Laptop Advice Please

[Sarah]

Hi all, I'm considering a Toshiba L750 it has a Core i5 processor, 4Gb memory and 500 Gb hard drive (although I will be running an Iomega external hard drive through it with 1Tb hard drive. I want to use it running Virtual D.J for both disco and karaoke. Is it sufficient for my needs, could I be looking at something better in your opinions? I have a desk top P.C that I will be using for downloads, printing etc and the new laptop will be used solely for gigs. I'm gonna have a bash at combining it with the DJ-2-Go. Mc6000 and Mac book pro's are merely a dream at the moment!
Sarah x

[Glenski]

Hi all, I'm considering a Toshiba L750 it has a Core i5 processor, 4Gb memory and 500 Gb hard drive (although I will be running an Iomega external hard drive through it with 1Tb hard drive. I want to use it running Virtual D.J for both disco and karaoke. Is it sufficient for my needs, could I be looking at something better in your opinions? I have a desk top P.C that I will be using for downloads, printing etc and the new laptop will be used solely for gigs. I'm gonna have a bash at combining it with the DJ-2-Go. Mc6000 and Mac book pro's are merely a dream at the moment!
Sarah x

Hello

The specs you have posted will be fine [do you know if this version of the laptop has dedicated grapgics? ]

Maybe also go for some more RAM 6/8GB ?

Also the DJ2GO should work fine with this setup :) [I use a DJ2GO myself with an Intel Core i5 laptop]

Thank you

Glenn

p.s Is it this one >> Click Here (http://www.pcworld.co.uk/gbuk/toshiba-satellite-l750-1e8-refurbished-15-6-laptop-red-12041322-pdt.html)

[Excalibur]

Sarah, while a more powerful laptop with oodles of RAM would be very nice, I run VDJ with an old Acer dual core with 2Gb of RAM. The Toshiba you described should be more than capable.

I also love my DJ2GO, I can't praise it enough.

[discomobiledj]

Don't forget your Produb!

Laptop wise you could get less spec than that and save yourself some money.

[ukpartydj]

D
Laptop wise you could get less spec than that and save yourself some money.

I splashed out last year on an i7 (£700) and it works like a dream, I am using traktor which does hog more resources... but my mates £100 off ebay laptop he bought a couple of years ago works with VDJ brilliantly ...

If I could turn back time to when I bought my laptop I would just have got a £400 one and tuned it properly!

[Sarah]

It's the 1750-16Z, I'll check out the graphics, I take it that's advisable for karaoke? The mixer I'm still using is the Kam 1500 pro, it takes some stick from most reviews but I've found it faultless. It gives me 3 mic channels with echo and e.q and 4 lines/4phono channel inputs. It's flight cased and racked with a double cdg player so this suits my needs for now and I will run the laptop and DJ-2-Go through this for now. I'll hopefully splash out on a much higher spec set up once I get more established again and then I haven't gone mad money wise for now, also these will do nicely for future backup. 'Baby steps!'. Thank you all x

[Sarah]

Intel H.D graphics 3000? and dedicated graphics card.

[DazzyD]

Hi Sarah

The L750 will happily run VDJ and, if you're using VDJ7 with it's streamlined video engine then you should have no problems at all with the system. The Intel HD3000 graphics chip is not a separate graphics card but is integrated/onboard graphics. People have reported a problem (screen lag) with this graphics chip when running VDJ but there is a fix for the problem:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8oQTrDN0wo.

There is also loads of help and advice available on the VDJ forums so I'd recommend looking there if you encounter any problems at all.

The laptop will happily take the DJ2Go (as will any system) but I'd recommend budgeting for a powered USB hub.

As for the KAM KAP1500 mixer, despite the reviews you mention, this is a fairly decent mixer for running karaokes. However, if you decide to upgrade the mixer, take a look at the StudioMaster Fusion which is also purpose-built for karaoke:

http://www.karaoke-uk.co.uk/studiomaster-fusion-karaoke-mixer-55-p.asp


Don't forget your Produb!

And don't forget if you purchase legal media and save them direct to your playout hard drive then Produb is not needed!! If, however, you decide to go down the Produb-rip-your-own-tracks route, bear in mind that not all computer CD drives will read karaoke discs. In fact, very few actually do. You need to establish if your drive can read RAW Sub-channel data or is specifically CD+G compatible in order to be able to rip your own CD+Gs to MP3+G. If you need any further advice on this, for example choosing a compatible drive, give me a shout and I'll pass you some useful info. I've also got a little program that will test your drive and tell you if your drive is suitable for this purpose.


Laptop wise you could get less spec than that and save yourself some money.

You certainly could. I run VDJ7 (DJing, KJing and VJing) on a Win7 Compaq Presario CQ56 with an AMD V140 mobile processor, 3Gb RAM, and onboard graphics (AMD M880G with ATI Mobility Radeon HD4250). It has a Windows Experience Index rating of 4.1 (out of a maximum 7.9) with the weakest link being the graphics chip. Everything else scores 5+. Not the most powerful laptop, granted, but it cost me £299 and it does what I want it to do so, as far I'm concerned, it's a bargain! With the 1TB external drive and DJ2GO, external soundcard, laptop stand, back-up battery and power supply, and all connecting cables, the whole system still comes in at under £500. Not bad at all!

[Sarah]

Hi, I bought an Asus rewriter drive that is CD+G compatible some time ago to back up my collection and had it built into my P.C tower. My nephew has ripped every original karaoke disc I own onto my Iomega 1TB hard drive. I've been playing karaoke via this method on my desk top through V.D.J free home edition. I'm all sorted there. I'm now ripping my audio C.D's to it myself. Is the problem you mention solely with HD 3000 on board graphic machines and is every machine with this gonna encounter it? I wonder if you might point me in the direction of a different lap top similar to your own that is currently available and might save me some pennies. Thank you.

[Corabar Entertainment]

My nephew has ripped every original karaoke disc I own onto my Iomega 1TB hard drive. ..... I'm now ripping my audio C.D's to it myself.Then you'll definitely need a ProDub Licence:-

http://www.prsformusic.com/users/recordedmedia/ProDub/Pages/ProDubLicence.aspx

[Sarah]

Thanks also for the mixer advice. The MC6000 would suit my needs as it has mic inputs with e.q. I get sent the latest EZH karaoke discs every couple of months, so ideally I need a CD+G player running through the mixer a) as then I don't have the pressure of ripping each new release straight onto the hard drive when it comes. I can play it via the trusty method still and b) as a back up method should the lap top give up! So basically all that I have now will do great. Just add a lappy and the DJ-2-Go. Not having to spend £600 on the MC6000. Hope that makes sense, lol.

Mmm, someone once told me I needed a license to watch me tele and drive me car too ;) Only joking, another £200+ then!

[DazzyD]

Hi, I bought an Asus rewriter drive that is CD+G compatible some time ago to back up my collection and had it built into my P.C tower. My nephew has ripped every original karaoke disc I own onto my Iomega 1TB hard drive. I've been playing karaoke via this method on my desk top through V.D.J free home edition. I'm all sorted there. I'm now ripping my audio C.D's to it myself. Is the problem you mention solely with HD 3000 on board graphic machines and is every machine with this gonna encounter it? I wonder if you might point me in the direction of a different lap top similar to your own that is currently available and might save me some pennies. Thank you.

No bother - this is my laptop:

CQ56 (http://www.oneclickstyle.com/compaq-presario-cq56-112ea-series-v140-dvdrw-mobility-radeon-4250-wlan-80211bgn-windows-home-premium-widescreen-backlight-brightview-1366-wxga-camera-matte-black-p-41507.html)

Incidentally, I got my from Sainsbury's for £299 so quite a bit cheaper than on here. It's also available from PC World, Dixons, Comet and Tesco - just do price checks! ;)


Then you'll definitely need a ProDub Licence:-

http://www.prsformusic.com/users/recordedmedia/ProDub/Pages/ProDubLicence.aspx

Yep!


Thanks also for the mixer advice. The MC6000 would suit my needs as it has mic inputs with e.q. I get sent the latest EZH karaoke discs every couple of months, so ideally I need a CD+G player running through the mixer a) as then I don't have the pressure of ripping each new release straight onto the hard drive when it comes. I can play it via the trusty method still and b) as a back up method should the lap top give up! So basically all that I have now will do great. Just add a lappy and the DJ-2-Go. Not having to spend £600 on the MC6000. Hope that makes sense, lol.

Standalone CD+G player - the BlueLaser 888 machine is usually a popular choice:

BL888 (http://www.images2.co.uk/Karaoke_Equipment/Sorted_By_Brand.Blue_Laser_Karaoke/BLUELASER_AAL_AL-K7_DVD_CDG_VCD_divX_MP3_KARAOKE_PLAYER_with_USB_PO RT_JC094888.html?utm_source=googleps&utm_media=organic)

and the Sunfly 888 machine:

SF888 (http://www.djkit.com/misc-supplier/sunfly-dvd-pro-888-cdgdvdmp3g-karaoke-machine.html)

I'd also recommend this:

VocoPro 668K (http://www.djanddiscostuff.com/dj-equipment-c25/karaoke-players-c126/voco-pro-dvx-668k-karaoke-dvd-player-p583?utm_source=froogle&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=voco-pro-dvx-668k-karaoke-dvd-player&utm_campaign=froogle#591)

As always, shop around for the best prices (I've linked to good descriptions and not the cheapest!).


Mmm, someone once told me I needed a license to watch me tele and drive me car too ;) Only joking, another £200+ then!

Just seen this. You also need to factor in the charge for the "karaoke uplift". I had an issue with this that Produb didn't seem to want to answer which is why I chose the legal-download-to-playout-drive route.

[Sarah]

Thanks, I'll take a look at that lap top then. I already have 2 separate dual CD+G players. One is racked in with the 1500 mixer and the other is a spare. What I meant was I'd rather just add in a lap top, external hard drive and D.J-2-Go to this set up in order to go virtual but still have disc enabled back up. Hope that makes sense. It's been a long day!

So do you mean that even though, like me, you've bought all original karaoke discs you couldn't get license cover to copy them to hard drive and play them legally so you had to download others?

"Copyright of the physical and graphical reproduction of the lyrics", so if we turn the monitor off and trust our singers know the words off by heart we'll be ok then!? ;)

[DazzyD]

I've been collecting karaoke since about 1992. I've still got laserdiscs and videos! :eek:

I stopped my subscriptions to Sunfly and Mr Entertainer at the start of last year and now download the tracks as I need them (I add about 15-20 karaoke tracks each month). I also download my normal music from 7Digital and Tesco Entertainment amongst others. Have just discovered Amazon's MP3 download site with downloads starting at 29p so I'll be checking this out more at the weekend.

[Sarah]

Hi Dazzy D, which site do you download your karaoke tracks from? Thank you.

[Roger T]

I bought this laptop just before Christmas last year. Good specifications and price as well: http://www.saveonlaptops.co.uk/Lenovo_IdeaPad_Z570_1091049.html

[Glenski]

Hi Dazzy D, which site do you download your karaoke tracks from? Thank you.

Hi Sarah

I maybe able to answer this also...

Some sites to visit

SBI Karaoke Click Here (http://sbikaraoke.com/site/)

Karaoke Version Click Here (http://www.karaoke-version.co.uk)

SelectaTrack Click Here (http://www.selectatrack.com)

Sunfly Karaoke Click Here (http://www.sunflykaraoke.com)

Zoom Karaoke ClickHere (http://www.karaoke.cc)

*** Custom Burn ***

Sing To The World Karaoke Click Here (http://www.singtotheworld.com)

Just some that are out there :)

Thanks

[Glenski]

Also note some great software to rip/convert your CD+G collection using normal CD-Rom drives :)

Power Karaoke CD+G Burner Click Here (http://www.powerkaraoke.com/src/prod_powercdgburner.php)

This is a fanstatic bit of software and by tweeking the settings a little, most CD-Rom DVD/RW drives will read/rip/convert the CD+G discs :)

Thank you

[Sarah]

I'll take a look at all the above, thanks all x

[djdj]

DO NOT BUY A MC6000 for Karaoke
Yes it has two seperate inouts for Mics with echo etc but they are useless for any thing other than talking through!
I use a Powered Mixer for Karaoke and a MC6000 to DJ with

[hammy]

DO NOT BUY A MC6000 for Karaoke
Yes it has two seperate inouts for Mics with echo etc but they are useless for any thing other than talking through!
I use a Powered Mixer for Karaoke and a MC6000 to DJ with

I use a small mic mixer onto channel 1 of my mc6000 and it works perfect.

[DazzyD]

I use the Zoom and Sunfly sites to buy most of my karaoke. I've also been known to buy individual tracks from Select-A-Track.


Also note some great software to rip/convert your CD+G collection using normal CD-Rom drives :)

Power Karaoke CD+G Burner Click Here (http://www.powerkaraoke.com/src/prod_powercdgburner.php)

This is a fanstatic bit of software and by tweeking the settings a little, most CD-Rom DVD/RW drives will read/rip/convert the CD+G discs :)

Thank you

From my past experience, and that of others on this forum any beyond, I'd have to disagree with this statement. Most drives are not capable of reading RAW format sub-channel data (I believe the standard is referred to as MMC/DAO96) so, whilst they'll happily rip the audio track, they won't even notice the graphics on the "hidden" track. Even fewer drives have the ability to burn sub-channel data. This is echoed by Tricerasoft, one of the leading manufucturers of karaoke software:

http://www.tricerasoft.com/drivelist.html

[djdj]

I use a small mic mixer onto channel 1 of my mc6000 and it works perfect.

Maybe but if you are looking for Karaoke mixer far better mixers out there for a lot less money!! :beer1:

[Glenski]

I use the Zoom and Sunfly sites to buy most of my karaoke. I've also been known to buy individual tracks from Select-A-Track.



From my past experience, and that of others on this forum any beyond, I'd have to disagree with this statement. Most drives are not capable of reading RAW format sub-channel data (I believe the standard is referred to as MMC/DAO96) so, whilst they'll happily rip the audio track, they won't even notice the graphics on the "hidden" track. Even fewer drives have the ability to burn sub-channel data. This is echoed by Tricerasoft, one of the leading manufucturers of karaoke software:

http://www.tricerasoft.com/drivelist.html

Hello

From my varied experience and testing of the Power Karaoke CD+G Burner Software - I have had 99% success rate in ripping CD+G discs on various makes and models of PC and Laptops [Sony, Toshiba, HP, Compaq, Packard Bell, Dell, Acer etc].

Here is a screen grab of the settings i find work best:

http://www.geniediscs.com/tn_power-karaoke-settings-cdg.jpg

To add these settings were across various drives: CD-Rom, DVD-Rom, DVD-RW, BD-Rom, Blu-ray etc

Thank you