Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

Never had an issue.

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

Hope your good f0rtune without protection continues.... :)

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

8 years on computer & counting. Not worried bout it.

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

Yeah, not being on the internet is probably the biggest thing that does
provide protection since most viruses get on computers when they are
on the internet.

It'd be kinda kooL to have a webcam setup to stream a karaoke show, but
I can only imagine that would make SC go nuts.

How do people get away with posting video clips with sound on YouTube
without being busted for copyright infringement? Just curious since there
are KJs that post clips of their shows online.

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

I turn off all internet access on my computer. It IS the primary reason for viruses. Even if someone put one on a flash drive, as long as the autoplay is turned off, you'd have to run the program. I suppose it's possible to put something into an mp3 or cdg file, but haven't heard of one or seen one yet.

Now you are talking a whole new legalities can of worms.
The ones on Youtube are there until someone tells them to take it down. Sometimes it takes a while, sometimes they are looking for specific videos and they come down as soon as they are posted or shortly after.

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

That's what I was thinking about youtube is that some publisher would request their music be removed.

You might want to study viruses more closely if you are going to allow memory sticks to be connected because they have much smarter viruses nowdays that run behind the scenes as soon as the memory stick is plugged in and you won't know until later... having auto play disabled does not stop most viruses now since the creators of these programs write their prog to work around that.

There are also viruses that attack hard drives and damage them so once it is powered down, it will never work again and will have to be replaced.

I learned from professional geeks that programs like Acronis True Image are some of the best protection since it captures the state of the system so it can be restored even if there is hard drive failure.

It's pretty freaky what the bad guys can do with illicit computer programs these days. The only reason I follow stuff like this is because in my business I have to depend on my computer and have to have things in place that are fail safe.

I just go see what all the geeks are doing... :g

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

Again, i'm not going to stress about it. If I get a virus - then it happens, i'll fix it when/if that ever happens, but to date, it's never happened. Not a huge concern of mine. I have back up drives built in the system, if the computer itself crashes, then I fix it or get another. Besides 9 out of 10 times I take a flashdrive (which is rare to begin with) has been from my regs or people visiting from KS looking for a place to sing and I coordinate with them in advance. Seriously doubt any of those people are going to do anything malicious to me or my system.

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

Yep, backing stuff up is the name of the
game when depending on computers.

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

Only if folks don't know how to use the program... I've used it since 2005 with a 100% success rate in that I've never once had it not restore my system with perfection.

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

Can you do that via USB, or do you have to use the headphone jack?

I found this USB mixer that looks pretty good at:
http://www.amazon.com/Behringer-X183...s+with+effects

Any thoughts on this unit, or is there a better unit that connects thru USB?

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

make sure there are drivers for the usb soundcard within the thing, had an earlier version of those, didn't work well at all with Hoster.

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

It's preferable to use an external sound card. It will work without needing to buy anything else.
Lexicon Alpha is a great pro quality unit (and cheap) that will give you a night & day difference over a headphone jack output.
http://www.zzounds.com/item--LEXALPHA

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

Does it work with USB?

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

It is USB. Computer connects to Alpha via a USB cable. Then you go from the Alpha to the mixer inputs via standard 1/4"-1/4" (balanced if your mixer has balanced inputs) cables.
This has an advantage over most USB mixers as most USB mixers don't have any kind of adjustment for eq or effect or monitor/aux sends, just an input that you turn up.

Re: Karaoke with Laptop only???
 

I still do Shows in nursing homes/senior centers using my old portable "cassette" Karaoke machine. It has 80 watts of power so it can still fill up a medium size room and has good sound. I plug the Audio from my laptop into the Audio In on the back of the unit, and plug the microphone into the front. Then I have the words on my laptop to be able to sing with. If the Home has a second TV, then I just plug into it the same way that I plug in to any TV using yellow RCA plug. Then the residents can sing along with me. I place my portable machine in the front of their TV (just off the floor on the dolly I use to carry it in) while I stand off to the side. The mic has a 20ft cord which can reach many of the residents so they can also sing if they want. I am always amazed at how many are good singers & know the words by heart when you play songs from their Era.

There are many portable machines on the market today. The best advice is to get one with 80 watts of power, and if possible check the sound in person before you buy. There is no need to carry a separate equalizer. These singers are just HAPPY you are there!:):)