Kaleidescape goes "entry-level" with new $10k 1U server

Not a lot of companies have the brass to call a $10,000 media server their "entry-level" product, but the Kaleidescape peeps practically pity the weak-sauce consumers who can't pony up the $30k for their flagship server. According to COO Cheena Srinivasan, their new 1U server is "catering to the several hundreds of prospective customers that have witnessed a Kaleidescape demo, and the $30,000 configuration was a little too steep." Can't you just hear the derision drip? For the piddling sum of $10,000 you can now get the rack-mountable server with dual 250GB HDDs, which connects to your TV for flashy media browsing. Oddly, you have to choose between movie or music server functionality, or "upgrade" to both for $2,735. Another configuration is available for $17k that includes three 750GB discs and plays back both formats. The introduction of 750GB drives also means that if you make the right choice and spring for the full-fledged server, you can manage 8.25TB of storage. If that's not worth selling a kidney, we don't know what is.

[Reg @ Sep 11th 2006 11:46PM]

For $30K, or maybe even $10K, per year they could just hire somebody to shuttle DVDs from one room to the next, and maybe even carry the actual DVD player itself!

Seriously, just convert to MPEG4 save it on your HTPC and save yourself some cash.

[voidref @ Sep 11th 2006 11:59PM]

In related news, MythTV has released a new version of thier software for free...

[Dave @ Sep 12th 2006 1:16AM]

I think I'll just stick to my $150 modded Xbox. I can stream entire DVDs, listen to MP3s, surf the net, play MAME games... Poor me.

[The Future @ Sep 12th 2006 1:57AM]

Wow, this is one of those companies that believes that pricing yourself absurdly high will convince extremely rich customers to buy the product based on the belief that, "you pay for what you get." But in all honesty, there is nothing here my xbox can't do and better in some areas. I can guarantee the XBMC UI is a heck of a lot better looking.

I wouldn't be surprised if these are clearanced in a few years for $500 bucks when the company goes belly up.

[Rick @ Sep 12th 2006 7:15AM]

$99 used XBOX, $859 1 TB Infrant NAS Server, $30 in ethernet cables, $0 Bittorrent, $0 xbox softmod, $0 xbox media center software... total $988... upscaling state of the art media server with 1TB of video/music/picture storage... PRICELESS

[David @ Sep 12th 2006 9:32AM]

Hacking an XBOX to play a video you torrennted is not what the Kaleidescape products are about.

They are for the people that spend the time and money to build a proper home theater, with a good TV and good sound. Someone who spends $5000 on a speakers is not going to download some crappy MPEG4 in stereo and watch it. They want the quality that DVDs bring them but they want a simpler more elegant way to interact with their usually huge DVD collection.

Kaleidescape has said it multiple time that a large part of the cost of their products is due to the outrages licensing fees they have to pay to allow the DVD to be ripped in full quality.

[Jeff @ Sep 12th 2006 12:13PM]

Yes, the system is expensive but no, the system isn't an XBOX streaming clone at a hugely unflated price. Let's get something straight. A person who isn't technically inclined isn't going to use any solution that is even remotely complicated. Anything that requires something other than take it out of the box and hook it up is going to be more complicated than quite a few people can handle. Many customers, especially older ones, can not put together a streaming solution themselves and wouldn't feel comfortable using any XBox or other similar solution. You make think that is stupid, but its 100% correct.

As such, a market for dedicated solutions that may cost more but are easier to setup and operate exists. We see this in all kinds of consumer electronics soaces where a more expensive dedicated device does what most computers can do. The problem is that the latter is usually more complicated than many can or are willing to deal with. Kaleidescape fills the void in the DVD server space and does it very well.

It's the only system that includes an end to end ripping solution that doesn't legally violate the DMCA (everyone else either doesn't include a ripper, you have to BYO, or is in violation of the DMCA). The interface is slick and yes, I've seen tons of alternatives out there including MCE, Vista MCE, various Xbox streamers, etc. It's as easy to use as Tivo is and that's hugely important for the target audience. The system includes server grade components that any IT person can tell you are more expensive than home based systems for a variety of reasons. One of those is the overnight return service for replacement parts - something that businesses pay a premium for on server equipment. Perhaps most importantly, the thing just works. It's bulletproof and is way more reliable than any other computer based system I have encountered. They are also backed up by top notch CS staff who actually know the product intimately and don't just read off of a prepared script. You should expect that for the price but as a company they actually deliver it - something that isn't always true for expensive products.

At the price it certainly isn't for everyone but it is in no way a "complete ripoff" as some people are so easy to argue.

Jeff

[recrudesce @ Sep 12th 2006 12:52PM]

XP Media Center Edition.

nuff said.