MP3+G file pairs
R. P.
mp3 and a cdg file that can be combined to a bin file with Mp3_G Toolz
but I just discovered a similar system on the CAVS Web site where the
zip file consists of and mp3 and mcg file. It is supposedly not
compatible with the Mp3 Toolz, however. Instead it requires a $30
decoder software.
Why the different systems? Does one have an inherent advantage over the
other or is it just a way for CAVS to collect some money? I've found the
mp3+cdg scheme quite satisfactory but I could not find a for-fee karaoke
track downloading service (similar to iTunes) that uses that format.
Personally I would not mind paying a buc or two for mp3+g files
published by major CDG producers but CAVS seems to sell mostly its own,
inferior versions.
Rudy
Kegger
The MCG format like KMF or KMA are proprietary formats only used for
that company they are nothing more then MP3+G format files that their
players read.
The converter was put together by CAVS when they found they couldn't
sell enough of their online music as the pros didn't want their
proprietary format since the player wasn't pro grade.
Hence the reason.
By the way Top Hits Monthly puts out a 6 pack of monthly selections
every month for those that want to keep up to date costs vary widely on
these and you can buy them in MP3+G or CAVS format as well as standard
CDG. My cost on the 6 disc set in MP3+G format is $34 USD delivered in
the US. Anyone wants the contact information for these please contact me
via e-mail the same guy sells CDG format for $50 per month. These are
totally legal.
BrianH
On 30-Dec-2005, "R. P." <r_pol...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> I am familiar with the MP3+G zipped file pair scheme consisting of an
> mp3 and a cdg file that can be combined to a bin file with Mp3_G Toolz
> but I just discovered a similar system on the CAVS Web site where the
> zip file consists of and mp3 and mcg file. It is supposedly not
> compatible with the Mp3 Toolz, however. Instead it requires a $30
> decoder software.
>
> Why the different systems? Does one have an inherent advantage over the
> other or is it just a way for CAVS to collect some money? I've found the
> mp3+cdg scheme quite satisfactory but I could not find a for-fee karaoke
> track downloading service (similar to iTunes) that uses that format.
> Personally I would not mind paying a buc or two for mp3+g files
> published by major CDG producers but CAVS seems to sell mostly its own,
> inferior versions.
The .mcg is very compressed over the .cdg. I suspect it does little other
than pack the data into a more efficient format (most of the data in a .cdg
is subchannel data that is not associated with the graphics) rather than
using an .mp3-like compression scheme (which would require more real-time
processing to de-compress). But I've not tried to revwerse-engineered the
format since CAVS provides the conversion software at a reasonable price.
Although many believe it is just a money-making scheme, I suspect it is also
a money-saving scheme. Your computer is designed to dual-thread quite
nicely, has a powerful CPU, and has lots of RAM for temporary storage, thus
handling the .mp3 and .cdg files essentially separately but coordinated.
Doing that in a player box is a bit more complicated. They probably read
the .mcg into memory to keep from having to alternate reading between the
.mp3 and .cdg. So changing from .cdg to .mcg they have both pre-processed
the graphics data (reducing real-time processing requirements) and reduced
it's size (reducing memory requirements). These reductions in what is
demanded of the box would equate to savings on each box.
Last time this came up, some didn't note my "I suspect". This is just my
educated guess.
R. P.
> Inferior??? I'll take Top Hits and Chartbuster anyday...
I guess you did not read my comment carefully enough. This is what I
wrote:
> Personally I would not mind paying a buc or two for mp3+g files
> published by major CDG producers but CAVS seems to sell mostly its
> own, inferior versions.
So you see, I referred to CAVS' own karaoke brand as inferior to the
major brands. I consider Top Hits and Chartbaster major brands and thus
superior to CAVS.
Rudy
R. P.
Sounds pretty educated to me, too, and quite reasonable as well.
Thanks,
Rudy
R. P.
> The .mcg is very compressed over the .cdg. I suspect it does little
> other
> than pack the data into a more efficient format (most of the data in a
> .cdg
> is subchannel data that is not associated with the graphics) rather
> than
> using an .mp3-like compression scheme (which would require more
> real-time
> processing to de-compress). But I've not tried to revwerse-engineered
> the
> format since CAVS provides the conversion software at a reasonable
> price.
I just discovered a free mini decoder on the CAVS Web site that can
convert the mcg file to the .cdg file which then, with the mp3 file can
be manipulated with the Mp3_G Toolz utility. I have already downloaded
a karaoke track form CAVS to test this and works fine.
Rudy