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System problems?
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Author:  candi [ Thu Sep 14, 2006 3:33 pm ]
Post subject:  System problems?

I've had a few problems going on with my karaoke setup and before I buy a new one, I want to determine if the problems are caused by my machine or not.  The machine I have is a cheap one off ebay...doesn't even have a brand logo.  I usually hook it to my tv's audio and video hookups, and then the tv is hooked to my stereo.  Here are the problems: 1.  When I use certain discs, the tv flickers/glitches quite a bit...it seems to do so more when I sing loud.  I'm thinking that some discs just have more info in them and my machine is having trouble processing it.  2. When I'm singing loud enough to hear myself through the stereo speakers, I get a lot of crackling...almost like something is being overpowered.  I recently bought a new mic that I believe has a greater range than my usual mic, and that problem got worse.  3. I had bought the new mic because anyone singing on my system sounded really nasal.  Because of the increase in crackling, we couldn't tell if the new mic sounded nasal or not.  4. I have a lot of songs that although the lyrics are on the screen, it is very difficult, and sometimes nearly impossible, to see the highlighting/color change.  Some discs only have a couple songs with this problem, and some have all or most with this.  Even the higher quality discs do it.  I've always had this problem, even on other TV's.
Hopefully some of you will have some ideas for me.  I think most these problems are the machine itself, but I'm no expert.  I'd really appreciate some input on the cause of these problems and if there is something to look for as far as features when choosing a new machine/system/player that will prevent these problems.
Thanks!

Author:  knightshow [ Thu Sep 14, 2006 4:40 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: System problems?

candi, please post brand names on how you are doing this... cdg, dvd, player, computer, what?

Author:  candi [ Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:18 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: System problems?

There is no brand for the karaoke machine.  It plays CDGs, and has AVC, Echo, Mic Volume, and master volume controls.  I hook it to my RCA TV using RCA cables.  My TV is connected to the Sony stereo by RCAs to the AUX inputs.  I use a wide variety of CDGs, no specific brand showing problems

Author:  McPostal [ Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:33 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: System problems?

Try hooking the audio straight to the stereo instead of the TV first so the tv doesn't have to process the sound.  Since it gets worse when you sing louder that may help.  If that doesn't help then the problem probably lies in the player.

Author:  karyoker [ Thu Sep 14, 2006 6:42 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: System problems?

Some of the off brands had trouble with vibrations in the table You can test by putting the player on a folded towel...  The mic peamps in those arnt the best and gradually you will have to gt an alternate such as a mixer. Unless your stereo is the older pa type  ( 100 watt+ fm receiver with amp and decent speakers) you will have to upgrade that as well...


I would recommend researching the computer route and persuing that rather than another cd player..

Author:  Guest [ Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:34 am ]
Post subject:  Re: System problems?

First of all, it sounds like you are going to blow out the speakers on the TV.   If they aren't already.    That noise is distortion.     Distortion will kill the speakers.    You are over powering them.   Get some good stereo or PA speakers.

Second, I have a friend that told nme of a problem involving a certain player he had hooked up.   It seems that there was Harmonic distortion that caused the disc to flutter in the machine.  This would cause picture and audio disturbances.    It was caused by certain frequencies being amplified to near the machine, or they vibrated the table it was sitting on.    

Third, it sounds like the color settings on your TV might be out of whack.   Run the color set up program on the TV.    Also try to adjust the color while the discs are playing to see if you can lighted or darken the background color.    :wave:

Author:  TopherM [ Fri Sep 15, 2006 6:13 am ]
Post subject:  Re: System problems?

You definately want to hook the RCA Stereo out cables (red and white) directly to your stereo, and not go through the TV first. That will help a good bit with the sound problem. Only the video out (yellow) should connect to the TV. If your cables are all bundled together, go buy separate cables ($3.99 each at Radio Shack).

As for the picture quality, is there a small switch on the back of your player? Most CDG and DVD players are configured to handle two different types of video signals, one of which is prominent in the US and Asia (NTSC), and of which is more prevalent in Europe (PAL). There is another setting that is used mostly in France called SECAM, but msot players don't have this setting (unless they are from France, I guess!!) Try flipping this switch if your player has it, as you may be on the wrong video setting!!

Author:  candi [ Fri Sep 15, 2006 10:52 am ]
Post subject:  Re: System problems?

I just want to add, I'm not using the TV speakers (they're muted)...it's just all run through the tv to the stereo because the stereo's already hooked to the tv and it's too difficult to get at to change it all the time.  The distortion is through my stereo speakers...and it is a pretty good stereo.  Because I do take my machine other places for karaoke, the computer is not a practical solution either.

Author:  Lonman [ Fri Sep 15, 2006 11:53 am ]
Post subject:  Re: System problems?

COnsider the fact the home stereos are not designed to reproduce live music - karaoke has live vocals.  Home receivers & speakers aren't voiced for this type of reproduction & most likely is what is causing the distortion - you can also cause serious damage to the home equipment as well - to the point of blowing your speakers and/or receiver.  However going through your tv first is probably another factor.  Hook the player directly to the receiver - it may be more of a hassle, but the end result will probably be a little better.  You'd, in reality be better off getting a small pro-type system that you can dedicate for karaoke that will sound much cleaner as it would be designed to reproduce the live vocals better.

Author:  Guest [ Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:26 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: System problems?

Usually with a surround sound amp, TV, karaoke, VCRs, DVDs all go throught the surround amp first.     Then to the speakers.

Author:  TopherM [ Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:36 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: System problems?

Think of it this way...would you set up your cell phone so that you can talk through it INTO another phone??

Your voice (orginal signal) is still being sent to the second phone, but obviously there will be a loss of qulaity just because you are using an unnecessary middle step.

The same is true with hooking your karaoke up to your TV's audio ins THEN running the TVs audio outs to the stereo receiver. There is quality loss even though it eventually gets the same original signal.

Like others have said, home theater components are not meant to handle Low-Fi signals such as live mics or music, but you can certainly get it better than it is now by hooking the player directly up to the receiver.

If you only have one set of audio-ins on your receiver and don't want to keep changing the wires, you can fix this by getting an A/B switch box at RadioShack (about $10-15) to hook them both up into the one set of jacks.

Author:  Lonman [ Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:59 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: System problems?

Bigdog @ Fri Sep 15, 2006 12:26 pm wrote:
Usually with a surround sound amp, TV, karaoke, VCRs, DVDs all go throught the surround amp first.     Then to the speakers.


That's true only if the surround circuit is engaged.  If it's switched off, the receiver acts as a 2 channel standard receiver.

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