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59 changes: 58 additions & 1 deletion docs/HARDWARE_SETUP.md
Original file line number Diff line number Diff line change
Expand Up @@ -69,9 +69,66 @@ The mixing can happen in different places:

---

## Basic Setup: Laptop + TV + Bluetooth Speaker (No Microphones)

The simplest possible setup - just a laptop, a TV for lyrics, and a Bluetooth speaker for sound. Perfect for casual home karaoke where singers just sing along without amplification. No audio interfaces, no microphones, no configuration headaches.

### What You Need

| Item | Example | Purpose |
|------|---------|---------|
| Laptop | Any laptop that can run kbox | Runs kbox, also serves as queue controller |
| TV | Any TV with HDMI input | Shows lyrics (video only) |
| HDMI Cable | Standard HDMI cable | Video output to TV |
| Bluetooth Speaker | JBL, UE Boom, or any Bluetooth speaker | Plays backing track |

### Why a Laptop?

A laptop is the best choice for this basic setup because:

- **Bluetooth built in** - Pair with any Bluetooth speaker, no cables needed for audio
- **Built-in control** - Use the laptop's browser to search songs and manage the queue, no second device needed
- **No extra hardware** - A Raspberry Pi's 3.5mm audio output is noisy and underpowered, pushing you toward a USB audio interface which defeats the purpose of a minimal setup

> **Note**: A Raspberry Pi or mini PC can work here too, but you'll need a USB audio interface for decent sound and a phone or tablet to control the queue.

### How It Works

```mermaid
flowchart LR
LAPTOP[💻 Laptop running kbox] -->|HDMI| TV[📺 TV<br/>Lyrics Display]
LAPTOP -.->|Bluetooth| SPK[🔊 Speaker<br/>Backing Track]
```

The HDMI cable sends lyrics video to the TV. Bluetooth sends the backing track audio to the speaker. Singers just sing into the room - no microphone, no mixing, no equipment to manage.

### Setup Steps

1. Connect laptop to TV via HDMI (for lyrics display)
2. Pair laptop with Bluetooth speaker
3. Set the Bluetooth speaker as the audio output (OS sound settings or kbox config)
4. Open kbox web UI on the laptop, queue a song, and sing!

### When This Works Well

- **Small rooms** - Singers can be heard naturally over the speaker
- **Kids' parties** - Simple, nothing to break
- **Practice sessions** - Just learning songs, no need for amplification
- **Casual gatherings** - Low-key, minimal setup hassle

### Limitations

- No vocal amplification (fine for small spaces)
- Can't adjust vocal/music balance (only the backing track volume)
- Bluetooth adds slight audio latency (typically 50-200ms) - not noticeable for singing along, but would matter if mixing a live microphone

> **Tip**: If you'd rather avoid Bluetooth latency or don't have a Bluetooth speaker, a 3.5mm aux cable from the laptop's headphone jack to any powered speaker works just as well.

---

## Simple Setup: Scarlett Solo

This is the most accessible setup for casual karaoke. It uses a USB audio interface to handle both audio output and microphone mixing.
This is the simplest setup that includes a microphone. It uses a USB audio interface to handle both audio output and microphone mixing.

### What You Need

Expand Down