Karaoke goes high tech
You can now do your own revision of Ricky Martin's "She Bangs" without having to purchase a separate karaoke machine.
Panasonic is prepping two condenser microphones with an internal SD-card slot for release next month in Japan. The SY-MK100 (black) and the SY-MK30 (silver) connect directly to a television though an AV cable and come with a sampling of pre-loaded songs. Prices were not disclosed.
The microphone also connects to a PC via USB cable so you can download your favorite tunes. The included software comes with about 50 different stock patterns for the background, along with digital sound effects like echo and tempo. The microphone measures just shy of 11 inches and weighs 7 ounces.
Panasonic is selling separate duet microphones separately with as many as four duet microphones able to connect at the same time so you can get your friends in the action for that show-stopping rendition of "We Are Family."
In addition, Panasonic is offering its "Dream Color" karaoke music transmission service. With it, for $2.34 per month, subscribers can download two tunes of their choice.