Karaoke Forums

I've spent an hour on here and realize most of the folks are quite serious about their equipment. I'd like to buy something for a friend who loves to sing, but am limited on budget. Like < $200. Criteria:

1) Portability -- Mostly for use in her home, but she may want to take it to another home or party. Could be hooked up to home TV, but the TV is probably 5+ years old. Would prefer something that isn't unnecessarily bulky.
2) Flexibility -- She may or may not want to expand/enhance.
3) Compatibility -- I don't know if she has a DVD, but would like to either provide her one with karaoke option, or perhaps tap into her's.
4) Quality -- this is for home singing. Reasonable quality wanted but does't need to be tops. Would like good value.

Being quite confused, I don't know what to consider:
-- an integrated system like The Singing Machine. If so, which? SMD 800?
-- an in-microphone system
-- a component system (but what for under $200?)
-- other options?

I realize this is a more basic inquiry than most of the readers, but I would really appreciate some help before I purchase this gift. Suggestions for sources for this lower-end equipment and music? Thanks much. Pam

I know this is little bit more money, but look at the VocoPro Duet. It costs $270.00 delivered from DTSKaraoke. If this is too steep, look at the other all in one units. You can also try the other karaoke retailers(karaoke.com, Acekaraoke.com, etc). I do not believe that you are going to get a portable DVD/CDG karaoke machine with the features you need at your price point. There is a portable DVD/CDG player that I found, but it requires the use of an external mixer/amp.
Note that most of the low-cost portable units may not have key change capabilities. The VocoPro Duet does have a key changer.

Good Luck

The RSQ 505 DVD/CGD player is a nice unit and you should be able to get it bundled with some music within a lower budget.

_________________
Sounds Great! Entertainment
Bartlett, Illinois

It all depends on what she wants and where you are. If all she wants is to plug a machine into a t.v and doesn't need or want a mic at this time, you can go player alone and build up from there. In Canada there is the Electrohome EH 8168 which is multi formated including CDG and DVD etc for about $150Cdn taxes in. I use this at home, no mic, plugged into the TV and is great for that purpose with the added ability to add on later with a mixer amp speakers etc.

yeah, the RSQ505 is a fantastic machine.

many of the different sponsors have their own ways to buy it.

K.com has it with a good 180 song pack for $239!
I'm an affiliate with Top Hits monthly, and they are offering it for a bit more $299, with ten of their discs. go to my homepage and look at the links for details.

Shop around... check it out.

I agree that the RSQ 505 unit is a good bet. I did not recommend it because the first criteria was for a portable all in one unit that could be picked up and easily carried to a friends house. With the 505 unit you will have to hook it up to an amp and a tv to use it. With the all in one VocoPro all you need to do is plug your video output into a tv or vcr to see the graphics. If you need more power you still have the option of hooking the unit up to an external amplifier or home receiver.

Thank you all for your input. I checked into the options and decided the VocoPro Duet II would be the best bet for my friend. So, that's going to be her gift.

As an aside, as I was doing "research" on this home-use karaoke, I came across some very positive reviews for Karaoke Revolution -- a "game" that plays on a Playstation 2. I bought one for my 15-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son. What a hit! I haven't heard so much laughter and seen so much fun in that group in a long time. So, maybe they'll become interested in a "real" home-use machine. In the meantime, it was worth the $60 for the disk and headset mic.

Thanks again.
Pam

No offense, but I'm sorry about the Vocopro... I hope you don't live to regret it.

Most pros hate them with a vengence. I've seen a couple in operation, and wouldn't have one if you gave it to me. They PROMISE a great deal, but the long-term applications of their products are a joke!

Matt

Knightshow:

You are comparing apples and oranges. The requirements are for an inexpensive portable home entertainment all in one unit. This is a birthday present for a friend. Not the beginning of a pro set up. VocoPro stuff is perfectly fine for home use and I have been to several shows which use their equipment. I also know two people that have VocoPro equipment in their home setups and one of them is a professional KJ. Personally, I would not buy their professional grade equipment if I was taking a show to the road.

Think about it from this perspective. If you walk into an electronics store and say you are interested in a budget 13" tv/dvd combo for your kitchen so that your wife can watch her recipes on dvd while cooking, would it be appropriate for the salesperson to recommend a plasma or LCD flat screen with a reciever, 6.1 sound, and a seperate dvd player? I know that is a little extreme, but do you see my point?

I would be the first to recommend a JVC, Pioneer, or RSQ player, seperate speakers designed for live vocals, a decent mixer, a good amp, and quality microphones. But clearly this overkill in this scenario, and the vocopro unit is clearly better than buying the $50.00 karaoke toy machines (memorex, etc).

Peace

Stevie