Kaleidescape claims new 1080p upscaling DVD players "rival Blu-ray"

And you thought Toshiba's super-resolution DVD player taking on Blu-ray was comical. Kaleidescape -- the company famous for selling grossly overpriced (albeit fanciful) DVD / BD archiving systems for wealthy home theater junkies -- has just announced two new standalone DVD players that "provide a viewing experience that rivals Blu-ray." The argument goes something like this: there are 170,000 titles on DVD, and "just 6,000" (wait, for real?) on BD -- why support the next-gen format when these two upscaling DVD players display content that is utterly indiscernible from Blu-ray. For starters, the outfit is launching the 1080p Player (pictured), which earns the "ultimate DVD player" label by featuring a Sigma Designs Gennum VXP chip, 10-bit processing and full support for Dolby Digital, DTS, MPEG and PCM audio formats. The 1080p Mini Player offers the same, but in a tinier package meant for inconspicuous installations. Granted, both units do have exclusive access to Kaleidescape's Movie Guide database, but that hardly justifies the $4,295 / $2,995 price tags (in addition to the required $10,000 Kaleidescape System). Full release after the jump.

Gallery: Kaleidescape claims new 1080p upscaling DVD players "rival Blu-ray"

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New Kaleidescape Movie Players Produce Stunning Video Quality from Ordinary DVDs, Provide Viewing Experience That Rivals Blu-ray

1080p Player and 1080p Mini Player Expand Kaleidescape's Reach in Home Entertainment

SUNNYVALE, CA, June 18, 2008 - Kaleidescape, Inc., the market leader in entertainment servers, today introduced the 1080p Player and 1080p Mini Player – two Movie Players that produce stunning video quality from ordinary DVDs, providing a viewing experience that rivals Blu-ray. The new family of Players makes it possible to enjoy the Kaleidescape Experience even with DVDs and CDs that have not been imported into a Kaleidescape System, and a new form factor makes it possible to place a 1080p Mini Player anywhere in the home.

The 1080p Player is designed as a 1U rack mount device, and includes a DVD/CD-ROM drive for import and direct playback of DVDs and CDs. The 1080p Mini Player offers the video and audio performance of the 1080p Player, in a smaller package with a lower price. It is ideal for inconspicuous installation in viewing rooms where owners desire that A/V equipment be hidden.

"These new Players have achieved our goal of producing beautiful high definition video from the DVDs that we've all been collecting for years," said Michael Malcolm, Kaleidescape founder, chairman and CEO. "The new 1080p Players leverage Kaleidescape's extensive Movie Guide database to make the viewing experience even more entertaining. Our patent-pending video bookmarking changes the way rental movies are enjoyed – no more annoying trailers, advertisements and DVD menus. And the compact 1080p Mini Player saves valuable space so customers can enjoy their movies and music in more locations throughout the home."

"The new Kaleidescape Movie Player produces the best quality video I have ever seen from any source device," said David Raife, owner of Paragon Technology Group with offices in Aspen, Vail and Steamboat Springs, Colorado. "It makes DVDs look absolutely beautiful."

Features and Benefits of the New 1080p Players

1080p Video Output – The 1080p Movie Player upscales ordinary DVD content to beautiful high definition video, matching the highest resolution of today's display devices without the added cost and complexity of an external scaler. Crystal clear video and amazingly accurate colors provide a viewing experience rivaling that of Blu-ray.

Content-Aware Video Processing – The 1080p Movie Player adapts its video processing to the type of content being viewed to achieve results that are impossible for an external scaler. For example, the onscreen display (OSD) with its sharp edges and high contrast is processed differently than movies, which contain motion and natural colors. Information in Kaleidescape's extensive Movie Guide database is also used to tailor the viewing experience, for example, to automatically detect and expand movies to fill a 16:9 display without any user intervention.

Advanced DVD and CD Playback Features – The Kaleidescape Experience is now available for DVDs and CDs that have not been imported. The user may insert a disc into a 1080p Player and enjoy detailed information about the movie or album, including cover art, movie synopsis, album review, and track names. Selecting "Play Movie" on the OSD starts the movie instantly, without trailers or advertisements – even for rental movies! These features combine to make the 1080p Player the ultimate DVD/CD player.

Full Import Control – The 1080p Player prevents accidental imports of DVDs and CDs for less worrisome enjoyment of borrowed or rented movies. The import process is only initiated with a press of the Import button on the front panel, or by selecting "Import DVD" or "Import CD" on the OSD.

Small Size and Near-Silent Operation – The 1080p Mini Player's small size and near-silent operation make it an ideal free-standing device sitting on a shelf in the viewing room, hidden behind a plasma display, concealed in a cabinet, or mounted recessed in a wall or behind a piece of furniture. Installed in the viewing room and connected to a Kaleidescape Server via Ethernet, the 1080p Mini Player allows for 1080p video quality in more locations throughout the home.

Myriad Installation Options – The 1080p Mini Player includes a mounting bracket, making it quick to attach to any surface. Its mounting options allow for inconspicuous installation in a viewing room where the ability to import or play directly from DVDs and CDs is unnecessary. An optional rack-mount kit secures two 1080p Mini Players in a 1U shelf, doubling the rack density of the 1080p Player.

Availability
The 1080p Player is available now, and the 1080p Mini Player will be available in the second half of July, 2008. For more information, contact Kaleidescape at [phone] or [phone], email [e-mail], or visit www.kaleidescape.com.

About Kaleidescape
The Kaleidescape System redefines home entertainment by transforming the way movies and music are collected, managed and enjoyed throughout the home or yacht. The Kaleidescape System combines a compelling interface, outstanding industrial design, and services that set new standards in the consumer electronics industry. Kaleidescape, Inc. was founded in 2001 and is privately held. The company is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California with research and development conducted by Kaleidescape Canada, Inc., based in Waterloo, Ontario. Kaleidescape products are available through a worldwide network of custom-installation dealers and distributors. For more information, contact Kaleidescape at [phone] or [phone], email us at [e-mail], or visit www.kaleidescape.com.

[Pochi @ Jun 18th 2008 9:06AM]

They look like they were designed the guys in charge of the Toys R Us logo.

$5,000 well spent.

[muhammed sahil khan @ Jun 18th 2008 10:42AM]

I like this site .

[Low Ranked @ Jun 18th 2008 12:11PM]

Thank you Muhammed, I made it myself.

[silverblackvoid @ Jun 18th 2008 12:41PM]

i bet Sir Howard Stringer is laughing his ass off!

[AJ in the East Bay @ Jun 18th 2008 9:08AM]

I don't have a BD player but have seen what they can do.

How is it possible that upscaling can get anywhere close than actual HD content on a disc?

[Joseph @ Jun 18th 2008 9:16AM]

They use the same technology that crime shows on TV use to get detail out of pictures that doesn't exist. Joking aside, it seems they are doing "smart" upscaling which pays attention to what it's scaling to get the best picture it can, but it will never ever look as good as a well done Blu-ray movie.

[JerkfacedFed @ Jun 18th 2008 9:49AM]

exactly.

to kalidescope: or you can just use any vista pc and you get media center built in, which is better than that stupid ui

[Interpol @ Jun 18th 2008 12:57PM]

What, you've never seen Blade Runner? Deckard had a machine that lets you peek around corners in photographs!

Soon we'll be able to invite our replicant buddies over for some beer and near-HD movie goodness, all for only $5000. That's what, only $4600 more than a decent Blu-Ray player that gives you a true 1080p picture?

[Joseph @ Jun 18th 2008 9:08AM]

It does "rival Blu-ray" in its cost because you could get all the current "good" Blu-ray titles for the same cost as just the player and equipment.

[Angel @ Jun 18th 2008 9:10AM]

never ever would i think this, but

its actually cheaper to go with blu-ray in this case

[Xepol @ Jun 18th 2008 4:38PM]

Cheaper to go blueray **AND** replace your library.

Makes you wonder what they are thinking trying to sell it (and worse, what people are thinking when they buy it!)

[BratPAQ @ Jun 18th 2008 9:15AM]

i think its like the difference between optical and digital zoom.

[w00t @ Jun 18th 2008 9:36AM]

It's more like the difference between nearest neighbour and bicubic filtering.
Filtering being the key word here though :)

[Max @ Jun 18th 2008 9:17AM]

I have an Oppo Digital upscaling DVD player that I picked up for less than half what a blu ray player would cost. It makes my library of over 2000 DVDs look fantastic. Fuck upgrading to blu-ray. I did that from VHS to DVD and I'm not about to do that again. The next upgrade will be digital downloads and mass storage devices and blu-ray will be forgotten along with beta and mini disc and umd.

[kagai @ Jun 18th 2008 10:04AM]

Yeah, upgrading from VHS to DVD...what a mistake that was! I miss the whirring sound of my rewinding movie classic!

[BluesK1d @ Jun 18th 2008 10:15AM]

Easy there, tiger. Theres no reason to upgrade your library to BD considering, unlike VHS to DVD, the player is backwards compatible.

[SHoe @ Jun 18th 2008 7:29PM]

@Max
As BluesK1d pointed out, BD players are backwards compatible. So if you have shelled out enough cash that you actually have an insane 2000 DVDs in your 'library', why wouldn't you just spend the extra few bucks and buy a BD player that does DVD upscaling as well? Best of all worlds. No need to replace your 2000 DVD - unless you are some sort of neurotic completest freak that has to 'go all the way'.

[Powergook @ Jun 18th 2008 1:00PM]

Low ranked due to buyer's remorse. While Blu-ray does look better, it certainly doesn't look 30 dollars per disc + 500 dollar player worth of better. And like it or not, before long, your Blu-ray collection will be obsoleted by digital distribution. Embrace it.

[Interpol @ Jun 18th 2008 1:07PM]

Oh yeah, digital downloads. That'll be commonplace in what, 5 or 10 years from now? Have fun waiting 10+ hours downloading that 25GB+ 1080p movie. Make sure you warn your ISP/cable/DSL company about all the bandwidth you'll be sucking up as well.

Wait, you want to go to a friend's house and watch the movie you've just downloaded? No problem, just carry your entire PVR to your friend's house. Wanna put the movie on in the car to keep the kids occupied? Oh wait, you're kinda stuck!

Sorry, but rumors of the death of physical media are rather exaggerated. We've got a long, long way to go before digital downloading becomes practical or commonplace. But keep on drinking that Kool-Aid, maybe it'll come true in a few years.

[thatrotierkid @ Jun 18th 2008 2:57PM]

@Interpol

25GB 1080p movies? I would try a different encoder if i were you. when digital downloads become popular the supplies will start using stronger encoding to keep down the transfer size, even if its just to get it to your PVR.

[Interpol @ Jun 18th 2008 10:17PM]

1. There is a theoretical limit to how much you can compress data.

2. Please provide some proof that there is "stronger encoding" in the works that will provide a high-quality 1080p/24 picture that will take up significantly less space that what we have today.

3. There's a trade off between adequate bitrates that give decent picture quality and high compression rates. If you're going to compress more, it's going to be more and more lossy data. And that means poor video quality.

4. 25GB for a standard 1080p isn't an outlandish number. In fact, some HD movies out on the market today come on 50GB dual-layer Blu-Ray discs.

In other words - you're talking BS.

[Leroy Vargas @ Jun 18th 2008 11:20PM]

You forgot that Blu-ray players can also play DVDs and CDs. With a Blu-ray player, you don't need to replace your DVD library, because your BD will play it hassle-free.

[bob @ Jun 18th 2008 9:18AM]

i noticed there was no screen shots for us to compare. If i had made a product capable of doing this id put them everywhere and send them to everyone, what does that tell ya.

[Hooterman @ Jun 18th 2008 11:33AM]

It tells me that you didn't make this

[quag @ Jun 18th 2008 9:20AM]

Wow... I was all set to buy one of these instead of a Blu-Ray player until I read this part:

"the $4,295 / $2,995 price tags (in addition to the required $10,000 Kaleidescape System)"

I'll just wait a year and pick one up for $99 during the fire sale that the bankruptcy liquidators hold when Kaleidescape, Inc. goes belly up.

Hey Kaleidescape:

Nice try... thank you for playing. Please go to the end of the line

[Aedile @ Jun 18th 2008 10:52AM]

Not gonna happen. Kaleidescape is a niche provider in a *VERY* lucrative market. High-end home theater installations is completely separate from consumer-level stuff. Kaleidescape is doing quite well for themselves.
-aedile-

[anthony @ Jun 18th 2008 12:40PM]

I work in the home audio video field and install KScape systems in almost every home. So personally, I'm putting in about 10-12 a year maybe another 10-15 are being installed by the rest of my company. There's no way this company is going bankrupt in the foreseeable future.

The photos shown are both of the mini player. The 1080p player is a standard 1U rack unit that doesn't look much different than the previous generation.

These devices are NOT DVD PLAYERS as you imagine them. They are networked DVD rippers that rip your movies back to the server to be viewed from any room in the house that has a player. The GUI and control protocol that KScape has developed for their system is one of the most advanced interfaces I have ever seen - it's breath taking.

$5 / $3k is buying you the technology and licensing rights to copy your movies to a central server. Just because some editor decided to mention BluRay in the same breath as KScape does not mean that KScape is in any way competing with your living room DVD player.

Oh yeah, will your Bluray player allow you to purchase 1080p HD movies online? KScape is working on that one ;-)

[David Van (Cool Prizes Inc.) @ Jun 18th 2008 4:24PM]

lmfao anthony... It's called a PSN STORE! When the feature to buy movies comes out LOL! But it did! IT'S CALLED QORE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! AHAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHGAHAHHAHAHAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[anthony @ Jun 18th 2008 7:50PM]

@ David Van (Cool Prizes Inc.)
Really? Well first of all, I'm no gamer so I don't know what playstation has to offer. I did however do some quick research and don't see any actually hollywood titles on the PSN store. I also looked up QORE and this is how it's described by Sony, "Qore has been developed to give PS3 users early access to game related content". Doesn't mention anything about movies.

I'm open to being corrected though if you have the data to back it up. I think you can do movies on the XBox though.

The main point though is that this is not a device for gamers and frankly the wrong audience is reading this. A decent KScape system STARTS at $18,000. It is BY FAR the most impressive device anyone could ever own for playing movies. It's a device that is built to enhance the movie watching experience. The interface is one of the most intuitive I have ever come across in my life, the build quality is astounding, it has connections to control your lighting and drapery system to activate intermission mode, the tech support is #1 in the industry, the sales reps are friendlier than any other in the industry, and above all this is the one company that has stood up for us in the legal battle regarding the MPAAs attempt to halt any ripping of personally owned DVDs.

[Schfelzerberg @ Jun 18th 2008 9:20AM]

Right... No amount of filtering or whatever crap they'll do will make DVDs look as good as Blu-ray movies on a 1080p native HDTV. The next thing we know, some guy sues them for 'false advertising' or something like that.

[Frankenstein Black @ Jun 18th 2008 12:08PM]

Exactly! Kaleidescape "Snake Oil" or Toshiba "Fool's Gold", the choice is yours. Don't be an oily fool!

[Fivepoint @ Jun 18th 2008 9:20AM]

Or maybe just get an AppleTV instead?

[required @ Jun 18th 2008 11:38AM]

it doesn't play anything that isn't pulled off the network. no dvd. no bluray, no nuttin'

[Dave @ Jun 18th 2008 9:22AM]

What they and Toshiba are talking about just isn't possible. Even if they could make the images look sharper, it's with made-up data. Blu-Ray is the better format by far.

I chose the HD-DVD camp in the next-gen media wars. So I lost--but, once the prices settle, I plan to go back in with Blu-Ray. Hopefully, people don't buy into bogus claims like this one.

[zargon @ Jun 18th 2008 9:23AM]

I wouldn't mind a Kaleidescape device, in fact, I would probably buy one, but not for the prices they are asking.

I still need a good movie playing front end, I should start working on that again. The Roku Photobridge was good while it lasted, but a dead power supply ended its career. I really need to start looking at MythTV and other options again since I have a nice small low end P4 laying around that should get the job done for DVDs.

[MadMike @ Jun 18th 2008 9:26AM]

Is it just me or does that look like an old desktop scanner?

[hendrix @ Jun 18th 2008 9:27AM]

Now if they had come up with a system such as this in the years before BluRay/HD-DVD were around, then they would have made a shed load. Now they have to charge a shed load just to gamblea a few rich kids will buy some.

[Aedile @ Jun 18th 2008 10:56AM]

Here's a thought. How about looking before saying stuff that makes you look like an idiot. Kaleidescape had the corner on the high-end DVD server market for years and has had upscaling players since before you even had gotten rid of your VCR. You need a credit check to even speak to a CI who will install one and yet they still sell really well. Go back to Wal-Mart and buy your $40 players and leave speaking about components you can't even fathom to the big boys.
Flame on!
-aedile-

[blizz419 @ Jun 18th 2008 11:30AM]

obviously Aedile works for Kaleidescape

[hendrix @ Jun 18th 2008 1:07PM]

Ok Aedile, I forgot that when a news story comes out that says "Kaleidescape claims NEW 1080p upscaling dvd layers rival bluray" it actually means that such devices have been around since VCR days as you say. My bad....

[Dennis @ Jun 18th 2008 9:29AM]

i think the whole upscaling argument is crap. cause you could apply the same argument to bluray:
"why bother with upscaled dvds at a mere 1080p when you can upscale your bluray content to a full 2160p?"

[w00t @ Jun 18th 2008 9:32AM]

Alright, if they are so good where are the screen caps comparing upscaled DVDs on this to the same image from a true 1080p source?

If is was that good, they would be really enthusiastic aboust showing the actual results :)

Of course, their claim is impossible. Good upscaling != more detail, just less artefacts.

[coolblue @ Jun 18th 2008 9:35AM]

I have a £70 Philips DVD player and a Samsung 40 inch TV. The Upscaling on it is amazing and does rival Bluray although admittedly Bluray is better. My Upscaler is certainly good enough for me not to justify buying a Bluray player and upgrading my disc collection at the moment. Maybe future Bluray players will change my mind but then Upscalers may get even better too.

[Tyler @ Jun 18th 2008 9:35AM]

This DVD player is ridiculous and needless. The whole point of the Kaleidescape system is that you don't need DVD players laying around. You throw discs in an archive, and access the perfect copy from that point forward. It's like buying a sail for a powerboat.

I think the Kaleidescape system, while needlessly expensive and increasingly outdated every day, is essentially a solid piece of hardware and software integration. This is just bunk.

[mcg @ Jun 18th 2008 9:35AM]

In a slight defense of Kaleidescape, these players will play true hi-def content; the issue is getting it onto the server. They do provide a very limited number of high-def titles already. They'll get Blu-Ray content if the AACS ever approve Managed Copy. And since online distribution models are already coming online, it's conceivable that they may have something up their sleeve there, too.

[coolblue @ Jun 18th 2008 9:36AM]

I have a £70 Philips DVD player and a Samsung 40 inch TV. The Upscaling on it is amazing and does rival Bluray although admittedly Bluray is better. My Upscaler is certainly good enough for me not to justify buying a Bluray player and upgrading my disc collection at the moment. Maybe future Bluray players will change my mind but then Upscalers may get even better too.

[Dale @ Jun 18th 2008 9:41AM]

While I do think they're talking out of their arses about it rivalling Blu Ray and HD-DVD (RIP), I really don't think the picture on upscaled DVDs is so terrible that I feel the need to upgrade to Blu Ray any time soon. The money I would spend on a player can buy me a ton of DVDs... that I can then use on not just the big TV in the lounge, but also the small one in my bedroom, my laptop, or take over to any friend or family member's house to play.

[Daniel @ Jun 18th 2008 10:37AM]

To the common eye, maybe upscaled DVD's don't look very much different than movies on Blu-ray.

However, many of us are still forgetting a very immportant point. No matter how well the video is upscaled, the high resolution audio on a Blu-ray disc could NEVER be heard from a standard DVD.

Also, Blu-ray will be cheap enough in about a year, so why bother upscaling.

Also, unlike upgrading from VHS to DVD, where you had to buy new copies of your movies to play on the DVD player, an upgrade from DVD to Blu-ray doesn't require you to do that since all DVDs play in Blu-ray players.

[patsy @ Jun 18th 2008 12:46PM]

> No matter how well the video is upscaled, the high resolution audio on a Blu-ray disc could NEVER be heard from a standard DVD.

I'm quite sure picture quality trumps audio quality for many if not most viewers. I would say few people watch movies at (or anywhere near close to) reference audio levels for practical reasons, and few have properly calibrated speaker setups. In terms of noticeable improvements I think the visual impact of the added pixels of 1080 over 480 far outweigh the audible improvements of the BD format. The differences are simply too subtle for most, even though audiophiles will naturally vehemently disagree.

[frozo @ Jun 18th 2008 9:54AM]

The difference is indiscernible*


*on a 10 in screen.