Karaoke Forums

To all that have used or use Hoster. I'm about to go PC and would like to know if it would be better to purchase the complete package from MTU or buy the laptop seperately and only purchase the software? Thanks

As with any software there are little special quirks that go along with it. I think you will find you need a plextor cd read/write cd drive, and MTU is the only company that offers this as a built in feature in the laptop.

as I said in the PM. They set up the software and if there are any setup problems, they fix them before you see the computer, thus saving you headaches. The MTU laptop os a steal for the price, (with all the software included) and tested at the factory.

WHen you buy a factory laptop, say dell, or compaq, trust me you will have to have an external cd drive to read a cdg and import it. and there is no garauntee from them the software will work with their computer.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

a buddy of mine has pckj and he's evaluating it now.

The "Hoster" program that Dr. D. is talking about is working great with one of my local competiors, and she can't stop raving about it!

Best of luck to ya!

Matt

I use Hoster and would NEVER go back to the disk carrying days.

I didn't buy their laptop though. I build myself a rack-mount PC with a 14" LCD display and it works wonders! Stick to a recognized Plextor and you're ready to go (quite a bit cheaper as well)

I was considering purchasing the hoster stand alone duplicator. Anyone hip to this contraption? Seems like the quick fix I'm looking for...

If you're looking for a stand alone, try here
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/

Just a suggestion.

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{edited link = way to long}
webguru
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Gimme a lazy link!!! I was just about to order off hoster when I picked up my mail and saw the guitar center magazine. I came upon a brand new item that will duplicate karaoke cd'g for about 200.00 less than hoster. The only drawback is that the duplicator from hoster recognizes VCD. I need to check into the other possibility at the guitar center then make my decision.

OFF TOPIC

I really like that tinyurl.com I have been using them for awhile. Thought I was the only one I am trying to figure out how they manage to get that to function correctly?

Oh well I'll let you resume the Topic.

Phill

yeah, a bunch of us from different forums have all informed each other about tinyurl.com... great service.

first of all hoster is not the cd duplicator, it is a program to host a karaoke show.

The duplicator is called microstudio and it is less than $40.

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I'm Not Dead yet...... But every day Im getting Closer !

Currently Hoster does not do VCD or DVD but they have stated that the will be coming out with an update by the end of this year that will.

Hoster does not duplicate songs. It stores the songs in a kma file format on you hard drive and then accesses them with the program to host a show. You cannot convert the kma file back to Cdg for burning.

The stand alone duplicator unit from MTU is a good one however it does not do multi-session discs. You will need the Microstudio software and a good plextor burner compatible with the software to do these discs.

One thought to consider when dealing with Guitar Center on software, they merely stock it and sell it. With MTU you are dealing directly with the software creator and get excellent support via their Forum which is extremely active with posts from MTU Tech staff and a large base of customers that use the product daily. Normally you can get your answers within a few hours. Also Hoster is in a continual state of refinement so the updates to fix bugs (normally windows related) regularly. This is one of the few companies that I have found that listens to what KJ's in the field want and what they dont want, they actually take a poll of their regular users and then usually within 60-90 days you will see those features offered in the updates. I have done over 100 shows with no problems, and can honestly say there is not one more feature with the exception of VCD that I would ever need. It is so easy to operate.

You may want to check out the brand name of the product G/C carries and see what kind of tech support is offered before you take the plunge.
PC karaoke can be very frustrating if your software does not cooperate, I have heard quite a few horror stories from other programs. I spent over a year researching to find the right fit for me. But it was well worth the effort!

Good Luck!!

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FlipSide Karaoke
Scott