MP3 PLAYERS: A NEW WAVE IN MUSIC
Top Brand Names, Features, Accessories and More
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Your Choices in MP3 Players
Apple's iPod started the digital audio revolution. They continue today to bring you even bigger and better innovations in music storage and enjoyment. Apple makes more than 20 models, ranging in price from about $70 for the iPod Shuffle 512MB flash player, to the deluxe 80GB Color iPod with video, which sells for around $350. Plenty of models in between to choose from as well. Anothe rPopular favorite, Rio, has five or more models. Creative Labs offers 13 models, prices range from around $60 for their Zen 512MB model, to the $300 30GB White Zen VisionM, with video capabilities. Sandisk is another popular brand, with 9 models to chose from. Their largest capacity is 30GB, and runs for about $300. Other MP3 makers include iRiver, Panasonic, Philips, Samsung, Sony, and Toshiba.
Some Good Places to Look
You can find MP3 players most anywhere these days. We've done a little searching for you, and find the following sites worth your while to check out:
- MyCEknowhow consumer guide to MP3 players delivers how to guides and information on digital music players, managing digital music file size and more.
- Circuit City has information about MP3 players, including the accessories you'll need to go with it. You'll even be able to order online and pick it up in a store near you.
- Sonystyle.com can help you find an MP3 player just for you, based on the features you want.
- PC Magazine provides up-to-date coverage and MP3 Player reviews to help you with your decision.
How to Choose
Probably the first thing to consider is how much music you'd like to store on your MP3 player. The more memory, the more songs. There are three basic types of MP3 players with various sizes of storage capacities; Flash players are smaller in size and in memory. If you don't want to spend too much money and only want a few hours of music on hand, consider one of these.
There are expandable memory players, so you can add to the memory and to your songs. Hard drive players can store up to 20,000 songs, depending on the capacity you choose. Of course these cost more money, too. There are also extra features you can consider, such as color screens with image display, video capability, video games, a built in alarm clock, voice recording and a digital tuner. If any of these features are of interest to you, add them to the list of what you'd like to have before making your choice.
Accessories
Once you have chosen your MP3 player, be sure to get the accessories you'll need to really enjoy your new toy. You can purchase music online from services like Napster or Rhapsody, download the music to your computer, then to your MP3 player. And if you want to move songs quickly from your computer to your MP3 player, a USB 2.0 cable is one way to do that. You can download from CD's to your computer, then the MP3 player as well. You may want headphones rather than the earbud type that come with the player. Travel speakers let you play your favorite tunes wherever you go. And a docking station may include speakers so you can park your player and listen to your tunes.
If you enjoy music as much as we do, we're sure you'll enjoy your new MP3 player. Have fun shopping for, and playing, your MP3 player!