As we go to press there are more and more portable MP3 players
coming on the market. So this article will give you
a good over view to get you started. Use http://www10.activebuyersguide.com/
to find the latest info.
The most important things to consider are:
1. How fast can you transfer the music from your
computer to your MP3 player? USB and Firewire are the
fastest and easiest ways to do this, so make sure the player
has one or both of these features.
2. Storage medium.
a. Hard-drive-based players
hold the most—currently, the highest capacity is 60GB
(almost 1,000 hours of music compressed at 128 kilobits per
second), and larger capacities are expected later in year.
b. Some players use CDs that you create
on your computer. Remember that a 650 MB CD can hold
10 hours of music. These players tend to be cheaper,
but the batteries don’t last as long and they are susceptible
to skipping from being bumped, etc. And they tend
to be a little heavier.
c. Flash-memory-based models
generally max out at 512MB of built-in storage (around 120
songs). Many offer buyers the option of adding memory through
either CompactFlash, SmartMedia, or MultiMediaCards, which
cost about $60 for 256MB; even if you spring for expansion
media, you may outgrow them quickly.
3. How easy is it to find a particular song, especially
if your player holds 500 hours worth? The simplest-to-use
MP3 players use a Windows Explorer-like file and folder interface
to organize music on the player. While some players require
you to use their software to pick the play order before loading
music files, other players let you rearrange the songs once
the music is in the player. MP3 files include ID3 tags
that provide artist, song title, and album name information
to the player. Working with this data, a player can organize
the files for you, though each does it in its own way. Look
for an easy-to-read LCD screen, and one that shows the information
you use the most. Even with a good display, it can be hard
to navigate among the more than 500 hours of songs.
4. Battery Life. It won’t do you much
good to have 500 hours of songs with a battery that only lasts
an hour. Look for long battery life and easy and quick
recharging.
Other considerations to consider:
- Look for wide file format support. While this
isn’t a necessity, players that support music files
in both the MP3 and WMA (Windows Media Audio) formats give
you more listening options.
- Consider a player with an FM tuner. This feature
isn’t essential, but it’s a nice addition—especially
if you grow tired of your own music.
- Do you need a carrying case? Some players come with
a small carrying case, others don’t. The more expensive
and more fragile the player (hard-drive devices are the most
delicate), the more likely you’ll want a custom-fitted
case to protect it. If you plan to carry your player with
you wherever you go, consider investing in both a fitted cover
and a rugged carrying case that can also hold headphones,
a USB cable, and/or CDs.
Where can I go to get all my questions answered you might
ask. Here is a great site that will help you: http://www10.activebuyersguide.com/
Click on ‘Electronics/MP3 Players’; then choose
the ‘Decision Guide’ – it’ll walk
you thru a 6 step process!
What about prices? Once you’ve narrowed it down
to one or two players, check http://www.pricescan.com to check
prices.
Have a question or problem? Write me at BaliPCAdvisor@GMail.com.
I’ll try and answer as soon as I can.
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