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MP3 Player Buyer Guide
By Ron Aldo | July 18, 2008
Ever since the first MP3 players appeared, designers and manufacturers have been trying to find better solutions to improve the main characteristics of these devices and make them better-looking and more reliable with every new model. There is such a wide variety of shapes, colors, sizes, features, storage capacities and even file formats covering the MP3 market that sometimes it is really difficult to pick the right player which is why I have put together a brief MP3 buyers guide.
Women will choose one that matches their favourite color or the kind of jewellery they prefer. Design is an important feature and a player should match the owner’s lifestyle but that is not everything.
If you like to carry your digital memory with you, make sure the color screen of your player can display JPEG and BMP digital images. Players with crystal-clear OLED screens, for instance, offer better viewing angles and do not consume much.
There are many players that offer FM radio reception and recording. If you have a favourite radio station that broadcasts the kind of music you like most, you should get one of those.
Another tempting category of MP3 players can record high-quality audio digitally or from mike-level sources, so you can either dub tracks from modern stereo components or use a small microphone to record live. With a decent ADC you will be able to record to uncompressed WAV files.
The sound-tweaking options that some players present will allow you to hear the songs the very way the recording engineers mixed them. A customizable EQ setting together with the standard presets (Rock, Jazz etc.) is everything an audio purist needs.
Wireless connectivity is one of the latest features that some MP3 players present. It allows you to share songs with your friends and some players are endowed with a pair of compatible wireless headphones as well. Cool indeed!
Storage capacity is another important feature that most buyers have in mind when choosing an MP3 player. Many players allow you to shuttle data between PCs and don’t even need a driver; you can thus transfer any file to a laptop without using a cable, as there are built-in USB connectors.
Did you know that some MP3 players can accept phonebooks and schedules? That is a very useful feature for managing personal information. Whether you want to transfer data to your laptop on a plane or in a meeting, this option can do it.
All players offer shuffle, repeat, resume and play-list features because this is the best way to personalize your player. You can choose the right kind of music from the many thousands songs you have stored, according to your mood. The automatic volume control will add to the quality of your audition by making all songs sound equally loud.
Probably the most important feature for someone who is in the habit of carrying the player all the time is the life of the battery. That can be a critical factor, especially when you travel long distances not in your own car. Most hard-drive-based players have non-removable lithium-ion batteries which may last up to four years but some manufacturers offer replacement for no more than $100. Another option is a player that uses AA or AAA batteries for Flash and MP3 CD players.
Luckily there are places on the web where a discount MP3 player can be found. If its information you want such as who invented the MP3 player and details on how they work then look no further.
Topics: Ipod & MP3 Reviews |