Best and least expensive way to get started

[completetech]

Just wanted to say forst off that this software looks great. Haven't downloaded it as of yet but looking to soon. And secondly wandted to say sorry for making this my first post. Been looking around for a few hours here and just ahve a few questions that maybe some folks here with much more experience then me can answer.


I am looking to start doing some Karaoke in some local places and want to do the following with my new MacBook Pro

I would like to have a way to connect multiple TV's and/or monitors for people to see what the song / lyrics are.
I would like to have possibly another TV and/or monitor to display "ads" of services we offer.
A easy and quick way to hook up to sound equipment. I would need to also purchase this as well. Mixer, speakers etc.. looking for suggestions on these as well.
A good starting base of songs.

And I guess maybe because I have not downloaded the software yet to be able to understand =how the server aspect works as far as people being able to access and pick the songs they want ahead of time.?.. (I will be looking moer into this, as I would like to possibly setup a simple site to access this).


And of course I would like to do all this as least expensive as possible. Just as this is going to be mostly a hobby moving into a business.


Thanks for everything guys and gals!

[Karanight]

Just wanted to say forst off that this software looks great.

It is great

And secondly wandted to say sorry for making this my first post

We all start somewhere

I would like to have a way to connect multiple TV's and/or monitors for people to see what the song / lyrics are.

You need to get a lead and this depends on the Mac you have. If it's recent you'll need this
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 152wt_1141
Then you'll need something like this
http://cpc.farnell.com/grandtec/hand-vi ... dp/CS13762
Then one of these
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll? ... 2156wt_922

I would like to have possibly another TV and/or monitor to display "ads" of services we offer.

There might be another way to do this but if I run any adverts I do it using a separate DVD player

A easy and quick way to hook up to sound equipment.

Headphones out

I would need to also purchase this as well. Mixer, speakers etc.. looking for suggestions on these as well.

This is a very subjective area. You'd be best to go to some karaoke's and listen to systems to see and hear what you like

A good starting base of songs.

Again this is a very subjective area but if your online when you use kJams use the built in shop, it's great, very easy and convenient.

And I guess maybe because I have not downloaded the software yet to be able to understand =how the server aspect works as far as people being able to access and pick the songs they want ahead of time.?.. (I will be looking moer into this, as I would like to possibly setup a simple site to access this).

Just download kJams to your Mac and play with it then come back with specifics, the question is too open ended. There's always someone to answer your queries.

And of course I would like to do all this as least expensive as possible. Just as this is going to be mostly a hobby moving into a business.

Whats expensive!

Thanks for everything guys and gals!

Your welcome.

[dave]

laptops have one second monitor output available, for the lyrics screen. you can pipe this into a video splitter/mixer and from there go to multiple TVs around the room. for that you'll need a video out to VGA adapter, then VGA to Video (Scan Converter), see the FAQ.

you can add a third monitor for your ads:
again see the FAQ

i also agree just download the software, the trial version is free, and play with the server. the instructions should make it clear.

you don't "set up a site", you just run kJams, and while it is running it IS the server. people on the LAN can web browse to kJams and search for and submit songs. they can also use iPhone / Touch / Pad or any web-browser capable phone that has Wifi

[DeusExMachina]

Just to be clear, you only need the scan converter if your monitor port does not have analogue video (most machines older than the last year or so do) or if your display has no VGA or DVI/HDMI input (all newer displays do). I.e., there is very little chance you need anything other than the appropriate adaptor and cable for you particular computer and TV.

You might also look in to using ShowScreens instead of bothering with a third display.

[dave]