Karaoke Forums

Ok, I have a question/Idea- but before I post it, I need some input. However, because it involves a PC/Disc thought- and coming from me- some will assume it's a debate thread, which it isn't.

Therefore, I'm going to request input from PC based hosts via 3 specific questions that have specific answers. That is the info I am looking for. Once I have the info, I will post what's been on my mind, and then we can let it rip. I swear this is not a Disc VS PC thread. Please just answer as requested to avoid debates and sidetracks, Okay? OK then, here we go:


1) Was the the primary reason for going PC to avoid carrying discs? YES or NO (If no, just answer no-do not supply other reasons at this time)


2) How much time to you spend working on your show PC OTHER than at your show ( Software upgrades, backups, rips, anything related to the business) Please answer with approximate time only. No explainations required at this time.


3) Do you also carry a player to accomodate those who wish to supply their own discs ( or use your PC drive)? Yes or No only.


Again, after I get a good sample input, I'll clarify, and hopefully share a helpful suggestion for you guys....

_________________
"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

1) No

2) 6- 19 hours a week

3) Yes

_________________
Good music, good friends, howling good times!

1) Yes

2) Hardly Any

3) Yes

_________________
Join The Karaokle Singers Social Network. Upload Your Music!!

Yes
Hardly any
Yes

Yes
3-4 Hours
Yes

1. YES
2. 1-2 hrs per week
3. NO

1) Was the the primary reason for going PC to avoid carrying discs? YES or NO
Yes


2) How much time to you spend working on your show PC OTHER than at your show ( Software upgrades, backups, rips, anything related to the business)
1-2 hours

3) Do you also carry a player to accommodate those who wish to supply their own discs ( or use your PC drive)? Yes or No only.
Yes

1. no
2. adverage 1.5 hr/week
3. Yes

_________________
Okay, who took my pants?

1. No
2. 3h/week
3. No

1) No
2) 1 hour
3) Yes

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

1) Yes

2) 2 hr./week (Initially about 2 months before using for first show)

3) seperate player

1) No
2) 1 hour per week on avg.
3) Yes

_________________
Music speaks to the heart in ways words cannot express.

1) Was the the primary reason for going PC to avoid carrying discs? YES or NO
No, It was because our company has multiple systems and the theft of cd's was too high.

2) How much time to you spend working on your show PC OTHER than at your show ( Software upgrades, backups, rips, anything related to the business)
2 hrs per system per month

3) Do you also carry a player to accommodate those who wish to supply their own discs ( or use your PC drive)? Yes or No only.
Yes

_________________
[img]<img%20src="http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j288/miller2348/myspace/images/Funny_Pics/images/21.gif"[/img]

CHECK YOUR ATTITUDE AT THE DOOR, STICK AROUND YOU JUST MIGHT HAVE SOME FUN

I hate yes and no questions... it's too vague!

I abstain!

No

Zero

No

1. No.

2. 10-15 hours a week

3.No.

I have reasons so let me give them!

OK, a decent sampling- and thank you all for answering the way I asked!


So, 1) Almost even on not carrying discs being the main reason or not.


2) Average time is 1-4 hrs on the computer, with some much higher exceptions


3) An overwhelming majority ( 8-4 ) carry players to enhance customer service.

OK, I'm going to ask my question. Please keep in mind that I DON'T KNOW the answer. If I question yours, it is only to learn- NOT BECAUSE I think you're wrong- okay?


Pioneer, V2GO ( actually the same company), and now a few other player mfrs. offer CDG players with a built in USB port through which you can play regular or karaoke tracks directly, and still have use of all the players functions.( I have a V2GO, but am disc based).

My question, for those who are PC because they prefer not to carry discs, spend a few hours working on the PC when not at a show, and carry players to fill customer needs ( now you know why I asked- had to find out if the question was germaine):


Why would/wouldn't you use one of these players instead of a PC?

I can see some pros: 1) No need to carry discs- a couple of sticks would do the job, and fit in your pocket.

2) Less to carry - Not carrying PC AND player, but still ready for customer discs at all times.


3) The only time spent on the PC would be downloading tracks.


I understand that those who use a PC for reasons other than no discs have other reasons, and am not directing this question toward them.


That being said, what are some cons? The only one that comes to my mind is using multiple sticks if you have a largre enough library, but indexing them would probably solve that problem....?

So- Pro or Con, and why?

_________________
"No Contests, No Divas, Just A Good Time!"

" Disc based and loving it..."

I'm still in the process of getting my karaoke setup together. So far, all I have purchased are discs. Right now I'm in the process of ripping, renaming, and building song lists which is why I'm spending so much time on the computer. I expect that number to drop dramatically once I get the bulk of my library on HDD. I do a mobile DJ business on th side and this karaoke thing is kind of an experiment. (I'm also in the process of going to a PC run show there too.)

I won't say hauling discs was my only reason for going with a PC, but it was part of it. There is a reliablity factor too. I don't trust disc players. I know computers can crash, but in my experience as a radio DJ, a CD will skip long before a computer will freeze up. CD's get scratched from frequent use and players wear out. So I would say that's a bigger factor than just the convience of a PC.

I took a good, long look at some of the usb players on the market. In fact, I saw on ebay someone was offering the first 6 chartbuster essential paks with one for under $500. But, it was a cavs player which i had read a lot of bad things about and the discs were on super cdg. Had I bought them, I'd be saving a ton of money but I was worried about the quality of the equipment and the quality of the music. So I passed it up. (If that was a mistake, please don't tell me. I don't think I could handle it.)

Also, the software for playlists, rotation, etc is very appealing.

As of right now, I'm not too worried about not having a cdg player. I've never seen anyone bring a disc to karaoke night at the bars around here. People sometimes grumble about lack of song choices, but i've never heard anyone grumble about lack of a cdg player. Most people are just happy to sing what the kj has in the library. It might be due to my location in a rural area, but karaoke isn't taken as seriously as it is in some other parts of the country.

I guess if the demand is there for people who bring their own discs, I'll re-evaluate getting a player. But i think I would opt for just a standard cdg player and skip the usb part.

Well for me, the search functions on these USB players is inadequate to handle a large library.

Second, I doesn't handle the rotation. Using Compuhost for this function allows me to store singer history, key changes, multiple song requests, and handle large (25 singers +) with a breeze. I have absolutele no desire to try and handle those functions manually. I'm out and about, hosting stress free because this part is on "automatic."

Third, nice scrolling rotation and announcement marquee along the bottom of the screen is awesome. Frequently, I don't even have to call people up.... They come up when they see their name on the screen.

Lastly, in addition to the player I would need a second player and a mixer with a crossfader to handle my background music... and that would be a manual function as well! Now if the song ends, the computer fades it for me, and goes to music. I don't have to rush back.

The lack of the need of CDs is only one piece of a whole plethora of hosting functions simplified by the addition of the computer.

_________________
Good music, good friends, howling good times!

Not interesting at all.

They have no rotation handling, no history, no singer lineup marquee, no statistics and no history printout. No anything.

In short, it is just like playing with Winamp and not a state-of-the-art hosting program like Compuhost. It doesn't begin to compete.

_________________
[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.