An MP3 is defined as "an MPEG standard used especially for digitally transmitting music over the Internet." For everyday people like you and I, we define an MP3 and MP3 player as something that is small, compact and contains all our favorite songs. MP3 players have completely removed the need for a "Walkman" and are even starting to make CDs somewhat irrelevant. There is no universal best MP3 player. It all depends on what you need and want to get out of it. Still, some features or components really make certain MP3 players stand out.
Hard Drive
The formula is simple. The more hard drive you want, the pricer the MP3 player will cost. The 32 GB MP3 is a very popular version. While the amount of music it can hold depends on encoding and the size of the files, on average it will hold thousands of music files, making it the ultimate music directory. Others do not see the need in purchasing such a large hard drive and will likely stick to something around six to 16 GB. Assuming an average size MP3 file, that is encoded at around 160Kbps, and about 3.5 minutes long, the size will be around 4Mb. While this is not a pure formula, it's a good equation to estimate how many songs the MP3 player will hold.
Cost
MP3 players start at $20 and can sell for more than $300. MP3 players are also becoming common on phones, so many people purchase an expensive phone that also acts as an MP3 player. If you just want an MP3 player, you can find a great value in the $40 to $80 range. Dirt-cheap MP3 players are usually extremely small and great for customers who will not use the MP3 player much, as it will likely only hold between 250 to 500 songs. High-end MP3 players will likely never be completely filled with music files because the hard drive is so large.
Additional Features
Almost all MP3 players feature an LCD screen that shows the artist, song name and time remaining. Some dirt-cheap MP3 players do not. Most MP3 players include simple features like a clock, alarm clock and browse window. Some MP3 players also include an FM radio. All MP3 players include a headphone jack, while some sport a small external speaker.
Function
MP3 players are very popular for exercising and other activities on the go. You want to make sure the MP3 player is light, compact and easy to carry. This generally is not a problem, as almost all of the MP3 players on the market weigh under a pound. If the MP3 player does not feature a clip, invest in something that will keep the MP3 player out of your pocket and free of your hands. Bands that go over the biceps and supports the MP3 player are very popular in today's world.
Charging
A few MP3 players are still battery operated. Avoid those unless you are willing to invest in rechargable batteries, as they will eat through batteries very quickly. Most MP3 players are sold with a Firewire or USB cable. Individuals charge the MP3 player simply by connecting the USB cable to the MP3 player and then to the computer. Charging usually takes two to four hours.
Tags: hard drive, very popular, will likely, Most players, music files, player will