Mike Rubeo asked:


Next to cell phones, MP3 players are the must have, hot product everyone wants to own. There are lots of great players available, but how do you know which one is right for you? Here are some tips that will help you make the right decision before purchasing an MP3 player.

Tip #1 - Type of MP3 Player - There are basically four types, flash, hard drive, micro hard drive and CD based players.

Flash players are small, have a memory chip built-in, and are more durable with no moving parts, which mean they will not skip a beat during sports activity or running. Because of their compact size, space is limited to 4gigs or less depending on the model you choose. iRiver, SanDisk and Creative MuVo are three popular brands of flash memory players.

Hard drive players are great for anyone who wants to take their entire library worth of music with them. Featuring high capacity storage ranging anywhere from 4gigs to 60gigs of hard drive space. With so much disk space available, you can also store data files, pictures and video, allowing for true portability.

Unlike flash players, hard drive players are larger in size, cost more and have more movable parts, which may not make it idea for physical activity. Popular among the brands are Apple Ipod, Creative Zen Vision, and Wolverine MVP models.

Additionally you can opt for an micro hard drive player. Micro MP3 players are a cross between a flash and a regular hard drive player. Max storage capacity is usually 8gigs, have a miniature hard drive, and are light weight and compact. These players still have movable parts and some models include non-removable re-chargeable batteries.

CD MP3 players are similar to CD players, except they can read data CD’s. Capacity is the same size as a CD which is 650mbs, and the music needs to be burned. They can also play standard CD’s.

Tip #2 - Digital Format - Not all players support every music format but should play the standard mp3, wma, wav formats. For additional audio format, look for players that support aac, asf and ogg. Not stopping at audio format, you may also have a need to view video formats such as mp4, mov, wav, avi, and flash. To get the most out your purchase and enjoy your favorite digital pictures, look for models that support picture formats such as jpeg, gif, tiff and png. Flash Players such as Creative Zen, iRiver Clix, and Cowan iAudio can display text documents.

Tip #3 - Battery Life - Next to storage capacity, battery life is probably the most critical consideration with MP3 players. Options include standard batteries (AAA or AA type batteries) or rechargeable batteries. With standard batteries, you can easily replace them when needed, while some rechargeable models are non-removable lithium-ion batteries, and typically last two to four years. Since flash players need to be synced more often, recharging occurs as you sync. For larger players, battery life is usually longer but may not always be the case. Make sure you inquiry about battery life for those models.

Tip #4 - Features - With the capability to view video and photos, bright color screens with image display are usually a favorite among buyers. Voice recording with built-in or optional voice recorders, let you record seminars or meetings. Want to listen to other music, some models include an FM tuner for listening and recording (mp3) radio stations. Players such as Apple iPOD and Creative Zen line allow for personal information management options such as phone books and calendars that can synchronize data between desktop applications and the player.

Other features to consider: advanced playback features such as shuffle, repeat, resume, and playlist functions. Newer models now offer the ability to create on the fly playlists, smart playlist for grouping songs in shuffle mode and automatic volume control that makes songs play at the same volume. Don’t forget about music search and sort options to find songs.

Tip #5 - Connectivity Options. Most if not all MP3 players support USB 2.0. Other connectivity options you may want to consider is Firewire, audio and line inputs. Some next-generation models include Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth capabilities.

Tip #6 - Functionality - Don’t just consider bells and whistles when looking for the right MP3 to purchase. Functionality is usually what makes MP3 players stand apart from each other. Test drive each player and notice how easy or hard it is to navigate the menus. Do the buttons feel cheap or easy to press? Is the screen display sufficient in bright light? Is it compact enough for daily or sport activity? What accessories are available for the player?

No matter what model you choose, an MP3 player will be a great addition to your entertainment hardware!



CAREY

David Rahimi asked:


MP3 players are great for taking your music wherever you go for private listening. But sometimes you might want to share your music outloud with others. This is where MP3 Player Speakers come in. Whether you’re at home or at the basketball courts, you can listen to your music straight from your MP3 player outloud.

As with most technology, it can be hard to find the right speakers for your personal situation. In an effort to help assist you in finding the right docking station for your mp3 player, a list of things our product specialists recommend our customers to think about before buying MP3 Player Speakers has been compiled below.

Compatibility: First and foremost, you need to make sure that the speakers are compatible with your MP3 player. Some MP3 Speakers are designed specifically for certain types of MP3 Players, such as the iPod. On the other hand, many speakers are created to connect to almost any MP3 player with a 3.5mm jack. If your MP3 player has a 3.5mm jack (which is the standard jack for headphones), and you’re not too sure if your compatible, then you should get a universal type of MP3 player speakers just incase.

Size: Depending on what you plan to use the speakers for, the size of the system may be of importance. If you plan on taking it around, make sure that the system is small and lightweight making it portable. If you plan on just keeping it at home, then your only limited to the size of the table you plan to place it on.

Amplified Speakers: If you want louder and better sounding music, then getting a pair of speakers that feature a built-in amplifier would be a good choice. Otherwise, you should be just fine with a pair of normal speakers.

Controls: Take a look at how the control configuration is. Will it be easy for you to use the system? There’s no point in getting speakers that frustrate you to a point where you don’t want to use them.

Battery Life: What good are speakers that run out of battery after you play just a few songs? You should consider the battery life of the speakers. If you get a great deal on a pair of speakers but they have a low battery life, you may just end up paying more in additional batteries. Note that some MP3 Player Speakers can connect directly to your wall socket, so if you plan to use the speakers primarily when a wall socket is available, battery life will not be as an important a factor when determining what speakers are best for you.

Included Accessories: Check to see if the speakers come with all the necessary accessories. These can include things such as a 3.5mm male-to-male cable (in order to connect to your MP3 player to the speakers), Batteries, an AC adapter, Travel Case, Remote, etc.

Definitions:

Docking Station: An MP3 docking station has speakers built into it, which allows you to play songs off your MP3 player to be heard throughout the room.



DON

Pongphap Awootsopa asked:


(c) 2008 Pongphap Awootsopa

Mp3 players are the most portable and easy-to-use device to play music. This latest evolution in music technology takes the place of all the other musical formats including records, cassettes, CDs and become the most worldwide popular device to play music at the present time. Many of the youngsters today cannot live without one. Because of this prospering popularity of MP3 players, there are varieties of MP3 players available in the market. Numerous companies are extremely attempt to debut newer and better media players. They offer excellent quality products and services at the lowest prices online and offline.

When you look for a new MP3 player, it’s important to realize that there are a variety of features and an even larger number of retailers in the market. Mp3 players also come in a wide variety of styles, sizes and colors. It is a good idea to do some comparative pricing and search for product information before making a decision.

Below are some of the factors to consider that will help you get the best MP3 Player.

- Perhaps the biggest consideration is memory. The types of MP3 Players basically depend upon the capacity of your Player. Some of the types of mp3 players are flash memory mp3 Players, micro-drive mp3 players, hard drive mp3 players and mp3 CD players.

The proper size will be determined by how many songs you’d like to carry at one time. An average mp3 file is about 2.5MB in size then a 1Gig player can hold 40. Top-quality MP3 players are available with hard drives in the 20-60 GB range. The MP3 players can also be used as a data storage device for all types of computer files.

Size of the memory has the largest impact on price. So the size of memory which you purchase is according to your usability and budget.

- Be sure to get the features that you need. When you are searching for a new MP3 player, there are several key of features which need consideration. As you checking out an MP3 player, hold it and play with the buttons. Here are a few feature options for MP3 players include.

- Display screen size & functions

- FM radio receiver

- Built-in microphones

- Recording FM radio

- Displaying the song title and artist

- Flash Video Games

- LCD Touch Screen Many people always take an interest in a pretty design of mp3 players. There’s nothing wrong with that. However, the utility is principal for choosing the proper mp3 player.

- Look at accessories. It is not matter what kind of the latest accessory a person has. Mp3 player accessories are meant to enhance your musical experience. When you are purchasing a new accessory, you must be sure that it is compatible with your mp3 player. Not all mp3 player accessories will work with the other brand. Some brand has done a great marketing service by making a line of accessories just for their brand of players.

The best place to buy cheap mp3 players is an online store with discounts. By reading online customer reviews, comparing prices and model specifications, you will be able to select the best MP3 player easily.



TRUMAN

Michelle Bery asked:


For those of us who are old enough to remember the 8-track tape and the vinyl record, we can appreciate the advancements that playing music has made over the past years. In a blink of an eye we went from large records to small discs; and now, playing music wherever we are rarely requires more than a tiny piece of equipment that can easily fit into our shirt pocket or slip into our briefcase. The MP3 player has utterly transformed the way in which we listen to music. And savvy companies know that in order to stay competitive they have to get in the game. So it’s no wonder that Microsoft has entered the world of this technologically advanced portable music with the Microsoft MP3 player.

An MP3 player plays recorded music that you have stored on the system through the downloading of CDs or the purchase and download of music through online resources. The MP3 technology literally compresses audio files into its smallest size without compromising sound quality. The result of the compression is enough room to store - in some cases, depending on the MP3 player - up to thousands of songs. Better still, the MP3 player is a portable unit often no bigger than a pack of playing cards and can be connected to your car, headphones, or portable speakers to enjoy music anywhere.

Until now, Apple’s iPod has cornered the market in the world of MP3 players, offering a variety of models that complement Apple’s comprehensive online resources. In an effort to level the playing field, the new Microsoft MP3 player - the Zune - has been launched for a waiting public.

This new Microsoft MP3 player promises to further revolutionize the world of music through a variety of high-end offerings previously unseen in the market of MP3 players. With larger storage, a bigger, brighter screen, the ability to share music from Zune to Zune, and a built-in FM radio, the Microsoft MP3 player has greater functionality that its closest competitors to date.

Like Apple and its iPod, Microsoft understands that in order for the Microsoft MP3 player to be its most successful it must offer comprehensive and convenient online resources for users. For instance, the ability for users to transfer music to and from each other is handled through the Zune online marketplace where members can share their favorite tunes.

In addition to storing all your favorite songs, the Microsoft MP3 player also offers video capabilities, allowing users to download video content onto their Zune and enjoy it on its 3-inch LCD screen anywhere they are.

With the ability to enjoy the Microsoft MP3 player anywhere and everywhere, users are sure to enjoy this new member in the MP3 marketplace.



MATHEW

Paul Simari asked:


Mp3 technology has taken off since its debut in 1995. Desired by teenagers and respected by adults, the mp3 format’compression allows for large audio files to be utilized without using large amounts of storage space.

Apple iPod Nano

One of the most exciting Apple mp3 player models introduced by Apple Company lately is the Ipod namo 4GB mp3 player, which is considered as the tiniest color iPod in the market today. This tiny Apple mp3 player is smaller than a #2 pencil and could store up to 1,000 songs! This means that if you have the Apple iPod nano 4GB mp3 player, you can enjoy up to 14 hours of non-stop music wherever you are.

If you are traveling on the road on your own, you will never be bored with this Apple mp3 player around. The Apple ipod nano 4GB mp3 player is a state of the art gadget. It is USB and FireWire compatible so you can easily download music from your computer into this Apple mp3 player.

If you are one of those people who usually purchase music online, you can just download everything into your Ipod nano anytime. Aside from giving you very clear digital sound, this newest member of the Apple mp3 player family also gives you audiobooks, podcasts and built-in games. If you are traveling long distance and would like to take a short break, you can just

pull up at a rest stop and play some games in your Apple mp3 player. Some of the popular brands already on the market are: Apple, Microsoft, Creative

Labs, iRiver and SanDisc. An internet search for mp3 players can boggle the mind with the brands, prices, reviews, features and accessories available. One of the most important features to consider in an mp3 player is storage space. The amount of storage on an mp3 player is advertised in GB or MB.

Now for the math lesson

A 1 GB mp3 player has one gigabyte of storage which is equal to 1024 megabytes-abbreviated MB. One megabyte is equal to 1,048,576 bytes and a byte is equal to eight bits. Bit is a combination of two words: binary and digit. A bit is defined as the smallest unit of information in a media storage device and is represented as a 0 or 1. Are you confused yet? Remember ‘The Matrix’?

The characters could read that code of zeros and ones at a glance and form a picture in their minds. That is essentially what a computer or mp3 player does and then passes that “picture” on to you in the form of your favorite song or audio book.

Choosing a byte

Choosing how many megabytes or gigabytes you will need in an mp3 player depends on what you are going to store and how much. An mp3 player can be used to store audio books for listening on the go. Audio book lovers may require a higher level of storage. The most popular use of mp3 players is listening to music.

Choosing a storage size for music files depends mainly on how many songs you want to store on your mp3 player. A 1 GB mp3 player is a good choice for anyone who is unsure about how much storage will be necessary. Most 1GB mp3 players hold about 240 songs at an average song length of four minutes.

A 1GB mp3 player may cost $80 to $180, depending on the brand and features desired. A review of available brands is easily found online to help you choose. If you prefer the good old fashioned, face to face shopping approach, most sales persons in your local electronics store can answer any lingering questions you might have.

While mp3 players are available with storage sizes of mere megabytes to 60GB and above, the 1GB mp3 player is a good starting point for the music enthusiast.

If you are traveling abroad, your Apple mp3 player could keep you keep track of the time at home and any other parts of the world. Since your apple mp3 player is equipped with a built-in world clock, you will never have any trouble tracking the local of other places around the globe.

Furthermore, your mp3 player can also help you remember your appointments. This tiny apple mp3 player has a calendar and daily appointment menu where you can easily store and review your daily appointments. With its vivid color display and touch sensitive click wheel, you can just choose the functions that you like with so much ease.



EDDIE

David Rahimi asked:


With so many MP3 Players available on the market, it is quite a challenge on deciding which one is right for you. Apple’s iPod models are currently the most popular MP3 players today, though there are many other options that are giving the iPod fierce competition.

Below you will find a few things that our product specialists recommend our customers to consider before purchasing an MP3 Player.

Memory Capacity: It’s important that you think about how many songs you plan to have on your MP3 player before making a purchasing decision. If you want to have your whole music collection with you everywhere you go, then it makes sense for you to get an MP3 Player with more than 20 gigabytes of storage space. On the other hand if you only plan to have your favorites on the player, than you should be fine with less than 10 gigabytes.

On average, you should be able to fit about 250 songs in the MP3 format for every gigabyte. So for a 10 gigabyte MP3 Player, you will be able to store about 2500 songs. This figure is just an average; actual results may be more or less depending on the length of the individual songs you store.

Size: If you plan on using your MP3 player for entertainment while you exercise, you might want to consider the much smaller MP3 player models available. The drawback is that usually the smaller the player, the less music it can hold. Though as technology has advanced, sometimes even the smallest MP3 players can hold hundreds if not thousands of songs.

Format Compatibility: The phrase MP3 Player is commonly used to describe any type of digital audio player. Though almost all of these players are compatible with the MP3 file format, they can usually play many other types of file formats as well. When it comes down to format compatibility, it truly depends on where you will be getting your music. If you plan to “rip” your music straight from your CD’s then you should be fine with just about any type of MP3 player, as you will usually have the option to “rip” the files in the MP3 format. If you plan on downloading your songs from iTunes, then your files will most likely be in the AAC format. Unfortunately, this file format is usually only compatible with iPods. Be sure to check an MP3 player is compatible with the file format the site you plan to download from currently offers before you make a purchasing decision.

Photos and Videos: If you will be relying on your MP3 Player to keep you entertained while away from home consider one that can display photos and videos. Many sites on the Internet are offering movies, shows, and other videos for consumers to view on their MP3 players. If you plan on only using your MP3 Player for listening to music, for example while you worked out, then an MP3 player without the photo and video capabilities will be just fine for you. Keep in mind that watching videos on an MP3 Player drains the battery out much faster than only listening to music.

Radio Tuners: Many MP3 Players on the market have FM tuners, which allow you to listen to the radio. This is perfect when you’re tired of listening to your own songs and want to hear something new. Some players even have an FM Recording function, so you can record a song you like straight off the radio.

Games: If you plan on using your MP3 Player to keep you entertained while on the go, than you might want a player that has games that you can play. This added feature can make a difference in the level of entertainment you get from your digital audio player.

Voice Recording: You can find a lot of MP3 Players that have a voice-recording function. These players have a built-in microphone, which can be perfect for students who want to record lectures in the classroom.

Battery Life: Check to see how long the battery life of a particular MP3 Player is. If the battery life isn’t as long as you plan to use it on a single charge, than it is best you look for something else. There’s no point to having an MP3 player that requires you to constantly charge it for it to work.

Definitions:

AAC Format: A file format developed by the MPEG group and similar in nature to mp3, though not as widely used. The AAC format is the format used by Apple’s iTunes music download service.

Gigabytes: A unit of storage measurement consisting of one billion bytes (one thousand megabytes).



FERDINAND

Michelle Bery asked:


For music enthusiasts everywhere, the most modern version of portable music enjoyment is the MP3 player. A small and comprehensive system that holds your personal play lists, keeps track of your calendar, and even allows video function has revolutionized the way in which we are entertained. The MP3 player was designed for a modern society on the go; such technology allows us to enjoy music no matter where we are or what we are doing. The most popular system on the market today is the Apple iPod. The iPod’s infinite success has prompted a variety of companies to get into the game of MP3 technology - including Sonic Blue’s Rio MP3 player.

The MP3 player technology works to compress audio files to such a size that they can be contained in a much smaller physical space than traditional vinyl records or CDs. Users are able to download their favorite music - sometimes up to thousands of songs depending on the unit - and construct their own personal play lists that remain on their portable MP3 player. The Rio MP3 player is no different in this technology.

The Rio MP3 player is available in a number of different models offered at different price points. They include the Rio Karma, Rio Cali, Rio Chiba, CE2100, Forge Sport, Rio One, Carbon, Fuse Street, and the Nitrus - the first MP3 player to include a one-inch hard drive.

The Rio MP3 player has been marketed to people who have different needs from their MP3 player. Whether you listen to your MP3 player in your car, while working out, or at home, there is a Rio MP3 player that is right for you.

Consumers have responded to the Rio MP3 player for its affordable technology. While it does not provide all of the features popular to iPod or Microsoft Zune, it is an affordable option for those interested in having a MP3



ERICK