Help! XXXX- Now Video out assistance needed!

[DH44]

Help!
I've made the switch over to Mac and kJams and need some assistance. I have a complete setup that was functioning flawlessly using my Sony laptop PC. I have a Bose L1 Model 1 with 2 B1s, Mackie DFX-6 mixer, Shure SM-58 mics, Furhman power conditioner setup. My Sony had an Audigy IIgs external sound card installed and used a 1/4" to dual RCA split to go into the CD in on the Mackie.
So I bought a MacBook Pro and kJams and a NI Audio 2 DL USB output box. When I plugged it all in, it works but there is "crackling" as the volume is increased. I tried changing the level of output on the Mac, on the Audio 2 DJ, etc but it's still there. So I pulled the USB audio device and used a 1/4" to 2RCA cable straight out of the Mac headphone jack and the sound quality was better but there is still some crackling. Any ideas?
I also can't seem to get my video splitter to work. I have a powered VGA splitter and use the mini-out to VGA apple adapter to connect a 20" VGA monitor and my 52" LCD Sony HDTV. If I pull one or the other and plug them directly into the Mini-out cable they will work, but I can't get them both to work together. Right now I'm having someone check the splitter to make sure it's still working but I'm getting nervous. The kJams debut party is next week at my house and I want it to be right.............

[dave]

I'm totally at a loss to explain what's going on. i've never heard of crackle happening to any users when adjusting the audio levels. I've also never heard it myself but i use optical audio, eliminating electrons all together between the computer and the amp.

as for video, same story: no idea. if the apple VGA adapter works, that's as far as i can take it, i know nothing about your video splitter.

anyone else ever see issues such as these? what were your solutions?

[DH44]

OK I hope I'm making some progress on this. I brought the video splitter into work and it works fine- trasmits to both outlets to other monitors. The next thing to try is get it back home, reconnect it and try again. Maybe if I make certain the resolution is set identically on the mac, the 20" LCD panel and the 52" LCD TV things will work. If not

[dave]

you don't need to change the rez on the mac, only on the 2nd display where the video signal is going. and even then, it should "just work" no matter the resolution. but try 720x486

[DH44]

I'll try that tonight when I get home- with Hoster I had the res set at 800x600 for the two externals and it worked fine.
I've searched up the Audio 2 DJ forum and apparently there were lots of problems with crackling/popping and the USB sound cards. There are new drivers on the site so I've already downloaded those to install and try. I just can't believe that an external sound card would be so troublesome. Some of the posts suggested turning off everything/disabling everything up to and including the CD drive to get this to work.
Alternatively, what types of audio connections are others using? Are external sound cards the norm or are people running kJams with output from the headphone jack?

[dave]

i was under the impression that most people just go out thru the headphone jack.

on my TV in the living room i use the optical audio out, as i said

but in the studio i use a MOTU Ultralite

[DH44]

i was under the impression that most people just go out thru the headphone jack.

Don't know about that- I have a fairly high-end system and the sound has been great out of it until I swapped the pc for a MBP. I know I can work it out, it's just going to take a little time...........

[DH44]

OK good news for me- After researching the external sound processor I found out that it needed two things- a driver update and to be hooked up when you boot up. Did both and voila! Sound is perfect now- really nice.
Now the last thing to solve is the video. I know that the splitter works and is getting power because I took it into work today and checked it with a pc and 2 monitors. No problems at all. Come home and plug in the Mini Video to VGA adapter, nothing to the two screens. If I disconnect either one, nothing. But if I take the splitter out of the line and plug either the tv or the LCD into the Mini-VGA adapter and restart, there it is- perfect video on either screen. And the display selection on the mac shows either "Sony TV" or "LCD" as the secondary screen. But when they are both plugged in to the adapter it's like the Mac is faked out- it shows a display window being attached but nothing shows- no signal. Anyone?
Thanks

[DH44]

I have made no progress on this. Talked to Apple support and they suggested a Mini-DV to dual VGA splitter- which would probably work with 5' or less cable runs. What are all the kJams users doing about supplying video for the singers and the audience? Isn't there someone out here using more than one monitor??? Anyone???? Please???

[Karanight]

I use a MacBook Pro with a Mini DVI to VGA. I then send the signal to this
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Grand-Hand-View ... B000ELL2RK

The converter then feeds a powered phono splitter that feeds up to 8 TV's
I also send one of them from the converter to a coaxial converter and then if I go to a venue with old aerial type TV's that don't have a scart or phono input I can still get the picture to them

The TV's I feed are old and all have either a scart or phono input. I fit the TV's in the pub and never bring them away and I leave all the cables in place and the cables can be a very long length, I've used a lead that was about 30 metres in the past

The converter will also feed a digital signal but I've never used that side

Hope this helps

[Maxx]

I am running on a MacBook Pro 2.4ghz Core 2 Duo with 4mb Ram video comes out of the MiniDisplay Port to VGA. I use a USB powered VGA converter that has VGA, S-Video, and Composite out. I can hook up all three at the same time. I use the VGA out to go to a 20" LCD monitor that is mounted on a stand, the s-video out to a big screen projector, and if needed I can run the composite to a regular tv as well.

As for the audio, straight out of the headphone jack (I use a Hercules Console to headphone preview another program that I run music from)...from the Mac headphone out split into left and right balanced XLR jacks input into 2 channels on my Mackie DFX12. Never had any problem with crackle, or even degraded sound...actually I have gotten many compliment on how great my system sounds, I attribute that to the Mackie mixer, super warm sound and wicked clean.

[DH44]

OK so I went to the local mega-tronics store on the way home yesterday afternoon and picked up a USB-out to video adapter and on the way out of the store walked down the "cables" aisle. I looked up and saw a simple 6" VGA-to-2 VGA splitter cable for $4.99. What the heck, grabbed it and went home (after paying, of course).

So I plug in the simple splitter to the Mini-Video-VGA Apple adapter and plug in the Sony and the LCD. Start up the MBP and "Walla!" both screens show desktop!

Start up kJams and hit "play" on a song and there they are- perfectly mirrored lyrics screens on both the TV and the LCD!

I tried a number of songs, etc and don't notice any latency issues- even though one of the cable runs includes a 25' and 50' VGA cable patched together.

So one day I'll learn start with the simple (and cheap) solutions first and work my way up..........

Party is now on for next Friday, kJams debut time!

Oh- the USB-video adapter is going back for refund.........

[dave]