1. Has anyone done a thorough comparison of the Kaleidascape versus the AMX Max?

2. Crestron offer an outstanding video distribution system consisting of their PVID switchers and CNXRMCLV's. It is unique because it allows the use of Cat 5 to send composite, S-Video AND HD component down a single Cat 5 (not to mention the other things a CNXRMCLV can do). Anyhow, is there anyone else in the market place manufacturing anything that has similar capabilities as the PVID with CNXRMCLV. Last I looked, Extron, AutoPacth and a number of others offer Cat 5 solutions but None of them allow for using a single matrix switcher than can send any combination of composite, S-Video AND component down a single Cat 5. I'm about to look again but if if there's a solution I'm not aware of I'd love to hear about it.

The crestron system is pretty cool, but since I'm not a dealer, I have gone to upconverting everyting on the head end to COmponent prior to distribution. AVTool box AVT-3800's are great... This way, distributing over one cat-5 is no problem....

Kalidescape: Not so much Money and being Sued....

AMX: Now owned by a corporation that has enough money to make hollywood thing twice about a frivolus lawsuit.

Other than that, I cant say one is significantly better than the other... I saw the AMX do 26 streams simultaneously... THats pretty impressive.... Dunno what the Limit is on the Kalidascape.....

Impaqt,

Have you used the Max personall (installed it yet)? Any weaknesses? Strengths?

Here is a link that I read in Res Systems Mag. I think they did a good and fair analysis of the servers. I do think that they had a few units in the mix that are not even in the same ballpark as MAX and Kaleidascape. I have installed MAX before and it did take some love. But after everything was going strong and working with a 12" modero I and the customer fell in LOVE. I chose MAX mainly because I needed it to do both Audio zones and Video zones, Kaleidascape does Video only. And yes Kaleidascape is being sued, however they do have a sexy interface. Also MAX does intergrate well with Crestron as well, and AMX does set up MAX only dealers. AMX supports both for control.
Read the article, and try to play with both at next CEDIA.
[Link: resmagonline.com]
As usual, Good Luck!

Thanks for the info. Could you explain the statement "it did take some love". I just spoke with another dealer that reported some nightmares with the Max. The K on the other hand is flawless.

The main thing was getting 300 dvd's loaded. I used the loader that I was allowed to "lease" and the thing is basically a Powerplay from Escient, which SUCKS. But after I used AMX tech support, which are awsome as usual, they stuck in there with me for about 5 hours and connected directly to it through my network. They then updated some firmware, ran some tests, did some alterations, then boom, it started loading. I left it and checked on it for about 3 days, and finally got it loaded. It will load about 80 per 24hours. I know K loads everything for you, but I think that is why they are in trouble.

Anyway, that was the main LOVE, was the loader. The main server also need a firmware update, but once that was done, no trouble since.