Upscaled DVDs are also deftly handled, but those with the highest-quality displays or top-notch scalers might want to experiment with the native (480i/576i) options that the Kaleidescape's web-driven configurator gives you for standard-definition content. They're accompanied by faithfully excavated soundtracks naturally, HD audio is supported via HDMI. An expansive depth, razor-sharp detail, complete freedom from streaming 'glitches' and unquestionable colour fidelity characterise what you'll see on a display of appropriate pedigree. That means sheer visual involvement, especially from BD discs. Performance is of the same standard as a high-end Blu-ray player. And although Kaleidescape will jump to a feature film – thereby skipping trailers and so on, you can still access the disc menu and explore special features. The system will even shuffle covers, so that titles similar to what you've just played are more visible. An alternative is the category list (one is dedicated to Blu-ray). Shown onscreen is a carousel of covers, which you can whizz around via the backlit handset.
Kplayer m300 movie#
A pity, considering that CDs are held on the servers in this raw form.īut the main reason for taking the Kaleidescape route is the sheer ease with which it will allow you to enjoy your movie and music collections.
Three quality levels are available, but none of them is an uncompressed (PCM) option.
Kplayer m300 series#
Not got an iPod? The albums are placed on your computer's hard disk in a series of folders. A program stored on the server, known as 'Conductor', will export your Kaleidescape music collection into iTunes so that it can be experienced on an iPod. On the subject of music, I discovered a useful feature when configuring the system for 1080p24 via its web interface. For some concert Blu-rays, the tracklists even include material that was included in one of the special features rather than the movie itself. In addition to cover art, this includes information about the movie or CD. Your system must have a valid internet connection, otherwise the unique Kaleidescape metadata cannot be obtained. DVDs are, however, much quicker and you can watch previously imported media while the task proceeds. With my demo system plumbed in, importing a recent Blu-ray ( Toy Story 3) took just under an hour. The forthcoming Integrated Disc Vault will import DVDs and CDs too. Having said that, the current vault can also be used to import Blu-rays en masse. Under normal circumstances, after all, little data traffic is involved. Fair enough, but this does mean that you're wasting a player! As far as I'm concerned, it's a pity that Kaleidescape didn't consider a rack-mounted vault that interfaces with the rest of the system via Ethernet. Kaleidescape suggests installing one Integrated Disc Vault in the equipment room alongside the servers. That may cause problems for those upgrading older systems based around the KPLAYER-6000, especially if custom cabinets are involved. This 'Integrated Disc Vault' will be a whopping 5U high. Work is also underway on a combined M300-class player and 320-disc carousel, which could be on sale later this year. Kaleidescape acknowledges this, explaining that the vault was essentially a bought-in solution intended to speed up the readying of its systems for Blu-ray. It needs to be tucked away out of sight, for it is almost guaranteed to clash with the plush furnishings of the room in which this sort of system will be installed. Stylewise, the vault couldn't be more at odds with the sleek-looking Kaleidescape player if it tried.
Unfortunately, the vault is rather ugly sporting a black trunk with a blue LED display. And it's perhaps just as well that it's so quiet.Īs the vault is connected to one of the players – rather than the server – it will, by definition, be located in one of the rooms where movies and CDs are required. Mercifully, there's no clunking from the vault when a Blu-ray is selected for playback indeed, the only time there's any vault activity is when the disc is loaded (or being imported). You cannot play a previously imported Blu-ray if the physical disc is not present – its entry in the various movie lists is greyed out. Any Blu-ray disc that has been imported onto the server has to subsequently be loaded into this vault, which is connected to one of the players via a USB.
0 kommentar(er)
