Karaoke Forums

To those who have gone to PC hosting...what formats have you chosen to rip to and why?  I realize the balance between sound quality and hard drive space.  

By the way, PCDJ-KJ is absolutely amazing with respect to stability, ease of use and key changing quality.  Why haven't more people chosen to use this software?

Regards

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Surge Productions
Winnipeg, MB CANADA

my research has shown PCKJ and the FX packages to be highly resource intensive.

For the longest time, I've used winamp, and loved every minute of it. For my video files, I use Windows Media Player.

It's only been recently that I've seriously looked at another software package. I just love the video options on clubdjpro!

It is good software if you can keep straight who is singing what. Maybe MobileDJ Pro will add the singer name function they were talking about. Maybe tehy should check out autodkj's way of doing it.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

I use MTU's Hoster which uses a KMA format. I chose this format over mp3 mainly because I feel it sounds better. There were other reasons for going with this program but will not elaborate on them. I downloaded all programs that fit my needs and then evaluated them for sound, features, ease of use etc. and made my choice from there.

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott

I agree with flipper as to checking out all the programs before choosing what you want to use.
The only one that doesn't provide a demo is PCDJ KJ.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

For me I use the MP3+G format, that is able to play in Winamp with the proper plugins.  I usualy rip at 256kbps.  There are othere format that could be considered better, but in all reality 95%+ of singers will probably never know the difference

For a rotation software I use Sax&Dotty's Show Presenter, which is a front end for winamp that handles rotation and song selection.

I think that the MP3+G is a more widely accepted format for PC karaoke, since it can be played on several different programs.  Perhaps some day, Karaoke disc makers will coe up with some standard format that will allow use to buy songs via a download.

I chose what I chose after testing several different programs.  I selected my current software setup in consideration of easy of use and price.

Top Hits has chosen mp3+g zipped.    Sound Choice has chosen WMV.    I doubt  you'll be able to get any manufacturer to agree to one format.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

When using Sax & Dottys Show Presenter 2.2, I'm experiencing a 4 - 5 sec delay when changing the key.  Is this common for all?

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Surge Productions
Winnipeg, MB CANADA

Surge, doing it on the fly yeah.   Do it when you queue the song.

winamp with pacemaker will have up to a two second delay. None if the music hasn't started.

Clubdjpro has an automatic key adjuster. When you move the slide and take your finger off the mouse button, it activates.

Don't know about Roxbox or other hosters as far as their key adjusters.

First, it has nothing to do with S&D, it is in Winamp.

The problem is that the buffer has read ahead in the song for 4-5 seconds, and thus the key change is not being done in "real-time".  Once you change the key, Winamp has to play the 4-5 seconds of buffer, then the part with the key change will start.  IF that is a problem for you, you can change the size of the buffer.

I went the way of PC not too long ago and decided to go the route of PCKJ also.
I like the program and use MP3+G zipped files.   I've ripped the tracks using audiograbber and a Plextor external drive.

The pro's of using mp3+g's is its universal appeal with many software programs out there. Whether you are hosting or managing your files MP3's seem to be more of a standard.  It may be true that other formats sound better but hey Beta was better than VHS and now they are both obselete.  Soon mp3's will be replaced by something else  lol

Hoster's key changer is instant.

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

RoxBox relies on winamp and it's plugins which includes pacemaker.
From checking out an early alpha of KJamp which will eventually replace winamp as roxbox's player and it's keychanger rivals Hoster's.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Twan... I heard the version 3 of S&D utilizes it's own engine for playing the files, not Winamp.

If you are talking about the aborted attempt of version 3, it still used winampfor karaoke but used it's own player for filler songs.  I have no idea whether or not they have moved on to trying another attempt at it. they moved onto to Digital Entertainer (Show Presenter Pro if you will) which still requires winamp and it's plugins to run.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.