Karaoke Forums

All,

I am a newbie to utilizing my laptop for home karaoke parties.  My setup is as follows:

Sony pcg-k25 laptop
RoxBox Karaoke software
Mackie DFX12 mixer with fx

As I understand it, I will come out of my headphone jack with an rca splitter to my mixer for audio.  For video I have two options, I can come out of my mini monitor out or use the 16 pin monitor out from the back of my computer.  What is the best option?  I have just ordered the RoxBox and Mackie Mixer and have not had used them yet.  

Also, what are some good sites to download MP3 Karaoke songs?

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance!!

JpattonJR

many of the questions you've asked, are answered in other posts in this same Technical Questions area.

Like I'd NEVER go with the 1/8th inch out for audio!

You mention pin numbers for video... can you be more specific on the type of card, if it has S-Video, etc...

I personally feal you could have done better with Roxbox, but hey, opinions vary.

As for download mp3 tunes, nothing legal jumps immediately to mind that's dependable. Gayle has tried to download itunes stuff, but she can't back it up to disc or make copies of it...  to me, going MP3+G or a version similar... you HAVE to have a backup!

I have browsed the other posts and did not see the answers to my questions.  Sorry to ask questions that have already been answered, if you can point me to the thread it would be appreciated.  

If not the 1/8" out for audio, then what other option do I have??

The only video options that I can see that I have on my computer are the 1/8" monitor out next to my 1/8" audio out and the VGA monitor connection in the back of my computer.

Once again, any help would be appreciated.

JpattonJR

The specs on the Sony pcg-k25 do not include video out from what I can tell. There is no S-Video out on this computer. You may be able to run VGA as extended desktop, but I think it will only work as dedicated monitor.

The 1/8" audio jack can be used to run to the mixer, but the audio quality from laptop sound cards are not the best.

I don't know what you will do about the lack of video out for karaoke. Maybe a digital to analog converter...

That 1/8" plug next to the audio plug is not video...I think its for microphone.

Matt I dont where that came from I have run digital karaoke for 8 years...I have used Cavs Winamp and tried them all.. I have rented my system out Any kid can sit down at my computer and professionally run a show in minutes.

Whether you use fill or DJ or not this is the most efficient software yet..

I resent you knocking any software.. As a professional I will never knock any other software.. Everybody has their needs...

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you can get the itv-900  VGA to S-vdieo/composite  adapter.... i've used this converter and very happy with it...... output video quality is very good.....even better than orignal S-video port....

as I said, I PERSONALLY feel that way. I've messed with Roxbox. It uses a winamp front end... you might as well IN MY OWN OPINION go with the REGULAR winamp as a player...

There are all sorts of player software options out there. After seeing Karafun mentioned specifically, I finally decided to try it. It works... for the most part. Still seeing a few bugs here and there, but for a home player, and freeware at that, I find it okay to use.

Other people have tried and loved Roxbox... I'm just not one of them. That's all, and it wasn't any sort of disrespect intended or bestowed. Some people don't like Hondas... doesn't make it a bad car company or product!

can you post pictures of your setup? Because I'm still not understanding the current video setup. MOST people with computers have specific video options for karaoke... extended desktop is USUALLY the standard of almost every computer player I've seen out there.

as for the other Audio links, I've used USB products to take the sound from the computer and convert it to RCA connections. Soundblaster MP3+ Device is one I used faithfully for years, as well as a specific usb 2 channel mixer (to a better mixer)...

Okay,

Thanks for the responses.  You guys have been a big help.  Being a newbie, I am sure I am not explaining everything properly.  I will run down my set up again, as I forgot to mention a few pieces of equipment and I have ordered a few more pieces.

Sony Vaio Pcg-K25 (just ordered a new hard drive with 7200 rpm and additional memory + additional RAM which will put me at 100 gig hard drive and 1 gig RAM I also have a 200 gig external hard drive for back up and storage)

The highly controversial RoxBox Software

Lexicon Omega Desktop Recording Studio

Mackie DFX 12 Mixer

A pair of JBL EON G2 10's

Marshall AS 50D for a monitor

Sennheiser E835 Mics

Sony MDR V700 head phones

and an old Radio Shack all in one Karaoke player

So my plan is now to go from my computer through the Lexicon to my mixer and out to the speakers.

As for the video, I still have two options, coming out of my 3.5 mm video out, which is right next to my mike and headphone jacks on the side of my vaio or coming out of my VGA monitor out in the back of my vaio.  I know that most people don't believe me when i say that there is a 3.5 mm video out, but I promise, it is there.  I plan to purchase a flat screen TV or Monitor for video.  

Hopefully that makes my set up more clear.

I will be waiting with baited breath for your comments and suggestions.

Thanks again for the help.  I'm just a guy that loves karaoke and having fun, just a hobby for my family, friends and I.

Actually, I am jealous of the VGA out, as that allows you to hook up a LCD monitor which is at least $200 less than an LCD TV.

I have been waiting on buying an LCD TV to cut down on transport weight. I still use a 13" portable TV on a stand, but I would love to find a lightweight stand/TV combination I can use. If I could find a good solution there, I would suck it up and pay the money.

That mini video requires a special cord that has mini plug on one end and RCA plugs on the other end.

You have ATI video card, which is one of the easiest to set up. You can run VGA monitor to the VGA plug on the back and set ATI for dual monitors extended desktop. Then you place the Karaoke playback screen on the extended (Vga Monitor) desktop, and run your software from the laptop screen.

If you want to have TV screen or multiple TV screens (like in a club), you will need the special cord that goes in the mini video plug-in. One TV with RCA (yellow) plug. Multiples will require RF converter, or multiple connector amplifier.

This case holds both the computer monitor and flat screen tv. The tv goes in first under a protective cover. It also  has a vga input for computer monitor if needed.

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Thanks for all the help guys.  I'll let you know how it goes when all of my equipment gets in!!!!

JpattonJR

I use the 1/8 headphone jack from laptop to my mixer and it sounds just fine. I did make sure to get a good sound card. Avermedia IMICRO video adapter runs from the laptop monitor plug - converts to s-video, RCA, another monitor plug or all 3.