What kind of laptops do today's KJs use/recommend?

[billyo]

Originally Posted by ntepb

gduns:

Thanks for the reply. However, as I've stated previously, my friend can't afford the MTU laptops right now. Plus, he doesn't mind lugging around the CD/DVD and hard drives. At least it's lighter than lugging around a few thousand CDs. Yes, I know, my friend is crazy.

Looking at those laptops, though...I almost want to buy one.

Any other suggestions?

Jon

i've been using dell e1505 laptop ( with some upgrades )as my primary to do my shows and a 1405 as my back-up ( also with upgrades both with 3 years ext. warranty ) i havent had any problems with it the only thing was i had to use a maxview pc to tv/lcd adaptor since both have a 7 pin s-video out, i cant seemed to get the video to work right with the 7 pins, both laptop is capable of dual display, both has dvd/cdrw,don't even use my plextor drive anymore price is reasonable..paid over $900 for the 1505 and over $800 for the 1405..the only advice i can give you was to make sure to back-up all your kma files to an ext. drive just incase...good luck.

[bobcox- with the Lord]

I have two Dell 8100 Laptops from Ebay.
about $300.00 15" lcd s-video 512 ram they work great. have used them for a long time. and the price is right.

[ntepb]

billyo :

Wow! Those are some powerful systems! But you do bring up a good point...does it seem like the 7-pin S-video issue is common with all of the Dell laptops? Or is it just with a few laptops where the manufacturer is trying to make a few more dollars by trying to get consumers to get their S-video adapter?

bobcox :

I just talked to a couple of KJs in my area, and they've all told me that they started off with a Dell Inspiron 8100 laptop before moving onto a new tower system. So it sounds like the Dell 8100 might be a winner (at least in regards to price).

Thanks very much for the info, guys. Let's keep this going. What other systems do KJs use and/or recommend?

Jon

[billyo]

as far as i know dell is the only one that has 7 pin s-video out..but someone said that a 4 pin s-video cable will work just fine.but anyway hope your friend choose whats best for him..good luck

[bobcox- with the Lord]

the 7 pin is s-video/tv out, it has a composit video singnal.
the 4 pin is s-video only it has no composit video signal so you are better off with a 7 pin s-video/tv out.

the dell inspiron 8100 is considered to be the finest multi-media laptop ever made. new they were about $3500.00. and that was 4 or 5 yrs ago.

[Dean Gadberry]

I have used 2 different lap tops. Both have been Sonys. They are both VAIO which is video, audio, integrated operating system. They are perfect for Hoster. I have not had the problems with these computers that I have read about in the forum pages and did not have to deal with the bugs that bothered many of the other users. One is a PCG-GRX670 wide screen and 2 hard drives, 3-4 years old. My second one is a VGN-FJ170/B with 1 100gb hard drive, 1 year old. Both have a audio/video jack that you plug into. You can also buy a port replicator for the GRX670 if you want and then you would get RCA plug in's for both input and output.
Dean

[a2kmike]

your friend may want to consider using CRT (tube-type)computer monitors. if he is lugging around TV's these are usually lighter than a 19-or 20 inch TV. they can be picked up at used computer shops rather inexpensive or if he is like me he may have some extras around from upgrades he has done on systems at home. then you get one of these....

http://www.mcminone.com/product.asp?...5Fid=83%2D3180

from MCM (when prompted, use source code 612114 for the current sale catalog price) and the price is $13.19 each. you split the VGA (HD-15) signal and send it to two monitors. the pix is much better than an S-video pix. If needed they also carry SVGA extension cables from 6 foot to 100 foot.

As for the Hoster computer I am using a Compaq Presario 2500 .... I upgraded the RAM and installed a CD+G compatible CDRW...works fine...picked it up for $350.00 used.

just in case the link does not work..here's the site

it is www.mcminone.com

item # is 83-3180.... VGA "Y" Cable

[kedmison]

I just got a Dell 1505. Going to move my Prostar to back up status. Will my current 4 pin S-video cable work with my Dell? I send one signal to a LCD on stage for the singers and one to a TV up and behind me on stage. Not sure I understand what can or not be used. All I'm sending is the words.

Thanks,

Kelly

[ntepb]

Well, I talked to my friend some more about the various laptops out there, and he wanted me to tell you all thanks for your valuable input.

billyo & bobcox :

Thanks for the input about the S-video pinouts for the Dell laptops.

a2kmike :

Thanks for the info and reminding me about the TV setup. What my friend does is use the big-screen TVs in the bars to display karaoke with, so he really never has to lug around a separate TV. I agree that using a 15-pin VGA connection would look better, but we're looking towards hooking up to (sometimes) multiple big-screen (pre-HD) TVs, so either composite or S-video would work (S-video preferred). And yes, my friend already has figured out the solution to hooking up his system to older TVs - S-video/composite to RF modulator, so that won't be an issue.

Dean :

Now there's a thought...I never thought of using a Sony VAIO laptop for karaoke. I'm going to check some prices on that. Very interesting idea! Thanks.

Kelly :

Ooh...another vote for the 1505. Thanks! And to respond to your 2nd point (this is for everyone)...

The reason I brought up the 4-pin vs. 7-pin S-video issue is because after reading Dell's website, it seems that lots of people have problems using the 4-pin S-video cables with the 7-pin sockets. Usually, the people having problems with the cabling issues talk a lot about having the TV picture come up in B/W instead of color. I'm not sure if it's a system or video driver issue (probably the latter).

Thanks for all your input, everyone! And once again, let's keep this thread going! Happy holidays!

Jon

[billyo]

Originally Posted by bobcox

the 7 pin is s-video/tv out, it has a composit video singnal.
the 4 pin is s-video only it has no composit video signal so you are better off with a 7 pin s-video/tv out.

the dell inspiron 8100 is considered to be the finest multi-media laptop ever made. new they were about $3500.00. and that was 4 or 5 yrs ago.

i bought a 7 pin video cable to rca adaptor and and i've got it hooked up to a plasma tv at the place where i do my show, still had problems with it , can hardly read the graphicss and sweeping comes out dark.. tried changing my resolution to no avail..that's why i ended up using my maxview pc/laptop to tv adaptor and works great..

[bobcox- with the Lord]

update your video card drivers from manfact website.
also the problem you describe is video card settings. is it ati or nvidia.