Karaoke Forums

I need help deciding what to buy. I am a part time KJ and am wanting to get all my CDG's over to the digital format. Problem is there are so many options now days from Vovopro's Little Jukebox thingey to full blown computers that can add up to over $3K. I don't mind spending the money but need ease of operation (Including getting the music in the box, out of the box and printing song books). I also don't want to purchase something that I will out grow in a year because of memory restrictions.

I need advise on all of it, which computers, software, machines ect ect.....

Thanks
John

if you want to print songbooks, go with MTU's hoster.

Since you don't have a computer, you can opt with getting a rather simple but new one and installing the correct hardware, or get MTU's rugged laptop.

You don't need to spend a LOT of money for a computer system.

All the computer needs is the ability to support DUal screens in EXTEND DESKTOP mode.  THan can bee anything from an olld desktop sysytem with a 2nd video card installed, and a BIG hard drive for the music.  Or it could be a new laptop, like the one I just got from dell for about $500 + and external hard drive to store the music.

As far as software for ripping CDGs, audiograbber will work, as long as the CD drive supports CDG disc subcode.

For hosting software, the more you spend on the software, the moe powerful computer you will need.  Test them all, and use the one you like.

For prininting books, you can get hosting software that has a packaged program with it for printing song books.  Or you could use the export function of most hosing software, and import the data into Excell/access ($$$$$), or Open Office (freeware) and make your own.

Yes you can spend from $200 ro $3000, and just casue you spend more $$$, it is not necesilary better, or worse.  It is all personal preference.

Thanks, Did your Dell come with a cd rom that supports cdg or did you have to get a different one. I currently DJ with an old IBM Think Pad with a DVD rom (play only) that does support it but most Karaoke software, well almost everything is going away from the 98 capability and it is so old it's not upgradeable.

Is there any preferred Software, I have seen Hoster mentioned here quite a bit. I would be most interested in one that can do it all with relative ease. I use MusicMatch Jukebox to DJ and it works great from loading the songs, search, playlist and printing the song books. Something like that would be excellent.... Any Ideas?

Thanks Again!
John

I personally use winamp with the cdg plugin (and pacemaker for the key adjust), and use it in my shows, and never had an issue...

I agree - If your are looking for  computer JUST to rip cdgs and host a Karaoke  show  you don't need full blown top of the line , fastest cpu and a gazillion gigabites etc etc. --Just get something dependable with a decent service plan and warranty.
Make sure your CD can read karaoke tracks (look for a plextor)