| DVD Media servers are increasing in popularity as | | | | that used in the Ashes or a test match. |
| they provide a really good way to manage and view | | | | Kaleidescape is in a league of its own and yes once |
| your collections without the clutter and damage that | | | | upon a time with the price tag to match. Now with the |
| occurs from continual use of discs. | | | | release of the mini system we can deliver systems for |
| The problem is that due to their popularity, we now | | | | less than $ 15,000, considerably less than the $ 30,000 |
| have so many to choose from. Escient Fireball, Axonix | | | | entry level price tag we once faced. |
| Media Max, Imerge, AMX Max & Kaleidescape to | | | | It is the 'Kaleidescape experience' that provides |
| name the major players but only one stands out from | | | | management & storage of over 1800 DVD's and |
| the crowd. | | | | 19,800 CD's on a single server. It has the ability to |
| Almost all DVD servers or Digital media servers have | | | | cascade servers in minutes creating a virtually infinite |
| an operating system because essentially they are a | | | | collection (Not quite possible because Kaleidescape |
| computer with a large amount of storage space. The | | | | won't let you import the same disc twice.) and |
| majority of manufacturers resort to using Microsoft or | | | | simultaneous content streaming to 45 players from the |
| Linux as an OS. Out of the two, Linux has been | | | | same server. |
| proven to be more stable in this environment but the | | | | It has a User interface that other manufacturers |
| limitations of using an OS from another provider is that | | | | attempt to copy and it exists on a future proofed and |
| you are at the mercy of the OS. | | | | backwards compatible platform unlike some |
| Kaleidescape is one of the only manufacturers who | | | | manufacturers who have discontinued their platforms |
| have its own operating system called KEAOS which | | | | in the past, leaving the customer with an obsolete and |
| stands for 'Kaleidescape Entertainment Appliance | | | | non-upgradeable piece of equipment. |
| Operating System'. What this equates to is a product | | | | In fact, the very first Kaleidescape system produced |
| that compares to the reliability of a mission critical, | | | | more than 6 years ago is still in service and runs on |
| enterprise grade server. | | | | the same KEAOS as new systems purchased today. |
| They like to call it "The Kaleidescape Experience" and | | | | If there is any negative side to Kaleidescape it would |
| that is exactly what it is, an experience! | | | | only be that it does not support the ability to copy |
| We can talk about all the Digital Media Servers, DVD | | | | photos to the server for slide shows or let you dump |
| Media Servers or Jukebox players and the different | | | | your dodgy MP3 music collection to it. |
| manufacturers like Escient, Axonix, Imerge & | | | | But Kaleidescape is not really a digital media server, it's |
| AMX but it would be no different to talking about | | | | an 'Entertainment System' used for watching your |
| backyard cricket versus the Ashes. | | | | purchased DVD's or listening to your vast CD |
| There is no comparison other than the importing of | | | | collection in its original & intended format. |
| content to allow it to be played back. Much the same | | | | Untouched, just how the producers and composers |
| as backyard cricket uses a bat and a ball similar to | | | | wanted you to see and hear it. |