FAQ
Where can I download karaoke
Here: http://www.buykaraokedownloads.com/ 79¢ - $1.49 per track
Try Tricerasoft: $2.49 per track. CAVS songs come with 3 files: the MP3, the CDG and a ".mcg" file that is ignored by kJams.
Or CAVS: $0.99 - $1.99 per track
Note: The Tricerasoft ones don't come with a ".zip" file extension(?!), so you'll need to add that so kJams and the OS know that it's a zip file.
What drives are supported?
See the section on Compatible Drives.
What drive do you recommend?
A Plextor 760A drive (not the SA, not the 750 or 755). It's the cheapest one that will work. I've heard that this adapter may work, but i do NOT guarantee it: $12 at Amazon. These more expensive adapters, I guarantee they will work: either a Wiebetech FireWire DriveDock (has USB 2.0 & FireWire 400 connectors) or a Super DriveDock (has USB 2.0 & FireWire 800 connectors).
Can I get kJams to burn using my 3rd party drive?
You must install PatchBurn. This allows you to burn CD's using 3rd party drives. No more "unsupported" message.
Trying to burn, I get "DRStatusStateFailed", whaa??
See Failed Burn.
I ran into a problem / bug, what should I do?
Please see Bug Reporting.
Can you please add XYZ feature that is in iTunes?
Yes. Here's the metric: if iTunes does it, eventually kJams will too. These things take time, but that's the plan.
How long until I have to pay again?
How_long_until_I_have_to_pay_again
Why should I buy this instead of iStar?
See Compare.
When I submit to freedb, I get an email indicating an error
How do I manually send you the Log File or Crash Report?
Check out Logs.
How do I print song books?
See Printing.
Please explain "Rotation", or What's the difference between "Rotation" and "KJ Rotation"?
See Rotation
Can kJams be remotely controlled?
You bet! Go to the Remote Control page.
How do I import my monster library?
Check out Importing
Can kJams play or import VCD / SuperVCD / DVD / LaserDisc / MIDI karaoke / QuickTime?
kJams can play CDG format karaoke and practically all QuickTime compatible file formats including MPEG 1, 2 & 4, KAR and MIDI. For ripping and playing formats other than CD+G, click here. kJams can't play QuickTime formats that include audio compressed using these old SoundManager formats: AMR Narrowband and QualCom PureVoice™.
Can kJams play CAVS ".mcg" or ".ncg" files?
Up-Update: Hey here's a Windoz tool you can use for free to convert MCG, sadly it works one at a time: DecoderMin
For ".mcg" info Click Here
Older Info: Unfortunately, this is a proprietary format and CAVS has refused to license it out to third parties. The only solution requires that you can run or emulate Windows, and that you pay the extortion fee purchase the DRM remover format converter sofware from CAVS. Update: I've got a bit of a lead now to help me reverse engineer the format. Stay tuned for ability to read / write MCG files.
Can kJams play TriceraSoft ".kmf" files?
Sigh, this is another proprietary format and TriceraSoft has also refused to license it out to third parties. The only solution requires that you can run or emulate Windows, and that you pay the extortion fee purchase the DRM remover format converter sofware from TriceraSoft.
How do I consolidate and/or move my library to an external volume?
Check out Consolidating and Moving
How do I rebuild my library?
Throw out the "kJams Library" folder. Yes the whole thing. You will loose all your playlists, venues and singers. In Late Beta there will be a feature that does this without you loosing your lists. Do NOT throw out "kJams CDs" or "kJams Musc" or anything else you find at the same level.
How do I show the lyrics on a TV?
Some laptops have an S-Video port. Just plug that into a TV. For laptops with the mini DVI port, you'll need this. For desktops or laptops with regular size DVI ports, get this. Now go to the System Preferences->Displays and pick "Detect Displays", and now you'll have extended desktop. Just drag the kJams Video Window to the 2nd display and press ⌘-0 (that's command-zero) to go to full screen.
Can my mac video go to HDTV or 1080i?
In fact it probably can! See HDTV.
Can my iMac or eMac or iBook use a TV as a 2nd display?
Check out this, or this. You'll find this interesting too. You'll need this or this (same link) too, depending on the type of port your have, check your computer's documentation.
How can I add even more displays?
For notebooks, you can only add displays if you have a PCMCIA slot. For 1 more display, go here. For 2 more displays, go here. For desktop machines, you just need to add another video card, or use the dual head of your main card if you have one. For each display that you need to be on a TV screen, you'll need one of these or these.
How do I use Preset Playlists?
Check out Preset Playlists
What are you doing accessing the internet on startup?
kJams is requesting the file: http://www.kjams.com/downloads/version.xml so that it can compare your version with the latest on the server. kJams will NEVER gather or send personal information anywhere, ever. No I don't do statistical profiling either. Use LittleSnitch if you're paranoid. You can shut it off in the Preferences.
Can I stream the audio to AirTunes?
Short answer? No. Long answer: maybe someday it'll be built in, but in any case, you won't be able to sing along (thru the remote speakers). The only software capable of streaming any audio out to AirTunes (besides iTunes) is AirFoil. The reason you can't sing along is that there is about a five second latency with streamed audio, so your graphics won't line up with the audio, and your singing won't either.
What are the minimum requirements?
Got info on decoding CD+G streams?
Technical info on the CD+G format
What are your Development Stages?
Go to Development Stages
Where did it come from?
The graphics decoder is based on code from Jim Bumgardner. The pitch bending is based on the SoundTouch library. The zip format support came from zlib. The audio player, and some other stuff came from Apple sample code. Shoping cart by eSellerate. AppleRemote support by Martin Kahr. Decoding / demuxing of MPEG1 and MPEG2 optionally provided via FFmpeg. Encoding to MP3 optionally provided by LAME. ID3 tag support (meta info) by ID3Lib. Vorbis support (including tag editing) provided by Xiph. The rest I wrote in C++, heavily relying on the STL.