The problem is that due to their popularity, we now have so many to choose from. Escient Fireball, Axonix Media Max, Imerge, AMX Max & Kaleidescape to name the major players but only one stands out from the crowd.

Almost all DVD servers or Digital media servers have an operating system because essentially they are a computer with a large amount of storage space. The majority of manufacturers resort to using Microsoft or Linux as an OS. Out of the two, Linux has been proven to be more stable in this environment but the limitations of using an OS from another provider is that you are at the mercy of the OS.

Kaleidescape is one of the only manufacturers who have its own operating system called KEAOS which stands for ‘Kaleidescape Entertainment Appliance Operating System’. What this equates to is a product that compares to the reliability of a mission critical, enterprise grade server.

They like to call it “The Kaleidescape Experience” and that is exactly what it is, an experience!

We can talk about all the Digital Media Servers, DVD Media Servers or Jukebox players and the different manufacturers like Escient, Axonix, Imerge & AMX but it would be no different to talking about backyard cricket versus the Ashes.

There is no comparison other than the importing of content to allow it to be played back. Much the same as backyard cricket uses a bat and a ball similar to that used in the Ashes or a test match.

Kaleidescape is in a league of its own and yes once upon a time with the price tag to match. Now with the release of the mini system we can deliver systems for less than $ 15,000, considerably less than the $ 30,000 entry level price tag we once faced.

It is the ‘Kaleidescape experience’ that provides management & storage of over 1800 DVD’s and 19,800 CD’s on a single server. It has the ability to cascade servers in minutes creating a virtually infinite collection (Not quite possible because Kaleidescape won’t let you import the same disc twice.) and simultaneous content streaming to 45 players from the same server.

It has a User interface that other manufacturers attempt to copy and it exists on a future proofed and backwards compatible platform unlike some manufacturers who have discontinued their platforms in the past, leaving the customer with an obsolete and non-upgradeable piece of equipment.

In fact, the very first Kaleidescape system produced more than 6 years ago is still in service and runs on the same KEAOS as new systems purchased today.

If there is any negative side to Kaleidescape it would only be that it does not support the ability to copy photos to the server for slide shows or let you dump your dodgy MP3 music collection to it.

But Kaleidescape is not really a digital media server, it’s an ‘Entertainment System’ used for watching your purchased DVD’s or listening to your vast CD collection in its original & intended format.

Untouched, just how the producers and composers wanted you to see and hear it…

As an organisation that has prided itself in delivering high end solutions it can be very frustrating to lose a bid on a project that costs tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars only to find out it was based on price.

How does someone judge whether an organisation has the ability to deliver a good quality solution or not?

The two pictures below have been taken of an implementation by an organisation in Australia that promotes themselves as the most awarded audiovisual company in Australia.

Poor Installation - 2

Poor Installation - 1

This should be titled as “my first rack” for 6 year olds but this was apparently done by a professional AV technician!

Now here are a couple of pictures from an installation Rabone Systems did more than 5 years ago.

Rabone Systems Rack Work - 1

Rabone Systems Rack Work - 2

Make sure you pick carefully when selecting an Audiovisual integrator and always check the quality of installation during your project. Even better, don’t pay if you don’t think the work is satisfactory.