Home Karaoke Systems - Holiday Gift Ideas

Karaoke Players  make excellent gifts. Simply for the fact they encompass such a large age group. They are made to be enjoyed by both male or female, the young or the young at heart. Rest assured there is a Karaoke Player out there for every age group, whether you are looking to get a gift for a child or Grandparent or for yourself. And you do not have to be a great singer to use these products, just have a love of music and enjoy having a good time.

Karaoke Machines can have many features and functions, and with many players to choose from, the whole process can get a little daunting, if not frustrating. Some Karaoke Machines may have a Built-in Video Camera for displaying an image of the person singing, Digital Key Control for changing the song's key, Built-in Display screen so you do not have to connect the machine to a Television and many more different features. The key is to figure out what you want and need in a Karaoke System. Just remember most Karaoke Player you choose will have the ability to play music and display lyrics through some media form (either through CDs or digitally).  (Please Note: There are Karaoke Machines that do not have the ability to display lyrics. They are very rare and tend to be toy Karaoke Players for very young children.)

Below is a list of Karaoke Systems that vary from the very basic to the more elaborate, complex models. Each one is different with many different functions and features. But they all have the core elements that make up a great Karaoke Player. All range in price from around $50.00 to $300.00. These are just a few of the types of Karaoke Systems available to you in the marketplace. They should give you an idea of what is available and help you choose the right Karaoke Player.

Singing Machine SML-383 - Price Range: $41.00 to $69.00
- Vertical Load CDG Disc Player
- Two Microphone Inputs
- Disco Light Effect
- Balance & Echo Controls
- Auto Voice Control (AVC - Eliminates Vocals on Multiplex CDG)
- AC/DC
- Built-in Speakers
- Video & Audio OUT
- Dimensions: 6.2 x 11.7 x 13.6 inches ; 6 pounds

The Singing Machine SML-383 Karaoke Player can be enjoyed by anyone at any age. Very basic but it will get the job done. It is small and compact, making it very portable. It can play regular audio CDs, as well as CDGs. The CDGs will display lyrics once you connect the SML-383 to a Television screen. Cables are included and the connection process is not hard and similar to connecting a DVD player. Standard Karaoke features are included such as two microphone inputs, balance and echo controls and AVC (Auto Voice Control eliminates the singers Voice on Multiplex CDGs)

Emerson HD515 Portable Karaoke - Price Range: $45.00 to $100.00
- MP3 with Lyrics format
- 1GB Memory - Hold Up To 1000 Songs
- 250 Songs Included in the Stored Memory
- 3'' STN Display
- Digital Key Control
- Digital Echo and Balance Control
- 2 Microphone Inputs
- USB Port
- Programmable
- Sound Booster
- Auto Voice Control (AVC - Eliminates Vocals on Multiplex CDG)
- AUX input for IPod®/MP3 Players (Audio 3.5 mm)
- Audio outputs (RCA)
- Built-in Personal Player Cradle
- RCA & USB cables
- 100-240V AC Power Adapter
- Battery operated (4 "C" Batteries not included)
- Operates 36 hours on batteries alone
- Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 12 inches ; 5.8 pounds

What makes the Emerson HD515 Portable Karaoke different from the rest on this list is that it is equipped with 1 GB of storage memory. You can store 1000 songs and comes with 250 songs right out of the box. If 1 GB of memory is not enough, you do have the option of connecting an iPod or MP3 device to the AUX input. There is a built-in display, but it is only 3 inches, which can make it difficult to view the lyrics. But it is a truly portable machine and can use a power adapter or run on batteries. This Karaoke System is perfect for anyone with a large digital library. (Quick Note: Plays MP3 with Lyrics format) If you need extra volume in your sound there is a sound booster and audio Outputs to connect to a larger sound system.

Memorex MKS-SS1 SingStand Home Karaoke System - Price Range: $55.00 to $170.00
- Sing along with music from iPod device or any MP3 device with headphone jack with 3.5mm line-in connection
- Auto Voice Control (AVC - Eliminates Vocals on Multiplex CDG)
- Enhanced vocal effects with echo and balance control
- Powerful speakers built into base (Two 4W speakers)
- Connect keyboard to play with band
- Cable management clips
- Dual microphone inputs
- Keyboard input
- Dimensions: 9.3 x 20.3 x 15.5 inches - 11.9 pounds

This uniquely designed Karaoke System will definitely stand out in a crowd. Built as a microphone stand, the MKS-SS1 SingStand Home Karaoke System does not have a CD Player or any built-in storage memory. It relies on a connected iPod or MP3 device with headphone jack with 3.5mm line-in connection for music. This is one of the rare Karaoke Machine  that does not display lyrics. But if you take the extra time, you should be able to download most song lyrics through the internet. Even without displaying lyrics, this is one of the most popular and highest rated Karaoke Players on the market. Other features include an input to connect your own musical instruments, the microphone stand is adjustable to most heights, Auto Voice Control and two microphone jacks. Can be used by anyone but children under the age of 15 tend to enjoy this Karaoke System the best.

The Singing Machine ISM-1028 - Price Range: $200.00 to $300.00

- Front Loading CDG Disc Player
- Music Playback for iPod
- 7" Color LCD Display
- Built-in Video Camera
- AM/FM Radio
- Two Microphone Inputs with Separate Volume Controls
- Digital Key, Balance and Echo Control
- Auto Voice Control (AVC - Eliminates Vocals on Multiplex CDG)
- Built-in Transformer
- Two Tower Speakers
- Video and Audio IN/OUT
- Dimensions: 37.5 x 17.7 x 17.1 - 34.6 lbs.

The iSM-1028 size and external tower speakers make it less portable than most Home Karaoke Machines. But it is packed full of great features. It is equipped with a built-in video camera and has a 7 inch color display monitor. Making it very easy to view song lyrics. You can even connect the iSM-1028 to a TV and see yourself singing while the song lyrics are being displayed on the machine's monitor. Further more, connect the machine to a VCR or DVR on record your own music videos. Besides these feature you have Auto voice Control, Digital Key Control, AM/FM radio, and an iPod docking station. It can play regular CDs and CD+Graphics(CGDs). This Karaoke Machine is great for ages 10 and up.

VOOM II - Price Range: $300.00 to $500.00
- 4 Digits Direct Access for MP3, MP3+G & Divx
- Compatible Formats : Neo+G, CD+G, DVD, Audio CD, VCD, MP3, MPEG-4 Built-in SD, Mini SD , MMC Card Reader & USB Port
- Compatible with MP3+G (Loader: DVD Media, USB & SD)
- 3 Playback Modes Optimized for Karaoke, Stereo, Music
- Transfer Data Files to Memory Device (USB) without PC.
- Digital Key Control 13 Steps
- Music Tempo & Key Control
- Scoring Function (NEO+G & CD+G)
- Dual 1/4" Microphone Inputs
- Component Video Out
- Support 480i/ 480P/ 750P/ 1080i
- i POD & MP3 player Port with Cable
- Electric Guitar Input & Effects
- 100 Wattes
- Line output

The Voom II by RSQ is a portable NEO+G Karaoke System, capable of playing all the major formats such as NEO+G, DVD, and CD+G, as well as regular audio CDs. Other great features include Tempo Control, Digital Key Control, a Guitar Input, two microphone jacks, Scoring and Direct Access Buttons which are built-in, and much more. It does not have a display system, therefore it has to be connected to a external monitor if you want to view lyrics. Even though it is small in size, the RSQ Voom II, is equipped with a 2-way full range speaker system with 100 watts of power. Because of the many features and speaker power the Voom II is one of the more expensive Karaoke Machines. I would class it as a semi-pro model and recommend the Voom II only be purchase for those who are serious about karaoke.