g5 imac,sound choice cdg's,external drive

[michael j dickenson]

hi dave:i'm trying to do the same thing that churchcat is doing. i also have a imac with slot on side to load disc. i'm pretty sure the drive is a matshita dvd-r-uj-845. i bought the imac approx 2 years ago(before the intel chip). i would like to use kjams. most of my cdg's are sound choice. i know i will have to buy an external drive. what works best with kjams,that will also work with my g5 imac? it is a mac os x v10.4. i mainly bought the g5 because i was told it was best for music. i also was told that it would propabaly work with cdg's via external drive. i want to be able to use it for a few kj shows every now and then. this is the first computer i've ever had. any help appreciated.

[dave]

all the info i have on drives is here:
click me.

they're all good, just get FireWire, not USB

[ChurchCat]

I have the same computer as you. I guess that you just have to decide if you want to do it on the cheap, or pay a bit more.

The low cost option is to choose one of the drives that are "internal" in design. You then plug an adaptor cable in and you are ready to go.

The higher cost option is to get an external drive. These look better and of course will be more robust.

I would like to see the section on recommended drives split up into these groups but it is a lot to ask Dave to stay up to date with every model out there.

The thing to know is that most drives will NOT work with CD+G discs. It it says so on the spec. then they will but if absent do not risk it.

I went for a Plextor last year. Nearly all Plexttor drives do work but they cost a bit more.

One external unit that works


Probably the cheapest internal unit that works


CC

[michael j dickenson]

churchcat,thanks for the info. is your plextor the px-750uf external drive? if it works with cdg+'s will i need to install the software that i'm sure comes with it. i already have toast/jam etc. i think i've got roxio. i quess what i'm asking is can i hook the drive up to my usb port,download the kjam software and be successful in capturing the graphics and bringing them up on my screen. if that works will i be able to use the full 20' flat screen for viewing. how does the highlites work on the disc you've copied. it is used to cue the singer when to sing and when to stop. i also would like to know if the audio and graphics are insync,and if i will be able to copy my soundchoice cd's. most of my cd's are soundchoice. approx 95% . any help is deeply appreciated.

[ChurchCat]

So many questions.

churchcat,thanks for the info. is your plextor the px-750uf external drive?

Yes.

if it works with cdg+'s will i need to install the software that i'm sure comes with it.

No, IIRC it is Windows only. However you just plug it in to your Mac and you are good to go. (I just love being a Mac user, non of that driver malarky for me. )

i already have toast/jam etc. i think i've got roxio. i quess what i'm asking is can i hook the drive up to my usb port,download the kjam software and be successful in capturing the graphics and bringing them up on my screen.

Other than kJams no other software is needed. It works like a dream.

The device in question is duel format so you can plug it in to a USB2 port or your Firewire port. I used Firewire as it freed up a USB port.

]
if that works will i be able to use the full 20' flat screen for viewing.

Yes

how does the highlites work on the disc you've copied. it is used to cue the singer when to sing and when to stop.

Sorry I don't understand this question. If you mean how the text changes colour as the singer sings the song then it works fine.

i also would like to know if the audio and graphics are insync,

Yes it works great.

and if i will be able to copy my soundchoice cd's. most of my cd's are soundchoice. approx 95% . any help is deeply appreciated.

I have managed to copy all of my SC collection.

There used to be an issue with some SC titles but Dave it sorted some time ago.



You can download the trial of kJams and a couple of tracks so that you can see how well it works. I suggest that you do this.

CC

[michael j dickenson]

thanks churchcat. i'll let you know when i'm up and runnig. i have approx. 80 cdg+'s to copy. i have been using a pioneer laser karaoke player and a tv with an rf modulator for the last 7 years. it works great,but kjams will allow me to eliminate the player and the tv. i won't have to carry the cd's around with me anymore. the problem with most karaoke players and dvd players is after you play cd's for several hours,they tend to start skipping on certain cd's. i think by using kjams this will solve that problem to. i have to say though that i've enjoyed my pioneer player. thanks again. i'll let you know if it all works out. your karaoke buddy mike.

[ChurchCat]

Don't be a stranger Mike.

I am sure that it will work out fine for you.

One tip.

When you start to rip your CDs keep the "tasks" window open at all times. Do not quit or switch off your machine whilst any tasks are running. (The ripping process is quite a lengthy one on a G5.)

I did not do this at the start and I messed up a few imports.

CC

[dave]

Michael I'm here too, thought i'd say hi
i think you'll be pleased with kJams, please give it a shot. remember if you run into something strange it's probably my fault and a quick email to me will either fix it instantaneously or you'll get an update within a couple days with your bug fixed.

right now there *is* a bug or two with burning, which is what i'm working on this week..

-dave

[michael j dickenson]

dave,i'm having a hard time finding where to purchase a plextor-px-750uf external drive. i don't believe compusa carries them. i found a few online. looks like the price is $210.00 plus tax and shipping in some cases. i found a plextor distributor,but couldn't find the 750uf listed. do you know any stores that carry the 750uf external drive that aren't online. i looked at circuit city,bestbuy online,but didn't see the 750uf listed. thanks mike.

[dave]

sorry i'm having a hard time finding them myself.

one of these days i'm just going to become a distributer for CDG drives. but i'm not there yet.

Anybody have any idea here? please chime in!

[dave]

sorry i'm having a hard time finding them myself.

one of these days i'm just going to become a distributer for CDG drives. but i'm not there yet.

Anybody have any idea here? please chime in!

[ChurchCat]

How about a quick Email or call to Plextor? Explain what you want.

Plextor clicky

Sorry I can't help directly, I am not even on the same side of the Atlantic.

CC

[dave]

click [urlhttp://www.kjams.com/wiki/Compatible_Drives]Compatible Drives[/url]