| If you are planning to buy an MP3 or MP4 player, you | | | | MP3 and MP4 players let you download songs and |
| should take into account its memory capacity, | | | | videos from the Internet. Most current models support |
| supported formats, accessories and battery. Apple, | | | | high-speed USB 2.0 transfer and a few models |
| Sony, Microsoft, Samsung, Philips and several other | | | | support FireWire. |
| brands are available. Need help choosing the right | | | | Which player is best for you? |
| product? This guide can assist you in picking the best | | | | If you will use your player only for short durations, then |
| player suited to your needs. | | | | choose a small, compact and lightweight one. Looking |
| What are MP3 and MP4 players? | | | | for a player to store your entire music collection? Go |
| MP3 and MP4 players are digital devices that let you | | | | for players with 30 GB of memory or more. If you |
| take your music and videos with you, wherever you | | | | intend to use your player on long trips, select among |
| go. You can transfer files from your computer to the | | | | models with lengthy playback times. If you are looking |
| player and enjoy them anywhere using headphones or | | | | for an MP3 player for sports or working out, you will |
| portable speakers and the built-in screen. Use MP3 | | | | need an ultra-compact player like the iPod Shuffle or a |
| players to play music and MP4 players to view photos | | | | small flash memory player that clips onto your clothes. |
| and play videos. These players are convenient to own | | | | Get a compact flash-based player with a pair of |
| and easy to use. They provide entertainment for hours | | | | noise-canceling headphones if you travel by bus or |
| on end. | | | | train. |
| What are the different types of MP3 and MP4 players | | | | What accessories are available for MP3 and MP4 |
| available for sale? | | | | players? |
| You can buy various types of MP3 players like flash | | | | There are many accessories available for MP3 and |
| memory players and hard disk drive players. You have | | | | MP4 players. Here is a look at some in detail. |
| a large selection of MP4 players to choose from as | | | | Headphones: |
| well, including basic models, MP4 players with digital | | | | Most Portable Audio or MP3 and MP4 players come |
| cameras, HDD media players, DivX MP4 players and | | | | with earphones. If you listen to music at work, clip on or |
| TV MP4 players. | | | | wrap around headphones might be more comfortable. |
| How many songs and images can a player store? | | | | Noise-cancellation headphones provide clear sound |
| The number of songs you can store on a player | | | | when your travel. Buy a headphone splitter to share |
| depends upon the memory space available. The | | | | music with a friend. |
| memory capacity of an MP3 player ranges from 256 | | | | External Speakers and Docking Stations: |
| MB to 160 GB. MP4 players have a much higher | | | | There is a wide range of external speakers available |
| memory capacity with ranges of 20 GB to 100 GB | | | | for MP3 and MP4 players. Most of these speakers |
| and above. A 1 GB player can store more than 350 | | | | include docking stations that will recharge your player. |
| songs and 300 images. Since MP4 players playback | | | | Travel Speakers: |
| video, they have more memory, as videos consume | | | | Carry travel speakers with you when you picnic or hit |
| much more space. MP4 players use hard disks for | | | | the beach with your friends and family. These |
| better storage capacity. If you have to store hours of | | | | speakers use rechargeable batteries. |
| video, opt for an MP4 player with 20 GB of storage, | | | | FM Transmitters: |
| as a minimum. Memory card slots allow you to expand | | | | FM transmitters allow you to transmit songs stored on |
| the memory space available in MP3 and MP4 players, | | | | your player through any radio. |
| so check for them before making your final selection. | | | | Batteries: |
| What formats do these players support? | | | | Almost all MP3 and MP4 music devices use a |
| Before buying an MP3 or an MP4 player, make sure | | | | rechargeable battery. You can recharge a player by |
| that it plays the formats you want. An MP3 player | | | | connecting it to your computer. |
| supports other formats like AAC (the default format | | | | AC Adapters: |
| used by iPods), WMA (Microsofts technology), and | | | | Many MP3 and MP4 players come with a standard |
| Atrac (Sonys audio compression technology). MP4 | | | | AC adapter to quickly recharge your music device. |
| players can play more file formats than MP3 players. | | | | Cases and Skins: |
| The basic MP4 player can support MP4, MP2, MP1, | | | | Protect your music player from scratches with cases |
| DivX, AVI and WMV video files. They also support | | | | and skins. They come in many different designs and |
| audio formats like MP3, WMA and Ogg Vorbis. | | | | colors, so choose your favorites to personalize your |
| What features do MP4 and MP3 players have? | | | | player. |
| MP4 players come with built-in screens and recording | | | | Cradles: |
| features. Theses players usually include an MP4 | | | | Cradles hold MP3/MP4 players in your vehicle while |
| conversion software and instructions on how to best | | | | you drive. |
| encode video content. High-end MP4 players can | | | | Armbands: |
| record audio directly to the memory from an in-built FM | | | | Strap your music player on your arm with an armband. |
| radio tuner, line-input or microphone. For added | | | | Get one if you plan on exercising with your player |
| convenience, some players feature an in-built | | | | often. |
| microphone. You can also record TV shows directly | | | | Cassette Adapters: |
| from your television and output your saved data to | | | | Cassette adapters allow you to play MP3 songs from |
| your TV. | | | | your portable music player in your vehicles cassette |
| Many MP3 players feature backlit screens for better | | | | deck. |
| viewing, radios and Wi-Fi capabilities. Wi-Fi enabled | | | | |