The MP3 player market covers a range of shapes, sizes, features, storage capacities, file formats, and download services. Amid such variety, how are you to choose? This guide will help you pick the perfect player.
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1. What are my choices? 2. How does an MP3 player work? 3. What kind of MP3 user am I? |
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What else can I do with an MP3 player? 5. Where do I get music? 6. What else do I need? |
Where do I get music?
Back when the cassette Walkman ruled the portable audio domain, you didn't have to seriously think about whether your player would play the music you bought. And when the first widespread digital format (the compact disc) was introduced, consumers faced relatively minor compatibility issues; you had to buy a CD player but could record cassette mixes from CDs without a lot of hassle. With an MP3 player, you have to consider where your music is coming from to ensure your device will play your music. Here's what you need to know about music compatibility.
Where's it coming from?:
Existing music on your computer |
Compact discs
Online music stores |
P2P networks |
Vinyl/cassettes
Existing music on your computer
If you've already ripped and/or downloaded lots of music,
choose a player that supports the format(s) you're already
storing. If it's MP3, you're OK with any player, but rarer
formats are supported by only certain devices. When you're
reading one of our MP3 player reviews, check out the Features
or Specs tab to find out which formats the device
takes.
Compact discs
If all of your music is still on CDs, you can buy just about
any MP3 player since you'll first need to convert your discs
to MP3, WMA, OGG, or one of the other formats mentioned
earlier. Normally, the necessary software is
included with the player, but if not, try Musicmatch. You'll
typically use that software to organise the music files, set
up various playlists, and transfer music to your
device.
Online music stores
Here's where it gets really tricky. If you plan on buying
music downloads from an online music store such as Apple's
still-not-available-in-Australia iTunes Music Store, you need
to make sure your player will work with the formats offered.
In an ideal world, you'd be able to play any legally
purchased music on any MP3 player, but due to format wars,
that's not possible. If you know you're going to buy tunes
online, you'll first have to select a store you like, then a
player that supports the store.
One important note: Digital audio devices sometimes
support the unprotected version of a certain codec but not
the secure version. For instance, some MP3 players play
normal, unprotected WMAs that you create from your own CDs
but not the secure WMAs sold by online music stores such as
Napster, BuyMusic, Musicmatch, Dell, and so on.
The files sold by these stores come with usage
restrictions that commonly limit playback to three computers
and stop you from mass-producing burned mixes. These
restrictions can cause device compatibility problems, but the
trade-off for consumers is that those safeguards make the
labels comfortable enough to license their songs to online
stores.
P2P networks
Most tunes available on file-sharing networks (also called
peer-to-peer or P2P networks) are already in the MP3 format,
so there are no compatibility issues in this situation. Since
someone else did the encoding, however, the audio quality of
files on these services varies.
Vinyl/cassettes
If you have lots of music on vinyl, cassettes, or even
8-tracks, you can record it onto your computer, turn the
files into MP3s, then transfer those to any MP3 player. In
order to simplify the process, consider buying a player that
has line-in recording and allows you to encode MP3s directly
from your stereo. If your stereo has a digital optical output
and you want to record MP3s this way, make sure to find a
player that has a digital optical input; this will preserve
sound quality during the recording process. If there's no
digital optical output on your stereo, any player with an
analog input will do.
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Hen
03/10/2004 07:40 AM
Nice review, answered all my questions.
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ray
05/10/2004 03:16 AM
Great review, able to confirm the mp3 players I looked at airport duty free were all that was available, now, all I have to do is buy one.
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Bobra Wilbakns
06/04/2005 10:37 PM
We're looking for an MP3 player with high output for use with helmet set for motorcycling. Many MP3 players we've tried can't be heard above standard, normal motorcycle pipes when using a full-face helmet and volume and equalizer turned up all the way. Any suggestions?
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nick
26/07/2005 12:24 AM
i have bought an mp3 player and wanted more info on the diferent formats. i would like to know which format i should put my music onto the mp3 player. MP3 and WMA are the obvious ones and all my music is on my computer as WMA at 192kbps. i want to get as many songs on my mp3 player as possible and a resonable quality. will i fit more on with mp3s or WMAs at similar qualities. if someone can explain the differences or know a website that gives this information please email me at nick___X@hotmail.com
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daveinozbikes
13/01/2006 11:37 PM
This cleared my mind..hard to get straightforward info. for a beginner...well done..Dave in Mandurah,WA
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Pat
15/08/2006 03:47 AM
is there a mp3 player out there that records off the radio and plays videos, but is not huge??
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Neale
13/09/2006 05:17 AM
Need to update this article. Flash based players are now at 8GB and will grow larger, fast. The way to go is; 1. Flash; 2. Replaceable battery; 3. Drag and drop.
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aleesha
16/11/2006 03:43 PM
i loved the video and all of the great info a big thank you to all the mavens out there well done. Cheers~Aleesha
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Steve Farless
03/12/2006 12:26 AM
I have not experienced any skipping problems with my CD mp3 player, the only complaint I have is that they’re rough on batteries. I love the concept and I hope they work on a solution.
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