Karaoke Forums

Howdy everyone!

Our church , yep CHURCH, is looking to purchase a computerized Karaoke system for Friday night karaoke at the church.  Being as i am a choir director, the pastor some how felt that I would know what to get....guess what???  

I AM CLUELESS!!!

Any suggestions or comparisons will be greatly greatly greatly appreciated!

thanks in advance!

You know, this reminds me of something... I'm going to go off on a rant... it's NOT really related to this specific request, as it's for a Church or "non pro" type of show... but I feel it applies in part to the request.

If you know how to fix a computer when it's acting up, then go towards a computerized system... otherwise, you're ASKING for trouble!

When I first decided to go computer, I spent MONTHS if not a year testing, playing with it at HOME for a supposed show, all the while fartin around with one way or another of doing stuff. My home pc was my beta test, and then I installed the karaoke software on my "show pc", and then STILL tested further.

My ease of use with the system now is proof of how much I played with it at home before using it in my "pro" show.

If it breaks, you HAVE to know how to fix it... if you don't you're going to HATE going computer. Not saying anythings going to happen, but you HAVE to know it inside and out.

I was talkin' with Tig about this the other day. No offense, but I'm getting frustrated with the plethora of newbies that are "new" to computer, and yet want to host a professional show with something that they admitedly know little to nothing about.

That's just ASKING for trouble.

<<end of rant>>

now, to address the question directly...

Do you guys have a cdg system now? or you're looking to go directly into it, say the heck with it, and go straight to computer??

Other than the CAVS system, I don't know of a system that's already converted that's legal. Forget the E-bay hard drives that promise this stuff... it's ILLEGAL.

When the major manufacturers like Sound Choice offer their system on a computer, or a CAVS type of system, then fine, it's done.

To the direct point... you have to have a cdg system first. That is, buy the discs, player, etc. THEN buy the computer, and convert it. It's taken me over a year to do this...

Probably not what you're wanting to hear, is it?

The only company that directly sells their product for computer is Top Hits Monthly... but it's recent stuff, and a selection of country artists and some "core" duets, etc...

I buy them that way... but I wouldn't want to depend on them for the SOLE church library! Especially the modern radio stuff! !

http://www.karaokemonthly.com/ and click on the "six packs"... those are available via WINCDG (computerized version), CAVS mp3g, or regular cdg!

thanks Knightshow,

they already have a cdg system.  i have no idea why he wants to go computer, i'm just asking!  LOL.

i have enough trouble with this raggedy PC i'm using at home, but then of course, there are the "techies" of the church.

I guess what i'm really looking for is Product names and websites, so i can email him a list and say HERE YA GO!

Start by using the forum search (a pretty nice feature ) with keywords like computer and karaoke. You'll be surprised to see the volumes of information that is available.

well as I said m'man, the ONLY one I KNOW of that's computerized is Top Hits Monthly. I've heard rumors that Chartbuster is... but haven't been able to substantiate it.

They and some other companies were on the CAVS Jukebox format... but then news leaked out that they were illegal and didn't have the permission of the manus.

Don't know why I feel so strongly about that... because in essence, I don't have the authority behind the manus EITHER for my computerized system! ! I just feel to sell it that way is just wrong. Course Tig will probably jump my buttsky for that! !

Best of luck to ya.

Since you have a cdg system, there are some awesome solutions...

if you just want to use the computer as a player, try the free winamp (I have the "whole file" on http://www.geocities.com/akaraokelounge .

If you want a "hoster" program, there's MTU, sax n dottys, pckj, etc.

Then there's the programs to DO the ripping... with mtu, it comes with it's own. Audiograbber is a great one that goes around the "16th data track" that SC, Priddis, and CB have...

As Allstar said, check out the various threads...

as always, post here, or email if you have any questions about the research you've done! And seen your techies out here to get their info! !

hey man...  to each his own and i only jump your arse when ya jump on other people's arses for doing the same things you don't want people to know you do too ... make sense? I'll draw a picture next time...- tig

Since you have CD+G, stick with it and get the discs you want.  Regardless of what people say, computer systems are illegal unless the manufacturer (ie Top Hit Monthly) sell it in that form.  As a church, it's in your best interest to stay legal.

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You can be strange but not a stranger

check out mtu.com.  They have a complete software to use your PC as a karaoke player.  But you must have a CDG compatible DVD/CD burner.  Their software will play your CDG's from either the CD player/burner or from the hard drive.  I just tested something called microstudio and it worked O.K.  They also have a hoster program.

They will allow you to download their demo software for testing.  

They also cover the legal issue.  Just look around their site and you will find it.

MTU provides an outlet and software for people to do digital karaoke and they do not have the authority or legal muscle to say it is "legal".. what they DO do is offer a player with a proprietory format that is not bulletproof and still does not give you the legal right to rip CDG's to a digital format...... what timberlea said still holds true- format shifting is technically illegal unless express permission from the manufacturer is given (refer to his examples)... stick with CDG's and stay outta the gray areas all together...- tig

blah blah blah legal schmegal..............can we not have one conversation without this legal crap sticking it's head out? Geezzzzzzzzz
Enough already! Answer the questions asked, and be quiet for the rest. Driving over the speed limit is not legal either, but we don't discuss that every day either.

you haven't driven with my wife ...

We're not talking about Joe Schmo doing a show and doesn't care, we're talking about a religious institute, which most likely would not want to break the law or be embarassed if caught.  So in this case the legalities are very important whether you like it or not.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

This is a church who will be doing karaoke in the privacy of their own congregation.  I assume they will also be using their own cdg's.  On the other hand, they may want to download their music from Walmart.  Yes, Walmart sells Karaoke downlaods for 88 cents a track.  I have not downloaded any so I don't know if these include the lyrics.

My quesion is, who cares?  Are there some special karaoke cops out there that go into private homes or  attend church services to see who is loading CDG's on their computer?

and I think this falls under the Fair Use act anyway... it's not a pro show

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Gator

However it is a public performance, it's not somebody's living room.  Check the act, it says public performance, not a profesional show.

_________________
You can be strange but not a stranger

but I wonder on that Tim... public performance is a very broad, scope issue. For non commercial issues (with commercial translating to a "pro show"), that's what the Fair Use is intended for, correct? For a closed community such as a church or school functions, that falls under the fair use bit. I know the school part does.

For the love of all, just answer mstinat's (@$%&#!) question!

Oh wait, I get it, you don't know the answer, and now you are trying to hide your incompetence with the legal schmegal, which, you also don't have a clue about. All what I have read up to now is hear-say, and won't hold up in a court of law. The whole copyright thing is a clear as mud-water, so once again For the love of all, just answer mstinat's (@$%&#!) question!

ps. What you are doing here is defined as spamming, which under the rules of the karaoke forum, are not acceptable. Here, look at this for some legal schmegal, and I quote from http://www.karaoke-forum.com/viewtopic.php?t=327