MP3 Player Buyer Guide

Since MP3 players first appeared on the market, designers and manufacturers are continually trying to find better solutions to improve the main characteristics of these devices and make them look cooler and make them more reliable with every new model. There is such a wide variety of colors, shapes, features, sizes, storage capacities and even file formats covering the MP3 market that it can be really difficult to pick the right player.

Women will choose one that matches their favorite color or the kind of jewellery they prefer. Although design is an important feature and a player should match the owner’s lifestyle it is not everything.

If carrying your digital memory with you is a priority, make sure the color screen of your player can display JPEG and BMP digital images. MP3 players that have crystal-clear OLED screens, for an example, offer improved viewing angles and do not consume much.

There are many players that offer FM radio reception and recording. If you have a favorite radio station that broadcasts your choice of music, you should consider this option.

Another tempting category of MP3 players are those that can record high-quality audio digitally or from mike-level sources, so you can either dub tracks from modern stereo components or use a small mic to record live. With a decent ADC it will be possible to record to uncompressed WAV files.

The sound-tweaking options that some players present allows you to hear the songs the very way the recording engineers mixed them. A customizable EQ setting along with the standard pre-settings (Rock, Jazz etc.) is everything an audio lover needs.

Wireless connectivity is one of the latest features that some MP3 players feature. It allows you to exchange songs with buddies and some players come equipped with a pair of compatible wireless headphones as well. Very cool indeed!

Storage capacity is a very important feature that most buyers have in mind when picking an MP3 player. Many players allow you to shuttle data between PCs and don’t even need a driver; allowing you to transfer any file to a laptop without using a cable, as there are built-in connectors for a USB.

Did you also know that some MP3 players can also accept phonebooks and plan schedules? That is an extremely useful feature for managing your personal information. Whether you want to transfer data to your travel partners laptop on a plane or in a meeting, this has the option to do it.

All players offer the standard shuffle, repeat, resume and play-list features because this is the best way to personalize your player. You can choose the right kind of music from the many thousands songs you have stored, according to your mood. The automatic volume control can also add to the quality of your audition by making all songs sound equally loud and not scaring you half to death when you least expect it!

Probably the most important feature for someone who is in the habit of carrying and using the player all the time is the life of the battery. That can be a critical factor, especially when you travel long distances not in your own car. Most hard-drive-based players have non-removable lithium-ion batteries which can last up to four years but some manufacturers offer replacement for no more than $100. Another option is a player that uses AA or AAA batteries for Flash and MP3 CD players and should only be considered if an entry level player is ok for you.