HELP NEEDED cda files ??

[Ron Vermillion]

I'm new to using Hoster, but not a total rookie. I installed Hoster a couple of months ago and imported some files off of CD+G CDs to use as backing music for my guitar playing and singing performing. Actually practicing to perform later.

OK - I've got files imported, I can change the key of them I can rename them which I do to include the Key in the title as a clue for me.

So I went to Priddis Music and ordered $100 worth of songs. They came in on two CD's.

Hoster says the drive is not ready when I try to import these songs. I can import songs from other CD+G CD's just fine. There was a message on the forum about changing a .dll driver. I followed those instructions and reloaded Hoster Using UPGRADE. Still no luck.

When I try to import these Priddis Music Pro-Burn CD files Hoster cannot see the drive, says I need to insert a CD and try again. I can read the Priddis CD's with my computer and then I noticed that these are CDA files not CDG files.

The CD's are also black on the back side. This is the first time I've seen this and I don't know if that has anything to do with it or not. I have spend about 8 hours so far fiddling around with Hoster just trying to import these files. I did a search on the forum and found a lot of messages about Microstudio - I don't even know what that is. I just want to put the songs on my laptop and play them back while I perform. How hard is that supposed to be?

Did I get bum disks from Priddis ? Is Hoster incompatable with CDA files, whatever those are. They are all the same small file size, so I think that the files I see as Track1 Track2 etc, are probably just place markers like shortcuts - so where are the files.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

If you would please email me, I don't haunt the forum continuously but sure would like some help.


Ron Vermillion
Lost in Cyber Space

[ddouglass]

Ron, I ran across one of this type of cd recently. I don't remember the brand (Oldtimers disease ) and I can't find the post I put in the Beta area. You are correct that those are not the song files because they are too small. I don't think I was able to import them either. However, cdg files do list with a cda extension, so that isn't an indication of the problem, but the size is.

I'll look some more for that post and see if I can find out what brand it was.

[Ron Vermillion]

Thanks,

When I just click on these files the sound track will play in Microsoft Media Player. Even more frustrating.

Ron

[ddouglass]

Ron, have you tried them in WinAmp with the CDG or Karaoke (I forget how they call it) plugin? I think they work in that, but not in Media Player.

[ddouglass]

I found the post I had made but it was for an audio CD done the same way.

Originally Posted by ddouglass

I have found that some audio CDs will not work in Microstudio Import. I am not sure what is different but on those you cannot see the .cda files in Windows Explorer. They will duplicate ok, but you can't import individual tracks.

If I remember correctly there was an additional folder on that one where the actual data was stored. This isn't any help, but hopefully MTU can take a look at this Pro-Burn setup as Priddis apparently isn't the only one using it for custom orders. I know that DooWop (retailer) is doing them with permission from certain companies, but I don't know which ones are allowing it.

[Ron Vermillion]

Priddis isn't answering their customer service line. Their email address sends messages back. not cool.

Ron

[ddouglass]

Ron,
Is there a folder on the disc with files in it like .dat? They may be using something like the SCDGs format.

[Ron Vermillion]

All Windows XP can see is this list of Tracks as cda files.

[Garry A. Leslie]

Hey Ron,
Don't know whether this will work.
Obviously you have managed to get these CDA tracks onto your hard drive.
They obviously have no graphics, can't think what other data they might contain.
Whichever folder they're in on your HD change the extensions to i.e.bin. or whatever Hoster will import.
Then try to import them from the hard drive.
You might be lucky.
Regards from across the pond.
Garry

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by Ron Vermillion

All Windows XP can see is this list of Tracks as cda files.

Folder options set to see all files and extensions? (Just checking )

What size are the cda files?

[Ron Vermillion]

Yes folder options set to see everything.

I changed one to a Track1.cdg just for grins, no luck. Hoster sends me a message that there is no CD in the drive. I never get to the files. Hoster cannot see the Priddis CD sitting in the drive. Windows can see it and sees Track1.cda Track2.cda etc. If you double click on those tracks Windows Media Player (my default media player) will play the backing track and show that media player light show (which ever one you choose) as the music plays.

Ron

[ddouglass]

Did you try Garry's suggestion of changing one to a .bin extension then import from hard drive?

[MTUSUPPORT]

The .cda estension is what you will see on EVERY CD that is either Audio or Karaoke that you place in a computer. All this does is gives the computer a way to see the Table of Contents. Think of the .cda files, at 1kb, as a Shortcut on your desktop, to a deeper location, where the audio/karaoke is located in the disc.

Now as to your problem, these may just be disks that Hoster does not recognize, for some reason. Alot of these companies that do custom discs, always add security to the disk that is custom made.

Also, have you made sure you have the drive set correctly under Hoster to the one you are putting the disk in? You do this under the Tools Menu\CD/DVD Default drives under Hoster.

[jimbo]

Ron,
It is a multi-session disc made on the Pro-Burn system. Use Microstudio to import into BIN or CDG (Just don't do the last track). Then use Hoster to import from hard drive. This is the work-around.
Licensing through Pro-Burn (MCPS) requires us to make the cdg that way.

Jim

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by jimbo

Ron,
It is a multi-session disc made on the Pro-Burn system. Use Microstudio to import into BIN or CDG (Just don't do the last track). Then use Hoster to import from hard drive. This is the work-around.
Licensing through Pro-Burn (MCPS) requires us to make the cdg that way.

Jim

Jim,
That can't be the problem as Hoster handles multi-session discs just fine now. That work around was for earlier versions of Hoster and I know Ron is working with the later versions.

Ron what kind of drive are you using? There have been a lot of problems with the Plextor drives of late (last 2 versions of Hoster).

[jimbo]

OK. I just know I was getting the same problem. My drive is a plextor 12/10/32s. Yes, a very old drive, so maybe that is my problem.

Jim

[Ron Vermillion]

Ron,
It appears that the Disc on Demand system that we use puts some copy protection on the discs that are made. These are CDG files on the disc.
I am familiar with MTU's programs, including Hoster, Microstudio, and KHpro.
There is a way to get around the copy protection. There is no way for us not to put that protection on the CDG with our system however.

To bypass the copy protection - Use MTU's Microstudio program. Import the song from the CD to the hard drive. Import it in BIN or CDG format. Only select the songs you need. Do not select the last track. That is the Easy Karaoke track that is putting the copy protection on the CD. From there you will need to import to Hoster from the hard drive instead of the CD.

If you have any question, feel free to ask.

Jim

So now I have to go get acquanted with Microstudio. Do I have that on my Hoster CD ?

Ron

[jimbo]

Ron,
Please edit out the email address and phone number. I don't want to get spammed.

Jim

[ddouglass]

Originally Posted by jimbo

Licensing through Pro-Burn (MCPS) requires us to make the cdg that way.

Jim, does this mean you have first hand knowledge of Pro-Burn? And who is MCPS? I tried to search for them but got no where.

Originally Posted by jimbo

OK. I just know I was getting the same problem. My drive is a plextor 12/10/32s. Yes, a very old drive, so maybe that is my problem.
Jim

Not necessarily your drive, but the program. Without trying to get into details, the problem is with the drive interface code within the program. Should be a fix out very soon for this. Read the News section on the main MTU website.

Originally Posted by Ron Vermillion

Ron,
It appears that the Disc on Demand system that we use puts some copy protection on the discs that are made. These are CDG files on the disc.
I am familiar with MTU's programs, including Hoster, Microstudio, and KHpro.
There is a way to get around the copy protection. There is no way for us not to put that protection on the CDG with our system however.

To bypass the copy protection - Use MTU's Microstudio program. Import the song from the CD to the hard drive. Import it in BIN or CDG format. Only select the songs you need. Do not select the last track. That is the Easy Karaoke track that is putting the copy protection on the CD. From there you will need to import to Hoster from the hard drive instead of the CD.

If you have any question, feel free to ask.

Jim Eberhard
Priddis Music
www.priddis.com

So now I have to go get acquanted with Microstudio. Do I have that on my Hoster CD ?

Ron

This is the same thing Jim was saying. It appears they use multi-session "protection" but if that was your problem you would be able to read the TOC and import all but the last song. In your case you can't even read the TOC.
No Microstudio isn't part of your Hoster CD. You would have to purchase it. The program isn't expensive, but if you can wait a week or so, the upgrade version of Hoster with the fix for the drives will be out and that won't cost you anything.

[jimbo]

Yes, I have first hand knowledge of Pro-Burn. I supply them with the music (Priddis tracks).
MCPS is the licensing agency which Pro-Burn uses to get the songs licensed for karaoke on the Pro-Burn system.

Pro-Burn is the system that is used to create the custom CDGs.


Jim
Priddis Music