engadget.
  15. ^ Snider, Mike (2013-07-13). "New Movie Server Lets You Watch Films Instantaneously". USA Today. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  16. ^ Dension, Caleb (2013-07-13). "Kaleiedescape Brings Its Exotic Media Servers to Wider Audience with $4,000 Cinema One". Digital Trends. Retrieved 2013-12-05.
  17. ^ a b Jacobson, Julie. "Kaleidescape Tackles Complete 4K Ecosystem with Strato Player and UHD Content". www.cepro.com. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  18. ^ a b Meek, Andy (2018-10-24). "Kaleidescape Strato S is the world's best media player". BGR. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  19. ^ a b c Eberle, Chris (2018-02-05). "Kaleidescape Strato Ultra HD Movie Player Review". HomeTheaterHifi.com. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  20. ^ "Kaleidescape Strato Movie Player Review | Audio Advice | Audio Advice". www.audioadvice.com. Retrieved 2019-09-06.
  21. ^ "Strato Does 4K". CEPRO.
  22. ^ "Kaleidescape Strato 4K Movie Player Reviewed". HomeTheaterReview.com. Retrieved 2019-09-11.
  23. ^ Sait, Daniel (17 November 2020). "KALEIDESCAPE APPOINTS NEW CEO AND VP OF MARKETING". Essential Install.
  24. ^ "Talking with Kaleidescape's New CEO and VP of Marketing". Residential Systems. 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  25. ^ "Kaleidescape Names Software Exec as New CEO". CEPRO. 2020-11-17. Retrieved 2020-12-04.
  26. ^ "Kaleidescape Appoints New CEO – Media Play News". 17 November 2020. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  27. ^ Sait, Daniel J. (2020-11-17). "Kaleidescape Appoints New CEO and VP of Marketing". Essential Install. Retrieved 2020-12-10.
  28. ^ Giardina, Carolyn. "Luxury Tech Brand Kaleidescape Expands Into Cinema Business With Service to Bring Library Titles to Theaters (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 2024-04-08.
  29. ^ a b "Kaleidescape Strato System Review – Projector Reviews". Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  30. ^ "The Kaleidescape Luxury Home Cinema Plays 11,000-Plus Movies in 4K Ultra HD". Maxim. 10 December 2019. Retrieved 2021-01-20.
  31. ^ "Review: Kaleidescape Strato The Best 4K Player We've Tested". HD Guru. 2017-07-26. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
  32. ^ "Kaleidescape Terra movie server". Audio Concept. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
  33. ^ "Kaleidescape: Digital Download Convenience Meets 4K Disc Quality | High-Def Digest". www.highdefdigest.com. Retrieved 2019-11-06.
  34. ^ "Kaleidescape - Revolutionize the Way You Watch Your Movies". Starpower | Only the Best. 2016-06-21. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  35. ^ "CEDIA Expo: Kaleidescape Unveils Strato 4K HDR Movie Player, New Alto Players, Terra Server". TWICE. 2015-10-15. Retrieved 2019-11-26.
  36. ^ Lawler, Richard (2013-05-02). "Kaleidescape's online video store officially opens, promises Blu-ray quality downloads". Engadget. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  37. ^ Gruenwedel, Erik (2013-06-06). "Kaleidescape Movie Store Launches in the U.K." Home Media Magazine. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  38. ^ Hunt, Bill. "Kaleidescape: A Glimpse at the Future of 4K Home Entertainment". thedigitalbits.com. Retrieved 2020-12-15.
  39. ^ "Kaleidescape Strato 4K Movie Player Reviewed". HomeTheaterReview.com. Retrieved 2019-08-02.
  40. ^ Roettgers, Janko (2013-05-01). "Watch your data caps: Kaleidescape starts offering Blu-ray quality movie downloads". Gigaom. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  41. ^ "Kaleidescape for Canada". Advanced Television. 2013-09-06. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  42. ^ Dave, Banks (2013-03-04). "Upgrade Your Home Theater with the Kaleidescape Cinema One". Geek Dad. Retrieved 2014-05-30.
  43. ^ a b Hunt, Bill. "Kaleidescape: A Glimpse at the Future of 4K Home Entertainment". thedigitalbits.com. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  44. ^ a b "Kaleidescape Celebrates 20th Anniversary". Residential Systems. 2021-03-18. Retrieved 2021-03-24.
  45. ^ "Kaleidescape Strato System Review-Special Features". Projector Reviews. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
  46. ^ "Kaleidescape Strato 4K Movie Player Reviewed". HomeTheaterReview. 2018-06-11. Retrieved 2020-12-22.
[edit]
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