For many of us it was not so long ago that recorded music existed solely on the tracks of a vinyl album. Aside from randomly hearing them on the radio, our favorite songs could only be heard with the aid of a record player. But technology changed at the speed of light and before we could blink we had 8-track tapes, cassette tapes, and then CDs. As consumers, we all assumed that CDs would be the final frontier in playing recorded music – at least for a little while. But as soon as we began purchasing our favorite CDs, there was already new technology on the market. Today, playing our favorite music is all about the MP3 player, stunning technology that allows us to store and play literally thousands of songs on a piece of equipment often no bigger than a pack of gum.
The MP3 player technology was developed initially in the mid-1980s but the portable MP3 player that we have come to know would not reach the marketplace until the end of the 1990s. Now, such technology is standard equipment for those who love music.
In essence, an MP3 player possesses technology that can compress audio files into such a size that they can be stored in a very small physical space. Additionally, such technology achieves this compression without sacrificing the quality of the audio. Depending upon the size of the MP3 player, consumers can sometimes fit thousands of songs into their unit. Further, because of its size, the MP3 player is a portable commodity; it can be taken anywhere and fits in everything from a shirt pocket to a handbag.
There are a number of ways to transfer music on the MP3 player. First, you can take any CDs that you own and upload the music onto your computer, after which you download them back again onto your MP3 player. Clearly, carrying an MP3 player is much more convenient that carrying a bunch of CDs around. Secondly, you can purchase songs through online resources and then download them into your MP3 player.
Once you have all of your favorite songs captured on your MP3 player you are ready to take it anywhere. Adapters allow you to use such technology in your car – simply plugging the MP3 player into the CD player; the music on your player will then play through the speakers in your car. Headphones allow you to listen to your MP3 player anywhere – from the gym to the office without anyone else hearing. Further, portable speakers allow you to play the songs on your MP3 player in a variety of different places – from your home to a party or event.
A MP3 player is truly portable technology; the newest of its kind. As the ability to play music changes we will likely see even further variations on the MP3 player. But, for now, it’s the latest and greatest in terms of playing music.
For easy to understand, in depth information about MP3 player visit our ezGuide 2 MP3 Players.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michelle_Bery
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
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!!
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:
For the basic system, lets look at some of the components needed.
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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Reece
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!!
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:
For the basic system, lets look at some of the components needed.
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.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Will_Reece
CD Storage Cabinets
CD storage cabinets are the perfect means to accommodate a growing CD collection. CD storage cabinets assure maximum protection for a CD collection from moisture and scratches and are ideal for long-term storage. CD storage cabinets can be mounted on a table, near the CD player, or can be clamped on the wall.
CD Storage cabinets come in various sizes and designs and are an excellent combination of form and function. Contributing to the ambience of a room, CD storage cabinets are ideal accessories for a home theatre system. Some of these cabinets have separate racks to store the CDs, which offer a suitable storage and retrieval option. For quick access, some more expensive models have push buttons with automatic drawers.
Attractive CD storage cabinets, made of metal, glass or a combination of the two, metallic laminates, and rich wood finishes that compliment any decor are available. Manufacturers compete with each other to make new and innovative models that meet the growing media storage requirement. CD storage cabinets come in portable, medium, and large sizes. Some of the more popular cabinets include genuine hardwood modular and swivel CD/DVD storage racks, with modular design that offers maximum utility for multi-media storage needs. CD storage cabinets also come in the form of stackable drawer types, which can be easily stacked on top of each other so that the cabinet can grow as the CD collection does.
Manufacturers offer various discounts and free shipping service to meet the growing competition in the field. CD storage cabinets can also be custom made, according to individual taste. The advantage of custom made cabinets is that inexpensive materials can be used, at the same time maintaining a characteristic refined look.
Storage Cabinets provides detailed information on Storage Cabinets, Garage Storage Cabinets, CD Storage Cabinets, DVD Storage Cabinets and more. Storage Cabinets is affiliated with Storage Shed Plans.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Morris
CD Storage cabinets come in various sizes and designs and are an excellent combination of form and function. Contributing to the ambience of a room, CD storage cabinets are ideal accessories for a home theatre system. Some of these cabinets have separate racks to store the CDs, which offer a suitable storage and retrieval option. For quick access, some more expensive models have push buttons with automatic drawers.
Attractive CD storage cabinets, made of metal, glass or a combination of the two, metallic laminates, and rich wood finishes that compliment any decor are available. Manufacturers compete with each other to make new and innovative models that meet the growing media storage requirement. CD storage cabinets come in portable, medium, and large sizes. Some of the more popular cabinets include genuine hardwood modular and swivel CD/DVD storage racks, with modular design that offers maximum utility for multi-media storage needs. CD storage cabinets also come in the form of stackable drawer types, which can be easily stacked on top of each other so that the cabinet can grow as the CD collection does.
Manufacturers offer various discounts and free shipping service to meet the growing competition in the field. CD storage cabinets can also be custom made, according to individual taste. The advantage of custom made cabinets is that inexpensive materials can be used, at the same time maintaining a characteristic refined look.
Storage Cabinets provides detailed information on Storage Cabinets, Garage Storage Cabinets, CD Storage Cabinets, DVD Storage Cabinets and more. Storage Cabinets is affiliated with Storage Shed Plans.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Eric_Morris
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.
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Buy-An-MP3-Player&id=34347
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.
http://ezinearticles.com/?How-To-Buy-An-MP3-Player&id=34347
8-Car DVD Kit Player Portable Toshiba
Hi! Are you thinking about getting an 8-car DVD Kit Player Portable by Toshiba? Well, then you might want to know a little about it. It has an 8-inch LCD display, it comes with DivX built inside, and it can handle both WMA and MP3. You might also notice the on-screen menus that come in multi-languages, with a remote control for ease of use for the menu and extreme comfort. The battery itself lasts for 4 hours and has two headphone jacks.
The features of the 8-car DVD Kit Player Portable Toshiba help to make this a wonderful buy with 8" Widescreen, TFT LCD Display with 480x234 Pixel Resolution, Invert Display Mode so you can put it upside down if you need to. There is also Audio/Video Input and Output Jacks, 4-In-1 Card Slot, which means you, can use Secure Digital, Memory Stick, XD, and Multimedia Card.
The Specifications are as follows 8" Widescreen LCD display, 480x234 resolution, DivX home theater, Video D/A 14-Bit/108MHz, Plays DVD-Video/DVD-R/CD/CD-R/CD-RW/VCD, it has a JPEG viewer, Fast Scan and Slow Motion, Multi-Camera Angle, Multi-Language, Multi-Subtitle Select, Digital picture zoom and Invert play mode, Audio D/A 24-bit/192kHz, Dolby Digital/DTS Compatible, WMA and MP3 playback 3-D virtual surround sound with internal speakers, 2 headphone output jacks, Audio/video in and out, Parental lock, Multi-language on-screen menus, Up to 4-hour battery with car adapter, 4-in-1 card slot, Product Dimensions (WHD) 9.06” x 1.25” x 6.10”, and it is only a little more than one pound in weight.
The 8-car DVD Kit Player Portable Toshiba comes with the DVD player, Li-ion battery, a Remote control, an AC adapter, a Composite audio-video cable, a Car lighter adapter, 2 sets of stereo headphones, and a Car mountable Carry case and strap for the case.
When you go looking for a great gift for either yourself or a friend you might want to look at the 8-car DVD Kit Player Portable Toshiba.
Alberto Martinez is a successful affiliate marketer who regularly makes a healthy living from the Internet. Did you find those tips on "8 car dvd kit player portable toshiba" helpful? You can learn a lot more about 8 car dvd kit player portable toshiba at My Blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alberto_Martinez_Miller
The features of the 8-car DVD Kit Player Portable Toshiba help to make this a wonderful buy with 8" Widescreen, TFT LCD Display with 480x234 Pixel Resolution, Invert Display Mode so you can put it upside down if you need to. There is also Audio/Video Input and Output Jacks, 4-In-1 Card Slot, which means you, can use Secure Digital, Memory Stick, XD, and Multimedia Card.
The Specifications are as follows 8" Widescreen LCD display, 480x234 resolution, DivX home theater, Video D/A 14-Bit/108MHz, Plays DVD-Video/DVD-R/CD/CD-R/CD-RW/VCD, it has a JPEG viewer, Fast Scan and Slow Motion, Multi-Camera Angle, Multi-Language, Multi-Subtitle Select, Digital picture zoom and Invert play mode, Audio D/A 24-bit/192kHz, Dolby Digital/DTS Compatible, WMA and MP3 playback 3-D virtual surround sound with internal speakers, 2 headphone output jacks, Audio/video in and out, Parental lock, Multi-language on-screen menus, Up to 4-hour battery with car adapter, 4-in-1 card slot, Product Dimensions (WHD) 9.06” x 1.25” x 6.10”, and it is only a little more than one pound in weight.
The 8-car DVD Kit Player Portable Toshiba comes with the DVD player, Li-ion battery, a Remote control, an AC adapter, a Composite audio-video cable, a Car lighter adapter, 2 sets of stereo headphones, and a Car mountable Carry case and strap for the case.
When you go looking for a great gift for either yourself or a friend you might want to look at the 8-car DVD Kit Player Portable Toshiba.
Alberto Martinez is a successful affiliate marketer who regularly makes a healthy living from the Internet. Did you find those tips on "8 car dvd kit player portable toshiba" helpful? You can learn a lot more about 8 car dvd kit player portable toshiba at My Blog
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alberto_Martinez_Miller
Audio Books CD- Between Cassettes and Downloads
Digital media has helped to make the audio books CD industry a successful venture for many companies. Many people prefer audio libraries composed of music books CD products rather than cassettes because they are more durable and they take up less space. Even though the internet is making digital downloads the most popular form of audio books, CD audio books offer permanence in the aspect that a CD music book is a hard copy.
Other than MP3 downloads of your favorite audio books, CD format is the next best thing. If you are a frequent traveler, you can take an entire music book on CD with you without taking up a lot of space. A CD audio book is also ideal if you want to loan your favorite book to a friend so they can listen to it.
Often, the MP3 files of audio books have copyright protection on them so you can only play them from your computer or personal media device. With an audio book on CD, you do not have to worry about this aspect.
Having your favorite music books CD is ideal because of the convenience in terms of listening to a book whenever you want. You can just pop it into your CD player and let it play in the background while you do what you need to do.
A CD audio book is also great for those long morning commutes. Since most cars do not yet have MP3 capability, an audio book CD provides the next best thing.
One of the best things about music books CD files is that you have an actual hard copy of your audio book to build your library. Often, MP3 players get lost or digital files get wiped out due to viruses or other computer problems.
Having your favorite audio books backed up on CD will prevent you from losing your entire collection due to these types of problems. Although a large music book CD collection will take up a lot of space, it is still a better format to prevent losing all of the time and money you have invested in building your audio books CD library.
Digital media formatting is quickly making the hard copy format of many products obsolete. The audio books CD industry is no exception. Many people are storing their entire music book library on their hard drives or portable media players.
The problem with this, is that they do not have backup copies prepared in case of a virus or computer crash. To prevent the loss of your data, you can order audio books CD files or cassettes. They might take up some space in your home, but it is well worth it in light of the potential time and money spent trying to replace an entire library.
If you are still stuck on the audio book cassette tape format, a completely new world awaits you. The music books CD industry has revolutionized the way people enjoy audio books, but even this medium is becoming obsolete as it is consistently losing ground to the digital format.
An audio book CD does provide conveniences that digital copies can not guarantee, but it also takes up valuable storage space.
Mike Selvon is the owner of various niche portals. Our audio books portal is a great resource for more information on audio books cd. While you are there don't forget to claim your free gift.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Selvon
Other than MP3 downloads of your favorite audio books, CD format is the next best thing. If you are a frequent traveler, you can take an entire music book on CD with you without taking up a lot of space. A CD audio book is also ideal if you want to loan your favorite book to a friend so they can listen to it.
Often, the MP3 files of audio books have copyright protection on them so you can only play them from your computer or personal media device. With an audio book on CD, you do not have to worry about this aspect.
Having your favorite music books CD is ideal because of the convenience in terms of listening to a book whenever you want. You can just pop it into your CD player and let it play in the background while you do what you need to do.
A CD audio book is also great for those long morning commutes. Since most cars do not yet have MP3 capability, an audio book CD provides the next best thing.
One of the best things about music books CD files is that you have an actual hard copy of your audio book to build your library. Often, MP3 players get lost or digital files get wiped out due to viruses or other computer problems.
Having your favorite audio books backed up on CD will prevent you from losing your entire collection due to these types of problems. Although a large music book CD collection will take up a lot of space, it is still a better format to prevent losing all of the time and money you have invested in building your audio books CD library.
Digital media formatting is quickly making the hard copy format of many products obsolete. The audio books CD industry is no exception. Many people are storing their entire music book library on their hard drives or portable media players.
The problem with this, is that they do not have backup copies prepared in case of a virus or computer crash. To prevent the loss of your data, you can order audio books CD files or cassettes. They might take up some space in your home, but it is well worth it in light of the potential time and money spent trying to replace an entire library.
If you are still stuck on the audio book cassette tape format, a completely new world awaits you. The music books CD industry has revolutionized the way people enjoy audio books, but even this medium is becoming obsolete as it is consistently losing ground to the digital format.
An audio book CD does provide conveniences that digital copies can not guarantee, but it also takes up valuable storage space.
Mike Selvon is the owner of various niche portals. Our audio books portal is a great resource for more information on audio books cd. While you are there don't forget to claim your free gift.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Selvon
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.
Free Movies provides detailed information about free movies, free anime movies, free movie clips, and more. Free Movies is affiliated with Free Movie Downloads.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Marlborough
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.
Free Movies provides detailed information about free movies, free anime movies, free movie clips, and more. Free Movies is affiliated with Free Movie Downloads.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ken_Marlborough
How To . . . Customize CD Player
If you own a multimedia-equipped PC (one with a sound card and a CD-ROM drive) then you probably know you can slip a favorite audio CD into the computer's CD drive and listen to your favorite tunes while tap-tap-tapping away at your keyboard.But did you know you can customize the CD Player to play your favorite songs from your favorite recordings in the order you prefer? In fact, you can probably configure the Windows 95 (Win95) CD Player more easily than your home stereo.
Disabling Autoplay.
First of all, you may not want a CD to start playing as soon as you pop it in. You can change this either by disabling Autoplay temporarily or by resetting the default.
To temporarily disable Autoplay, just press the SHIFT key when you insert a CD.
To reset the default takes a bit more trouble, but not much.
1. Start by double left-clicking the My Computer icon.
2. On the Explorer's View menu, left-click Options, then select the File Types tab.
3. Scroll down to the AudioCD file type, select it, then left-click Edit.
4. In the Actions list, left-click Play, then Set Default. This operation is like turning a toggle switch off. To toggle it back on and return to Autoplay, simply follow the above steps again.
To play CDs with Autoplay off, open the CD Player accessory and click the Play arrow.
Creating A Play List.
Probably the best way to customize the CD Player is to create play lists, which are lists of tracks on a CD. To follow along, open up the CD Player. From the Start menu, select Programs, Accessories, then Multimedia. Then left-click the CD Player.
Next, slide an audio CD into your computer's CD-ROM drive.
Under the Disc menu, select Edit Play List from the window called Disc Settings. (Or you can left-click the paper and pencil icon.) At the top are fields for entering the Artist and Title of the recording. Type in that information.
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Naming tracks. To name the first song on the disc, highlight Track 1. In the Track 01 field below, type the title of the song, then left-click Set Name. The song name will appear on both lists. Name all the tracks on your CD.
Removing tracks. The CD Player will play the songs just as they appear in the Play List, which at this point is in its regular order. But what if you don't like a certain track? Highlight it in the Play List, then left-click Remove. Now you won't have to hear that annoying tune. (You won't delete the song from the disc, just from the Play List.)
Reordering tracks. If you want to completely reorder the songs, press the Clear All button. Then from the Available Tracks list, highlight the song you want to hear first and drag it over to the Play List. (You also can move a track by double left-clicking or by highlighting it and pressing the Add button.) If you want to hear a song more than once, you can add it as many times as you want. Fill out your Play List to your heart's content. When you're satisfied with your mix, left-click OK. You now have a customized CD. The Win95 CD Player will remember this disc, too. Next time you pop it in the drive, it will play the tunes in the order you've specified.
Spinning Options.
Even if you don't set up a custom Play List, you can still hear songs play in varied sequence. Go to the Options menu and select Random Order. If you want a CD to play through several times, go to the Options menu and select Contin-uous Play. Or perhaps you're looking for a particular song. The Intro Play feature in the Options menu lets you skip through songs until you find the one you want. (Be sure to deselect Intro Play when you're ready for serious listening.)
Playing Preferences.
Also under the Options menu, the Preferences dialog box contains some straightforward console settings. If you check Stop CD Playing On Exit, the CD currently playing will quit when you close the CD Player window; otherwise, the CD will continue to play. The Preferences dialog box also lets you choose whether to save your settings upon exit and whether to show the Win95 tool tips. You also can set the play length for Intro Play and choose large or small fonts to display CD play times.
Now you can tap your foot while you type away at your PC!
http://www.smartcomputing.com/Editorial/article.asp?article=articles/archive/l0401/95t24/95t24.asp&guid=
CD Player Finds New Use as Molecular Detective
Scientists are using CD players to do a lot more than just play the latest top-40 hits. A paper published online this week by the journal Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry describes a method of using the machines to detect molecules in solution by monitoring their interactions with a modified CD. The researchers hope the innovation will lead to less expensive medical diagnostic tests.
Many laboratory tests rely on laser light to detect molecules. Recognizing that CD players also utilize laser light to read information, James J. La Clair and Michael D. Burkart of the University of California at San Diego decided to take advantage of this relatively inexpensive set up. They first developed a procedure to attach specific molecules to the face of a CD. These molecules are chosen based on their ability to react with compounds of interest in samples being tested. After the altered CD reacts with the sample solution, it is placed in the player. The presence of extra molecules attached to the disc introduces errors into the readout of the data. Comparing how the modified CD plays before and after interacting with the sample can reveal the presence or absence of the target molecules. "That¿s the novelty of this," Burkart says. "We are actually using the error to get our effect."
Although the technique holds promise for medical testing, it cannot yet quantify the amount of a particular molecule in a sample. Instead, Burkart hopes to utilize it as a screening method in his chemistry lab, because compared to a $100,000 protein chip reader, a CD player is a bargain. Plus, La Clair notes, "how many people on this planet can actually hear a molecule attached to another molecule?"
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=000D7281-8843-1F42-B0B980A841890000&chanID=sa003
Many laboratory tests rely on laser light to detect molecules. Recognizing that CD players also utilize laser light to read information, James J. La Clair and Michael D. Burkart of the University of California at San Diego decided to take advantage of this relatively inexpensive set up. They first developed a procedure to attach specific molecules to the face of a CD. These molecules are chosen based on their ability to react with compounds of interest in samples being tested. After the altered CD reacts with the sample solution, it is placed in the player. The presence of extra molecules attached to the disc introduces errors into the readout of the data. Comparing how the modified CD plays before and after interacting with the sample can reveal the presence or absence of the target molecules. "That¿s the novelty of this," Burkart says. "We are actually using the error to get our effect."
Although the technique holds promise for medical testing, it cannot yet quantify the amount of a particular molecule in a sample. Instead, Burkart hopes to utilize it as a screening method in his chemistry lab, because compared to a $100,000 protein chip reader, a CD player is a bargain. Plus, La Clair notes, "how many people on this planet can actually hear a molecule attached to another molecule?"
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?articleID=000D7281-8843-1F42-B0B980A841890000&chanID=sa003
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