Karaoke Forums

I'm still researching my hosting program. Which one is better (easier) for the non-techie like me? Can they both print a double column page songbook?
Thanks, Maryoke

Compuhost's FastTracks can yes. It will take out duplicates if you so choose and let you choose which manu to use first, 2nd, 3rd, all the way through 8th I believe. Overall, I'm happy with Compuhost, I just get worried that sometime I will lose my dongle.

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KingBing Entertainment C'mon Up! I have a song for you!!! [font=MS Sans Serif][/font]

With Compuhost, the songbook creator is seperate, Fasttracks V2 Songbook creator.
It is a fantastic combination, but is a bit pricey. I own both, and am VERY pleased with them. I'm not sure, but I think Lonman uses Hoster, and maybe he can help you with their features. Ripman, ALWAYS remember to put your DONGLE in a safe place, and keep the PROTECTION on the end of it. GIGGITY, GIGGITY, GOO!!!

Srnitynow

Yes Hoster will print dual column (or more) pages and comes with the Hosting program, not an add on.
I prefer Hoster because it is fully self contained - ripper, player, songbook designer, plays video files as well - no separate programs to have to do each.

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Thanks everybody. My laptop doesn't have enough ram to run the demos, so I'm getting my info where I can find it. I guess I'm leaning towards Hoster for the simple fact it looks easy, people say the tech support is good, & I didn't like the idea of using screen space for EQ (Compuhost). I use my board for that.

Lonman, I've seen some examples where the book is listed by Artist, & they repeat the name several times, using up valuable space IMO. Is this an issue with Hoster, and can it change tempo? Thanks!

Not sure of the examples you saw, but it has the ability to pull repeats when you create the books.
Tempo changing is on the way.

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In CompuHost, the EQ is an option, it is not static. If you don't want the EQ on your screen, you just hit a tab and it disappears. If you don't want to use it, you don't have to.

Anyway, I have CompuHost and have used Hoster in the past. The only reason you may think Hoster is easier to use than CompuHost is because it has less funtionality and options. It is like saying that a Honda Civic with no options on it is easier to use than a fully loaded Lexus. Sure, it is easier to use, because it doesn't have as many features!

CompuHost is very easy to use if you don't enable all of the extra features!

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C Mc
KJ, FL

Thanks for the info TopherM. Nice to know. I bought my computer today ( hp Pavilion dv4-1435dx). I hope this will do the job. I called mtu to see when hoster 4.2 (tempo adjustment) was coming out. No return call from sales. So I called support. No phone, must go to internet. Well, I won't have internet on a gig.

Does compuhost offer phone support? I guess I'm a bit nervous about the whole thing. I'll be using my cdg player as backup, but sure would be nice to have a live body once in awhile.... Or should I just find an 8 yr. old to help me with this computer stuff

it also contains the filler player in the same place. You can almost DJ with the filler player that's how good the fades are.
I don't use the equalizer on it as I like to equalize the entire sound not just what comes out of the player.
If you can't run the demos then maybe you're better off with a winamp front end like RoxBox, Sax & Dotties or AUtoKDJ as they will run on lower ram. I've run RoxBox on a 300 mhz 128 MB ram laptop that was running Windows 98SE.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

Okay, I've tested Hoster briefly, downladed a disc, took about 3-4 min for a 15 song disc, thought that was cool, but couldn't get it to play.......

Tried testing compuhost (I need my 8 yr old, cause it literally drove me to tears). Maybe that's cause I've been up since 3am, but for a computer idiot like me, did not get thru the demo.

What concerns me most is how to get the video out of my computer. Best Buy had the computer I wanted (I thought), but salesman wasn't sure how I was gonna get out video, figured I could find a converter. It appear sto have HDMI port. Another forum says that converter will cost me $200. Not too happy with that. I have 14 days to take my computer back if it doesn't do what I need.

Should I take it back & try to find something with a different audio port?

Anyone out there use Karma?

I know I have to do this, but I would much rather have a root canal....

Sorry, I forgot to mention that I am going to an analog tv. I sometimes connect that to the house tv, which are usually analog, but may be HD. I'm assuming the analog will play on the HDTV. Right??

What wouldn't play? It's possible your DVD/CD drive is not able to read cdg's - in which neither program would work for that. You may need to get a new reading drive for the discs. Can be a USB external.


Typically you want the computer to have an S-Video output you connect to the tv, then you just go into the video properties & extend the desktop to show on the tv, then when the song is playing you can slide the words to the tv screen. However most laptops aren't being made with the S-Video anymore. Yes the convertor you would need to convert the HDMI to a S-Video (or RCA video) would run about $200 or more. I haven't seen anything cheaper - maybe someone else can offer a solution there. Does the computer have a VGA port. It MIGHT be able to utilize that port for a second screen.

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Yes usually an HD tv will have analog inputs of some type.

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Mary, first make sure your computer has EXTENDED DESKTOP CAPABILITY. Look in control panel on pc, go to monitor , it should show 2 screens, 1 and 2. If your computer has this, (which most new computers do), then all you need is a monitor with vga hook-up, or get a vga to rca converter, to hook to your tv. Look at monoprice.com for vga to rca converter, about $30.00. This will get your video from your computer to you tv. Let us know what happens. Try not to get frustrated, it'll be ok in the end.

Srnitynow

Thanks Guys. There's and External Monitor port that's shaped like a trapezoid almost an inch wide. Is that a VGA port?

Yes, Mary, that is your vga port. You would hook a vga cord in there, then the other end to a vga-rca converter, then from the converter hook an rca cord to the tv video in. Before it will work, you will have to go into "control panel" on your computer, go to display, then settings, and set up the external monitor.

Srnitynow

Sometimes you have to make sure the TV is hooked up & turned on before you boot the computer otherwise the video card won't recognize it. With some of the newer computers, it will automatically detect the second output & set up the display, then you can go & tweak it for extended desktop.

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