Hoster Rack Computer

[CDGnewbie]

I am brand new to the software side of this since I just stummbled across this site not long ago. I sell design & install quite a few high end automated home systems. I have many customers who own stand alone Karaokee systems that I have integrated into the home systems. The problem with that is they have to continually change disks in order to get songs located on other disks. It appears to me from what information that is available that the rackmount PC is a nice fit in my current application, but I have a few questions that I am sure all of you can help with.

How many songs can I que in the playlist? And do they automatically start after the end of the previous track?

Which media is the best choice the original CDG or downloaded tracks?

How many CDGs can I store on a 200gb HD?

Both of my Displays are VGA compatible...can the data stream from the disk be output through the VGA out or is it analog video only?

Is the quality of the song graphics fairly good? I may need to distribute this to any of the zones (rooms) as the wireless mics are 2.4ghz and have very good range as well as I am using outboard extented antennas.

I am sorry if these newbie questions are redundant but these are the kinds of questions that users would have! thanks in advance!

[Beavis]

the file size is about the size of an MP3.

im not sure if theres a limit to the playlist.

it will play from the monitor & a TV if you have the right video card.

[nreel]

Playlist has no limit that I am aware of:

Playlist may be set to AUTOPLAY so the next song starts automatically and the time interval for AUTOPLAY may be adjusted from 0-240 seconds.

Currently, you MUST Import, to the Hard Drive, the Songs from a CDG Disc, in which the CDG Tracks are converted to KMA files, in order to use the Songs with Hoster. KMA files are MTU's proprietary “Compressed Format” that is a combination of WMA+G.

WMA is Microsoft’s compression Format, which is the Audio part of a Karaoke (CDG) song and the "G" is the Graphics (Displayed Words) part of a Karaoke Song. As with Mp3+G, you end up with 2 files. So, MTU has combined the 2 files, WMA and G, to 1 (one) file called a KMA file. At 128 Compression Ratio, a KMA file usually takes 3-8MB per file. Therefore, a 200GB Hard Drive could conceivably hold 40,000 Songs based on an average of 5MB/Song.

Further, to have an idea of how many Songs 40,000 is, each song is an average of 4 minutes long. There are 1440 minutes in a 24-hour day. 1440 divided by 4 minutes/Song means that one could only sing, continuously, 360 Songs in a given day.

Usually a Dual Head Video Card will output to two VGA Displays. You need a Primary display, at the computer of course, to operate the Computer and the Hoster software. The output of the second VGA would go to remote displays. ATI DualHead Video Cards, usually, have two VGA outputs and an S-Video out. I would suggest using the S-Video out to the TV unless the TV/Monitor has a VGA port. Or, you could use an S-Video to composite adapter and go to an RF-Modulator and use the In-House coax cables, if available, to display on all TV's (channel 3 or 4 switchable).

The quality of the Graphics is EXACTLY the same as a CDG Played and viewed on a Proprietary CDG Player, which usually have only Composite Inputs, and, the Graphics may be better if used in a VGA configuration. Of course, the distance from the source and the quality of cables are always a consideration.

You can always download the Hoster DEMO version for a Hands-On approach.

Hope this helps,

Norm

[mikedomi]

good post !!!
you took time to post that that was nice of you

[George]

CDGnewbie,

This page of the MTU website may help answer some of your concerns.

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

George

[CDGnewbie]

Thank you to all of you for the great information..this product seems to be a perfect fit in this project. Just for fun information...on the Stage there is a 100" rear projection system that will display the graphics of the CDGs as well as other equipment. There is also a 20" LCD Monitor Installed in front and above the stage in the soffet. I am using 2 Tannoy V15 and 1 Tannoy VS18DR Sub amplification is (1) Crest CA6 400W for the 15s and (1)Crest CA12 2000W (mono)

I can easily achieve 130db in this area...which will drive you out ...and if it doesnt your deaf!
Also since I am using all AMX control and sending the MTU rack computers output back to the rack as a source I can route it to any of the AMX panels as well as any of the TVs

Overkill...you bet ya..but I love technology and giving the customer flexibilaty they never dreamed of having!

[gduns - with the Lord]

ok, ill take your bet, and up the stakes.

I am running a rackmount 3.2ghz computer w/1.5 gig ram 1-170 gig hard drive, and 1-250 gig maxtor hard drive for karaoke, and 1-250 gig hard drive for Music. I have 20,000 karaoke tracks, and 32,000 kma (dj) tracks.

I am running into Mackey dfx12 mixer to an equalizer,kosmos, then to a pv2600 watt for the mains stereo into peavey 4-sp2x's, and a pv1500 watt the 18" subwoofers.

I do this all as a hobby, but I put on some serious shows when I do it for real.


I think Mike has me beat tho....

good luck and enjoy the new program.

[mikedomi]

what do i have you beat on ???

and what are we beting on

do you mean songs???

kma files 44.000
dj songs 62.000
but was is the bet ???

[gduns - with the Lord]

That was a figure of speach mike.

I think you probably have the largest collection here. Wish I could say that.

altho, I doubt I will ever see the 100" rear projection system , it sounds like a good touch. leaves me with a little envy.

[mikedomi]

100" rear projection system

cant see spending that kind of money unless i could make a buck
off of it

all so would not have that many songs if they were not making money for us
after all you can only listen to so much in a day anyway
see ya mike

[DougC]

Thank you all for answering CDGnewbie's questions regarding the RACK system. It seems as though most all of your questions were answered except how many songs you can store on a 200GB drive.

Well that would roughly break down to the following ranges:
@96Kbit....44,470 songs
@128Kbit...36000 songs
@160Kbit...30,240 songs
@192Kbit...26,068 songs

These are roughly calculated at a total capacity of 189GB with song sizes ranging from 4.25MB to 7.25MB respectively.

As already mentioned, there is no limit to the amount of songs that can be queued for playing (at least that we have found).

And by far CDG discs are the best place to pull songs from verse download. Most downloads are in mp3g format which is lesser quality and 2 song files which opens the door for liability.

Please notify us if all of your questions were not answered and we will be glad to get the answers needed to satisfy you.

Regards,

Doug Cox
MTU