MP3 - Guide To MP3 Players
Make sure you find out which memory cards are compatible with your player. Some players use standard CompactFlash or SmartMedia cards, while Sony products use the Sony’s propriety sticks and other devices use the new MultiMediaCard (MMC). Players that use hard drives for storage are more expensive than that of solid-state memory players. But they make up by offering hundreds of megabytes or even several gigabytes of storage. Make sure you choose carefully which type of memory you want you use. The hard drives with moving parts therefore making them more fragile or the solid-state devices with no moving parts.
Displaying and Labelling
Most MP3 players have displays that show all sorts of information about the track that’s playing, including the title, artist, and length, while some players such as the “Absolute Soundmaster” do not have a LCD. Try to find a device with backlit LCD that makes it easier to read at night. High-end players support detailed labels like ID3 tags, while some just track number and length.
Transfer Rates
Parallel ports were used with early MP3 players. People with newer PCs and Macs will want players that use the USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface. USB interfaced devices can send data to players at up to 12 megabits per second.
Equalizer Presets and Bass Boost
Remember to find players with equalizer controls or other features for enhancing your sound. Check out the players that offer equalizer resets like jazz, pop or rock or players with user or custom setting.
Software
Many MP3 utility programs are available for free from the Web or manufactures bundle these programs with their hardware for you. The best software will allow you to make your very own play list or mix your tracks from different sources. Check out MP3 Ripping software Part I or MP3 Ripping Software – Part II for the latest MP3 software.
Compatibility
Before purchasing you new MP3 player, make sure it is compatible with your computer. All the MP3 players work with PCs but not all work with Macs. Note that your computer may meet the hardware requirements to interface with the player but the software may not. For example, PCs with USB ports must have Windows 98 or later, in addition, Windows NT 4.0 does not have built-in operating system support for USB connectivity. There are third-party solutions to around this. Read the box of your MP3 player and make sure you computer meets the system
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