In the past several years, music formats have evolved from eight-tracks to records and audio tapes to CDs. With the popularity of the World Wide Web, music formats are again evolving. For the past couple of years, music formats have transitioned from CDs over to MP3 (digital music) files.
Since the late 1990’s, portable digital music players called MP3 players have been flying off retail shelves. Several million are sold around the world each year. Many have dubbed the MP3 player “the walkman of the 21st century”. If you do not already have one or a device that plays MP3 music files, such as: a phone or a PDA, you may be a little out of the techno loop.The advantages of MP3 players are:
- Size. Most players are relatively small compared to the portable CD or audio player. Some players are smaller than your average postage stamp and can be worn like a piece of jewellery, while others are no bigger than the size of a deck of cards.
- Storage Capacity. Typical MP3 players can hold anywhere between 50 to several thousand musical tracks. This translates to hours and hours of continuous play.
- Personalized Music Lists. MP3 players allow users to create customizable music lists. You can create a list of musical track for your daily commute, gym time, etc.
- Extended Playtime. Most MP3 players can give users eight to twelve hours of continuous play before it needs to be recharged.
- Near CD quality sound.
The only disadvantage of MP3 music players is that most of the players need to be hooked up to a computer. Unlike the CD player or Walkman, users have to use the computer to manage the songs on their portable devices. So, for individuals who do not have access to a computer, this may be problematic.
CLASS OF PLAYERS
There are two distinctive types of MP3 players – flash and hard drive. The main difference lies in how the music files are stored on the device.
Flash Players:
- Small and tiny. Some players are just a tiny bit bigger than your typical postage stamp and can be worn like a piece of jewellery.
- Have no moving parts, therefore making them very durable. Users, particularly gym rats, do not have to worry about track skipping or damaging the player.
- Have a capacity of less than 1 Terabyte (TB) which translates to about 75 to 150 songs.
- Typically costs less than $200.
Hard Drive Players:
- No bigger than your average deck of playing cards.
- Are not ideal for guys and gals that are doing a lot of running around (i.e. athletic types) because the music is stored on a moveable disk.
- Have a capacity of 4 Gigabytes or more and holds anywhere between 200 to several thousand songs.
- Generally costs between $250 to $600.
Before you head down to your local electronic superstore to purchase an MP3 player, you may want to consider some of the following pointers:
- The number of songs you have and would like to carry on each outing. Most individuals have only a number of tunes in their personal music library; others have thousands of music albums that they want access to on the go.
- Users can also store computer files (i.e. word documents, videos, etc.), audio books, and radio broadcasts on their MP3 players. You may need to buy a player with a larger storage capacity if you plan on using your MP3 player to store files other than music.
- Personal lifestyle. Are you a gym rat, or athlete? Basically, how are you going to be using the device?
- Add-on accessories. Most of the portable music players out there on the market with the exception of the Apple iPods, allow users to change only the style of headphones. Apple iPods have an entire economy of accessories that are created to enhance the capabilities of the iPods. You can add FM tuners, microphones, external speakers, etc. to enhance your iPod experience.
- File formats. Look for a player that plays a number of different file formats. In addition to playing MP3 files, some players may also play WMA or AAC formats.
- Battery Types. There are generally two types – user replaceable or built-in rechargeable – found in your typical MP3 player. Some MP3 players utilize standard AA/AAA batteries or some type of proprietary rechargeable that the user can easily replace, whereas some players such as the Apple iPod uses a built-in rechargeable battery which cannot be readily replaced. For the latter, if you find that the device is losing charge, you will probably have to throw out a perfectly workable device.
- Test drive. You should test drive the player, preferably in the store before you buy it. Many of the big electronic stores like Future Shop or Best Buy allows consumers to test out the device before they buy it. Take advantage of this! Check out the mini display on the device under various lighting conditions, the intuitiveness of the menus, and the overall design and usability of the device. For stores that do not have display units set up, make sure they have an adequate return policy. Take it home and give it a whirl then take it back if you do not like it.
So this summer, treat yourself to some sweet tunes by getting yourself an MP3 player! For more information on various types of players, you can go to any of the manufacturers listed below:
Until next time,
~Geekboy
Comments? Questions? Suggestions?
E-mail them to Geekboy at: gb.technobytes@gmail.com
Posted by Geekboy 
TECHNOBYTES 