Looking for an MP3 player but not sure which type and model to buy? There is a wide variety of MP3 players, from flash memory based players to hard drive based players. Choosing a good player in the market is not an 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 choose the perfect MP3 player.
Types of MP3 player
There are essentially four types of MP3 players on 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 built-in flash memory chip. They tend to be very small, ultra-portable, and have no moving parts. As a user, you can carry out all your sports activities without worrying that your music will skip a beat. The disadvantage of flash players is their high cost per megabyte. These players range from 32MB to 2GB, and the most popular models tend to be 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 drive to store your music. The hard drive can store large amounts of music; we are talking about 10 GB or more. If you have a huge 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 low? Well, due to the hard drive, which has moving parts, these players are not suitable for rough physical activities or extreme sports. One of the most popular MP3 players in this category is the Apple iPod, which is selling like hotcakes.
Micro hard drive based MP3 players
More recently, manufacturers have created micro-hard drive-based MP3 players such as the Apple iPod Mini, Creative Zen Micro, and Rio Carbon. With a smaller hard drive (still providing ample storage space of around 4-5GB), they are much more compact in design compared to full hard drive players. The few models mentioned above are also selling like crazy.
MP3 CD players
MP3 CD players are another type of MP3 player. These units look and feel like regular CD players. You can record up to 150 MP3 songs to fill a CD-R disc and then play them on the drive. The downside of these spawners is their large size and their tendency to jump if pushed.
Key Features of MP3 Players
Having seen the different types of MP3 players, let’s look at the key features of an MP3 player.
Size and weight: If you are looking to take your MP3 player on trips or sports activities, a small and compact design is very important. In such cases, you should opt for a small flash based player or one of the micro hard drive players.
Storage capacity: This is an important factor as well. If you need to store your entire music library on your MP3 player, then you probably need a hard drive-based player with 10 GB of storage or more. If you just want to listen to a few selected songs on the subway, then a flash based player would suffice. Note that some players offer expansion slots in the form of CompactFlash or SD cards.
Battery duration: 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 it. Hard drive players typically have rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, while some flash players offer AAA battery compatibility. I personally have a Creative MuVo Micro N200 that uses AAA batteries. This is great for me because once it runs out, I can pop in a new one, no problem finding an electrical outlet 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 best ones, like the Apple iPod, also support Firewire.
File format support: Most likely you want to play MP3 songs on your player. However, if you want to listen to a wider variety of music files, such as WMA or OGG Vorbis, be sure to check the player’s specifications.
Other considerations
Many of the newer players also include features that I haven’t mentioned above. For example, some players come with a built-in FM tuner, which is very useful if you get tired of your MP3 music. Others have a built-in voice recorder that allows you to record audio as WAV files.
conclusion
As you can see, there are many considerations to take into account when purchasing an MP3 player. To get the most suitable player, you need to think about how you will use the player. Usage should drive your purchase decision. The other thing to keep in mind is to shop around, both online and offline: shop around before shelling out the cash. Good luck in your search for that MP3 player!