1 - Different Types
MP3 players, play files in the MP3 format. They are generally small and lightweight. Some of them are so compact, that they comfortably slip into your pocket. Few are sturdy enough to be carried along during vigorous activities – such as hiking, exercising etc.
There are 4 basic types:
- CD Player / Discman
- Hard Drive based player
- Micro Hard Drive based player
- Solid or Flash Memory based player
1.1 - CD player / Discman
A CD player or Discman, reads MP3 files stored in CDs and are the least expensive of the lot. Generally, a CD has a storage space of 650 MB, which can be extended up to 700MB or even 800MB. It can store approximately 180 songs.
| Generally, one set of batteries will let you play for around 40 to 50 hours. CD players may not always fit into your pocket since they are slightly bulky. Also they have moving parts, primarily the CD – hence the slightest jostle can cause skips in the track that is playing, resulting in a crackling or broken sound which could disturb the listening experience.
|
 |
1.2 - Hard Drive Based Player
A hard drive based player is quite similar to an external hard drive. When not used to store music files, the storage space can be used to store data files, video files and other such files. Nowadays, hard drive based players come with color display that makes navigation easier. It can store up to 160 GB or even more. That means you can carry along almost 25,000 songs at one time. Hard drive based players have internal re-chargeable batteries. It lets you play for almost 20 hours at a stretch. It would take you approximately 6 hours to re-charge these batteries fully. Hard drive based players’ today pose steady competition to portable video players. They are not small enough to be carried in pockets. They are slightly heavy and weigh between 150 gm and 250 gm. Hard Drive based players provide the best value for every penny spent on the megabytes, since they offer a huge storage capacity, which enables you to carry/store a large number of music tracks! On the flip side, a hard drive based player is heavy and bulky – much like a conventional PC. This implies that its shock absorbing capabilities is minimal and hence any disturbance during the read/write process could affect sound quality.
1.3 - Micro Hard Drive Based Player
A Micro hard drive based player is a compressed version of the hard drive based player. It offers storage space of up to 80 GB. That means you can store almost 20,000 songs. Players that have storage capacity from 1 GB to 20 GB are referred as miniature micro hard drive based players. Micro hard drive players, too come with a color display for easy navigation. Though they are not as huge as hard drive based players, they do act as external hard drives and can store files which are not in the MP3 format. Micro-hard drive based player offer the best battery duration ranging from 6 hours to 40 hours. These players are very sleek and weigh between 100 gm and 150 gm.
1.4 - Solid Flash or Memory Based Player
Solid or flash memory based players use tiny memory cards to store files. They have a minimum capacity of 128 MB, which can store up to 32 songs. The advanced versions offer storage capacity of up to 2048 MB. They offer provisions to expand memory by providing memory slots – you could expand memory up to 8 GB. You could also alternately, carrying along spare flash cards loaded with music that can be changed as and when needed. Solid players have no moving parts, unlike its three other counterparts. They are available with and without displays. In case of the presence of display screens, it is generally a backlit LCD/LED screen with fundamental navigation choices such as repeat and shuffle. It also displays the name of the track that is being played. Solid players have batteries that can play from 2 hours to 70 hours. Some of the batteries have the capacity to run for 3 hours with just 3 minutes of charging. Solid players are extremely compact and can weigh just 15 gm. The bulkier players weigh up to 150 gm. The sleekness of the player is its biggest advantage. Since they do not have any moving parts, you could keep playing it even while you are doing somersaults!
List all MP3 Players
Back to Top
2 - Common Usage
When buying an MP3 Player there are a few basic questions you will want to ask yourself.
- Duration for which you listen to music daily
- Storage space that you require for your music collection
- Budget – How much would you want to be spending
- Necessary features you will be using
- Activities you would involve yourself in, while listening to music
What type of listener are you?
“I listen to music daily for an hour. It is the best form of relaxation”
In this case the flash-based player with 128 MB of capacity or a CD player would be the best choice in terms of balancing a decent number of songs with the money factor.
 |
“I listen to music while commuting”
You could opt for a CD player, flash based player or micro-hard drive based player. A micro hard-drive based player, however, would be the best choice. |
“I prefer exercising/jogging/walking whilst listening to some fine music”
Since exercising and jogging are vigorous activities, it is advisable to opt for a flash-based player. If you restrict listening to music while exercising alone, a player with less memory should suffice. MP3 players, unlike cd's will not skip during an intense workout.
“My day begins, goes on and ends with music”
In this case, it would be best to opt for a hard drive based player, which can keep playing songs the whole day. Micro-hard drive players aren’t a bad choice either.
“I need a MP3 player that would store around a 100 songs, will have a radio tuner and at the same time does not cost me more than $100”
A flash based player offering 512 MB storage space should suffice. Many flash players come with an in-built radio-tuner. A radio tuner can also be purchased separately, as a player accessory.
“I am looking for a player with lot of storage space, easy portability and I am not quite concerned about the budget”
Huge storage space and easy portability combined in one package is offered by the micro-hard drive based player. Since budget is not a constraint, you could consider players that have lot of added features such as; video player or internet connectivity.
List all MP3 Players
Back to Top
3 - Features
3.1 - Sound Quality
Sound quality is a very essential factor to be considered while purchasing an MP3 player. The sound quality of a player depends on its SNR (signal-to-noise ratio). Check out for a player that has an SNR of high value. The higher the value of SNR, the better would be the quality of the sound. Generally, MP3 players that come incredibly cheap, transmit poor sound quality.
3.2 - Batteries and External power
Flash based players use either AA batteries or AAA batteries. Micro-hard drive based players, come with replaceable custom-shaped batteries. These have to be charged from time to time, quite similar to the ones in a mobile phone. Look for a player that can be connected to an external source of power. This would prolong battery life. In the case of hard drive based players, make sure that the player has a manually replaceable battery. If the batteries cannot be replaced, then you might have to replace the player after using it for a few years.
3.3 - Memory
Memory refers to the maximum storage capacity of the player. Some players come with an option of expanding their storage capacity and some do not. Requirements do not always remain the same - two years down the line, you might want to store more files. So while planning for memory capacity, consider how your music collection might expand. Again, look for a piece where you could upgrade the memory yourself. Sending the piece to the factory for upgrading might cost you as much as a new player.
3.4 - MP3 Files and More
Look out for players that play music in other formats such as; WMA, WAV, OGG and ASF. Music is not always saved in MP3 format. It could be any of the above formats. While trying to convert them into an MP3 format, you might end up compromising the sound quality of the file.
|
 |
3.5 - Interface Software
Generally MP3 players come along with software that enables transfer of files from the PC or laptop to the player and vice versa. This is known as interface software. It is important to ensure the compatibility of this software with the operating system of your computing device. More and more MP3 players are adding the Bluetooth funtion. This would make transfer of music between the MP3 players and Bluetooth enabled computers or mobiles very convenient.
3.6 - Computer Connection
MP3 players can be connected to the computer by means of a USB cable. Check for players that support USB 2.0 since transfer via USB1.1 is painfully slow. Firewire is another option for connecting the player to the computer. However, your computer must be pre-installed with a Firewire card and you must have the cable for the same.
3.7 - Ear-phones / Headphones
Besides the SNR of the MP3 player, the quality of earphones or headphones can create a terrific difference in your listening experience. MP3 players are generally accompanied by earphones or headphones. However, these wouldn’t deliver as much quality as the specialized ones. Ear-phones are available with enhanced features such as; rubber ear buds for external noise reduction. If you do not want to be wired and tangled in knots opt for a wireless headphone!
3.8 - Built-in FM Tuner
Many MP3 players come with an in-built tuner for FM. This feature enables you to switch over to live music when you have got bored listening to your existent playlist. Some of the features included are; recording of songs from the radio onto your player and storing them in MP3 or WAV formats. Make sure you opt for a player that has memory presets, to avoid manual tuning of the stations.
3.9 - Personal Digital Assistant
Many MP3 players double up as a personal digital assistant (PDA). They have basic features of a PDA such as; address book, telephone directory, alarm, reminder and calendar.
3.10 - Voice-recorder and Microphone
If you would like to record your own voice or live concerts this feature will be extremely useful. It also enables dubbing from any other audio device be it a cassette player, PC or CD player.
 |
3.11 - Games
Like mobile phones, most MP3 players come with standard built-in games such as; bricks, snakes and space impact. Other games such as pool, pinball or car-racing could also be installed depending upon whether you have a color display and a higher memory to support the requirement of playing these games. |
3.12 - Accessories
You have a wide range of accessories to choose from for your MP3 player, including:
- Covers and Skins
- Headphones-Earphones
- FM tuner
- Remote Control
- Car Power Adapter
- Belt Clip
- Arm Strap
- Carry Pouch
- Fancy Chains and tidbits that make the player look chic
- Battery
- Data Cable
- Dock/Cradle
List all MP3 Players
Back to Top
4 - Warranty
Generally MP3 players come with a 1 year warranty and in certain cases they extend to a 5 year period. It would be wise to always opt for one with at least a year’s warranty. Make sure the warranty is valid in your area/region. Also, while purchasing your player, make sure you don’t end up paying heavily for getting the product transported or couriered.
Technology knows no bounds. With every passing day, features offered by MP3 players are only increasing. For you, as an end-user, remember that an MP3 player is an investment. Like mobile phones, MP3 players too are making a fashion statement. Try not to get blindly carried away by all the jazz. Make your buy a wise one and make it worth every penny you would spend by opting for a player that fulfils your requirements. So play on! - Let your favorite music go, wherever you go!
List all MP3 Players
Back to Top |
