Installation Checklist for Kaleidescape Systems

This document lists the tools and equipment needed to assist with the installation, outlines basic requirements for the site where the components will be installed, and summarizes the settings to configure once the Kaleidescape System is operational.

Tools and Supplies

In addition to common tools such as screwdrivers and pliers, having the following items on hand will help the installation go smoothly, and assist with troubleshooting when needed. All items should be tested ahead of time and known to be working.

• Spare Cat6 cables
• Ethernet cable tester
• Spare 4 port router
• Spare 8 or 16 port 2.5GbE Switch (Optimal) or 1000Base-T switch (Minimal)
• Small test display with appropriate inputs
• Spare HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed cable
• Spare power strip
• Extra IEC power cord
• Low-gauge ground wires with lugs or 1/8” plugs
• Kaleidescape IR remote control with fresh batteries
• Male micro-B USB to male USB-A or USB-C cable
• Cable ties
• Label maker
• A computer with an Ethernet port, USB port and a web browser.

   Refer to: Retrieving Diagnostic Information Quick Reference Guide.

Equipment

The following items contribute to a healthy operating environment.

• Single router or other device capable of issuing DHCP addresses. If the home network uses static addresses, then a list of the IP addresses of the network nodes should be available.
• 2.5GbE or 1000Base-TX switch with enough ports for all devices. A 2.5GbE switch is recommended, especially for solid-state servers and larger systems.

   Refer to: Does Kaleidescape recommend a particular network switch?

• Cat6 or higher grade network and patch cables from the equipment rack to all Kaleidescape components.
• HDMI 2.1 Ultra High Speed cables. Low-gauge cable, like 24AWG or lower for the video signal conductors. Use a double-shielded cable, tested to at least 20Gbps in the proper lengths. Use active cables when lengths beyond 15’ (5m) are needed. When using an active cable, or balun, ensure that it can reach 18Gbps bandwidth without compression.

   Refer to: Recommended HDMI Cables for Strato

Basic Site Requirements

Survey the site for sufficient resources, and gather necessary information before installation commences.

• Check that there is adequate power for all the devices being installed. Components with hard drives, such as Terra Prime and Terra servers, require a high-quality surge protector. A UPS is optional.

   Refer to: How much power do Kaleidescape components require?

• Check that the planned locations for Kaleidescape components have proper cooling. The operating temperature range varies by component.

   Refer to: Environmental Specifications for Kaleidescape Components

• Verify that there is a working high-speed Internet connection at the site.
• Determine if control will be done over TCP/IP or Infrared (IR). When using control via TCP/IP, consider whether to assign each Kaleidescape component a DHCP reservation on the DHCP server (recommended) or set a static IP address on the Kaleidescape component.

  Download the latest documentation, programs and templates from www.kaleidescape.com/support/control-systems.

• Record the following information for the network devices and make sure there is a substantial number of free IP addresses on the DHCP server.
  • ROUTER

    brand/model: _____________________
    user: ____________________________	password: ________________________
    IP address: ______________________	(this is also likely the gateway address)
    Gateway address:__________________	(if different than the router IP address)
    DHCP address range: ______________	to _______________________________
    Subnet mask: _____________________
    DNS server addresses: preferred: _______________________	secondary: _______________________

  • SWITCH

    brand/model: _____________________
    user: ____________________________	password: ________________________
    IP address: ______________________

• List all display devices that will be connected to Kaleidescape players, along with the primary input, the native resolution, and indicate when screen masking is used.

Note: If both NTSC and PAL content will be output from the player, the display device must support both formats, or it must be connected to an external video processor that converts NTSC to PAL, or PAL to NTSC. Kaleidescape players do not convert one format to the other.

• Create installation diagrams for the network and audio/video. Note the cable distances for all A/V, Ethernet, and control interfaces. Make sure these distances do not exceed specifications.
• With a complex HDMI path, check that the HDCP repeater device limit for each component in the path is greater than or equal to the total number of components in the path.
• For each Kaleidescape component, take note of the following information. The network/control information may need to be entered after installation is complete.

Note: MAC addresses are listed on the Components page of the browser interface. Player MAC address are also listed on the System Summary page of the onscreen user interface.

Note: The Control Protocol Device ID, or CPDID, is only necessary when routing commands through a central device (e.g., a server). It is configured in the browser interface.

System Configuration

Before the Kaleidescape System is ready to use, review the following items.

• Ask the customer to activate the system. Installation, configuration and testing can be performed prior to activation.

   Refer to: How do I activate my new Kaleidescape System?

• Add all components to the Kaleidescape System.

  On Components this is done on the browser interface under Settings > Components > Add Component page.

   Refer to: How are new components added to an existing Kaleidescape System?

• When necessary, assign a static IP address to each component.

  On Strato player, network settings are configured on the Settings > Network page in the onscreen user interface.

  On Terra servers, settings are accessed from the Components page of the browser interface.

   Refer to: How do I assign or change IP addresses to components?

• Allow enough time to add content, taking into consideration the number of titles to be downloaded from the Kaleidescape Movie Store, the speed of the Internet connection, and the type of Terra server when downloading content. 4K movies can download in as little as 4 minutes on a highspeed connection with a Terra Prime Solid-State server.

  Cataloging takes less than a minute per disc. Discs cannot be imported but they can be cataloged so that they appear in the onscreen user interface, just like content downloaded from the Kaleidescape Movie Store.

  For more information, visitwww.kaleidescape.com/protected-dvds.

• Configure parental controls for movies when applicable. This is found in the onscreen setup for each player.

Player Configuration

To maximize the potential of each player, the following settings should be configured.

• Enter a unique name for each player. Assigning a “friendly name” like this makes the onscreen user interface and the Kaleidescape iPad app easier to use.

  This is done on the Settings > Player Name page in the onscreen user interface.

• Check audio and video on each player for optimal performance. Manually configure the audio or video signal when necessary.

   Refer to: Verifying HDMI Video Performance

   Refer to: Using the Audio Output Capabilities Tool

• In rare cases of audio hum, try grounding the player or removing shielded cables connections.

   Refer to: Installation Tips for Best AV Experience  

• Choose a CinemaScape mode and set up screen masking settings when a projector with a screen masking system is connected to a player.

   Refer to: CinemaScape Technical Note

• Configure subtitle and language preferences for each player.

  In the onscreen user interface of Strato players, open the Settings > Language/ Subtitles page to choose preferences.

   Refer to: How do I set subtitle and language preferences?