Most cartoon characters are short-lived, but few of them are so enchanting that their popularity lasts almost eternally.
Hello Kitty or Kitty White is one of very few cartoon characters that remain captivating even after decades of their tenure as children's obsessions.
Hello Kitty is now 40 years old, yet its existence as a lovable doll and toy in many homes and recreational venues in many parts of the world proves that it is still an adorable image for children.
Hello Kitty's popularity leads to the release of a large assortment of merchandise with Hello Kitty theme.
One of such merchandise is the now popular Hello Kitty karaoke machine.
The design of the machine is considered basic yet standard for a karaoke machine.
It is basic because its LCD (not LED) panel is monochromatic and displays only lyrics and because it is only capable to play CD/CD-G disks.
CD-G disks are audio CD disks that are able to stream lyrics on the machine's display.
The video output feature that allows the machine to be connected to a television unit seems to be great yet almost useless because the TV unit to which the machine is connected can only display lyrics with no image associated to the song being played.
A pair of microphone jacks are available; however, the machine only comes with one wired microphone with cable that is 2 feet long.
Additional microphone for the other jack must be purchased separately.
The machine also lacks recording feature.
Although considered basic, the design is still above the standard for a kid's karaoke machine.
The machine's curvy design, its pink color, the old yet cartoon-like design of its LCD display, and the big image of Hello Kitty shown on its façade give an impression that the machine comes directly from the Hello Kitty world.
If you have decorated your children's bedroom with Hello Kitty stuff, this karaoke machine will truly be a great supplement for the room's decor.
Some lackluster features of the machine are also well compensated.
Although the TV hook-up doesn't allow the machine to display video on the TV screen, its front video camera allows the video streaming of the singer(s) to appear on the TV screen.
Children will mostly love this feature because they can see themselves singing on the TV.
This karaoke system indeed lacks VCD or DVD support feature; however, if you have an iPod, iPhone or another music-playing gadget, you can connect it to the machine using its aux input feature and enjoy the song using the machine.
This machine also supports some notable audio enhancement features, including balance control and automatic voice control, which work perfectly if a multiplex CD-G is being played.
Children will love especially its automatic voice control feature because it automatically silences the human vocal voice of the song when they start to sing and turns on the vocal voice when they stop singing.
The machine also supports echo control.
Hello Kitty karaoke machine is perhaps not the best karaoke machine for adults.
Although they can use it together with their children, it is designed specifically for the children and intended to provide enough satisfaction to children who use it.