KHPro Installation Manual


 
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Table of Contents

Computer Requirements
Upgrade Windows On Your Computer
Install KHPro
Move KHPro to a New Computer
Upgrading Your Prior KHPro
Version Changes
V5.00 - Released July ???, 2010
 
 

Computer Requirements

KHPro requires the following PC/Apple Windows computer setup.

Computer Feature KHPro Recommendations
Windows XP Pro/Home
not Windows 98/ME/2000
KHPro can run with Service Pack 2, but it is always recommended to use the latest Service Pack release, which at the time of this writing is SP3.
Windows Vista + SR1
& Windows 7
Install ALL updates when they are available under "Custom" updates. We recommend you disable UAC. If not, unnecessary background tasks are run that can cause KHPro to drop audio when playing.
Apple Computers Use with Apple computers requires the additional Bootcamp software to run WIndows.
???Internet Explorer XP needs IE6 or higher, Vista includes IE7 (click your Start button then "Windows Updates" and select CUSTOM [not Express]), Windows 7 includes.
Computer RAM

Minimum recommendation: WinXP - 1GB, Vista & Windows 7 - 2GB. KHPro can run with less memory, but Windows takes longer to execute often used tasks. RAM is cheap and makes your computer run better. KHPro requires up to ???MB of system RAM while running.

VERY IMPORTANT!

Windows does not always free up RAM when you close a program. There are two FREE software tools that release unused RAM so KHPro (or other programs) can use it again. These are: Advanced System Care (click the Download link), and System Mechanic scroll down and click the Download free trial link below the fields to enter if you are buying it. Run either of these tools every few weeks to keep your computer running better for KHPro, and all your programs!

Processor Speed

At least a 350MHz processor. Faster improves displaying the lyrics sweeping in sync to the music. Slower than this will cause the display to not draw fast enough and the sweep highlighting will be out of sync with the music. Any new computer today will run KHPro.

Note: Desktop, tower, shuttle, rack mount computers allow upgrading the processor and RAM if they have an over-capacity power supply. Laptops, notebooks, mini-notebooks, etc. are so tightly designed that upgrading usually won't work (see how to move KHPro to a faster computer).

Sound port or card One stereo output port is required, either built into your computer or a USB external device.
Hard Drive You should have a hard drive to hold your original audio files, and your created Karaoke CDG type files.
Display Resolution KHPro is designed to use on 800 x 640 (for older eyes) or 1024 x 768 for maximum efficiency. Most computers today support these resolution.
Graphics Card/Chip Performance This may be the most important component for KHPro to run with the lyrics and audio in sync. Get a card with at least 128MB ON-BOARD MEMORY. ATI's 128MB HyperMemory card is misleading as it only has 32MB on-board memory, "borrowing" the rest from slower computer RAM giving inferior performance. Find a card that has at least 128MB ON-BOARD MEMORY; 256MB or more is better. Many Laptops available today (2009) use "virtual display memory" that reduces the amount of RAM available to the computer. These computers require at least the minimum recommended RAM of 1GB for XP and 2GB for Vista, but more is better.
Network/Ethernet port or card You computer must be connected to the Internet to install and register KHPro, but not to run.
 

???Change your Video Card Settings

KHPro demands more than most applications from the video card. If you have problems with the sweep highlight staying in sync to the music when playing, check the settings below and adjust them from top to bottom:

  1. Upgrade the video driver for your graphics card. Check with your manufacturer. They probably have a web site where you can download a new driver. It must run with Windows Direct-X 8.1 or higher.
  2. Change your color resolution:
    1. Click the Start button
    2. Click Settings
    3. Click Control Panel
    4. Double-click Display
    5. Click Settings Tab
    6. Click 16-bit color or 32-bit color(24-bit will work, but will be slower)
  3. If you have an S3 graphics card, replace it. You have a lemon. S3 is out of business. To find out what you have (for Windows 2000, but XP is similar):
    1. Click the Start button
    2. Click Settings
    3. Click Control Panel
    4. Double-click System
    5. Click the Hardware Tab
    6. Click the Device Manager button
    7. Click the Display Adapters
    8. Find the card you have
    9. Double click the Card title and its properties dialog box will appear. If you see S3 anywhere, buy and install another graphics card. We suggest ATI products.
 

Upgrade Windows On Your Computer

Our goal is to help you run Professional Karaoke shows with KHPro, preventing problems that slow computers will cause. KHPro 4 is an extremely powerful version with new features that demand more from your computer than ever.

First, connect your computer on-line and update your Windows.

  1. Click your Windows Start button (lower left)
  2. In the menu that pops up find Control Panel or the equivalent and click it
  3. Click on Windows Update, click Check for Updates
  4. When it comes back showing how Many updates you have, click on the X Optional Updates are available.
  5. Select ALL of the updates shown, then left-click OK.
  6. Click the Install Updates Button.
  7. Allow all of the updates to download and install. Once this is done, shut down and restart your computer and do the same steps over again until 0 updates appear.
  8. NOTE: If you are afraid to keep your computer on-line like many other people, then after doing the upgrades and installing and registering KHPro, disconnect your computer from the Internet and run KHPro off-line.

Second, read the MTU Windows Update web page: instructions for Vista / Windows 7 or instructions for XP. Upgrading your Windows solves 99% of all problems! Doing this before or right after installing KHPro will save you hours of frustration. That's why installing and registering KHPro requires your computer to be on-line; Windows must be upgraded for KHPro to run reliably.

Third, every time KHPro runs it performs a RAM Check, Processor Speed Check, and UAC Disabled Check (for Vista installations only). If any of them fail, their warning message appears to inform you your computer should be upgraded to run KHPro 4.l0 or higher.

  1. Follow their instructions and upgrade your hardware,
  2. KHPro may run without upgrading your hardware, but eventually you will activate an advanced feature such as the Background Audio Player and KHPro may fail.
  3. Note: Running other programs with KHPro on a computer without enough computer RAM can cause both programs to malperform.
 
 
 

Need help? Post your questions in the KHPro Help Forum.

 
 

Install KHPro

  1. KHPro can install on two (2) computers you own (see moving to another computer).
  2. KHPro can install on any drive on your computer, under the Administrator or any User. For Vista and ???Windows 7, you must have Admin Privileges.
  3. KHPro creates a working folder on the Windows System Drive (typically at C:/MTU/KHPro). If your default drive is C:, KHPro installs at C:\Program Files\Micro Technology Unlimited\KHPro folder. You can install on D: or any other internal or external hard drive, but it is not recommended as it makes it hard to find later.
  4. If you received the Product on a CDROM, place the CDROM in your CDROM/CDR drive and read the instructions that appear. If they do not appear, use Windows Explorer to locate the CDROM drive, then find the file named autorun and double click it.
  5. If you did not order the CDROM, go to My Account and login. Scroll down to find your Products and Registration Codes. Your Download links in the store are good for 30 days. However, the current version is always available from http://download.mtu.com/download.htm. If you have not ordered or upgraded in the past 12 months, you need to purchase the KHPro Upgrade to install the latest versions.
  6. Use the Windows Explorer program to find the KHPro500setup.exe file you downloaded to your computer hard drive, or on the MTU Installation CDROM. If you cannot find it:

    • Click the Windows Explorer (or My Computer) Tools menu, then Find command, then Find Files and Folders command.
    • In the Named: field, enter khp*.exe (* is a wildcard that matches anything).
    • In the Look in: field, click the drop down list and select My Computer.
    • Click the Find button to locate the file. When it is found, it will appear in the window below.
  7. Move you mouse cursor to point to the filename, double click the left button to start installing KHPro.
  8. Read the License Agreement and click Yes if you legally accept the terms and conditions of this agreement. The product cannot be installed without accepting the terms of this agreement.
  9. Read the License Agreement and click Yes if you agree. If you continue, you legally accept the terms and conditions of this License.
  10. The default directory that KHPro installs in is C:\Program Files\Micro Technology Unlimited\KHPro.
  11. If you are installing on Windows XP: make the changes found at: http://www.mtu.com/upgrades/hoster/xp-changes.htm
    For Vista: http://www.mtu.com/upgrades/hoster/vista-upgrade-hoster4.htm
    For Windows 7: http://www.mtu.com/upgrades/hoster/windows7-changes.htm

    Make the changes so your Windows computer will correctly run KHPro. If you call or email MTU for support help, if you haven't made these changes our first response will be make the changes.
  12. Enter your name and address correctly or your Registration Record will not attach to your Permanent Account and we can't help you if needed.
  13. When the Registration Email and Registration Code screen appears, enter these from your Store Account. Enter a name for this computer that is unique from any others you will install MTU software on so we can help you with THIS computer if needed in the future. Click Next.
  14. If any error messages appear, read and follow the instructions to correct the problem.
  15. When the last screen appears with a Finish button at the bottom, click it to complete the installation.
  16. CONGRATULATIONS! Your KHPro is installed and you are ready to create your own Karaoke CDG songs.
  17. KHPro icon Double click the KHPro icon on the Windows Desktop to run it.
 

Move Your KHPro to Another Computer

Be up and running in minutes on a new computer!

Example #1: Your want to replace your old Desktop show computer with a new Laptop. Because the Desktop can connect on-line run the KHPro Installation program, select REMOVE and finish. This removes KHPro, leaving all KMA files, Songbook, Singers Database, etc. that you can move to your new Laptop. Then, run the same KHPro Installation program on your new Laptop (it must be on-line to register KHPro, but not required to run it) and you running without MTU help.

Example #2: Your show computer crashes at 5:15PM before your Saturday show at 9:00PM, because it is "dead" it cannot connect on-line to remove KHPro. However, your backup computer can. Thus, connect your backup on-line, run the KHPro Installation program on it, select REMOVE and finish. This removes KHPro, but leaves all KMA files, Songbook, Singers Database, etc. on your backup computer. Then, run the KHPro Installation program on your new computer (it must be on-line to register KHPro, but not required to run it). You are back up and running, without MTU help... all on a Saturday night!

IMPORTANT! Your computer must be on-line or removing KHPro will NOT allow re-installing on another computer.

To install KHPro on a second computer:

  1. Download the KHPro Installation file from the MTU Software Download Page.
  2. If you have already downloaded this file, you can copy it to a CDROM or USB Flash Drive, insert either in the second computer and copy the file to the hard drive.
  3. Find the installation file, double click it and follow the instructions.
  4. You will need your Registration Code to register KHPro while installing it on the second computer. NOTE: you must connect the computer on-line to the Internet to complete the registration. This is the only way to register MTU software products.
  5. If you installed KHPro on two(2) different computers, you will receive instructions what you must do to move one of those registrations to this computer.
 

Upgrading Your Prior KHPro

 

Follow the instructions that appear in the Installation program for each step. You will find them easy to do.

KHPro 4.105 and higher provide a new way to upgrade. When you order the KHP41UpG part number, you will do the same steps to install the upgrade as the original. However, there are several changes.

  1. Removes Prior Versions - The installation program now identifies and removes these prior versions if they are found to be installed:

    1. 4.100 to 4.11
    2. 4.008
    3. 1.000 to 3.100
  2. A different Remove screen will appear for each of the prior version ranges found as it removes them.
  3. "Update - Remove" - These buttons appear when reinstalling over 4.105 or higher versions. Update allows reinstalling without going through the full installation process. Remove will remove KHPro from this computer. Be sure to read these instructions so you can re-install KHPro on a different computer after removing it.
  4. There are 3 communications to MTU.com site. Each transmission is short (a few hundred bytes), but due to Internet traffic it can take up to 30 seconds, or fail after 30 seconds if it has not connected. A progress bar appears for each transmission. If it fails, try again later.
  5. Works with Dialup Modems - Since a few hundred bytes of data are sent, you can register with a dial-up phone modem to the Internet. You DO NOT need Cable or DSL to register KHPro.
  6. The Last Transmission is AFTER Clicking the Finish Button. When you click the Finish button in the last installation screen, the final installation is done and the third communication to MTU.com is sent. Do not terminate this. It is required to complete your installation and registration of your Upgrade.

IMPORTANT NOTICE! If your computer does not have a software firewall, we strongly recommend the free Personal copy of ZoneAlarm. If you have any questions, please contact ZoneAlarm, or post in the KHPro 4 Help Forum.

 

Version Changes

V5.00 - Released July ???, 2010

  1. NEW Allow opening LRC Lyrics Files - The .LRC files contain lyrics on lines in ASCII with a “time-stamp” at the start of each line ("extended LRC" have time stamps on each word,but these appear to be rare). We strip the timing data and discard it. When a chorus is found, with multiple timing data such as: [01:02:003] [02:03:003] [03:23:100] [Chorus Lyrics], the chorus lyric line is copied multiple times into the song at each timing setting, before the timing data is discarded.
  2. UPGRADE Modify Existing .KPR Project File Format - Opening a .kpr project file from KHPro 4.x (3.x are rejected) automatically imports into the new format with Version 5.0. This allows storing the new; .kpr version#, Duet/Solo status, Singer2 and Both colors.
  3. NEW Duet Songs

    1. Create Duet Songs With Singers Singing Serial or Both Together - In this case, only one Singer sings at a time, or they both sing the same words; i.e. only one line is highlighting at a time.
    2. Create Duet Songs WIth Singers Singing Separate Lines Together or Both - In this case, two lines with separate words (or music notation symbols) can sweep at the same time, or single lines for either singer to perform, or both Singers singing the same words in harmony.
    3. Assign Singers in the Adjust Lyrics Screen Singer 1, 2, and Both Buttons background colors are set from the selections in the Settings > Lyrics Tab.
    4. Allow Assigning Lines Randomly - In the Adjust Lyrics screen, the color of the words on the selected line change to match the assigned Singer "text color", which can assign in any order (not forced to assign them sequentially).
  4. Move Sweep Color Picker Below Singer 1 - In the Lyrics Tab, in Solo mode, the Singer2 and Both buttons are hidden, leaving only the Singer1 and Sweep color pickers.
  5. NEW [Strong]Singer Colors Appear in Adjust Lyrics Screen[/Strong] - The Singer1, Singer2 and Both buttons on the Adjust Lyrics screen now reflect their color selections in the Settings... dialog.
  6. NEW [Strong]CDG Text Line Colors Change With Singer Assignment[/Strong] - Each line in the Adjust Lyrics display screen is colored with the selected Singer's color.
  7. Settings... Dialog Changes

    1. MOVED Preview Window and Button - The Preview button now touches the Preview window lower right corner, which is now in the same location in the Title and Credits Tabs.
    2. UPGRADE Lyrics Tab Has Focus When Settings… is Clicked. - This Tab is now open and ready when you click the Settings... button as its controls are the most often that change.
    3. UPGRADE Change Graphics Group - The controls have moved. Now if you select a graphic image, it immediately appears with the Lines: list limited to 1-3 lines selectable. Clicking the Remove (graphic) button, the graphic disappears and the Lines: list changes back to 1-8 lines selectable.
    4. REMOVED - Remove the Dither Field - This had no real benefit in any of the 3 Tabs.
    5. REMOVED - Remove the Region Field This was replaced with the "Change Graphics Group" change below.
    6. UPGRADE Text and Sweep Control Group Boxes - These both were changed to support the new layout and features.
    7. NEW Solo and Duet Mutually Exclusive Buttons - Clicking Solo shows a lime background (gray when unselected), unselects Duet, and hides Singer2 and Both in the Colors group. Clicking Duet shows a yellow background (gray when unselected), unselects Solo, and shows Singer2 and Both in the Colors group box.
    8. NEW Colors Group Box - All the Border, Bkgnd, Singer 1 (text) and Sweep are now in this new group box. Singer2, and Both Color Pickers only appear when Duet is selected. These set the text colors on each line when lyrics are assigned to these selections.
  8. NEW Progress Meter When MP3 and WMA Files Open - This is a pop-up progress message box that appears and moves as a compressed file is expanding for use. There is no Cancel as the whole process is non-destructive, and if it were canceled, would take longer than to finish and then re-open another project.
  9. UPGRADE Ungray "Save As" When A Project Opens - This allows users to do a "Save As" to create a duplicate of the project for experimental changes.
  10. [COLOR="Red"]FIXED[/COLOR] - Adjust Lyrics Screen "Audition Play" Doesn’t Play - Before, you would hear a quarter-second at the start as an audio blip and silence after that.
  11. [COLOR="Red"]FIXED[/COLOR] - Adjust Lyrics Screen "Adjust Play" Doesn’t Allow Adjusting - Before, Adjust Play didn't adjust anything when < or > were tapped. You can now adjust the highlight start or end on the selected word(s) as expected.
  12. Open MP3 & WMA Compressed Audio Files - You can now open 3 audio format files: MP3, WMA, and WAV. KHPro doesn't open BIN, KMA, or ZIP files.
  13. [*]Creates More Output Formats - The opened music file type sets the output file type (i.e.KHPro doe snot shift audio file formats):

    1. MP3 - creates an MP3+G file.
    2. WMA - creates an WMA+G file.
    3. WAV – creates a BIN file, which is the only uncompressed standard file format for CDG Karaoke.
    4. File Menu "Support ZIP files together" - When check, the created MP3+G or WMA+G files are zipped.
  14. When Saving Output, Check for File Naming Conflict - We use the standard “SaveAs” dialog. Thus, if you try to save as an existing file name, you are warned of this, but you can overwrite if you want. If there is a .cdg file with the same name, it too is checked and a notice is given to prevent accidental overwriting.
  15. Remove “Screen” From Bottom Buttons - These didn't aid in understanding, and they lengthen the buttons making them more “graphically” confusing. They are now: "Edit Lyrics", "Place Lyrics", "Adjust Lyrics", "Play Final" (changed the “Play Screen” to this).
  16. Remove View Menu - The 4 buttons are now available at the bottom with 1-button click to display that screen. The button order is now identical in each screen.
  17. Added "Current" Screen Button - It was not instantly clear which screen you were in. Now, with all 4 "screen" buttons on each screen, the current one has a green background.
  18. Runs On Windows 7 - We have one MTU W7 system and it runs. Please test on whatever OS you have, but post it so we know what is being tested.
  19. Fix Audition Play - In 4.11, it only played the “Defined Area” range and stopped; it should now keep playing until stopped. The Manual says: "Click Audition Play (or tap Spacebar) to play through the song from the start or from any word you click to start playing from. When you see a word highlighting too early or late, press the Spacebar to stop play and select that word (shows underlined)." [url]http://forum.mtu.com/showthread.php?p=98570[/url] is the thread that reported this.
 

KHPro is a Trademark of Micro Technology Unlimited. Windows XP, Vista and Windows 7 are registered marks of Microsoft. If there are any others we have omitted, please notify us.

 
Move Your Installation Without MTU!
Up and running in minutes on a new computer!

KHPro allows you to remove it from an installed computer and install it on a new computer; immediately or later.

To REMOVE and allow RE-INSTALLING requires the computer to be on-line to connect to the mtu.com web site. If you are not on-line, removing KHPro will NOT allow re-installing on another computer.

Example...

With the computer on-line, run the KHPro Installation program, select REMOVE and finish. This removes the KHPro program, leaving all project, audio and lyrics files on your computer. Then, run the KHPro Installation program on your new computer (it must be on-line to register KHPro, but not required to run it). You are back up and running in minutes on the new computer, without MTU help.

If one installed computer crashes, because it is "dead" it cannot go on-line to remove KHPro. However, your backup computer can.

VERY IMPORTANT

KHPro can be installed on two (2) computers that you own. Your Registration Code and Registration Email are unique, and they can only be installed on 2 different computers. If you give you Registration Email and Code to someone else, they will get a free copy, but the next time you need to install on another computer, you will have to buy a new copy. DO NOT GIVE YOUR REGISTRATION CODES AWAY or you will need to buy a new copy if you need to replace your computer.

  • Click the Finish button to complete the installation.
  • If you wish to remove, click the Windows Start button; Settings; Control Panel; Add/Remove Programs; find any Karaoke Home Producer installed version and remove them.
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