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• How to buy a flash-based MP3 player

How to buy a flash-based MP3 player

By Edvarcl Heng on 15 March 2007

Definitions UMS refers to USB Mass Storage-compliant devices. File management on such devices can be performed without the need for software installation. More popularly known as "drag-and-drop". MTP is an acronym for Media Transfer Protocol. If you are looking at purchasing music files from online music stores, MTP will allow your MP3 player to interface with the DRM encoded in the song files. DRM is short for Digital Rights Management. It refers to the playback permissions encoded in the song track. Such as how many computers the track can be stored in.

Face it. It's tough to find a hard drive MP3 player these days.

Possibly because they don't stand up so good against knocks and falls. No doubt many a gym rat would attest to that.

So flash memory has now become the default storage option for most MP3 players. As a result, MP3 players have become lighter, smaller and more accommodative to sporty types. But even in its new advantageous form, there's still a broad spectrum of pros and cons on which to base an MP3 player purchase. Here're the factors we think pertinent in your checklist.

Starting off

What do you already have? A Window-based computer? A truckload of tunes encoded in ATRAC? What you have will decide what you should consider since compatibility is vital in a digital world full of differing standards.

 

 

If you are a...

Windows-based PC owner

You are in luck. Any MP3 player that supports either the UMS or MTP storage format will be compatible with your machine.

Mac user

There are limited choices since only UMS-compliant players are supported. No need to fret though. The famed iPod is a friend of your operating system.

How tech-savvy are you?

This is important because it can mean the difference between years of fuss-free usage and enough troubleshooting that would have you all ready to shoot your player.

For the newbies:

Generally, UMS MP3 players are the easiest to manipulate. All you gotta do is drag-and-drop the required music files directly into the player and away you go. No fuss, no muss. Recommendations: Samsung YP-U2 Creative Zen Neeon 2

For the savvies:

Most MP3 players in this class require a content management software to transfer files into the player. If you have Apple iTunes or Windows Media Player (WMP), you probably are already using one. But it's mostly caveat emptor in such cases since the user experience is dependant on how tightly the hardware is integrated with the software. The iPod/iTunes combo is miles ahead of the pack in this regard, but most top tier manufacturers like Samsung and iRiver have been playing catch-up. The new WMP 11 has also been vastly improved. If you are good at finding your way around new software, such players will be a boon since they offer advanced features like smart playlists, podcast subscription and CD ripping. Recommendations: Apple iPod Nano iRiver S10

• Jukebox junkie or casual listener? »

Topics: flash, mp3, creative, e280, ipod, nano, neeon, samsung, sansa, sony, yp-u2, zen, iriver, s10

• MP3 face-off: Flash memory vs. hard drive

• Alternatives to the iPod Nano

• Apple iPod Nano (2nd generation, 4GB)

• 

  Ryan commented on 20/11/2007 18:13 Report abuse

  Righto peeps... I've read this article, I know what specs I'm after, but I can't find the flash based MP3 player that fits my bill. Any help? Thanks.
  
  (listed in priority of top - highest):
  
  - Be supported on both Mac & PC (and plug n play preferrably). I assume any UMS capable device will do the trick.
  
  - Simplicity; drag n drop n play. I'd prefer not to use any software (other than a window) to manage the content.
  
  - Be usable as storage device for non-music files and folders (and preferably has the USB hub connection built into the device).
  
  - Player to support MP3 format as a minimum.
  
  - Nil video and/or image support required.
  
  - 4gb preferred, 2gb minimum. Exandable slots are also very good.
  
  - Reasonably good sound quality on playback.

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