New to Home Karaoke - is this program for me?

[JDlugosz]

My wife wants to do Karaoke for family and friends. The so-called player that came with the X-Fi sound card is useless. Sure, it can pitch-shift without using any CPU time or distortion, but it can't handle any of my content files!

She has a bunch of Asian VCDs. I've bought some CD+Gs. I want the ability to adjust the key. Some of the VCDs have lead vocals on the right channel, so the player needs to duplicate the left channel to both if that is turned off -- just changing the ballance to far left is not good, as she wants sound coming out of all 5 speakers, not just one.

She also wants the microphone to "echo". That is, a reverb effect.

I've read sites for several PC-based Karaoke players, and this seems to be one of the most serious. But it costs more than a stand-alone player!

Is this program for us?
I need to have it figured out for a party on Saturday.

[Beavis]

do you plan on importing all your songs ?? this takes time if you have a large collection.

you will need a seperate amp. (voco-pro) has an all in one unit that works great. plus speakers.


buy hoster lite.

[JDlugosz]

Originally Posted by Beavis

do you plan on importing all your songs ?? this takes time if you have a large collection.

For CD+G's, why not. For VCDs, probably not. They are already compressed, so will fill a HD up.

Originally Posted by Beavis

you will need a seperate amp. (voco-pro) has an all in one unit that works great. plus speakers.

Why? I mean, what's wrong with the receiver/amp I use for watching TV etc.? The computer is fed to one of the inputs, just like the DVD player, Tivo, etc.

Originally Posted by Beavis

buy hoster lite.

Are you saying it has all the features I mentioned (albit I'd have to scan the collection first)?

--John

[Beavis]

[quote=JDlugosz]For CD+G's, why not. For VCDs, probably not. They are already compressed, so will fill a HD up.

it will take a little time to import if you have alot of cd-g's


Why? I mean, what's wrong with the receiver/amp I use for watching TV etc.? The computer is fed to one of the inputs, just like the DVD player, Tivo, etc.


its all about how you like it to sound. if that works for you then it ok.

Are you saying it has all the features I mentioned (albit I'd have to scan the collection first)?

yes, you dont need the database.

[George]

Originally Posted by JDlugosz

Are you saying it has all the features I mentioned (albit I'd have to scan the collection first)?

NO, Hoster does not adjust balance between speakers, nor does it supply echo/reverb. It is not an amplifier.

If you want all those features, then either forget Hoster/Hoster Lite and buy a good standalone Karaoke player, and continue to play directly off discs, or invest in a Karaoke player/mixer, Hoster/Hoster Lite, and play from the pc, using your present amp.

The difference between Hoster and Hoster Lite is there is no songbook capability with Hoster Lite.

Is Hoster or Hoster Lite for you? Only you can answer that. Do you want to shuffle through discs when entertaining, use a large(400 capacity) carousel disc player to avoid disc shuffling, or do it from the computer? Answer that question, and you'll have your answer. Either way, there probably will be additional costs to support your decision.

George

[danny_g]

Originally Posted by George

NO, Hoster does not adjust balance between speakers, nor does it supply echo/reverb. It is not an amplifier.

If you want all those features, then either forget Hoster/Hoster Lite and buy a good standalone Karaoke player, and continue to play directly off discs, or invest in a Karaoke player/mixer, Hoster/Hoster Lite, and play from the pc, using your present amp.

The difference between Hoster and Hoster Lite is there is no songbook capability with Hoster Lite.

Is Hoster or Hoster Lite for you? Only you can answer that. Do you want to shuffle through discs when entertaining, use a large(400 capacity) carousel disc player to avoid disc shuffling, or do it from the computer? Answer that question, and you'll have your answer. Either way, there probably will be additional costs to support your decision.

George

while it won't adjust balance Hoster lite will do multiplex in the manner the person was looking for.
Hoster is one of the only two pc players that got it right. They should look to hoster lite and then look at getting a low cost karaoke mixer to go between their amp and the computer. Of course this would only work if their cd writer is compatable with Hoster.