Kaleidescape Compact Terra 8TB - Grey

Description

The heart of a Kaleidescape system

The Kaleidescape Compact Terra 8TB is the movie server that anchors a Kaleidescape home theater system. It locally stores your complete library downloaded from the Kaleidescape Movie Store and feeds one or more Strato K (or Strato V) players over the local network. This architecture deliberately separates storage from video decoding: Strato players stay lightweight, discreet and easy to multiply across rooms, while the Compact Terra centralizes the collection at a single point of truth.

Up to 5 simultaneous 4K high-bitrate playbacks

Unlike a generic computer NAS, the Compact Terra is sized to sustain up to 5 simultaneous playbacks of Kaleidescape high-bitrate 4K movies to Strato players throughout the home. A primary cinema can project a 4K Cinematic blockbuster while a bedroom plays an HD concert and the living room starts a new download — with no buffering, no drop in quality. The Full Size version scales to 10 simultaneous playbacks.

Compact silver aluminum chassis, external power supply

The silver anodized aluminum chassis measures only 20.0 × 3.9 × 36.4 cm and weighs 3.3 kg. 1U half-width format: two Compact Terra units can share a single 19-inch rack shelf (accessory sold separately). The external 150 W adapter (100-240 V AC to 12 V DC / 12.5 A) keeps heat outside the enclosure — a deliberate choice to maintain a stable thermal environment and extend hard-drive lifespan.

Minimal power draw, quiet operation

The Compact Terra is designed to run 24/7: 32 W maximum consumption, 20 W typical. The maximum airflow (5 CFM) allows near-silent operation suitable for placement in an AV cabinet or technical room. Gigabit Ethernet cabling is required (mandatory to guarantee bandwidth for high-bitrate 4K streams). Wi-Fi is not supported for AV distribution.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use this server alone to watch movies?

No. The Compact Terra is strictly a network storage server: it doesn't decode video and has no HDMI output. To play movies on your TV or projector, it must be paired with at least one Kaleidescape player — Strato K or Strato V. The server stores and sends the data; the player handles real-time audio-video decoding and delivers the HDMI signal.

What's the difference between the Compact Terra and the Full Size Terra?

The Full Size uses 4 removable hard drives (letting you change capacity or replace an individual drive), sustains 10 simultaneous playbacks (vs 5), and occupies a full-width 2U rack space. The Compact Terra uses a single integrated drive (non-removable) in a 1U half-width format — more compact, less expensive, suited to single-room installations or ecosystems with 5 players or fewer. Two Compact Terra units can also share a 19-inch 1U rack shelf.

How does it connect to the network and internet?

The Compact Terra requires a wired Gigabit Ethernet (1000 Base-T) connection — no Wi-Fi. This requirement guarantees the bandwidth needed to sustain multiple simultaneous high-bitrate 4K streams. A USB 3.0 port is present but reserved for future use (no current user function).

What's in the Box

Kaleidescape Compact Terra 8TB server

External 12 V DC / 150 W power adapter

Detachable AC line cord

Documentation / Quick start guide