General Questions
Q1: What is karaoke?
A: The word "karaoke" comes from the Japanese word “Kara? which means empty, and "Oke" (Okesutora), which means orchestra. Rather than include both vocals and music, karaoke tracks will be without lead vocals. The lead vocals are provided by the performer singing the karaoke song!
Q2: What is a CDG?
A: A CDG, which stands for Compact Disc + Graphics, is the standard format for most English karaoke discs. These discs can either be played on a karaoke machine that supports CDG or on a regular player that can play CDs. Keep in mind that you will not be able to see any words on your screen if you play CDGs on a CD player.
Q3: What is a VCD?
A: A VCD (Video Compact Disc) is a disc with video stored on it. This format is different from DVDs and CDGs so you will need a karaoke player capable of reading VCDs to play this format. Most non-English music will be in this format.
Q4: What is a DVD?
A: A DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) is a disc that is able to store large amounts of information on a single disc. This format is different from CDGs so you will need a karaoke player capable of reading DVDs to play this format. Most non-English music will be in this format.
Q5: What is the difference between CDGs, VCDs, and DVDs?
A: CDGs have no video running in the background when the song is playing. This means you will only see the words on the screen and nothing else. VCDs have a video running in the background, in addition to lyrics, while the music is playing. DVDs also have a video running in the background, in addition to lyrics, while the music is playing. DVDs will typically have more songs than either CDGs or VCDs.
Q6: What is MIDI?
A: MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) is a special format. This format will only play on our CAVS CDO-98E, Premier 99N, and HDV-201. This format is a sound file that calls on a built in sound chip on these machines to produce music. The files are extremely small so you will get many songs on each disc. The music is synthesized so you will not get CD quality sound or vocals.
Q7: What is MP3G?
A: MP3G is the newest format for karaoke music. There are 2 files stored on the disc, an MP3 file and a Graphics file. A MP3 is a compressed audio file. The graphics file is what you see on the screen. This format has the advantage of having a lot more songs on one disc compared to a CDG since MP3 files are a lot smaller than CDG files. This format will only play on the CAVS HDV-201.
Q8: What is a Super CDG?
A: A Super CDG is basically a MP3G disc. However this disc has been formatted to only work on CAVS players supporting Super CDG format such as the DVD-202 and DVD-101G II.
Q9: What is the difference between a CDG and a CD+G?
A: They are the exact same thing.
Q10: I am looking for a CD. What should I buy?
A: We do not carry regular CD's. However, you can purchase CDG. They are meant to be played on CDG players and will also play on regular CD Players. Note: not all disc will play in regular CD players without the lead vocals because of multiplex features.
Q11: What is the quality of the discs?
A: All discs have different quality. Some manufacturers have better quality discs than others. Call us for more information about the discs.
Q12: What is the best format for me?
A: There is no one format that is the best. Every format has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, if you preferred a large quantity of music you would pick the MIDI format but lose out on sound quality. Or you might prefer the CDG format as most new songs will come out on CDG before they appear on any other format. The drawback to this would be the limited number of songs on each disc, etc.
Q13: Can I play this disc on a regular CD player?
A: You can only play CDGs on a regular CD Player.
Q14: What is Multiplex Disc?
A: This is a disc with a split track. The left channel of the track has the vocal recording and the right channel of the track has the instrumental recording. This gives you the option of turning the vocals on or off on a karaoke player. When played on a regular CD player you will hear both the vocals and instrumentals.
Q15: What is a non-multiplexed disc?
A: This is when the disc does not have split track. It only has the instrumental track on it. It will not have any vocal recordings other than the back up vocals.
Q16: What is MIDI file?
A: MIDI stands for Musical Instrument Digital Interface. This kind of music type is composed by 128 instruments at the most. The file size is very small compared to the WAV files or MP3 files.
Q17: I just bought a disc from your site. It’s not by the original artist!
A: Karaoke discs will never be by the original artist.
Q18: How do I search for a song on your website?
A: On the top left hand corner of our homepage there is a search box where you can type in what you are looking for. Do not make your search too general. If you want to specifically search for something you can try typing in quotations (example: "Michael Jackson"). Using the quotations will help you specify your search.
Q19: I need a disc with no vocals on it whatsoever. How do I find one on your site?
A: There is no way for us to tell whether the discs will have absolutely no vocals on it or not. This will depend on whether the manufacturer of the disc decides to put in vocals. Ninety nine percent of our discs will have some form of background, helper, and/or chorus vocal on it.
Q20: What are the shipping cut off times?
A: Shipping occurs Monday thru Friday. For Next Day Air, 2nd Day Air, and 3 Day Select, orders for items in stock should be placed before 5:00pm CT or 12:00pm CT for same day shipping, or it is not guaranteed to go out the same day. UPS Ground usually will go out the same day; however, it is not guaranteed. We DO NOT ship on Weekends (Saturday, and Sunday) or Holidays.
Q21: What is Amplifier?
A: Mixing Amplifiers combine both karaoke mixer and amplifier (receiver) in one unit. You will need an amplifier if you want to power external speakers. You can turn any DVD, VCD or CD+G player into karaoke system with a mixing amplifier.
Q22: What is a Mixer?
A: Karaoke mixers combine the music and vocal source into one and enhance the sound quality. A karaoke mixer can turn a DVD, VCD or CD+G Player into a karaoke machine. A karaoke mixer has some important functions: microphone inputs, volume control, key controller, echo, delay, repeat, and vocal reducer. Depending on your needs or budget, you may or may not need all of the functions.
Q23: What is the warranty on your machines?
A: All machines come with a 1 year manufacturer’s warranty.
Q24: What is a quarter-inch or XLR cable?
A: This usually refers to a microphone cable with a quarter-inch or XLR plug at the end of the cable.
Q25: What is a RCA cable?
A: A RCA cable is a cable with red, white, and yellow colored plugs at the ends of the cable. This cable is usually used to connect the audio and video from the karaoke machine to your TV and/or amplifier, mixer etc.
Q26: What is NTSC/PAL?
A: NTSC is the standard TV signal used in North America. The signal for NTSC is 60Hz. PAL is the standard TV signal used in Europe. The signal for PAL is 50Hz. Make sure you have your karaoke machine set to the correct frequency to avoid incompatibility with your TV monitor.
Q27: I need to make changes/ cancel an order. What do I do?
A: You will need to contact us by phone at (936) 756-1805. Requests made by any other method will not be processed.
Shipping Questions
Q1: Where can I find the status of my order?
A: You can view the status of your order in the email invoice we have sent you.
Q2: I don't have an email address. How can I check my order?
A: Call (936) 756-1805 and a customer service representatives will be happy to help you.
Q3: I did not receive a UPS Tracking Number. What can I do?
A: A tracking number is assigned at the end of the weekday that you placed your order. You will usually receive the tracking number in your email within the next day or day after. If you need this tracking number urgently, please call (936) 756-1805.
Q4: What is my tracking number?
A: To find your tracking number click on Track Your Order, located on the top right of our Home page.
Q5: Where are you located?
A: We are located at:
110 S. Delmont Dr. East
Conroe, TX 77301
United States
Q6: Do you ship to Canada?
A: Yes we ship to Canada. However, we do not cover any duty and/or brokerage fees incurred when the merchandise crosses the border to Canada.
Q7: Where can I find my order?
A: You can view the status of your order in the email invoice we have sent you.
Q8: I've got the tracking number. How do I track my order?
A: Just input your tracking number in the UPS Tracking Page and you will see the status of your order.
Q9: Do you ship International?
A: Yes. We do ship international orders. We will need a photocopied or scanned image of your picture ID and also the credit card you are using. Shipping time can take up to 3 weeks depending on the country.
Q10: When will I receive my package?
A: Total delivery time = delivery method + availability.
Next Day Air: Availability + 1 business day
2nd Day Air: Availability + 2 business days
3 Day Select: Availability + 3 business days
UPS Ground: Availability + Approximately 1-10 business days depending on your location.
Please keep in mind that UPS Ground orders will not be guaranteed to arrive at a certain date.
Q11: What is the shipping difference between UPS and USPS?
A:
UPS Domestic
USPS
Shipping Time
1-6 Days
3-6 Days
Tracking
Tracking # given
None
Insurance
Coverage over $100
Special Services
Cut off Times
3:00pm Central Time
2:00pm Central Time
Types of Service
Private company
Government Company
Quality
Guaranteed Service
Not Guaranteed
Cost
Will cost more because of better service given. Please call (936) 756-1805 for price quotes
Will cost less because it is not guaranteed service. Please call (936) 756-1805 for price quotes.
Q12: How long will it take to deliver my order?
A:
UPS Next Day Air
Will receive next day after purchase
UPS Second Day Air
Will receive 2nd day after purchase
UPS 3 Day Select
Will receive 3rd day after purchase
UPS Ground
3-10 Business Days Depends on Location
Q13: When are the shipping cutoff times?
A: Shipping day is Monday thru Friday.
For Next day Air, 2nd Day Air, 3 Day Select, orders should be placed before 12:00pm CT or 3:00 CT for same day shipping, or it will not be guaranteed to go out the same day.
UPS Ground will usually go out the same day; however, it is not guaranteed.
We DO NOT ship on Weekends (Saturday, and Sunday) or Holidays.
