Karaoke Forums

Here is a bit of info some of you may be looking for...it is amazing what you can find with a bit of creative work...

Too expensive, even at $99 a month.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Right....

It's "transparent" alright... as in "invisible"

Wow, look at all the hosting software that got in bed with this music renting concept. Amazing. What scares me is that it seems that the American Music publishers have got so much power over the karaoke industry in America that they're literally dictating what is law now in this country. We're turning into the only country in the world that doesn't allow music ownership combined with public performances, and sadly, just about everyone seems to be going along with it. American KJs have been reduced to cattle following our new master, and the new master wants $99 a month for the rest of our KJ career, and when we retire, we have nothing to show for it.

Too bad I'm not allowed to curse on this forum because it's certainly time for a few good four letter words.

It appears the new path for the industry is going to be an interesting one. The result will hopefully be a fair (not greedy) one for all involved, so that all involved will be able to move forward and achieve balance in their lives...

Let me start by saying (what I've already stated before).... The Karaoke Cloud Service is NOT for me. I am an ODB (Hobbyist) KJ, and if I do 12 shows in the year, I'm happy. That being said, considering that I have a very well-rounded library of over 12K songs, $99 a month to select 1 or 2 songs (out of 45-60 songs that will get sung during the entire show) is NOT worth the price to me... PLUS, the fact that I am ODB (for those who don't understand what that means, it means I DON'T USE A COMPUTER at my shows (and please kindly refrain from suggesting that I should do so)), and I only get paid $150--200 per show (based on 3-4 hours)... FORGET ABOUT the $199/month price later down the line (WHY would I want to pay more than I make for that service?).

Now, with all that being said (again), I am confused (which doesn't take much ) about the OP. In the first diagram, it says LEGAL FOR PROFESSIONAL USE. In one of the (many other) Digitrax topic threads, didn't some of you BETA TESTERS say that the product was for HOME USE ONLY? Please clarify this.

The Beta test was for Karaoke Cloud.

The ad is for Karaoke Cloud Pro...for professionals.

If it is not for you, then I guess you are in the N/A category.

There is no doubt that this will suit new adopters more that the old schoolers. New KJs are as important to the future of the industry as anyone else...and changes in any industry always affect prior generations...

Did anyone notice that it is $99 a month but you have to subscribe for a year?
There is a 3 year option. Do you know what this means. You subscribe you find out you don't like it and guess what you are going to pay for it for what every option you chose whether you use it or not!!!! It's a contract that you won't be able to get out of.


Are these people nuts. I hope that they fall flat on their face with this concept!

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I like everyone when I first meet them. If you don't like me that's not my problem it's YOURS!
A stranger is a friend you haven't met yet

Not that amazing and there's nothing special to making your hosting software work with a library that is "net-based."

Here's an example if you'd like to be "your own cloud:"

#1. drop a computer in your basement with all your songs on it - call it "drive X" just for fun.

#2. change your NAT settings on your home router so that all "incoming requests" are pointed to that machine.

#3. install a program called "NetDrive" on your hosting machine (really cheap) It will trick your hosting machine into thinking that drive "x" is really a hard drive on your hosting machine. It uses an ftp connection to your library machine.

That's basically it... Now, when you want to run karaoke at your club and have an internet connection, start NetDrive first - which will connect via ftp to the "library" at home, then your hosting software. When your hosting software needs a song, it looks to drive "x" and NetDrive goes out on the net and gets the file. Your hosting software doesn't know the difference and if you have a good internet connection, most patrons will never know the difference either.

Now, if you want to make it "a cloud"... you simple "sell access" to the library machine and since it requires an ftp connection, you can add (or kill) any account as the administrator.... Someone doesn't pay their "access fee?" Suspend their account by simply changing their password until they pay up....

(Note: this is "not really kosher" to set up this way, but it illustrates how easy it is to do. )

It's not "streaming," but rather "file serving" and you can use the hosting software you already have....

Insta-cloud.....

That makes no sense at all. Who in their right mind would go through all that trouble when they could simply put that terabyte hard drive in their pocket and take it to the show?

Why would you INCREASE your risk of failure at a show? It's the same point with the cloud.

The download option that was discussed by some will only be available on the "home use Cloud"....this product "the Cloud Pro" allows for subscription service and "tethering" only.

This product will hold appeal for some and not for others. I can see it having benefit for some and not for others

Chip's analogy is sort of valid IF not for the trademark issues. Digitrax has permission to "rent" these files from the manufactures. If someone else were to create a similar system they would also need to have written permissions also or face litigation.

I wonder if this means that some of the other companies involved in the cloud will be looking to protect their trademarks here in the USA to maximize profits ? I see at least 4 overseas manufactures on board at this time. wouldn't that be something ?

"All-Star Karaoke, Chartbuster Karaoke, Magic Music, Priddis, SBI, Stage
Stars, and Sunfly are all represented with more labels added monthly"

I think the changes in the karaoke industry will be happening VERY quickly in the near future.

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"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

I implore anyone who comments on this thread to thoroughly read the details in the brochure at the top...it clearly says it works OFFLINE...

"That makes no sense at all. Who in their right mind would go through all that trouble when they could simply put that terabyte hard drive in their pocket and take it to the show?

Why would you INCREASE your risk of failure at a show? It's the same point with the cloud."

With "the cloud" there is the option to "tether" the library on a HD and just carry that drive to your shows. You just have to sign in and verify your subscription (and get updates) at least once a month.

With Chip's analogy of "cloud hosting" your own library...you would need written permission from the trademark/copyright holders to do so....or risk lawsuits.

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

I tend to believe that a loophole has been found to accomplish this...perhaps in that gray area, NONLEGAL (still looking for a more highly accurate word, but until then...) space or whatever you might call it...doesn't matter to me. But it needs to be realized that the changes are coming...ready or not...

You folks better be careful what you wish for. One day they MAY start suing EVERYONE who is not in the cloud. I know you don't believe that but your love of lawsuits is verging on obsession. Don'y think i am singling you out, Athena. There are a lot of you who would like to see every mfr charge people fees to shift their stuff, and some who would like to see yearly "dues" having to be paid.

I am just saying, if the cloud becomes the next big thing, you may see ODB hosts getting sued to gain more customers for the cloud. I would laugh my (@$%&#!) off, as I walk away from karaoke altogether. I will tell you all, at that point, that you brought it upon yourselves.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

Smoothedge,
I do not feel singled out....I DO want the piracy issue to be resolved. My interest in the current lawsuits may just boarder on obsession. ODB hosts will not have to worry about being sued IF they own all the discs and play from them...they are using the product they purchased the way it was designed to be used. IF the manufactures were to remove permission to media-shift I could easily return to playing from discs. IF manufactures were to insist on yearly paid audits to remain digital, I could do that too. I will not walk away.

I want the industry cleaned up.
I want the thieves to have to pay for the tracks they use.
I want this industry to be around for my children and grandchildren.

My motivations are very clear... I do not try to hide my intentions

I do like your warning to "be careful what you wish for statement" just remember wishes that come true always have a hook...read your faerie tales.

_________________
"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

The problem is that if one day they decide that ODB hosts are offensive, because they aren't using the cloud service, they could come after them and start suing them. Then what will you do?? I know, it's a doomsday scenario, but ANYTHING is possible in business. And people with deep enough pockets can get ANY legislation created, and any legal issue resolved in their favor. If those that run the CLOUD make enough money they could pressure the mfrs to force the hosts to use it or get out of the business. According to their speeches at the summit they seem to WANT an end to plastic media.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE

They could not come after ODB hosts for using the product as it was designed...however

They can (and may) influence manufactures to stop producing new product on physical media faster. This is a point of market conditions effecting a product, however they would just be speeding up a process that is end user driven. Think about it new hosts do not want to buy a whole disc to get the couple songs they want...they want to purchase song track by track .

Player quality has slipped big time in the last decade and many companies has stopped making players...so it could get very difficult to keep equipment in running condition.

They do want to control the product they create....if you look back the "other" way didn't work so good for them.

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"Integrity is choosing your thoughts, words and actions based on your principles and values rather than for your personal gain."
Unknown
"if a man has integrity, nothing else matters, If a man has no integrity, nothing else matters."
Lee McGuffey

I have considered doing EXACTLY what Chip suggested albeit with different software. End result is that I host my own private cloud that only I have access to.

As for getting permission....what permission is needed? I certified a karaoke system. If that system resides at my home, and I simply broadcast it a TV/Display and that display happens to be 40 miles away, there really isn't an issue that I can see. In fact, I have even thought about simply doing remote KJ where I am a disc loader for multiple concurrent shows and broadcasting the feed to the remote location.

There are probably way around buying 6 sets of discs for 6 unique concurrent shows if you are very creative and have some technical chops. And considering that the purchas of the music can easily be the single biggest expense for starting up, it makes sense to think creatively.

That is what Sound Choice is doing. They won't sue for copyright infringement so they are suing for Trademark infringement. Essentially working a technicality. I see no reason why we can't work them as well.

-Chris

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-Chris

They CAN go after ODBs if they decide they want to,(not saying they will, but they COULD.). Once they can't make money off of you, for example if they discontinue making discs, they can do whatever they want to MAKE you a paying customer again. That is the EVIL that is corporate America. You can't do anything about it, because their pockets are deeper than yours.

As to the fact that new players suck, I am glad I am buying that JVC. At least I know it will be reliable.

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I am the ONLY SANE 1 HERE