Start To Download Audio Books - Why Have They Become So Popular

Sure, we have heard of audio books, but how much do we really know about them? They have been around for a very long time, whether we have used them or not. However, it seems only lately, thanks to the MP3 player and the busy lives we lead that they have seen a surge in popularity.

Today, your questions are answered. Everything you have ever wanted to know about how to download audio books and get the most from them is right here. We have compiled this FAQ based on the most asked questions.

What are audio books?

To put it simply, an audio book is any book in the form of book that you listen to, in which the words are spoken and heard, instead of printed and read. To listen to these books you would need a listening device such as a portable CD player, MP3 Players, or tape player.

What types of books come in audio format?

You can find a wide variety of books in audio format, including for example all Harry Potter books. The formats in which the books are released are entirely up to the author and their team. Many are unabridged audio books, while some are specially abridged versions for listening. Some other types of books you might find include the newest novels, best sellers, self-help books, business books, and even the Bible. Learn a foreign language, improve your health or listen to a radio or TV show. There are so many categories from which to choose.

In which formats can I find audio books?

All audio books come in several different formats, which allow you to cater to your own needs. For those with cassette players, you can purchase books in cassette audio form, which is the second most popular form of books today. However, the most popular and easy way is to download audio books in MP3 format for your MP3 player. Lastly, you can find these books in CD format as well for use on CD players.

Where can I find audio books?

You can find books in audio format at a variety of different stores and shops. The internet has become the best source as of late. The internet allows you to simply download audio books and transfer them to the listening device of your choice. This is the cheapest way to obtain them. Bookstores often offer an entire section devoted specifically to audio books as well.

Who should use an audio book?

Anyone who is on the go and wants the benefit of a book should use an audio book. For example, when you download audio books, professionals and business owners can take advantage of learning new skills and information while on the way to meetings, getting their exercise, eating lunch, or really during any activity. Audio books are perfect for those who simply do not have the time needed to devote to sitting down and reading a book page by page. Homemakers, children, teenagers, athletes, and so many other people make use of books in audio format on a daily basis.

Audio books are providing a great opportunity for people to gain new skills and information, or to just relax without the extra time and effort needed to read a book from cover to cover. Join the audio book rush!

Helen Wall is the author of this article. Visit http://www.AudioBooksBonanza.com to download audio books from an extensive range of titles from top publishers. Join the free newsletter now and get to know about the latest hot off the press titles, receive time limited special offers and discounts.

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

Pioneer Car CD Players Reviewed - DEH-P3800MP

Pioneer is one of the most recognized brands in the car audio industry. They make car cd players, subwoofers, and amplifiers. The Pioneer car CD player DEH-P3800MP is an entry level car cd player manufactered with the casual car audio enthusiast in mind. Being moderately priced this Pioneer car CD player is a great buy.

The DEH-P3800MP comes with several features that make it a great deal as they can be had anywhere from $90 to $130. These features are MP3/WMA support, XM or Sirius satellite radio capability, and a large 16 character display. Lets go into to futher detail about each of these awesome features.

• 1) MP3/WMA support - This Pioneer car CD player has the capability to support CD-R discs burned with MP3's or WMA's. A 700 megabyte CD-R can hold up to 10 full MP3 albums or nearly 20 WMA albums. This feature is great for those of us who have a large collection of music on our computers.
• 2) XM or Sirius satellite radio - The Pioneer car CD player DEH-P3800MP is manufactured with support for these two formats of satellite radio. This means if you already subscribe to either one of these services than you do not have to purchase another radio receiver. Satellite radio is the "next big thing" in the media industry, with thousands of stations, high definition sound playback, and limited commercial interruption. This feature in and of itself makes this Pioneer car CD player a great buy.
• 3) 16 Character Display - This Pioneer car CD player supports ID-3 tags, which allow you to burn the artist name, album name, and track names, onto the disc itself. The large 16 character display allows you to see this information right on your car CD player. You will also be able to see the FM radio stations frequency and station name with this technology.

All and all the DEH-3800MP Pioneer car CD player is an awesome buy. I would highly recommend this product to anyone looking to upgrade their stock car CD player.

The author Garland Robinson is a serious car audio enthusiast. He has installed systems in multiple cars and attended sound competitions and car shows.

His extreme passion for this hobby has driven him to create a website based solely on car audio.

Check it out @ http://www.onlinecaraudio.info

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

Consumer Reports - Receivers

The receiver is the brain of an audio/video system. It provides AM and FM tuners, amplifiers, surround sound, and switching capabilities. It’s also the heart of the setup--most of the devices in a home-entertainment system connect to it, including audio components such as speakers, a CD player, cassette deck, and turntable, as well as video sources such as a TV, DVD player, VCR, and cable and satellite boxes. Even as receivers take on a bigger role in home entertainment, they’re losing some audio-related features that were common years back, such as tape monitors and phono inputs. Manufacturers say they must eliminate those less-used features to make room for others.

WHAT'S AVAILABLE

Sony is by far the biggest-selling brand. Other top-selling brands include Denon, JVC, Kenwood, Onkyo, Panasonic, Pioneer, RCA, and Yamaha. Most models now are digital, designed for the six-channel surround-sound formats encoded in most DVDs and some TV fare, such as high-definition (HD) programming. Here are the types you’ll see, from least to most expensive:

Stereo. Basic receivers accept the analog stereo signals from a tape deck, CD player, or turntable. They provide two channels that power a pair of stereo speakers. For a simple music setup, add a DVD or CD player to play CDs, or a cassette deck for tapes. For rudimentary home theater, add a TV and DVD player or VCR. Power typically runs 50 to 100 watts per channel.

Price range: $125 to $250.

Dolby Pro Logic. Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II, and Pro Logic IIx are the analog home-theater surround-sound standard. Receivers that support it can take a Dolby-encoded two-channel stereo source from your TV, DVD player, or hi-fi VCR and output them to four to six speakers--three in front, and one to three in back. Power for Dolby Pro Logic models is typically 60 to 150 watts per channel.

Price range: $150 to $300 or more.

Dolby Digital. Currently the prevailing digital surround-sound standard, a Dolby Digital 5.1 receiver has a built-in decoder for six-channel audio capability--front left and right, front center, two rear with discrete wide-band signals, and a powered subwoofer for low-frequency, or bass, effects (that’s where the “.1” comes in). Dolby Digital is the sound format for most DVDs, HDTV, digital cable TV, and some satellite-TV broadcast systems. Newer versions of Dolby Digital, 6.1 and 7.1, add one or two back surround channels for a total of seven-channel and eight-channel sound, respectively. To take advantage of true surround-sound capability, you’ll need speakers that do a good job of reproducing full-spectrum sound. Receivers with digital decoding capability can also accept a signal that has been digitized, or sampled, at a given rate per second and converted to digital form. Dolby Digital is backward-compatible and supports earlier versions of Dolby such as Pro Logic. Power for Dolby Digital receivers is typically 75 to 150 watts per channel.

Price range: $200 to $500 or more.

DTS. A rival to Dolby Digital 5.1, Digital Theater Systems also offers six channels. It’s a less common form of digital surround sound that is used in some movie tracks. Both DTS and Dolby Digital are often found on the same receivers. Power for DTS models is typically 75 to 150 watts per channel.

Price range: $200 to $500 or more.

THX-certified. The high-end receivers that meet this quality standard include full support for Dolby Pro Logic, Dolby Digital, and DTS. THX Select is the standard for components designed for small and average-sized rooms; THX Ultra is for larger rooms. Power for THX models is typically 100 to 170 watts per channel.

Price range: $500 to $2,500 and up.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

Controls should be easy to use. Look for a front panel with displays and controls clearly labeled and grouped by function. Onscreen display lets you control the receiver via a TV screen, a squint-free alternative to using the receiver’s tiny LED or LCD display. Switched AC outlets (expect one or two) let you plug in other components and turn the whole system on and off with one button.

Remote controls are most useful when they have clear labels and buttons that light up for use in dim rooms. It’s best if the buttons have different shapes and are color-coded and grouped by function--a goal seldom achieved in receiver remotes. A learning remote can receive programming data for other devices via their remotes’ infrared signal; on some remotes, the necessary codes for other manufacturers’ devices are built-in.

Input/output jacks matter more on a receiver than on any other component of your home theater. Clear labeling, color-coding, and logical groupings of the many jacks on the rear panel can help avert glitches during setup such as reversed speaker polarities and mixed-up inputs and outputs. Input jacks situated on the front panel make for easy connections to camcorders, video games, MP3 players, digital cameras, MiniDisc players, and PDAs.

A stereo receiver will give you a few audio inputs and no video jacks. Digital-ready receivers with Dolby Pro Logic will have several types of video inputs, including composite and S-video and sometimes component-video. S-video and component-video jacks allow you to route signals from DVD players and other high-quality video sources through the receiver to the TV. Digital-ready receivers also have analog 5.1 audio inputs. These accept input from a DVD player with its own built-in Dolby Digital decoder, an outboard decoder, or other components with multichannel analog signals, such as a DVD-Audio or SACD player. This enables the receiver to convey up to six channels of sound or music to your speakers. Dolby Digital and DTS receivers have the most complete array of audio and video inputs, often with several of a given type to accommodate multiple components.

Tone controls adjust bass and treble, allowing you to correct room acoustics and satisfy your personal preferences. A graphic equalizer breaks the sound spectrum into three or more sections, giving you slightly more control over the full audio spectrum. Instead of tone controls, some receivers come with tone presets such as Jazz, Classical, or Rock, each accentuating a different frequency pattern; often you can craft your own styles.

DSP (digital signal processor) modes use a computer chip to duplicate the sound characteristics of a concert hall and other listening environments. A bass-boost switch amplifies the deepest sounds, and midnight mode reduces loud sounds and amplifies quiet ones in music or soundtracks.

Sometimes called “one touch,” a settings memory lets you store settings for each source to minimize differences in volume, tone, and other settings when switching between sources. A similar feature, loudness memory, is limited to volume settings alone.

Tape monitor lets you either listen to one source as you record a second on a tape deck or listen to the recording as it’s being made. Automatic radio tuning includes such features as seek (automatic searching for the next in-range station) and 20 to 40 presets to call up your favorite stations.

To catch stations too weak for the seek mode, most receivers also have a manual stepping knob or buttons, best in one-channel increments. But most models creep in half- or quarter-steps, meaning unnecessary button tapping to find the frequency you want. Direct tuning of frequencies lets you tune a radio station by entering its frequency on a keypad.

HOW TO CHOOSE

First, don’t assume that pricey brands outperform less costly ones. We’ve found fine performers at all prices. Points to consider:

How many devices do you want to connect? Even low-end receivers generally have enough video and audio inputs for a CD or DVD player, a VCR, and a cable box or satellite receiver. Mid- and high-priced models usually have more inputs, so you can connect additional devices, such as a camcorder, a personal video recorder, or a game system.

The number of inputs isn’t the only issue; the type also matters. Composite-video inputs, the most basic type, can be used with everything from an older VCR to a new DVD player. S-video and component-video inputs are used mostly by digital devices such as DVD players and satellite receivers. If you have such digital devices or may add them, get a receiver with a few S-video and/or component-video inputs. Both can provide better video quality than composite-video.

All these video inputs require a companion audio input. The basic left/right audio inputs can be used with almost any device to provide stereo sound. A turntable requires a phono input, which is available on fewer models than in years past.

To get multichannel sound from DVD players, digital-cable boxes, and satellite receivers, you generally use a digital-audio input. With this input, encoded multichannel sound is relayed on one cable to the receiver, which decodes it into separate channels. The input on the receiver must be the same type--either optical, the more common type, or coaxial--as the output on the other device. You usually must buy cables, about $10 and up, for digital-audio, S-video, and component-video connections.

What kind of sound do you want from movies? All new digital receivers support Dolby Digital and DTS, the surround-sound formats used on most movies. Both provide 5.1 channels. Most receivers also support Dolby Pro Logic, Pro Logic II, and sometimes Pro Logic IIx. If you want the latest type of surround sound, look for a receiver that supports Dolby Digital EX and DTS-ES. These offer 6.1 or 7.1 channels, subtly enhancing the rear surround. Fairly few movies using these formats are available, but offerings should increase.

What kind of music do you like? Any receiver can reproduce stereo from regular CDs. Most models have digital signal processing (DSP) modes that process a CD’s two channels to simulate a sound environment such as a concert hall. DSP modes feed a stereo signal through all the speakers to simulate surround. For multichannel music from SACD or DVD-Audio discs, get a receiver with 5.1 analog inputs.

How big is your room? Make sure a receiver has the oomph to provide adequate volume: at least 50 watts per channel in a typical 12-by-20-foot living room, or 85 watts for a 15-by-25-foot space. A huge room, plush furnishings, or a noisy setting all call for more power.

Is the receiver compatible with your speakers? If you like to blast music for hours on end, get a receiver rated to handle your front speakers’ impedance. Most receivers are rated for 6-ohm and 8-ohm speakers. If used with 4-ohm speakers, such a receiver could overheat and shut down.

Is it easy to use? Most receivers have legible displays and well-labeled function buttons. Some add an onscreen menu, which displays settings on your TV screen. An auto-calibration feature adjusts sound levels and balance to improve the surround effect. Models with a test-tone function for setting speaker levels help you balance the sound yourself.

Two tips: When deciding where to place your receiver, allow 4 inches or so of space behind it for cables and at least 2 inches on top for venting to prevent overheating. If setting up a home theater is more than you want to tackle, consider calling in a professional installer. Retailers often offer an installation service or can refer you to one.

Copyright © 2002-2006 Consumers Union of U.S., Inc.

For the latest information on this and many other products and services, visit http://www.ConsumerReports.org

How Does a CD Player Work

Today there is a wide range of CD players available for the consumer and choosing the right CD player can feel like an arduous task. Style, quality, design och technical solutions vary greatly between the different players. Some players are portable; others are included in larger sound systems. Some players can only handle one disc at the time; others can easily skip between 50 discs or more. Some CD players are very cheap, others are highly expensive. The list goes on and on. Regardless of which CD player you choose it will however consist of three basic parts that are found in all moderns CD players: a drive motor, a tracking device and a laser and lens system. Another thing that all CD players have in common is that they interpret data that has been stored in the form of elongated bumps on a CD (compact disc).

The drive motor in your CD player is the part that makes the disc spin round and round at a correct pace. The drive motor will gradually adjust the speed, since the correct pace depends on which part of the disc that is currently being interpreted. At some spots, the pace will be no higher than 200 rpm, while at other spots the pace needs to be increased up to 500 rpm. As the disc is rotated round and round by the drive motor, the tracking mechanism will adjust the laser assembly and make it possible for the laser and lens system to focus on the miniscule bumps where data has been stored. The laser is constantly being pushed from the centre and outward over the disc by the tracking mechanism.

The data interpreted by the laser and lens system has been stored in the form of elongated bumps on the surface of the CD. One single bump is very small and no wider than 0.5 microns. The height is greater than 125 nanometres and the length is 0.83 microns or slightly more. All these bumps are very neatly organised at the surface of the CD in the form of a 5 kilometre (3.5 miles) long spiral.

The CD itself is made up by several different layers, including a polycarbonate layer and an aluminium layer. When the laser tries to interpret data that has been stored on the CD, it will first penetrate the polycarbonate layer. The aluminium layer will then reflect the laser beam, and the light alterations will be detected by a special optoelectronic mechanism in the CD player. Since the bumps in which data has been stored reflects light in a different way compared to the areas between the bumps (commonly referred to as “lands”), the CD player can determine exactly which parts of the disc that is made up by bumps and which parts that are not.

If a CD is scratched or injured in any other way, it can be impossible for the CD player to interpret it. Sometimes only a minor part of the data will be skipped, but larger damages can render the entire CD useless. Always store your CD’s in a protective casing to decrease the risk of scratches. When you clean your CD’s, carefully move your hand from the centre and outwards to the edge rather than just swabbing around. Scratches that occur from a radial movement tend to be less damaging than other scratches.

The information you just read about CD players can be applied to most types of optic drives and can not only help you pick out a CD player for you home but also other types of optic drives such as car CD players and car DVD players.

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

The iPod Guide for Newbies and Not-so-Newbies

Unless you've been living under a rock you've at least heard the following terms: "iPod", "iPod Nano", "iPod Shuffle", "mp3 player", "iTunes", "podcast", "ripping".

While you may have heard the terms, you may not be 100% clear as to what these terms actually mean. Or, you may have seen people carrying around these small devices with headphones and wondered what exactly they were and what the big deal is.

So what are these devices and why are they so popular? This article is an overview of the mp3 player device, it's evolution, glossary of related terminology and options you have when buying an mp3 player, specifically an iPod.

Specifically, this article covers:

* Glossary of commonly-used terms (what is an iPod, iPod Nano, mp3 player, etc.)
* Comparison of the iPod to other audio-listening devices
* Other major brands of mp3 players on the market
* How can I use an iPod?
* The iPod's Battery and Battery life

Glossary of commonly-used terms (iPod, iPod Nano, mp3 player, etc.)

iPod a brandname of a portable media player that was created by a company called "Apple Computer".

The iPod was first launched in 1991.

The term iPod is also referred to as a digital audio player, which is basically a device that stores, organizes and plays digital music files (ex: mp3 files). It is more commonly referred to as an "MP3 player". The iPod can

The iPod can serve also as an external data storage device (i.e., files other than audio and video) but Apple has made a strategic decision to focus it's development and marketing on the iPod's simple UI (user interface) and ease of use rather than on it's technical capability.

CD players are one of the well-known precursors to digital audio players.

By far, the iPod is the best-selling digital audio player in the world and has gone mainstream which makes it one of the most popular consumer brands. I've seen a wide demographic use these things, from 8-year old kids to 80- year old grandmothers.

Digital Audio Player (DAP)

a name for a device that stores, organizes and plays digital music files (ex: mp3 files). It is more commonly referred to as an "MP3 player".

For the most part, DAPs are portable and use internal or replaceable batteries and headphones. Accessories are available that allow users to connect players to both car and home stereos. Some DAPs include features such as FM radio and microphones for voice recording. This technology continues to evolve at an ever-increasing rate. There are now DAPs that are available on sunglasses (Oakley's "Thump" model offers introduces the world’s first digital audio eyewear for a mere $229).

Portable Media Player (PMP)

a name for a versatile device which can store and play files that are in one or more media formats, such as video, audio and digital images / photos. Some models are capable of video and audio recording.

The best part is that it's portable, as it's name suggests.

mp3

a name for a type of 'audio file'. According to Wikipedia (which is a free online encyclopedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/), it's a digital audio format.

To get more info on this and to view the history of mp3 files, view the full Wikipedia definition by clicking on the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mp3

mp3 player

another way to describe a DAP (see dap for definition).

Ripping

a termed used to describe the process of copying audio and/or video data from one media form, such as DVD (i.e., digital versatile disk) or CD (compact disk), to a hard disk.

Ripping can also refer to copying other media (referred to as "analog" media) such as VHS video or vinyl records to a digital format.

To conserve storage space, the copied data is usually encoded in a compressed format such as MP3, WMA or Ogg Vorbis for audio, or MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, XviD or Ogg Theora for video.

When dealing with digital content, ripping has numerous uses and purposes, which includes:

Because digital camcorders can now write directly to a DVD, you then "rip" (i.e., extract) that content onto a computer where you store it and can edit, duplicate or back it up. You can rip (extract) songs from various CD's, albums, DVD's, etc. to your computer or DAP. You can then take all of that music and create your own playlists where you can organize your songs in many different ways (ex: rock / jazz / hip hop, etc.).

You can also rip those songs onto a DAP (PMP).

You use CD ripping software / programs to rip files from one device to another.

CD Ripping Programs / Software

also referred to as "CD ripper", "CD grabber" or "CD extractor". Basically, CD ripping is a software program that's designed to extract digital audio from a CD to a file or other output.

Examples include:

MS Windows Operating System:

o Exact Audio Copy: Free for private use. Many enthusiasts choose this CD ripping program because of its features and extraction quality in comparison to most other digital audio extraction programs.
o Amazing CD Ripper: (Windows XP and Vista). A powerful and user-friendly software for ripping audio CD tracks and saving them into audio formats (MP3 ,WAV ,WMA, etc. Priced from $19.95 USD.
o iTunes (Mac OS or Windows): iTunes is a digital media player application used to play and organize digital audio (music) and video files. iTunes also manages the content on iPods. In addition, Tunes can connect to Apple Computer's online iTunes Store where you can purchase digital music, music videos, TV shows, iPod games and even feature-length films

Linux Operating System:

o ABCDE (A Better CD Encoder): a CD ripper that's operated entirely from the command line.
o Grip: a cd player and cd ripping program. Free (a GNOME project).
o Sound Juicer: extracts audio from CDs and converts it into audio files that PCs or DAPs can play.

Podcast

a multimedia file that is distributed (paid or unpaid) over the Internet for playback on mobile devices and PC's. Podcasting is a way to listen to or watch radio-like programs or TV-like video feeds. You basically download a podcast feed into a DAP or PC and play it at your convenience.

It's important to repeat that you don't need a DAP to view / listen to a podcast. Your PC will work fine.

Many hours of podcasts can be stored on even low-capacity DAPs.

Flash Memory

a form of non-volatile computer memory that can be electrically erased and re-programmed. Non-volatile memory is computer memory that can retain the stored information even when not powered, like hard disks and floppy disks.

In addition to its use in DAPs, flash memory is also used in digital cameras (memory cards), mobile phones and USB flash drives (which are used for general storage and transfer of data between computers). It has also gained some popularity in the gaming mark

How the iPod (and DAPs in general) compare to other audio-listening devices:

Basically, the iPod is superior to all of the items listed below for the following reasons:

* CDs (Compact Discs):
o CDs can get scratched and skip, mp3 files don't
o mp3 players consume less power
o small size and, therefore, ease of portability - the smallest digital audio player is about 1/20th the size of a portable cd player.
o user interface - with CD's you must know what songs are on each track if trying to select a specific song whereas on some mp3 players you see the song title, artist and even album title on a list.
o higher storage capacity - you can store thousands of audio files on an mp3 player. CD players typically play 1 CD at a time.

* Cassette Tape (anyone still using these??):
o tapes get old and brittle
o tapes can jam in a cassette player

* Radio:
o No static
o Listen to only the songs you want to hear
o No commercials

Major brands of DAPs on the market: Even though the iPod is the most popular DAP on the market today, other brands do actually exist, such as:

* Apple Computer: iPod **
* Creative Technology: Creative NOMAD, MuVo, Creative Zen **
* Sony: Walkman, PlayStation Portable
* Toshiba: Gigabeat
* Microsoft: Zune **
* Samsung: Yepp
* Sandisk: Sansa
* Cowon: iAudio

** - Indicates that this DAP brand requires unique software in order to load content onto it.

How can I use an iPod? As time passes, new uses of DAPs can be found. You can now purchase iPods that allow you to:

* Listen to Music
* Listen to / View podcasts
* Play games
* View feature-length movies
* Watch home videos
* Image and other file storage
* Audio and video recording

The iPod's Battery and Battery Life The battery in all iPods is non-replaceable and is not designed to be removed or replaced by the user. Some users have been able to pry the case open to replace the battery, as some online stores sell them. Initially, Apple would not replace worn-out batteries. Their official policy was that the customer should buy a refurbished replacement iPod, at a cost almost equivalent to a brand new one. All lithium-ion batteries eventually lose capacity during their lifetime and this situation led to a small market for third-party battery replacement kits.

In 2003, Apple announced a battery replacement program. The initial cost was US$99, but it was eventually lowered to US$59 in 2005. One week later Apple offered an extended iPod warranty for US$59.

Third-party companies offer cheaper battery replacement kits that often use higher capacity batteries (ex: www.iPodBatteryDepot.com). For the iPod nano, soldering tools are needed because the battery is soldered onto the main board. On the fifth generation iPod, the battery is held onto the backplate with adhesive.

Apple states that their 30GB 5G iPod provides up to 14 hours of audio playback. This gives you can idea of how long your device will play tunes on a single charge...in the best-case scenario. However, for real-world use, many users report battery lives of less than 8 hours with the 30 GB video iPod.

If you've been wondering if you should take the leap and get one. I say the time is now!

Paula Wozniak is an IT Consultant and entrepreneur. Visit http://iPod.TopInfo4All.com for more information on iPod Models and comparisons.

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

CD Car Stereos

CD Car stereos have now become an indispensable accessory in cars. CD car stereos can play your favorite CDs, and these players are provided with a radio. Some of the CD car stereos are capable of playing MP3s. A CD car stereo system may consist of a stereo, a pair of speakers, satellite radios, subwoofers, amplifiers and navigation units. CD car stereos have many advantages. They allow you to access travel information such as congested areas easily and offer latest news and favorite sporting events.

There are several aspects to consider while buying a CD car stereo. One of the important features one should look for is the power of the stereo. The power output of the stereo is stated in watts, which decides the number of speakers it can run. For example, a car stereo listed as 4 x 52W can produce 52 watts of power and drive four speakers. Another important feature one should look for is a detachable front panel. This is an anti-theft device provided to ensure the security of your CD player. Nowadays, the detachable front panels come in stunning designs.

The main part of a CD Car stereo is the CD player. CD players should be compatible with both CD-R and CD-RW discs. CD changers are also important. They facilitate the user to hear up to 120 discs or more in whatever order they wish to program them or to skip from one track to another, or from one disc to another. The other audio products that you can buy to support your car stereo are in-built radio, speakers and subwoofer.

Car Stereos provides detailed information on Car Stereos, Car Stereo Systems, Car Stereo Installations, Car Stereo Speakers and more. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jason_Gluckman

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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