The Basics: MP3 Players
MP3 players were rare just a few years ago, and yet they are ubiquitous today, and their popularity is not expected to wane any time soon. Apple's iPod lineup currently dominates the digital audio player universe, but numerous manufacturers like Creative, SanDisk and iriver, as well as traditional brands such as Panasonic, Sony, JVC and Samsung, produce a wide variety of players, many of which are giving the iPods a run for their money.
The category name of MP3 players is a bit of a misnomer, as many digital audio players can store music files in multiple formats. These may include WMA, WAV, ATRAC, OGG and others, in addition to MP3. iPod has also become a generic name for an MP3 player. This is somewhat ironic, because while iPods can play MP3 files, they primarily operate with AAC files, the format of choice for Apple's popular iTunes Music Store.
MP3 and other formats utilized by digital audio players are data-compression techniques that drastically reduce the size of the original CD music files. This data-reduction amount is variable: a higher reduction rate (i.e., a lower bit rate) results in a smaller file, but the smaller the file, the poorer the sound quality. At higher bit rates (least compressed, best sounding), the sound comes closest to the original CD recording quality. High-quality audio should at least be sampled at 128 kilobits per second (kbps), which results in an MP3 file of about 4MB for a 3- or 3-1/2-minute track. To combat the loss of sound quality, a number of newer digital audio players incorporate technology that helps restore sound details lost during the compression/decompression process.
Digital audio players are available in a multitude of styles, from tiny players that can clip onto your sunglasses or keychain to (relatively) large units that can store tens of gigabytes of music and other content. Many players can hold other types of data (in addition to music files), serving as portable data storage devices. Apple's new video iPods incorporate a small LCD screen for the display of digital video and image files. Competing manufacturers are following suit with screen-equipped MP3 players that can store and play music videos, television shows and even DivX movies. Other MP3 player options include integrated FM tuners, voice microphones, and line inputs that let players record directly from other audio sources. Panasonic even combines an MP3 player with a digital camcorder in some members of its D-Snap line. Quite a few cell phones now incorporate MP3 players, and there are even models with Apple's iTunes software built in.
How to Shop
When shopping for an MP3 player, first consider how much memory you will need. Flash players currently come in capacities of up to 6GB of internal memory, which is enough to hold approximately 192 hours of music (about 2,800 songs), but they are more commonly available with 512MB or 1GB. Hard-disk MP3 players can have as little as 4GB of internal memory or they can hold as much as 60GB, and even larger sizes are no doubt on the horizon. A 60GB MP3 player can store every song in all but the largest music collections. The limiting factor is usually price, but common sense is important too. In general, buy as large a memory as you can afford, but if you only need the space to hold a thousand tunes, there is no reason to spend the extra money for a 40GB player.
If you want a player to listen to while at the gym or out on a jog, check out the many available sports players. These compact units usually utilize Flash memory, which is immune to playback interruptions when jostled, unlike hard-disk systems that don't appreciate being shaken. In addition, sports MP3 players often have handy features such as stopwatches, meters that measure speed and distance, and even water resistance to protect against sweat and rain. Small and light enough to be worn just about anywhere, sports MP3 players usually include clips or arm straps so they can be secured to clothing or the body.
True audiophiles will be interested in the larger-capacity MP3 players. While most users will take advantage of that extra storage space by cramming in more songs, audiophiles know this capacity can be utilized to increase the quality of their music. Higher bit-rate MP3 files take up more memory space, but they'll sound considerably better. Many digital audio players can also handle full-range uncompressed WAV files, which provide true CD-quality sound. A 60GB player can hold about 84 CD worth of music in the uncompressed WAV format.
Make sure a digital audio player comes with the software and cables (usually USB) necessary to connect to your computer. The software usually has two components. The first part is used to convert, or ''rip,'' CD music into MP3 (or other format) files. This is essential for anyone with a large music collection on disc, but if you download a majority of your music from the internet, it isn't as much of a concern. The second component of the software is usually a file manager that helps organize music files into playlists. Once your list is put together, it is a quick and simple process to transfer the music to your portable player.
The weakest link in the portable audio chain is the included headphones or earbuds, which typically provide only marginal audio reproduction. It might be necessary to budget in the price of upgraded headphones when shopping for an MP3 player. Manufacturers are beginning to address this annoying issue by including higher-quality phones in their MP3 player packages, but like all electronics purchases, it is a wise idea to test candidate players (and their headphones) before buying.
