HTPC as a Karoke system?

I think all you need is a microphone.. along with some karaoke vcd's and dvd's...

Another option you can try is mp3+g.. do a google search for that. It's a combined package of an mp3 file along with a small cd graphics file that contains the text lyrics. If you go this route, you won't get the videos, but you'll see the text which is all that matters..

here's a link to a freeware karaoke file player.. http://www.karafun.com/

Kuma,

Make sure you don't use your home theater speakers for karaoke.
You'll damage them in the long run.
I did my research before getting any karaoke stuff.

What's your budget for everything? I build my HTPC for karaoke, but I also have a dedicated karaoke system that's connected with the HTPC.

The HTPC stores my hundreds of DVD and VCD karaoke disc that I ripped onto 800gb of HD. I label each disc title with a number in front of the title 1. U-Sing Along Vol. 1, 2. U-Sing Along Vol. 2. etc, etc...

in an Excel spreadsheet put song title, disc #, disc, disc title & track #. (very time consuming)

this way u can look up a song title and navigate quickly to the disc you wanna song straight to the track.

I use my HT with a Denon AVR-3803 in 5 channel stereo to get even audio in all 5 of my surrounds to play the audio coming from the HTPC or DVD source. (NO VOCAL IS REPRODUCED HERE)

For Vocals, I used a Vocopro FX4050 Mixer/Amplifier, Vocopro SV-10 and a pair of Shure Wireless SM58 microphones. This setup is strictly for vocal only.

Shure makes the SM58 mics in the wired version for someting like 60-80 bucks, one of the best mics out there. the wireless goes for 350-400 each.

You will never get the vocals you need for karaoke out of regular home speakers. You'll blow the tweeter in a few months.

without knowing where or how you planning on using this. But no matter where, you'll definitely need a reciever. Find yourself an old Denon reciever with optical in. You'll get the best sound quality plus you can have 5 channels stereo which is helpful. Plus your 5 speakers should sonically match for it to sound good. But not important. I don't know what you already have so I don't know where to start. You can have the vocopro speakers now for ~200. I setup my gf's karaoke system for under 1k but that's because she have 400 vocopro wireless mics. She uses all Dtech equipment which looks like it's a Vocopro clone but it sounds extremely good.

check this out. ~$500

complete package.... the SV500 is actually an upgrade from my SV300 (I think i gave u the wrong model # the first time)

It will sound pretty good. If you're gonna mount the speakers on the wall find the same component and buy them individually. It might be cheaper.

VLC player will actually play anything video you put into it. Win. media player will play VCD w/o any problem. Can't recall if I have codecs for them or not. For DVD I use Theatertek.

Sounds like you have a surround sound system around. Play around with what you have first but defintely get speakers that are meant for karaoke. I know there are karaoke softwares out there where you can use for mixing vocal echos etc... but never tried them. Plus ALL karaoke microphones either have XLR or 1/4 Phono connectors. You may or may not lose sound quality if connecting it to your computer mic's input and you will for sure lose independant microphone ajustment.

My laptop is about to run out of battery. I'll get u some more info once I get back in my room after Vista finish installing on my HTPC.

Again, I'm not sure what speakers you have or anything so I can't recommend a reciever of any kind. My taste might be different from yours. I had an HK AVR-500 many years ago when I used to have Polk RTi100 and matching center surrounds. I upgraded to my current Denon AVR-3803 about 4 years ago when I swap the towers out for bookshelfs.

Base on the model # I'd have to guess that's one of HK low end AVR units. what's your budget for everything?

Now for my HT and Music (for both karaoke and listening)
AVR-3803
polk RTi6 (Front
Polk FX500i (this doesn't match to well with fronts but not important)
Polk CSi5 (center)
Velodyne DPS-12 subs

Vocals/Karaoke
FX-4050 reciever/amplifier
SV-300
Two Shure SM58, PGX4 reciever.

If I went straight to these components since day one I wouldn't have spent so much on keeping on upgrading. I spent $600 (total on buying microphones after reselling I ended up loosing half of what I spent) while I could of just bought the Shure mic to start and call it a day.

How big is the room you're putting these in?

Oh and YES you definitely need a mixer/amplifier if you wanna sing. How are you gonna adjust echos/balance/delays and what not? Where are you located at? Are you near any local karaoke shops? Best thing is to go demo some of the components.