Laptop karaoke

Bigdog · Post by **Bigdog** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 5:55 am

alkalinesi wrote:OK guys, I appreciate all the input and help you guys have been. And I'm going to try and narrow this down. From what I understand, you dont NEED a laptop with an s video out? So what about this? http://www.bestbuy.com/site/Toshiba+-+S ... Id=9988402

Then to connect to my HDMI TV. I was thinking this. http://sewelldirect.com/Component-VGA-t ... r-720p.asp

And if all that works, then I'll have to just hook up the mixer amp to the computer. I guess I'll need some kind of wire that splits. I'll prob have to use the headphone out from laptop and get a a wire that converts to the red and white(rca audio) to hook into amp. Then all of that should work, right? And in the future if I want to hook up a second TV i can just get a bigger VGA splitter.

STOP....STOP, STOP, STOP....

Don't go rushing into any laptop or desktop until you figure out if the karaoke hosting program you want to use will work with the operating system you decide to run.

There are many problems with compatability and Windows 7 64 bit may not run any hosting programs yet.

Xerox hasn't even figured out how to get my copier to scan with Vista 64 bit yet.

The latest and greatest ain't always.

alkalinesi · Post by **alkalinesi** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 11:43 am

well i was gonna run justkaraoke. how am i supposed to know if a computer wont run a system? is it like trial by error? this stuff is complicated.

Post by **wiseguy** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 12:25 pm

It's not trial and error. Virtually all software creators post minimum requirements for running their programs. The computer you linked to should have no problem with JustKaraoke.

DanG2006 · Post by **DanG2006** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 12:58 pm

I agree with wiseguy. JustKaraoke should run fine on that computer.

alkalinesi · Post by **alkalinesi** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:09 pm

another question i had guys was how do you tell if a laptop supports duel screens? duel screen means that my karaoke software screen will stay on laptop screen while just the regualr karaoke screen will stay on tv, correct?

DanG2006 · Post by **DanG2006** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:13 pm

Correct. Unlike winamp, JustKaraoke looks for the second screen at startup. If it isn't there (you must connect it and power it up before powering up your laptop) it will give a warning that it did not find it.

alkalinesi · Post by **alkalinesi** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:23 pm

ok cool thanks Dan, and do you know how to tell if a new laptop supports duel screen? would it be under the specs?

DanG2006 · Post by **DanG2006** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:53 pm

You would have to go into the properties of the display. Not sure how to do it in windows 7 though since my computer has xp pro.

alkalinesi · Post by **alkalinesi** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 6:55 pm

oh ok so I guess I would have to go try out the laptop before I buy.

Bigdog · Post by **Bigdog** » Mon Jul 26, 2010 9:45 pm

alkalinesi wrote:oh ok so I guess I would have to go try out the laptop before I buy.

Correct.

Post by **wiseguy** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:03 am

do you know how to tell if a new laptop supports duel screen? would it be under the specs?

Dual display is commonly referred to as "extended desktop". Just email the vendor and ask them if it has this feature.

Bigdog · Post by **Bigdog** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 2:09 am

I don't know if that is a feature put in every computer automatically.

I've had new desk tops & laptops that didn't have it.

If you're in the store looking at display models by all means phsically check them to be sure. It's not the first thing people usually look for in a computer.

Is S-video still a big deal or has something else come along beside HD.

alkalinesi · Post by **alkalinesi** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 3:04 am

I dont think S-video is a big deal anymore. My TV has a VGA hookup so I can just hook up through there correct?

alkalinesi · Post by **alkalinesi** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 12:50 pm

hey guys i had another question, sorry for so many. i think i pretty much have the basics of what ill need if i did laptop. well i do have a desktop already downstairs so i wanted to weigh my options with that. it has a headphone jack where i can hook up my mixing amp, or i can use a usb sound card correct? then to get duel displays(from my understanding desktops dont have duel displays), i can just get an external usb video card that has a vga out so i can run to my LCD tv. to me this seems like all i need but you guys know the ins and outs, im sure im missing something. thanks again.

Bigdog · Post by **Bigdog** » Tue Jul 27, 2010 3:14 pm

You might be able to buy a new video card with duel display (Extended Desktop) in it and just put it in your computer.

How good is the sound card in the computer?