Karaoke Forums

Hi!

Just bought and installed Hoster... Sweet! So far... a textbook installation, etc... no problems... Just a question... I'm in the process of importing my collection and have noticed that in 4 or 5 of the discs, it wouldn't import the last track... It would give an error message. Is that coincidence? I looked at the discs and they seem to be clean... Anybody experience this? I should probably play them in my CDG player to test them, uh? [BTW: I also posted this question at the Hoster forum, but still wanted to hear your experiences.]

Thanks in advance for your feedback.

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Frank
Pelican in Flight KJ/DJ
Miami, Florida

The last track on many CDG's are were the disk protection is. If it is a 15 track cdg you will find it has 16 tracks and #15 won't load, unless you copy the disk using MicroStudio first. When using MicroStudio exclude the extra track that is only a few seconds long, when it gets to the last music track on the cdg it will hang up, when this happens eject the cdg, this will abort the import, but when you go to Custom assembly you will use Hard Drive to find the CDG tracks. All of them will be there on the hard Drive even the one that it hung up on. Select them and burn CDG, the CDG you burn will be able to be loaded on to Hoster.

Unfortunately this is the ONLY drawback so far of Hoster.  It can't read the last music track on MultiSession discs (discs with a data track at the end).  It's a pain in the butt, but the way to get around that is to get a program like Triceresoft, Audiograbber, etc. that can read & convert the last music track to a bin file.  Then make a custom disc compilation (using only the tracks that wouldn't finish with Hoster) & then reimport the custom disc to Hoster.

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

actually you can rip the track to cdg, bin, or mp3+g and import it directly from the hard drive without burning a custom compilation. The new Import feature in hoster does this. Blame the Disk Mfg, Hoster didn't throw this roadblock up. it was meant as copy protection.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

Wow guys, Hoster just Got better. Not only does it import host, and convert. But they also have a version for those kj's that are econmicaly challenged. It's less than $90.00

http://mtu.com/basics/karaoke-hosterlite.htm

And I read on another site that they are challenging the other "hoster makers" over copyrite infringements. DOnt know if it's true, but that is the word on the street.
http://mtu.com/support/hoster-registered-mark.htm

Just a FYI

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

Yes the current version will do that, but as of the time of my last posting, it wasn't able to.
I don't blame anyone for the last track not being able to be read.  The manufacturers need to do what they have to to try & preserve their product.

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

Yep, That is what I have always liked about them, they listen to the customers, and act on it. I look forward one day to be able to put my vcd & dvd collection in it too!!
I don't know when it will happen, But It will. We had a local Karaoke shop here that has all their Vcd's at $3.00 each. I bought all, one of each, hoping one day to use them. I don't know wht, But people here prefer them.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

MTU now has written new CD import code that will allow importing ALL tracks (last included), and use just about any CDROM, CDR, DVDROM, DVDR drive to do it! Of course the Plextor drives are still the best for getting good reads from scratched discs.

First beta test version with this is expected to go out in about 3 weeks in Hoster 3.200.

MTU is finishing up testing on Hoster 3.109, which greatly simplifies importing CDG, BIN, MP3+G and ZIP files on the hard drive into Hoster's database, Song Book, playlists, etc. It has a new Import Hard Drive Files screen, including Batch unattended importing of large quantities of files to convert from whatever you have been using to now run on MTU Hoster.

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Making Karaoke the best it can be! http://mtu.com

MTU hoster sux....It will only import into KMA format...And KMA files will only play on MTU products.

I bought it and I imported all my libray with it....I hated it's limitations....So I erased it, got a refund for the software and reimported my whole library using free software and play it using free players. I am now very happy with my computer library that I can play all on any player anywhere free of charge.

MTU shot themself in the foot when they elected to go with their proprietary KMA format. Yeah it sounds good, but it's way too limited in use....You gotta buy a $179 license for every machine you want to use to play your MTU KMA files.

Screw that!

MTU keeps screaming they are gonna sue Sax n Dotty....why ain't they done it?

Hoster does NOT suck.  It wasn't a program that fit YOUR needs - you have made that QUITE clear in another thread a while back - no need to rehash your feelings on them.  It wasn't for you, but others love it.  
BTW it DOES play mp3gs, bin, zipped & cdg files as well - not just the KMA files - although I still go by the premise if the program works, why would you need to have it import into any other format except the one that it uses?

You can also use it on 2 machines as well without purchasing additional licenses.  1 for at home & one for a show.  Unless you are multi rigging, there is no reason to assume you can copy the program for multiple systems.  If you buy a cdg player, you have your choice of A)  Buying another player for each system or room that you intend to use it in or B)  Move the player to where you need it.
Why would you consider, JUST because it's a program, that's it's free to multiply?

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

 This reply is for KEITH01....   I think I remember you from a few months ago.  You still haven't figured out that QUALITY products aren't free. If you want a Cadillac, you pay for it, and some of us insist on being the BEST.  We have run MTU Hoster for nearly three years, and there is nothing that can come close to comparing.  The updates that are made regularly, keep us on the "cutting edge". They anticipate what it takes to be at the top of the game and provide it for us.  We will match our karaoke system with  yours, and you will see what you have been missing.  It is very unfortunate that you have developed some sort of attitude against MTU Hoster, because if you were smart, you would see that it is the karaoke host's best friend.  
I hesitate to get on a personal level, but feel that I must.  This forum is generally used for positive help, and all of us are trying to learn from one another.  THis seemed to work great ....until you got on your grandstand against MTU.  Put it away....
Why not clear your mind, and understand that when you bought the MTU Hoster, and if you had run it as it was intended to be, you would have recognized it's superiority, and had been very happy with it as everybody else is.  There are always those among us who don't want to play by the rules, and I believe MTU's Hoster program
is very fair about it's restrictions. No, you can't buy one program and put it on a dozen or so rigs.  I believe that restriction is very useful, because it puts us all on the same level playing field.  Too many times inferior karaoke systems and hosts hurt the HONEST quality karaoke shows, which hurts the karaoke industry as a whole and you have all seen it happen, driving down the pay for a karaoke show.  I believe it is time to stand up and make sure that  KEITH01 doesn't destroy all the good that this forum has always provided.  
Keith01......since you obviously don't know what you are talking about, why not just sit down and shut up,  and try to learn.   I'm amazed that MTU refunded your purchase price......they did more than I would have.  I'll bet you still have the MTU program on your computer, too !!!
p.s.  as to your question about suing Sax and Dotty....Once again you have shown that you don't know what you are talking about...Sax and Dotty removed the use of "Hoster " on their web site, renamed their product "show presenter", and removed all of their posts (about 2 years worth)....There is no reason for MTU to sue them since they recognized what they were doing wrong, and corrected their mistakes......    why don't you take a lesson from Sax and Dotty and learn from your mistakes too!

"You can do any thing that you wanna do, but you can't take away my MTU"

but it's massive flames like your response Pat, that make people like me, that have been using a free program and have NO complaints from my customers, respond in kind! Does that make me a bad host cause I use a FREE program?? Sheeeit no!

The program is the player! Period. It has NOTHING to do with the host. I have a friend that uses MTU's hoster. She likes it. I do NOT. I don't like proprietary formats of ANY kind. Because of the format I use, I can use one of several players (software programs)...

I don't like the way MTU is set up, I don't like how it works, nor the fact that in comparison, you have to spend wayyyy more time on the keyboard. The hosts that like it Can say it rocks. THe HOSTS that don't like it can say it SUCKS. It's all a matter of personal perspective. And the talking about Sax & Dotty is from the years of experience some of us have had with them. I found out a while back that they were abandoning the "hoster" and the winamp in favor of their own software with their version 3. But they had many versions and additions onto those versions where we got used to what they had.

I use a program that's tried, proven and has NO needs of updates. Why select a program that is full of bugs that have to be "patched"? That strikes me as funny in what you are defending. BUT you have that right to do so. Keith has the right to HIS opinion. He's using something that works for him, and he sees the strengths of it, as well as the weaknesses of what he tried!

KNIGHTSHOW,
I don't think Kenpat was blasting people who don't use a "hoster type" program for Kj purposes.  I believe the purpose of his thread was to inform the people who are reading this thread of the Crap that keith01 is spewing.

first off the "updates" you refer to are not patches. They are user requested additional functions added to the program. Like a cdg+g player, and Multiple converters, and Updated song databases. (you know, they have to add new songs, as karaoke companys are still making new cdg's).

Keith01 (YoDaddy) bought Hoster a few months back, put it on his 2 machines. (which the License allowed) and wanted an  imitate refund, because he couldn't use it to Multirig with one license. which is what he admitted he was trying to do. Mtu gave him the refund within the hour, and stated that customers who received refunds were not permitted to repurchase.

Because of this, he has been On multiple boards all over the internet registering as a new user, slandering MTU. I have forwarded his posts to MTU, and hope they sue him for Liable. We don't need his element in Karaoke.

I don't think a Professional show is defined by what software, or equipment someone uses. It is more defined by the show ethics and quality put forth by the Host.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

Thanks for the explaination Dr. D., but I knew all that. The one thing as a consumer is he has the right to his opinion. And he can, in the country he's from, voice that opinion based on his experiences.

That's NOT slander. Spoken it's NOT libel. It's his proven opinion based on his experience. I know I've done a similar thing when I got screwed over by a company. Doug on JOLT was so against Sax & Dottys that he did the same thing. When he got into it with Sound Choice, he did the same thing again! ! Now, he's their friend again! Go figure!

MTU can NOT do a damned thing about Keith's statements. And in many ways, Keith's words do MTU credit... the man got a refund, which even the company has stated they don't normally do (from that old, OLD thread about this.).

As for Kenpat, his opening statement about the free program I use is what I was responding to.  " You still haven't figured out that QUALITY products aren't free. If you want a Cadillac, you pay for it, and some of us insist on being the BEST.  "

and I do remember some patches (not ALL the updates mind you) being sent out on hoster.  And I understand totally about the song database updates... kjpro does the very same thing.

Matt

Matt,
I really thought we were he to provide truthful Information to help other Kj's. and provide our Truthful experiences. as far as Keith's, I followed the entire Fiasco on the MTU bbs. Keiths 2 post was xxxthis don't work I want a refund. he was told how to do what he wanted, the he had another this don't work I want a refund. after tis MTU GAve him the refund within an hour. He got the software and installed it. and got a refund. he says he uninstalled it. In reality, I believe he wanted and got what Louisianians call "Laginappe" (something for nothing).

What he has been posting is lies. They are a malicious attempt to discredit Mtu which is a very Moral and consumer oriented Business.

There are Many satisfied customers of MTU, and few dissatisfied. Could this possibly Competition? ask yourself. Software can be a cuthroat business for unscrupulous Developers.

This will be my last post on this subject.
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I do not work for MTU, and opinions expressed are Personal Opinions as a satisfied user of a Quality product.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

The question I would ask deals with the legality of the entire process.  How is this any different from burning a back-up disc and then putting the original away for safe keeping?  I was under the impression that you needed to use the original disc, exclusive of those tracks licensed for use in the CAVS.  Am I in error?

Thanks in advance.

Read this thread http://www.mtu.com/support/copyright-notes.htm that MTU paid for a Law Firm to do legal research on this issue. There has been a lot of intimidation over the years that is not based on USA law.

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Making Karaoke the best it can be! http://mtu.com

ahhh the old legality issue has crept up again.

the manufacturers (with the exception of a couple) will tell you that you can not "format change" the material. It's only legal as far as copyright law is concerned to play the songs in their original format.

My stance, and many others as well, is that we bought and paid for the material, NOT the media it's currently on.

Ultimately, it's up to you. There supposedly have been cases where Sound Choice has tried to take small ops into court to contest the copyright. BC of the Sound Choice board has admitted on their site that they lost those cases, due to civil, county, state or even federal laws... he didn't give any definitive answer... but that the legal interpretation is so far reaching that they went in expecting the federal copyright would back them up... and that wasn't the case.

Some of the situations currently exist for SC to prosecute, they have to have the ORIGINAL copyright (the original artist and songwriter of ALL the songs represented) backing them up. Of course, such a thing is impossible!

Ultimately, the decision WILL have to be made further down the line. With the RIAA and ASCAP stepping up their battles, eventually this is going to come down to a simple decision, as opposed to a case by case basis, which is the current setting. It's no longer a situation of IF you can, but WHEN will you do it?

The COMMON stance of all the people that have done the conversion is:
They have mass produced items that allow you to do this. The MP3 format, while heavily contested, thrives on the open marketplace. When you have serious manufacturers (not karaoke mind you) that are creating home and pro players that store movies and songs on mp3/mp4 format, it's become wildly acceptable! They are gearing the next generation of entertainment for this... and it's become very popular.

The majority of the karaoke manufacturers will thank you for your business, but still tell you to use the originals. Now SC is trying to market a player that does the same thing as CAVS did, but in their controllable format. We'll see... the marketplace is notoriously fickle about proprietary formats... as opposed to one that multiple outfits use.

Ultimately, it's your decision. Do you want to gamble?