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 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, 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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