Karaoke Forums

I'm wondering how you guys are handling discs with a computer setup.  I'm currently browsing hosting programs and I was wondering if any let you play discs, either from the local drive on the laptop, or an external disc drive.  I know some singers like to bring their own discs, so how do you guys handle that.


For reference, I'm a longtime singer and I'm working on becoming a KJ.  I'm learning the ropes from a buddy and am starting to collect equipment.  I haven't got the computer yet, and I'm slowly accumulating CDs to rip.....Any suggestions would be helpful.  

Thanks!

I don't trust the computer drives for playing discs, too many variables that can crash the program &/or system.  I will always have at least 1 standalone player with me for customer discs.

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So the disc never touches the computer system?  You run the standalone player on a separate channel for discs only?

Correct me if I'm wrong, Lonman, but doesn't MT Hoster allow you to upload a singer's song temporarily, allow you to play it, and then dump it when you turn off hoster? I have a Plexwriter drive on my shuttle and am assuming that's why it is there?

K

yes, that's the way his four players were/are installed, and that's the way my single triple tray was used.

I sold my triple, but kept my older RSQ505 dvd/cd+g/vcd machine for that specific reason!

I never use the computer to play customer discs, too many variables that can crash the program/system.  Especially if you happen to get a MediaCloq (copy protected) disc.  
I have a separate player that goes into a different channel of the mixer.

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Yes MTU Hoster does allow to temporarily import to the computer & add to the playlist.  Me personally would rather not chance the program going down in the middle of a show which is why the separate disc player.  This also helps to curb the thought that you are copying someones disc for your collection too.

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Makes sense - you never know what is on the disc they give you.  Thanks for the tips!

I do play discs through the computer on a usb Plextor DVD drive which of course is cdg compatable and have never had a problem yet. (about 2 songs per night)
To do this I use a separate player program from CAVS (use Sax N dotty Show Presenter otherwise)

To each his own.

I do agree with Lonman on why he doesn't do the temporary import using MTU Hoster...it could look like you were copying their songs for your collection, even if they know you are not, others might not.

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Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

"I do play discs through the computer on a usb Plextor DVD drive which of course is cdg compatable and have never had a problem yet."

Did have a problem when the external usb drive died.  But no program problems.

Will continue to use this set up, unless something better comes along.

Sax & Dottys works like a charm.

I agree with the separate player as well.  You never know what kind of disc they are giving you.

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[shadow=deepskyblue]I'm impressed, I've never met such a small mind inside such a big head before.[/shadow]

Oh man, never thought of that. Thanks.

I also opt for the extra cdg player - it may seem like extra work but welll worth it
You can pick up a single tray player for $150 this days.

The flip side is my cdg player went DOWN one night ( probably from keeping it outside in the shed in freezing temps)  anyway - I have 2 or 3 regulars who always bring their own discs - The night my player went down they were FORCED to use my BOOK and the COMPUTER ...... They all said " You have everyting I sing " I wonder why I bring my own discs......................

I also wonder the same thing ......Unless you sing something obscure or BRAND NEW or off a Walmart CDG....  Try your KJ's book ...you may be suprised they have what you need!!!  I see this people bring in more discs in with them then most KJ's have ....Only to sing 2 or 3 songs ?

Lonny,

How do you handle the TV connections? Doesn't it cause you problems with a computer running, and then running the player at the same time?

I use a simple 4 video switch that handles svideo & rca connections & then it is also an rf converter that switches the signal to coax (or it can use RCA or S-Video out as well) to where it gets split into all the tv's I need it to go.  When I need the player, I push the switch.

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LIKE Lonman on Facebook - Lonman Productions Karaoke & my main site via my profile!

Here is some additional "food for thought".

Included in my system is the following hardware, though I don't necessarily set everything up at the start of each show:
   
   Laptop with:
        DVD drive
        Cyberdrive CW088D to play CDG's, which I purchased at a delivered price of $28
       
   RSQ-MK22 deck (plays cd-g, dvd-r, dvd-rw, mp3, mpeg4, vcd, cdr, cdrw) and available for about $125 (without s&h)
   
   Portable MP3/cd player


Please note usages:
  1. If my laptop crashes, I can run my show off of discs (which I always have with me) using the deck!
  2. The laptop's DVD drive will play karaoke dvd's, and is useful so long as a key change isn't required.
  3. I have Powerkaraoke software to run the CD player attached to my laptop; it plays CDG's and can change keys.
  4. The deck will play anything karaoke and change the key
  5. I occasionally use the deck to play music requests or mp3 "bumper music"
  6. The portable player is for "bumper music"
  7. With the CDRom player and the deck I can have two discs queued up at the same time and can continue to queue up discs from that point without stopping

You can download Kara Fun free and it plays disk's just fine.

not if your pc doesn't have the right hardware!

an external usb drive that plays discs, is much smaller than a player.

Seriously, I would -- if the KJ's listing would list the manufacturer. There are some songs I only want to sing one version of -- for instance, the only "Carried Away" worth singing is ChartBuster.

What is the stupidest is multiple listings of the same song with some randome "book ID" or what ever the program calls it. Why bother listing the song twice? The number is completely meaningless.

So the answer is, I will leave my disks behind if I know what versions are being offered. But I won't hold my breath when I visit a new show....