Angela Mays asked:




In a world filled with MP3 Players, Portable Media Players and music downloads, there are a few of us who are still somewhat confused about how to buy a MP 3 player. With so much information out there it’s hard to get past all of the fancy, high tech jargon to make a decision on which one is best for your needs and by the end of your search, you’re even more confused than before you started. Well here’s a “straight to the point, quick and dirty” lesson on how to buy an MP3 player.

MP3 PLAYER VS PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYER

A MP3 Player is a portable digital device that plays and stores music and audio books. A Portable Media Player (PMP) plays and stores audio and video. The name MP3 Player is used as a generic term to describe all portable devices. Although PMPs can play audio not all MP3 Players can play video. For example, the iPod Shuffle, Creative Labs Zen Stone and SanDisk Sansa Clip are MP3 Players and do not have the capability to play video.

BRANDS

For those of you who were not aware, Apple iPod is not the only brand of MP3 Players on the market. There are several other brands of MP3 Players for you to choose depending on your needs and most importantly, your budget. They are the Archos, Coby, Cowon, Creative Labs, iRiver, Philips, Samsung, SanDisk, Sony, Toshiba and Zune (Microsoft).

TYPE

MP3 Players are classified according to how they store digital data. The most common are HARD DRIVE BASED PLAYERS and FLASH MEMORY BASED PLAYERS. The Hard Drive Based MP3 Players have the highest capacity and are larger and heavier than the Flash Memory Based MP3 Players. An example of a HARD DRIVE BASED PLAYER would be the iPod Classic 80 GB, iPod Classic 120 GB, iPod Classic 160 GB, Zune 120 GB, the Archos 80 GB 605 Wi-Fi PMP, Archos 160 GB 605 Wi-Fi PMP and the Creative Labs Zen Vision:M 30 GB MP3 and Video Player. A drawback to the HARD DRIVE BASED PLAYERS is that it has moving parts that can easily malfunction if it is exposed to high temperatures or dropped. The Flash Memory Based Players are light weight and smaller than the Hard Drive Based Players. This type has no moving parts and will have longer audio playback with a storage capacity ranging from 120 to 8000 songs. An example of Flash Memory Based is the Apple iPod Touch, Apple iPod Nano or Creative Labs Zen PMP. A drawback of the Flash Memory Based is that it is more expensive than the Hard Drive Based Players even if the storage capacity is less.

CHOOSING A MP3 PLAYER OR PMP

Now that you’re armed with the basic information you have to determine which type is best for you. Your personal needs and budget will help you to narrow down your choice.

Decide the type. – Hard Drive vs Flash Memory. When deciding the type keep in mind what you’re using it for. For example, if you’re going to use it while jogging, then the hard drive based player will not be a good choice because of the size, weight and high chance it will malfunction if it’s dropped.

Decide the storage capacity. – When deciding the storage capacity also keep in mind whether you also want to play video and audio (PMP) or just audio. They also come in various storage capacities which can vary by brand. The iRiver brands features a 20 GB capacity. The Archos has a PMP that has 60 GB capacity. Whether you’re looking for 1 GB to 160 GB there is a brand and model to suit your needs.

Decide the features. – Determining features is based on personal preference. Some MP3 Players/PMP have several features that may include voice recorders, calendar syncing, FM radio, wireless capability, photo storage or recording TV like a DVR player. For these particular features you may want to consider the Archos brand of PMPs. Another popular feature is color. If you’re into pink then you can get a pink mp3 player. Your options are endless it just depends on your personal needs and how much you’re willing to spend.

Decide how much you’re willing to spend. – The more features you desire the more you’ll spend on a MP3 Player. If you’re just looking to play music and you’re not concerned about the fancy features then you can find one for under $50. For example, the SanDisk Sansa m250 2GB can be purchased for less that $35. If you’re looking for at least 4GB then iPod Nano or Creative Labs Zen Mosaic would be a good choice. Or, if price isn’t a concern and you want the “Cadillac” MP3 Player with all the bells and whistles then consider the Archos 705 Wi-Fi PMP 160 GB. After considering the type, capacity, features and your budget check out each of the above mentioned brands to compare features and price. Also, if you’re on a tight budget and still want fun features consider one that has been refurbished. Now you’re informed and ready to buy and enjoy your new MP3 Player! Good Luck!

Alma

Edward Shapard asked:




Owning an MP3 player can be a terrific experience. Their compact design, portability and simple customization are just a few of the reasons that these little products are creating a big buzz in the world of technology. The internet makes it very simple for anyone to own an MP3 player because of the endless retailers who are eager to make a sale, but the world wide web also makes it very convenient for anyone who wants to add some terrific tunes to their playlist.

With all of these options, there is undoubtably plenty of questions to go around. Below are several commonly asked questions regarding MP3 players.

Q: What is a refurbished MP3 player?

A: A refurbished product is one that has simply been returned to the manufacturer for any number of reasons, including a defect, missing user’s manual or accessory or perhaps even a product that was used as a store display. A refurbished product is not necessarily an implication that the product is defective but, if it was, being labeled as refurbished means that the item has been repaired according to the manufacturer’s specifications and is ready to use. The most appealing factor of a refurbished product is that it will cost less than one that is brand new.

Q: How do I download files from my computer and onto my MP3 player?

A: The MP3 player should have been accompanied by some type of software, connector cable and/or instructions on how to properly download files. In many cases, a USB connection and cable are required for fast and easy transfer. Many MP3 players have software that allows files to easily be managed and prepared for transfer.

Q: What file formats can my MP3 player use?

A: Every MP3 player can use a .mp3 file, but many can also read .wma file extensions. Few other formats are readable by MP3 players, but that depends on the manufacturer and the product itself. The user’s manual, which should accompany the purchase of any MP3 player, should contain information relating to the file extensions that can be read.

Q: What if I don’t have a file format that my MP3 player can use?

A: There are some types of software that allow users to convert their files into an extension that is compatible with their MP3 player. This is a fairly simply process and can be compared to the simplicity of converting a GIF image file to JPEG.

Q: Is my MP3 player covered under any type of warranty?

A: That depends on several factors, including the manufacturer’s policy and whether or not the MP3 player was purchased new. Many new products are covered under warranty and, to some extent, even refurbished products are eligible for limited warranty coverage. If the MP3 player was purchased from another individual, any warranty coverage will not carry over to the new owner.

Q: What is the best way to store my MP3 player?

A: The proper way to store, or transport, an MP3 player is in a case designed specifically for this purpose. As with all electronics, they should not be shuffled around loosely or placed in extreme heat or cold. A carrying case designed for an MP3 player will help to keep the product safe and working properly.

Diane

Paul John Collins asked:




Have you been living under a rock these past couple of years? Or are you too stingy when it comes to some things, take gadgets, for example? If you are interested in getting yourself a new MP3 player yet have the misconception that MP3 players are still very expensive, then here is a comprehensive guide that you can use to help you get a better idea about he best MP3 players out in the market today.

Apple iPods: definitely the most popular type of MP3 players around, the line of Apple iPods that are now available in the market have definitely become more sophisticated, and even more affordable compared to previous models. Take for example the Apple iPod Nano which used to be very popular because of its sleekness, just a couple of years after its successful launch, the Apple iPod Nano has already went through some upgrades and is now the very cute and compact, Apple iPod Nano video, which is available with either 4gig or 8gig of memory. It is also comparatively cheaper than the first generation of Apple iPod Nano, which makes it a great buy for anyone who wants to get their hands on a cool MP3 player.

Creative Lab MP3 players: for those who want more bang for their buck, then Creative Lab’s cool lineup of MP3 players is definitely something worth checking out. While these may not be as slick and stylish like the usual Apple iPods, Creative Lab is able to make up for it through functionality.

Florence

Douglas Taylor asked:




The mp3 player has now become a stable part of many people’s lives. Not only are they small and versatile, but also they provide the user with hours of music listening time without having to keep changing CD’s or tapes. But just how can I use my mp3 player in my car?

In this article we will look at some different ways that you can now use your mp3 player in your car and so no longer will you need to worry about carrying all your favorite CD’s in the car in the future. Plus you have the added benefit of knowing that you can remove your mp3 player from your car and take it with you.

Nearly all mp3 players will have a port in which you connect your headphones. But in order for your to play your mp3 player in your car you will need to find a way of connecting this to the head unit using the headphone port. Below is one method that you may want to try.

Auxiliary In

This method will provide you with the best audio quality possible, in fact it is just about as good as the audio produced by a CD. Numerous head units (radios) in cars today have a front auxiliary input (known as the Aux-In) that allows you to plug directly from your mp3 player into the head unit. You will find that most Sony head units have this feature on all their entry-level units.

However there are other methods that you may want to try if you do not happen to have a head unit that has an auxiliary in feature with it. Below we look at some other ways in which you should be able to play your mp3 player in your car in the future.

Cassette Tape Adapter

This device is available for around $10 and can be found in most electronic stores. It provides you with an easy and straightforward method of hooking up an external device such as an mp3 player to your car stereo system. All you have to do is place the cassette tape in to the car’s tape player and then attach the other end to the headphone or line out jack situated on your mp3 player.

However, there are a number of drawbacks to this method. Firstly you need to have cassette player in your car (which unfortunately is becoming much less common in more modern cars) and secondly you will often the sound quality is reduced.

FM Transmitter

This system will transmit an audio signal of the your mp3 player to a specified FM frequency when it is plugged into the FM transmitter. What happens is your FM stereo in your car is then able to pick up the sounds as if it was actually receiving a regular FM broadcast from a radio station.

So as you can see there are plenty of ways to answer the question how can I use my mp3 player in my car. All you need to decide is which one you feel best suits your particular needs.

Laurie

Douglas Taylor asked:




An MP3 player is different from the other methods of personal stereo where you would normally have to insert a cassette or CD in order to listen to your favorite songs, but the music found on an MP3 player is in digital format. Because they are much smaller than other methods of personal stereos they fit much more easily into a person’s pocket. Plus they are able to hold more tunes than either a cassette, mini disk or CD can. But in order to download music to your MP3 player you will need a computer. In this article we will provide some other information on how to download music to my MP3 player so that you can soon be listening to all your favorite tunes without having to swap over cassettes, CD’s or mini disks.

Well the most important thing that you will need in order that you can download music to your MP3 player is a PC that is connected to the Internet. However before you start to download any music to your MP3 player you will need to figure out the following.

What file format is it you need in order to download your music? The format you use will depend on the type of MP3 player that you have. For example if you have an Apple iPod then you will need to find files online which are in the AAC format before you start downloading whilst most other MP3 players come either in MP3 or WMA format. So it is important that you check in the user handbook which came with your MP3 player to see what format it is that you need to use.

Luckily when it actually comes to downloading music from the Internet you will find that there are plenty of online sites where you can download music either for free (but be wary of these sites), by paying a monthly or yearly subscription fee or those sites where you will have to pay for each song that you down load.

When you enter one of these sites and find the song that you are interested in they will then either ask you to pay a fee before you start the download procedure. Then once that this payment has been confirmed the download can begin. So just how to download music to my MP3 player is as simple as now just clicking the download button and once you have clicked on the ok to download button the site will then commence to download the song of your choice in to the appropriate file on your computer’s hard drive. Once the download has been completed then all you need to do is transfer it over to your MP3 player using a USB port and cable connected between the player and PC. It really is that simple.

Micheal

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

Douglas Taylor asked:


An MP3 player is different from the other methods of personal stereo where you would normally have to insert a cassette or CD in order to listen to your favorite songs, but the music found on an MP3 player is in digital format. Because they are much smaller than other methods of personal stereos they fit much more easily into a person’s pocket. Plus they are able to hold more tunes than either a cassette, mini disk or CD can. But in order to download music to your MP3 player you will need a computer. In this article we will provide some other information on how to download music to my MP3 player so that you can soon be listening to all your favorite tunes without having to swap over cassettes, CD’s or mini disks.

Well the most important thing that you will need in order that you can download music to your MP3 player is a PC that is connected to the Internet. However before you start to download any music to your MP3 player you will need to figure out the following.

What file format is it you need in order to download your music? The format you use will depend on the type of MP3 player that you have. For example if you have an Apple iPod then you will need to find files online which are in the AAC format before you start downloading whilst most other MP3 players come either in MP3 or WMA format. So it is important that you check in the user handbook which came with your MP3 player to see what format it is that you need to use.

Luckily when it actually comes to downloading music from the Internet you will find that there are plenty of online sites where you can download music either for free (but be wary of these sites), by paying a monthly or yearly subscription fee or those sites where you will have to pay for each song that you down load.

When you enter one of these sites and find the song that you are interested in they will then either ask you to pay a fee before you start the download procedure. Then once that this payment has been confirmed the download can begin. So just how to download music to my MP3 player is as simple as now just clicking the download button and once you have clicked on the ok to download button the site will then commence to download the song of your choice in to the appropriate file on your computer’s hard drive. Once the download has been completed then all you need to do is transfer it over to your MP3 player using a USB port and cable connected between the player and PC. It really is that simple.



WILLARD

Douglas Taylor asked:


The mp3 player has now become a stable part of many people’s lives. Not only are they small and versatile, but also they provide the user with hours of music listening time without having to keep changing CD’s or tapes. But just how can I use my mp3 player in my car?

In this article we will look at some different ways that you can now use your mp3 player in your car and so no longer will you need to worry about carrying all your favorite CD’s in the car in the future. Plus you have the added benefit of knowing that you can remove your mp3 player from your car and take it with you.

Nearly all mp3 players will have a port in which you connect your headphones. But in order for your to play your mp3 player in your car you will need to find a way of connecting this to the head unit using the headphone port. Below is one method that you may want to try.

Auxiliary In

This method will provide you with the best audio quality possible, in fact it is just about as good as the audio produced by a CD. Numerous head units (radios) in cars today have a front auxiliary input (known as the Aux-In) that allows you to plug directly from your mp3 player into the head unit. You will find that most Sony head units have this feature on all their entry-level units.

However there are other methods that you may want to try if you do not happen to have a head unit that has an auxiliary in feature with it. Below we look at some other ways in which you should be able to play your mp3 player in your car in the future.

Cassette Tape Adapter

This device is available for around $10 and can be found in most electronic stores. It provides you with an easy and straightforward method of hooking up an external device such as an mp3 player to your car stereo system. All you have to do is place the cassette tape in to the car’s tape player and then attach the other end to the headphone or line out jack situated on your mp3 player.

However, there are a number of drawbacks to this method. Firstly you need to have cassette player in your car (which unfortunately is becoming much less common in more modern cars) and secondly you will often the sound quality is reduced.

FM Transmitter

This system will transmit an audio signal of the your mp3 player to a specified FM frequency when it is plugged into the FM transmitter. What happens is your FM stereo in your car is then able to pick up the sounds as if it was actually receiving a regular FM broadcast from a radio station.

So as you can see there are plenty of ways to answer the question how can I use my mp3 player in my car. All you need to decide is which one you feel best suits your particular needs.



MATHEW

Angela Mays asked:


In a world filled with MP3 Players, Portable Media Players and music downloads, there are a few of us who are still somewhat confused about how to buy a MP 3 player.  With so much information out there it’s hard to get past all of the fancy, high tech jargon to make a decision on which one is best for your needs and by the end of your search, you’re even more confused than before you started.  Well here’s a “straight to the point, quick and dirty” lesson on how to buy an MP3 player.

 

MP3 PLAYER VS PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYER

 

A MP3 Player is a portable digital device that plays and stores music and audio books.  A Portable Media Player (PMP) plays and stores audio and video. The name MP3 Player is used as a generic term to describe all portable devices.  Although PMPs can play audio not all MP3 Players can play video.  For example, the iPod Shuffle, Creative Labs Zen Stone and SanDisk Sansa Clip are MP3 Players and do not have the capability to play video. 

 

BRANDS

 

For those of you who were not aware, Apple Ipod is not the only brand of MP3 Players on the market.  There are several other brands of MP3 Players for you to choose depending on your needs and most importantly, your budget.  They are the Archos, Coby, Cowon, Creative Labs, iRiver, Philips, Samsung, SanDisk, Sony, Toshiba and Zune (Microsoft).   

 

 TYPE

 

MP3 Players are classified according to how they store digital data.  The most common are HARD DRIVE BASED PLAYERS and FLASH MEMORY BASED PLAYERS.  The Hard Drive Based MP3 Players have the highest capacity and are larger and heavier than the Flash Memory Based MP3 Players.  An example of a HARD DRIVE BASED PLAYER would be the iPod Classic 80 GB, iPod Classic 120 GB, iPod Classic 160 GB, Zune 120 GB, the Archos 80 GB 605 Wi-Fi PMP, Archos 160 GB 605 Wi-Fi PMP and the Creative Labs Zen Vision:M 30 GB MP3 and Video Player.  A drawback to the HARD DRIVE BASED PLAYERS is that it has moving parts that can easily malfunction if it is exposed to high temperatures or dropped.

 

The Flash Memory Based MP3 Players are light weight and smaller than the Hard Drive Based MP3 Players.  This type of MP3 Player has no moving parts and will have longer audio playback with a storage capacity ranging from 120 to 8000 songs. An example of Flash Memory Based MP3 Players is the Apple iPod Touch, Apple iPod Nano or Creative Labs Zen PMP.  A drawback of the Flash Memory Based MP3 Player is that it is more expensive than the Hard Drive Based Players even if the storage capacity is less.

 

CHOOSING A MP3 PLAYER OR PMP

 

            Now that you’re armed with the basic information you have to determine which type is best for you.  Your personal needs and budget will help you to narrow down your choice. 

 

Decide the type.  – Hard Drive vs Flash Memory.  When deciding the type keep in mind what you’re using it for. For example, if you’re going to use it while jogging, then the hard drive based player will not be a good choice because of the size, weight and high chance it will malfunction if it’s dropped.

 

Decide the storage capacity.  – When deciding the storage capacity also keep in mind whether you also want to play video and audio (PMP) or just audio (MP3 Player).  MP3 Players can come in various storage capacities which can vary by brand.  The iRiver brands features a 20 GB MP3 Player. The Archos has a PMP that has 60 GB capacity.  Whether you’re looking for 1 GB to 160 GB there is a brand and model to suit your needs. 

 

Decide the features. – Determining features is based on personal preference.  Some MP3 Players/PMP have several features that may include voice recorders, calendar syncing, FM radio, wireless capability, photo storage or recording TV like a DVR player.  For these particular features you may want to consider the Archos brand of PMPs.  Another popular feature is color. If you’re into pink then you can get a pink mp3 player.  Your options are endless it just depends on your personal needs and how much you’re willing to spend.   

 

Decide how much you’re willing to spend. –  The more features you desire the more you’ll spend on a MP3 Player.  If you’re just looking to play music and you’re not concerned about the fancy features then you can find a MP3 player for under $50.  For example, the SanDisk Sansa m250 2GB can be purchased for less that $35.  If you’re looking for at least 4GB then iPod Nano or Creative Labs Zen Mozaic would be a good choice. Or, if price isn’t a concern and you want the “Cadillac” MP3 Player with all the bells and whistles then consider the Archos 705 Wi-Fi PMP 160 GB.  

 

After considering the type, capacity, features and your budget check out each of the above mentioned brands to compare features and price.  Also, if you’re on a tight budget and still want fun features consider a refurbished MP3 Player.  Now you’re informed and ready to buy and enjoy your new MP3 Player! Good Luck!



Caffeinated Content

Jim Johnson asked:


Mp3 players are quickly taking over the portable music category. First it was 8 track tapes, then cassette tapes, then CDs, and now mp3 players. Of course, CD players are still used by many, but mp3 players have so many advantages that they are gaining ground fast, especially among younger music listeners. There are plenty of portable mp3 player reviews available now and they all emphasize certain features that count the most, and here they are:

* You will need to have software to help you manage and convert your song files into a file format that your particular mp3 player can recognize and play, and as your song portfolio grows, you will need to be able to keep track of songs and keep them organized too. So the software that comes with your mp3 player should help you do all of that easily and quickly.

* Look for a portable mp3 player that lets you enhance and control the sound to your liking too. The best rated mp3 players are coming with sound equalizers built right into the unit to let you customize the listening experience for each song, or just find the general settings that helps you enjoy the music most.

* The controls you will find on even cheap portable mp3 players include volume settings, forward and reverse, play and pause. These are all pretty standard, but you should also look for the ability to repeat songs, either one at a time or the entire song set. A randomizing feature is also good to have to mix up the song order and keep the music fresh.

* Make sure that your mp3 player can be upgraded too. The best rated mp3 players have the ability to upgrade the firmware, or the player’s operating system, to keep it up to date. This is pretty important as the mp3 player world is still fairly new and changes are being made all the time requiring upgrades. If you have a player that lacks an upgrade path, you could very quickly be left behind and with an obsolete player.

* The best rated mp3 players also conserve power well. There is a wide variance between portable mp3 players in this area, so check the stats in advance to see what you can expect. Some run out of battery power in just a few hours while others can go days on the same set of batteries, and the longer battery life you have the less hassle you should experience with having to unexpectedly change the batteries at an inopportune time.

There are many portable mp3 player reviews on the web that will help you find the model that will best fit your needs, but in most mp3 player comparisons the features mentioned above were important to those who regularly use their player.



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