How To Buy An MP3 Player

Are you looking for an MP3 player but am not sure which type and model to buy? There is a wide variety of MP3 players out there, from flash memory based players to hard drive based players. Choosing a good player from the market is no easy task. What features should you look for? What are the key considerations? This article aims to answer those questions and more. Now, let’s see how we can pick the perfect MP3 player.

Types of MP3 player

There are essentially four types of MP3 players in the market today. These include flash-based players, hard-drive based players and MP3 CD players. Let’s look at them in turn.

Flash-based MP3 players

Flash-based MP3 players have a flash memory chip built-in. They tend to be very tiny, ultra-portable and have no moving parts. As a user, you can do all your sports activities without worrying about your music skipping a beat. The downside to flash players is their high cost per megabyte. These players range from 32MB to 2GB, and the most popular models tend to be those from the Creative Muvo line, the iRiver iFP series and more recently, the Apple iPod Shuffle.

Hard-drive based MP3 players

Hard-drive based MP3 players use a 1.8-inch hard disk drive to store your music. The hard disk can hold large amounts of music – we’re talking about 10GB and above. If you have a large music library and want to store tons of music, a hard-drive based MP3 player is the way to go. The cost per megabyte is very low. The downside? Well, due to the hard disk drive, which has moving parts, these players are not suited for rough physical activity or extreme sports. One of the most popular MP3 players in this category is the Apple iPod, which is selling like hot cakes out there.

Micro hard-drive based MP3 players

More recently, manufacturers have come up with micro hard-drive based MP3 players like the Apple iPod Mini, Creative Zen Micro and Rio Carbon. Featuring a smaller hard drive (which still gives ample storage space of about 4 to 5 GB), they have a much more compact design compared to full fledged hard disk players. The few models mentioned above are selling like crazy too.

MP3 CD players

MP3 CD players are another type of MP3 player. These units look and feel like regular CD players. You can burn up to 150 MP3 songs to fill one CD-R disc, then play it on the unit. The disadvantage of such players is their large size and their tendency to skip if jostled.

Key Features of MP3 Players

Having looked at the different types of MP3 players, let’s look at the key features of an MP3 player.

Size and weight: If you’re looking to bring your MP3 player on trips or on sporting activities, a small compact design is very important. In such cases, you should go for a small flash based player or one of the micro hard drive players.

Storage capacity: This is an important factor too. If you need to store your whole music library into the MP3 player, then you probably need a hard drive based player with 10GB of storage or above. If you only want a few select songs to listen to on the subway, then a flash based player would suffice. Do take note that some players offer expansion slots in the form of CompactFlash or SD cards.

Battery Life: This is often overlooked. Battery life is a very important consideration, especially if you’re out with your player and have no way to recharge. Hard disk players tend to have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries while some flash players offer AAA battery support. I personally own a Creative MuVo Micro N200 which uses AAA batteries. This is great for me because once it runs out, I can just pop in a new one – no hassles about finding some electrical socket to recharge.

Connectivity Options: The way the MP3 player connects to your computer is also an important factor. The latest models tend to support high-speed USB 2.0 transfers. The better ones like the Apple iPod also give Firewire support.

File Format Support: You will most likely be wanting to play MP3 songs on your player. However, if you want to listen to a wider variety of music files, like WMA or OGG Vorbis, then make sure you see it in the player specs.

Other Considerations

Many of the latest players also include features I’ve not covered in the above. For example, some players come with a built-in FM tuner, which is very useful if you get tired of your MP3 music. Other have a built-in voice recorder which allows you to record audio as WAV files.

Conclusion

As you can see, there are many considerations to think about when purchasing an MP3 player. To get the most suitable player, you want to think about how you will use the player. Usage should drive your purchase decision. The other thing to take note of is to shop around, both online and offline – compare prices before shelling out the cash. Good luck hunting for that MP3 player!

Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on digital photography. Visit his website at http://www.digital-music-guide.com for tips and tricks on selecting MP3 players, music services and music software.

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Why Not Enjoy Unlimited Music Downloads

Downloading music online may be on the lips of many music enthusiasts nowadays but to the uninitiated, it can be pretty confusing and sometimes difficult for the individual. Let us look at what the whole idea of downloading music online at membership sites that offer unlimited music downloads is all about.

Listening to music on CDs is now passé. It is not meant to sound offending but this is especially true amongst the younger generation today. Teens and young adults born after the 80s are now turning to digital music in MP3 format rather than playing music CDs on the portable CD player, which some of us affectionately remembered as the CD Walkman.

The reasons for choosing online music are obvious. Technology is so advanced that you do not have to carry a whole CD rack anywhere you go just to enjoy all your favorite songs. If that sounds exaggerating, a CD player packed with your favorite CD can at most offer you 20 of your compiled songs at max in exchange for you lugging the 6 inch gadget around in a bag. Contrast this with a small little gadget with the size of a matchbox or cigarette box that stores hundreds of songs, it becomes blatant why flocks of people are downloading music online.

It is affordable for most folks to download music files at iTunes if you are looking for one or two of your favorite hits. Though the selection is marvelous, with tons of songs, music and music videos and seemingly unlimited music downloads, however, it soon became clear to music enthusiasts that buying music to beef up their collection is denting their pockets. Now the juicy news is that there are new download sites that have sprung up, offering unlimited music downloads, including the latest soundtracks, music videos etc to members at incredibly low one-time prices. Imagine being able to download unlimited music files for the price cheaper than 2 DVDs. Isn’t that awesome?

Human beings are creatures of dilemma. When the choices are few, we grumble about the lack of choices. But when the download sites are numerous, we complain about the difficulty to select the right membership download site. Fret not, as there are a few quick tips to select an ideal site for unlimited music downloads.

1. Selection of Music

Be sure to search through the catalogue and stick with the one that offers you the right songs you wish to download.

2. Ensure Format Compatibility

The format of music files offered must be compatible with your portable media player, ie MP3 player. Look for sites that offer MP3 ready music files to save you the headache of converting the music files into playable format ie MP3.

3. Compare Pricings

Look at the pricing of each download site. All sites offer millions of files, and it is not wrong to say that they provide access to unlimited music downloads. As a smart consumer, paying the same price for 20 million songs at Site A rather than for 10 million songs at Site B sounds like a better deal isn’t it? However, be sure to check the selection.

I believe that this article has given you a brief introduction to the online world of unlimited music downloads. You can pick up more detailed tips on how to select a great music download site that suits your preference and read a review of the most popular sites at my blog.

This article may be freely reprinted or distributed in its entirety in any ezine, newsletter, blog or website. The author's name, bio and website links must remain intact and be included with every reproduction.

Davion is a successful webmaster and author. Learn where you can have instant access to unlimited music downloads - all your favorite hits, latest music videos.

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Free Movie Player Downloads

Communication technology is making fast strides and a lot of software can be downloaded from the Internet rather than purchased from physical stores. Music, movies, and news can all be downloaded from the Internet.

We are witnessing a critical stage in motion picture history when movies can be freely downloaded from the net. There are three types of movie player downloads. They are Quick Time from Apple Computers, Real Players from Real Networks and Windows Media Player.

Of these, Quick Time is most popular. It is a free movie player download that is available for both Windows and Mac. Quick Time 6 was downloaded more than 350 million times and more than 250 digital devices ship Quick Time as their standard media player. Around 25, 000 websites refer customers to Quick time downloads.

Quick Time 7 offers a rich multimedia experience. It can figuratively take you on a trip to the moon or the premier of the latest movie. It makes use of the latest video compression technology called H.264. This technology represents the next generation of video for all applications from mobile multimedia to High definition playback. The video is compressed into small files without affecting quality and delivers clear, crisp pictures. Audio quality is amazing and provides 24 channels of audio and supports a wide range of industry standard audio formats.

Real Player and Windows Media Player are suitable for some movies only. Most computers have any of these three movie players installed on their hard drive. Real Player10 comes with a 14-day free trial and features pause and fast forward live streams uninterrupted, excellent audio and video quality, supports portable devices and plays every media format. It also gives access to best program in media, and a 10- band graphic equalizer that gives high quality image and sound.

Windows Media Player 7.1 consists of seven features in a single application, including a CD player, an audio and video player, a media jukebox, a media guide, an Internet radio tuner, a portable device you can transfer music files to, and an audio CD burner. These software programs are combined in one easy-to-use application designed to make playing digital media a wonderful experience. The player also allows one to play streaming or download digital audio or video Internet content. Version 7.1 adds a facility called Windows Media Audio 8 encoding and decoding for use in portable devices.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Marlborough

How to Burn a Downloadable Audio Book to CD

When it comes to burning (or copying/writing) a downloadable audio book to CD, you must be sure that it isn't for commercial purpose, but strictly for personal use. Violating this law can get you into serious copyright infringement problems.

Yes, the downloadable audio books are still under copyright, even after paying to download them.

The only instance where they are no longer under copyright is when the authors or translators have died over 70 years ago. There are certain publications by government that are not under copyright.

But the rule of "only for personal use" is still ultimate when it comes to burning any downloadable audio book to CD or any other such formats.

You won't believe it, but there are even certain audio book publishers that won't allow their audio books to be copied to CD. Audio book publishers can easily disable the ability to burn the files to CD.

To be sure that your audio book publishers allows this, do check it out before going ahead to buy.

It will not be beneficial for you to buy it with the primary purpose of burning it to CD to listen with your CD player, only to find that you can't burn it to CD.

Also, when it comes to burning audio books to CD, you might certainly need more than one CD for an audio book. For example, an audio book of about 10 hours can take as many as 7 CDs.

That being said, below are the steps to take to burn (or copy) any downloadable audio book into CD:

NOTE that the below instructions are based on Windows Media Player Version 10. If you are using an older version, you can download the latest version from Microsoft's website. Here's the exact link =>http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/download

First, the computer you want to use to burn the audio book to CD must be equipped with a recordable CD drive and CD-burning software.

In other words, it is this CD-burning software that can burn the audio book to the CD. And it is the recordable CD drive that can be used for this purpose.

Second, play the audio book on Windows Media Player. Ensure that you choose "Full Mode" when doing this, not "Skin Mode".

Third, you will notice the "now playing" information displayed on the right-hand side of your Windows Media Player. If it isn't displayed, you should click the "Restore the Video and Visualization Pane" button to display it.

Fourth, you can now click the "Library" tab. You will notice the "Start Burn" button displayed.

Fifth, at this point, insert the blank CD into the recordable CD drive.

Sixth, click the "Start Burn" button. Your Windows Media Player will begin burning the audio book to the CD you have inserted.

Lastly, if the audio book is larger than the CD (most always are), Windows Media Player will prompt you that it requires a new CD. You can remove the one inside and insert another blank CD.

When the entire burning process is finished, it will display the status as "Complete".

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*Please feel free to copy, send, or distribute this article at anytime as long as the article is not changed, and the entire author resource box is included with the article as written.

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Do not Forget Yourself When Caring for Someone with a Mood Disorder

When you care about someone suffering from a mood disorder, taking care of yourself can be a challenge. Mood disorders run the gamut from chronic and clinical depression to panic disorders and bi-polar disorder. In addition to the stress of caregiving, family members have the added burden of trying to avoid the "isolation factor" that is part and parcel of mental illness. It's easy to see how this happens. Caregivers often believe nobody knows how they feel, or that things will never be ok. When you do have a morsel of time, you may be too down, feeling unsocial, or even tired to do the things you enjoy. Sometimes your only option is socializing with the person affected by mental illness, which may not feel like much of a restful break.

Since mental illnesses can be both chronic and cyclical, it is important to be kind to yourself, as the caring family member. You need to take care of yourself whenever you can – and even when you think you can't. "Self Care" is a phrase widely used by personal coaches and refers to making your "self" a priority. This can be challenging for caregivers who frequently forget themselves as they care for the ill person. Caregivers especially, are prone to thinking of themselves as an afterthought, if at all. Neglecting yourself over time can result in adverse consequences for the caregiver, including burnout, shame, increased stress, and anger, in addition to isolation. Being proactive to stay well is important to avoiding these consequences – even if the ways you express self care are minimal, they add up to keep you healthy. Here are some ideas for taking time for your "self," to help you to keep on giving.

1. Relax your mind. For some people it might be listening to music, or meditation tapes, or even a book on tape (since reading may take more energy). You may want to purchase an MP3 player that allows you to manage the tapes easier than a traditional CD player. One of my favorite artists is Steve Halpern, who puts together some wonderfully relaxing music that I play from my computer or pop into the MP3 or CD player.

2. Relax your body. Massage, Reiki, facials, hot stone treatments -- the list is endless. Try something new or go with an old stand-by. While it may feel like an overwhelming task, the simple act of making and keeping the appointment that's just about you will be well worth the effort. If you just can't get away, simple breathing meditations can bring deep relaxation.

3. Seek out your (funniest) friends. Staying connected with your friends is an essential form of self care. Friends know and accept our story, and help keep us going. Even if it is an effort, stay in touch and make plans to get together. It's no secret how therapeutic laughing can be -- so pick your funniest friends!! Or take in a funny movie together even if you don't feel like laughing. It can be wonderfully contagious.

4. Take a break. "Respite" from your caregiving commitment can be invaluable. If money is not an extreme issue, try to get away even if only for a complete day and overnight retreat. There are wonderful places that cater to soulful restoration. Go alone or with a friend. But make a plan and stick by it. If you're like me, once I "get there" I'm so glad I did!

Mary Logan is a professional life coach specializing in support for the caregiver. Inspiring audios and her free: "Are you an effective caregiver?"

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Playing Your MP3 Player in Your Car-Using The Video iPod Car Kit

Listening to music is everybody's favorite past-time anymore - no matter where you go, people have headphones attached and are either listening to the cell phone or music. But what about when we are driving? Some of the more popular ways to listen to music in the automobile is through the car's FM/AM radio with a CD player. The cassette is pretty well on its way out, and with the new MP3 players - the CD is almost on its way out also, slowly being replaced by DVDs. But how does the MP3 player - say, the iPod - hook into the car for listening?

With most of the online reviews about MP3 players referring to iPods, it would be good to look at the Neo iON, the nano iPod and Apple iPod car adapters, which provide a direct connection to the car stereos - both factory and aftermarket. The Neo iON is considered the best iPod car adapter kit that is available to the public because when it is connected, the auto's stereo buttons will control the iPod - the iPod batter will charge - and the sound will play from the auto's stereo speakers. Pretty simple. They can be purchased at Mp3YourCar.com for about $100, depending on the car, the make, the iPod, etc. which is filled out online.

This kit is compatible with the Apple iPod 3rd and 4th generation, iPod Photo, iPod Mini, and the nano iPod MP3 players. The kit is supposed to work with all vehicles - OR - most vehicles as it plugs directly into the CD changer port. The requirement for the car is to have a CD player in it, for the Video iPod car kit to attach its 11.5" cable directly into the iPod or nano. The cable's other end will plug into the CD changer port on the back of the car stereo, with no FM modulation. The BMW offers a similar car kit, for about $149 plus $150 installation, at their local dealership. This can be found at their website.

There are a few other options for playing your MP3 player in your car. First, if the car is old enough to still have a cassette player, then we have the best option right there. In almost every retail store that sells electronics goods, there will be a cassette adapter. The adapter plugs into the player and a mock cassette goes into the player, giving a great sound and music selection received from the digital audio player.

Next, a person could go with an FM transmitter that wirelessly plays the MP3 player through a local FM station. There are a few very important things to remember when considering an FM transmitter. Most FM transmitters transmit the signal through a few specific frequencies. The less expensive ones deal exclusively with the 88 to 89 frequencies. If there is a major station in a local area on one of these frequencies, another transmitter should be considered as the signal will no doubt have interference. Other transmitters offer the freedom to choose what frequency is the clearest. Another option would be to go the route of having a factory radio adapter installed, using the audio to its fullest extent. These adaptors tend to be much more expensive and could require some installation that may need to be done professionally. They can be found at most of the major electronics retail outlets, but they may need to be ordered online, where they are more readily available.

Check out http://www.mp3playertop.com/ for more articles on philips mp3 player and apple ipod accessories.

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Stereo Systems

Stereo systems are electronic devices designed to reproduce high quality sound on speakers. Stereo systems can be as small as a personal CD player, or as large as a night club system. Nowadays, using a stereo system is the latest to amplify your taste in music quality, as well as jazz up the aura of your domicile. However, before deciding to buy a stereo, it is recommended that you give consideration to the specific things that you want.

Stereo systems offer an all-in-one music package composed of stereo speakers, CD player, equalizer, amplifier and a receiver. Picking out the type of system you desire depends solely on your preference and on the type of room where it will be stationed.

Generally, there are three aspects you need to consider when shopping for stereo systems: the sound capturing quality, appearance and affordability. The size and appearance of the stereo is important, because its appearance can greatly affect overall sound quality. Affordability is another factor that you should take into account. Most quality systems are expensive, so you need to take the time to make sure that you are buying the right system to fully enjoy the money you risked.

Furthermore, reading reviews posted in audio magazines and on the Internet will be very helpful in choosing the best stereo systems. You can compare the prices of the stereos available. You can also go to a consumer electronics warehouse, if you are looking for a bargain. However, if you need a high-end stereo then you should visit any specialty audio shops.

Stereos provides detailed information on Stereos, Car Stereos, Stereo Speakers, Stereo Systems and more. Stereos is affiliated with Digital Video Recorders. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Marlborough

Planning a Car Audio System Installation

With such a wide range of components and gadget on the market for car audio systems, the big question is "Where do I start?"

First you must decide what exactly you wish to do. If you are wanting to build a car audio system for a daily driver (the car you drive back and forth to work) with good sounds, but you are not interested in competing, a system can easily be put together for under $1000. However, if you are looking for the all-out bass monster, be prepared to drop in some big bucks into your system.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when building a car audio system is planning. Get an idea of where you are going to place components, subwoofers, amplifiers, and power distribution. A lot of headache can be avoided with the proper planning!!

For the basic system, lets look at some of the components needed.

Let's first start with the head unit (CD player). Obviously you are going to want a nice head unit. If you start with a good quality cd player, and choose to upgrade your sound system in the future, purchase a head unit that will grow with you. Some of the features you may want to keep in mind are:

1. CD changer controls

2. XM / Sirius controls (if you decide to add Satellite radio in the future)

3. Dual RCA outputs (carries signal to the amplifiers)

4. Pause button (important for competing)

5. Detachable face, or other security devices

6. High voltage line driver - this will send the sound signal at a higher voltage to your amplifier/s reducing noise and improving overall sound quality.

After you have chosen your head unit, you will want to make a decision on amplifiers and subwoofers. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for. A $30 subwoofer will be as big as a $300 subwoofer, but the capacities of each will differ greatly. Look at the power handling of each subwoofer and decide accordingly. You will want subwoofers will work with your amplifier/s (see compatibility).

You must also keep in mind the available space in your vehicle. Are you willing to give up your entire cargo area? How many subwoofers will fit? Decide on the size. Sizes will vary from 8" up to 18", some are square (Kicker), but most are round. Also keep in mind the resistance (ohms) of the subwoofer and make sure they are compatible with your amplifier/s (see compatibility). The subwoofer decision will also have an effect on the enclosure you decide to build or buy. For the basic system, I would recommend purchasing a pre-fabricated subwoofer enclosure. This will save you a bit of money and headache (especially if you end up building it two or three times!!). Make sure you take accurate measurement of your cargo area before building or buying an enclosure!!

Other components may be needed depending on the type of system you are building and how elaborate you want your sound to be. For the competition vehicle, figure on upgrading your alternator, adding a battery to your system (maybe more), running high quality RCA cables, power cables, ground cables, and speaker cable. You may need to add a capacitor to provide your amplifier with a reservoir of power for bigger hits from the subs. You may need an electronic crossover, an equalizer, replacement factory speakers, an amplifier for your mid-range and tweeters, additional speakers within your vehicle for staging, etc.

For the next step, visit us online at www.maximumspl.com Warning: This is an addictive hobby!!

I have been involved in the car audio arena for several years, and have competed locally in the Kansas City are with USACi. You may find me online at http://www.maximumspl.com.

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Car CD Player -- What To Look For

Car audio cd players are on the rock. To get the best in the world of music and sound, you need to have a cd player. There are many manufacturers of car audio cd players. They are . . .

• Kenwood

• Pioneer

• Goodmans

• Sony

• Boss

Most decent CD players have a detachable faceplate. I will not recommend buying one that does not have this (They are usually the lowest models offered by any company). The last major item to consider is whether the unit will fit in your dash.

Look for a control layout that you are comfortable with. Generally a simple layout is better for finding buttons quickly. A crowded and busy display looks great in the showroom but can be confusing and dangerous when driving at highway speeds. Beyond these basics, you need only worry about which features you wish to have to in your cd player.

Since the head unit is the most noticeable part of your system, most CD player manufacturers have designed several ways for you to express yourself in the dash. Many receivers or players feature motorized and fully detachable drop-down front panels. They also come with wireless remote controls, front and rear RCA outputs and a dedicated sub woofer output as well.

Features that are usual in a CD player . . .

1. ISO DIN mounting.

2. Multicolor vacuum fluorescent display

3. Fully detachable front panel motorized, slide-down, for easy access.

4. PLL synthesized tuner

5. Station presets

6. Illuminated control buttons

7. Quartz digital clock for you

8. CD changer controls

9. CD Mute and track repeat

10. CD-R and CD-RW compatibility

11. Subwoofer output

12. Anti-skip mechanism

13. Balance and fader controls

14. Dual RCA outputs with loudness control

There are more. You can look around if you need other features. Car audio product manufacturers are going overboard these days. Who knows, you may even find one that allows you to read your emails.

Chimezirim Odimba writes for CarAudioPlus.

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