Monday, February 5, 2007
MP3 Encoding Technology
The MP3 is a complete godsend for anyone who enjoys and appreciates good music. Not only does it afford users the convenience of purchasing music online and ripping from purchased CDs, it also provides the utmost ease in portability. There are more MP3 players on the market than I can name. These players allow you to download hundreds and in some cases thousands of MP3’s to take along with you anywhere. I create MP3 CD’s containing up to 120 of my favorite songs for my listening pleasure in my car. But how can so many audio files get stored on my 800MB (Megabyte) CD?
MP3 Encoders and MP3 converters are the software that creates MP3s by using an MP3 compression and decompression algorithm. For example, an average 3 minute WAV file can be as large as 15MB. Using MP3 encoders and MP3 converters, a large WAV file can be cut down to a much smaller and more portable MP3 file of about 3MB.
MP3 stands for MPEG Audio Layer 3. At layer 3, psychoacoustics principles are used to find and remove all unnecessary sound data, leaving behind only the crucial audio data. By unnecessary sound data I mean all of the stuff that we humans don’t hear anyway. Most people can’t hear sounds above 16 kHz so why would you want it hogging your disk or hard drive space? Non-music audio such as speeches, sermons, audio books and comedy albums, can be reduced even less based on this.
Compression occurs after the essential data has been separated from the redundant data. At this stage, the same amount of data can be stored using fewer bits and less space. The bit rate is the ratio of the number of bits transferred between two devices per second. The higher the bit rate, the higher the sound quality. The lower the bit rate ratio, the lower the sound quality. 192 Kb/s is the most popular bit rate used in peer-to-peer networks. For the most part, MP3 converters and encoders today use variable bit rates. This allows for much better quality audio because the bit rate conforms to the dynamics of the audio frames being stored which in turn keeps more of the important music data.
There are dozens of MP3 compressor and encoder software programs available online and at stores. Some of the main encoding engines are: LAME, Blade Enc, Fraunhofer Encoders and Xing. Deciding which MP3 encoding engine technology is right for you depends on your individual needs and preferences. Blaze Media Pro is an excellent option if you're looking for a powerful, yet easy to use, all-in-one multimedia solution.
Mansi aggarwal writes about MP3 encoder.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
How To Buy An MP3 Player
Are you looking for an MP3 player but am not sure which type and model to buy? There is a wide variety of MP3 players out there, from flash memory based players to hard drive based players. Choosing a good player from the market is no easy task. What features should you look for? What are the key considerations? This article aims to answer those questions and more. Now, let’s see how we can pick the perfect MP3 player.
Types of MP3 player
There are essentially four types of MP3 players in the market today. These include flash-based players, hard-drive based players and MP3 CD players. Let’s look at them in turn.
Flash-based MP3 players
Flash-based MP3 players have a flash memory chip built-in. They tend to be very tiny, ultra-portable and have no moving parts. As a user, you can do all your sports activities without worrying about your music skipping a beat. The downside to flash players is their high cost per megabyte. These players range from 32MB to 2GB, and the most popular models tend to be those from the Creative Muvo line, the iRiver iFP series and more recently, the Apple iPod Shuffle.
Hard-drive based MP3 players
Hard-drive based MP3 players use a 1.8-inch hard disk drive to store your music. The hard disk can hold large amounts of music – we’re talking about 10GB and above. If you have a large music library and want to store tons of music, a hard-drive based MP3 player is the way to go. The cost per megabyte is very low. The downside? Well, due to the hard disk drive, which has moving parts, these players are not suited for rough physical activity or extreme sports. One of the most popular MP3 players in this category is the Apple iPod, which is selling like hot cakes out there.
Micro hard-drive based MP3 players
More recently, manufacturers have come up with micro hard-drive based MP3 players like the Apple iPod Mini, Creative Zen Micro and Rio Carbon. Featuring a smaller hard drive (which still gives ample storage space of about 4 to 5 GB), they have a much more compact design compared to full fledged hard disk players. The few models mentioned above are selling like crazy too.
MP3 CD players
MP3 CD players are another type of MP3 player. These units look and feel like regular CD players. You can burn up to 150 MP3 songs to fill one CD-R disc, then play it on the unit. The disadvantage of such players is their large size and their tendency to skip if jostled.
Key Features of MP3 Players
Having looked at the different types of MP3 players, let’s look at the key features of an MP3 player.
Size and weight: If you’re looking to bring your MP3 player on trips or on sporting activities, a small compact design is very important. In such cases, you should go for a small flash based player or one of the micro hard drive players.
Storage capacity: This is an important factor too. If you need to store your whole music library into the MP3 player, then you probably need a hard drive based player with 10GB of storage or above. If you only want a few select songs to listen to on the subway, then a flash based player would suffice. Do take note that some players offer expansion slots in the form of CompactFlash or SD cards.
Battery Life: This is often overlooked. Battery life is a very important consideration, especially if you’re out with your player and have no way to recharge. Hard disk players tend to have lithium-ion rechargeable batteries while some flash players offer AAA battery support. I personally own a Creative MuVo Micro N200 which uses AAA batteries. This is great for me because once it runs out, I can just pop in a new one – no hassles about finding some electrical socket to recharge.
Connectivity Options: The way the MP3 player connects to your computer is also an important factor. The latest models tend to support high-speed USB 2.0 transfers. The better ones like the Apple iPod also give Firewire support.
File Format Support: You will most likely be wanting to play MP3 songs on your player. However, if you want to listen to a wider variety of music files, like WMA or OGG Vorbis, then make sure you see it in the player specs.
Other Considerations
Many of the latest players also include features I’ve not covered in the above. For example, some players come with a built-in FM tuner, which is very useful if you get tired of your MP3 music. Other have a built-in voice recorder which allows you to record audio as WAV files.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are many considerations to think about when purchasing an MP3 player. To get the most suitable player, you want to think about how you will use the player. Usage should drive your purchase decision. The other thing to take note of is to shop around, both online and offline – compare prices before shelling out the cash. Good luck hunting for that MP3 player!
Gary Hendricks runs a hobby site on digital photography. Visit his website at http://www.digital-music-guide.com for tips and tricks on selecting MP3 players, music services and music software.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Is Downloading MP3 From File Sharing Programs Legal?
File sharing programs such as KaZaa, Ares, iMesh and Limewire have never been more popular. They are pretty controversial as well. You may have heard of the countless lawsuits against them by music records companies and the MPAA. So is downloading MP3 from these programs legal?
How Do File Sharing Programs Work?
Modern file sharing programs connects users directly to each other allowing them to share and download files. They are also called P2P, or peer to peer programs. Unlike old file sharing programs such as Napster who ran all connections through their servers. That is also why it is sometimes difficult to determine exactly who is downloading what.
File sharing programs by themselves are not illegal. In fact, they are legitimate uses for it. For example, it is used by academy institutions and universities to exchange research data and cross learning. They are also used by musicians and artists to showcase their talents by distributing their music free through file-sharing networks.
Many people are confused as to what is legal to download and what is not. The problem stems from the fact that it is so easy to download illegal MP3 and other illegal files from these file sharing networks that people often do not know they are actually violating copyright laws.
They do not have sufficient knowledge of copyright laws. Current copyright laws allow an individual to rip MP3 provided he or she has brought a copy of the CD. However, he or she cannot give, sell or upload MP3 to others. Beware due to MP3 piracy, record companies have recently developed technologies that do not allow you to rip mp3 from CD. Add to that, they are dozens of websites on the internet proclaiming to be able to download mp3 and movies legally when they are not!
How to determine whether you can download MP3 legally?
Technically, any MP3 posted on file-sharing programs without the permission of the artist is illegal. Most commercial MP3 on file sharing networks are illegal, so my advice would be to avoid them altogether.
There are a few reputable MP3 download sites on the internet you can trust. The most famous of all is itunes from Apple. Napster has a subscription service per month that allows you to download more than two million mp3 legally. Technically, you do not own the mp3 so do not give, sell or upload to file sharing networks. For more information on where you can find more free legal mp3, you can visit my blog.
Ricky Lim blogs about current free MP3 download sites and MP3 converters. His Blog is part of the Infoknowledge blog network. |
Capturing Streaming Audio to MP3
When Internet radio first began, about all a listener could do with it was, well, listen. And the listening experience wasn't very good. The sound was awful ... when it worked at all. Having the audio stream abruptly terminate, or take endless time to re-buffer, was a common occurrence.
Today, most Internet broadcasters use much better technology to send their streams into cyberspace. As well, more listeners are equipped with broadband Internet connections, good sound cards, stereo system-quality speakers and sophisticated media player software.
The listening problem has been overcome.
Now, what about the ability for a listener to capture those audio streams and save them to play back at will? The technology to do that was slower in coming, but it's finally here. With the right program installed, you can now capture those live audio streams from your favorite Web radio broadcasters and save them to your hard drive to enjoy as often as you like.
There are now several shareware and even freeware programs available for recording streaming audio. Their names include Voice Activation Interface, WMA/MP3 Recorder, Audio Record Wizard, Advanced MP3-WMA Recorder, Silent Bob, #1 Sound Recorder, Ace-High MP3 Recorder, 1st Easy Recorder, Visual Sound Recorder, Audiolib MP3 Recorder, Audio Playback Recorder, Loop Recorder, Replay Radio, FairStars Recorder, Boombox Internet Radio Player, and Easy Radio.
As you might guess, these programs vary greatly in both ease of use and in the features they sport. Some can convert an audio capture into a large number of different music file formats, while others can only handle one or two. Some, but definitely not all, will automatically remove noise and hiss from the audio. Similarly, some will remove gaps caused by buffering or network congestion.
One of the first, and still one of the best, audio capture programs is called Total Recorder. It can record PC audio from almost any source, including streamed audio, CDs, the computer microphone and other input lines.
You can download a free evaluation copy of Total Recorder, but it will insert a bit of noise about every 60 seconds throughout the recording. To be able to record audio without the noise, you must purchase a license for the software.
The recording software that I find really exciting is the kind that not only will capture an audio stream, but will also save it as separate audio files ... automatically. The most obvious use for this is to break up a music stream into individual song mp3 files. The best audio capture software that I know of, that includes this mp3 splitting feature, is called Radio2MP3.
Internet radio has finally come into its own. The sound is great and so is the diversity of programming. Being able to record all those wonderful radio streams is the icing on an aurally delicious cake.
Stefan Smith is a radio and music junkie who writes on these and other subjects for the Solid Gold Info Writers Consortium. Recently, he has written an extensive review of new software that anyone can use to capture music audio streams from Internet radio broadcasts and break them up into individual mp3 song files--a legal way to download virtually free music. Read the review at: http://www.solid-gold.info/radio2mp3.html
MP3 Audio File Format - A New Format for Storing Sounds
MP3 is the latest and the most popular audio format that is used now. This acronym stands for MPEG Layer 3. It is a compressed audio format with a compression ratio of up to 12: 1. The sound quality of the audio in this format is very high. A normal audio file, which is 1200 KB in size, can be stored in just 100 KB if it is using the MP3 format. The size of the audio files is very small when compared to other formats of audio files. This makes it easily portable.
Where to get MP3 audio files?
MP3 audio files are widely available in CDs now. Almost any album that is released in the world is also sold in the MP3 audio format. These albums in the MP3 formats are also available in some websites that are dedicated for MP3 downloads. You can also purchase these MP3 CDs at any audio store meant for that purpose.
MP3 downloads
Free MP3 downloads are also available in some of the websites. You need to become a member of these sites for a fee to download unlimited number of songs in the MP3 format. Some of the sites charge you for each song that is downloaded. Free MP3 downloads for testing the quality of the audio is usually provided by most of these websites. Websites like www.napster.com allow free MP3 downloads if you have MP3 players from select manufacturers. You can download directly to the player by using the software provided by the website.
How to play a MP3 audio file?
To play a MP3 audio you need separate players whether it is software or a physical player that can be carried. MP3 software players are used in your PC to play MP3 audio. Physical players from many branded manufacturers are available in the market to play these MP3 audio files.
MP3 Ringtones
With the advent of the mobile phones, it has become a fashion to make your mobile call you with your favorite songs as Ringtones. Youngsters particularly teenagers are more interested in using Ringtones of the songs they like. This has picked up in such a manner that MP3 Ringtones are now being sold in websites. Many websites sell Ringtones in the MP3 format. The mobile you are using should be capable of playing the Ringtones in the MP3 format to use these MP3 Ringtones. These websites provide you with an interface to select the model of the mobile phone you have and then download MP3 Ringtones that suit your mobile phone model.
For more information, visit target="_blank">The MP3 Info Center
David Chandler
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Review of Rio MP3 Players
Below you will find some useful information and comments about a few of the most popular MP3 players by Rio, including the Nitrus, Carbon, Cali, and Forge. None of these MP3 players are perfect, but each offers a unique set of strengths and weaknesses that should be taken into consideration before you purchase any one of them. Be sure to compare price, usability, and the overall performance of each.
Rio Carbon 5 GB MP3 Player
Manufacturers Description: The Rio Carbon is capable of holding up to 80 hours of MP3 (160 hours WMA) music, and with up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge, music lovers need not worry about running out of juice.
Sporting an ultrathin and tapered design and with 25 percent more memory than iPod Mini, this tiny MP3 player--about the size of a business card--will slide into any pocket, virtually unnoticeable. The Rio Carbon is capable of holding up to 80 hours of MP3 music (160 hours of WMA), and with up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge, music lovers need not worry about running out of juice. Supporting USB 2.0 and a host of file formats, users can download music efficiently and easily from most of their favorite online music sites. The Rio Carbon also includes voice recording and provides seamless integration and support of both the Windows and Mac platforms.
Features:
- 5 GB of memory stores up to 80 hours of MP3 music or 160 hours of WMA music
- Plays MP3, WMA, and Audible audio formats
- Built-in microphone for voice recording
- Easily drag and drop data and music files onto your player
- Rechargeable battery offers up to 20 hours of battery life on a single charge
- USB 2.0 for faster downloads
- Charge from USB or the included power adapter
- Windows and Mac compatible
- Includes Rio Music Manager, the most intuitive way to create and manage your digital music library
Comments: Users tend to agree that this is one of the best mp3 players Rio has developed. It's really quite small and slim, and can actually fit in your pockets. 5GB of memory really doesn't sound like all that much any more, but I think most new user will find that that is plenty of space. The long battery is nice (20 compared with iPod's 12), and the interface is easy enough to work with. One little dissapointment is the inability to hit any buttons on the device when it is in its carrying case. Also, it does have some compatibility issues with Mac music programs like iTunes. If you really love Mac, you may want to consider iPod or Shuffle instead (this goes for all Rio products).
Price: $230
Rio Cali 128 MB Sport MP3 Player
Manufacturers Description: Wrapped in grippy, protective rubber, the Cali 128 is built to play hard. Solid-state electronics carry over 30 songs with no skips -- ever. Comfortable Sport Clip earphones, case with armband, and integrated stopwatch with lap timer make the Cali a functional sport accessory. 5-band adjustable equalizer gives more control over your sound than most players. Onboard FM tuner means you always have something to listen to. An empty expansion slot allows you to add up to 512 MB of additional SDTM or MMCTM memory. Simple menus and intuitive controls make for easy one-handed operation.
Features:
- 128 MB of memory plays back over 2 hours of MP3 or 4 hours of WMA music (over 30 MP3 or 60 WMA songs)*
- Expansion slot to add up to 512 MB additional memory using SD or MMC cards (sold separately)
- USB 1.1 connects to almost any computer
- Transfer content between multiple PCs
- 18-hour continuous playback using one Energizer AAA Battery
- 5-Band adjustable equalizer with pre-sets
Comments: Anyone considering buying this device should be aware of some odd functional issues that may be frustrating. First of all, when changing memory cards, many users have had to actually take out the batteries in order to get the device to recognize the new memory card (another note: some users have had problems getting the device to accept 3rd party memory cards). Also, it seems that the player may not be able to play regular mp3 formats you may have on your pc hard drive. Rio admits that these mp3 files need to be converted through their own software in order for them to work. These, and other odd quirks, undermine this particular player quite a bit. On the positive side, the device has good battery life, plays clear, crisp music, and has a good radio feature as well.
Price: $120
Rio Forge 512 MB Sport MP3 Player
Manufacturers Description: The Rio Forge series is our latest generation of flash based sport players. The Rio Forge was designed for people that like to play hard and use music to play even harder. The new design integrates the grippy, protective rubber from previous models with a new shiny stainless steel face plate for added durability. Up to 20 hours of battery life allows you hours of non-stop work out time. Comfortable Sport Clip earphones and a newly designed case with armband keep your player and music secure and accessible. Simple menus and intuitive controls make for easy one-handed operation. Stopwatch and Lap Timer make the Rio Forge the ultimate gym or running companion. Plus, the new FM record feature allows you to record radio content onto your player to listen to at a later time.
Features:
- Holds 16 hours worth of Music
- Storage capacity may be upgraded up to 1 GB
- Durable Stainless Steel Face
- 512 MB of storage
- Stopwatch feature for work-outs
- Up to 20 hours of battery life
Comments: This latest generation of sport mp3 players by Rio is perhaps the best so far. What we really liked about this device is the easy to use and intuitive user interface and clear LCD screen. The one downside is the 512mb upper limit in storage (although technically you can upgrade to 1GB), which is a little low compared with the market average. Even so, the features like the FM tuner and stop watch make this a really cool little sport mp3 player. It's about as durable and user friendly as they come, plus the battery life is friendly for those long work-outs. Thumbs up on this one.
Price: $180
Rio Nitrus 1.5 GB MP3 Jukebox
Manufacturers Description: The revolutionary Rio Nitrus packs 1.5 GB into a stealthy, razor-thin design. With the ability to carry over 375 songs, never before has this much capacity been offered on a player this small. Fast USB 2.0 connection loads the player quickly. Simple menus, thoughtful controls, and a clear display make navigation instinctive. A 5-band adjustable equalizer provides a custom listening experience. Quality components throughout yield a player without compromise.
Features:
- 1.5GB HDD plays back over 25 hours of MP3 or 50 hours of WMA music (over 375 MP3 or 750 WMA songs)
- USB 2.0 for fast transfers
- Transfer content between multiple PCs
- 16-hour continuous playback with the rechargeable LiIon battery
- 5-Band adjustable equalizer with pre-sets
Comments: This is an overall fairly solid mp3 player with a few design and engineering defects that should be mentioned. First, the buttons are not quite as easy to use, or as well laid out as some of Rio's other players. Specifically, the volume buttons are smaller and closer together than they should be. Another thing is problems with the battery life, some users getting significantly less time out of their batteries than they are supposed to. And you really can't expect to get the full 16 hours. Also, the scrolling feature doesn't seem to help much. On the plus side, the device is big enough in storage size (1.5GB), and small enough in physical size to appeal to alot of potential consumers. The sound is also quite good and just about every volume level.
Price: $175
Bradley James is a senior editor at SciNet.cc, a website containing many helpful consumer electronics review articles. For more information on Rio mp3 players, please visit our Rio mp3 webpage.
Mp3 vs. WMA
There are just a few audio compression formats out there, just like there are only a few image compression formats (you may have heard of them: JPG, GIF, BMP). Two of the most popular audio formats are WMA, or Windows Media Audio, and MP3 (Short for MPEG, Moving Pictures Experts Group, Audio Layer 3). WMA is the older audio format, produced by Microsoft, to work with Microsoft's Windows media player. The WMA compression format was designed specifically for this format, and thus can not be converted to other audio formats.
The audio quality of WMA and MP3 audio formats tends to be noticeably different. WMA is a decent quality audio format when streaming at phoneline speeds (maybe 30kbps or so). At such speed WMA almost reaches an FM level of audio quality, although not quite. At 128kbps, Microsoft claims the WMA is nearly CD-quality, although many would deny this. WMA, however, is not to be completely looked over. The compression provides relatively small audio files and they require less processing power to execute. It thus retains a diminishing niche as MP3 has become more popular and widely used.
The MP3 audio compression was developed in Germany in 1991 by the Fraunhofer Institute. MP3 typically provides higher quality sound than WMA because it uses perceptual audio coding to compress CD-quality sound by a factor of 12. As a result, MP3 has become almost the universal standard among audio usage and broadcasting. It provides CD-quality sound at reasonable compression sizes and high streaming speeds. Watch out, however, at low bitrates, as MP3 quality will likely suffer.
Bradley James is a senior editor at SciNet.cc, a website containing many helpful consumer electronics review articles. For more information on MP3 and WMA audio formats, please visit our MP3 vs. WMA webpage.
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Tuesday, January 9, 2007
The Future Of MP3 Players
What will tomorrow bring for MP3 players and other portable media players? No doubt digital players have enjoyed tremendous success to date. They've quickly replaced portable CD players and regular radios as the perfect traveling companions. But will MP3 players continue to sell or will they be replaced just as quickly by new technology? Consider 5 possible trends of the future. 1.The MP3 Player Market Will Grow A technology research firm by the name of DC recently released a market prediction that the MP3 player market will grow steadily until 2009, perhaps by improving sales some 4 times over%. Flash player technology is also expected to advance and grow in total gigabyte storing capacity. 2.Units Will Grow More User Friendly And Energy Efficient Older models, not to mention small and simplistic devices, will be discontinued, though many have been axed already. The latest design to beat is a full-featured MP3 player with video capabilities that's as small as a regular MP3 player (IPOD anyone?). (Ideal size, smaller than a common PC mouse) Large bulky systems are out and so are internal iPod batteries that you can't replace without professional help. 3. Wireless Technology Digital players now face a serious threat from cell phones provider, which are now incorporating MP3 playback into their products. Therefore, in order to keep up with the competition, expect many MP3 players to soon utilize wireless technology and feature a Wi-Fi connection for quick and easy Internet downloads. 4. Portable Media Players MP3 Players are also being scrutinized for value when compared to similarly priced products such as Pocket PCs, Ultra Mobile PCs and even portable game consoles. The Nintendo DS and Sony PSP use wireless technology to provide users with more multimedia entertainment beyond games, including DVD and MP3 playback. Pocket PCs cannot only play MP3 files; they can also open word processors and spreadsheets, check email and browse the web. In order not to be replaced by more efficient and similarly priced gadgets, MP3 players will have to truly become media players--that is, incorporate image viewing, audio and video recording, and more into their systems. 5. Prices Will Drop Going along with that prediction, a realistic belief is that in the coming years multimedia players and especially MP3 players will drastically fall in price. Pocket PCs and Ultra Mobile PCs are expected to be reduced as technology improves and the market changes. People certainly won't mind buying a media playing device with limited features--but they won't want to pay the same price for it that they would a complete portable PC for $400.00-$500.00. MP3 player manufacturers like Creative Zen, iRiver, Dell Hewlett Packard and Apple iPod are certainly banking on the present--namely that MP3 players are relatively novel. Whether or not they bank on the future, however, remains to be seen.
About the Author
Adam O'Connor is the owner of http://www.handheldguru.com which provides free information on handheld electronics. He is an expert in this industry and his website helps people find helps people find answers to questions like how can you compare PDA's or what is the best pocket PC for you.
About the Author
Adam O'Connor is the owner of http://www.handheldguru.com which provides free information on handheld electronics. He is an expert in this industry and his website helps people find helps people find answers to questions like how can you compare PDA's or what is the best pocket PC for you.
MP3 Players In 2007 Review
Hello... Behind 2006 has pass beyond now. In 2007 will welcome from our. I begin with 2007 MP3 players review from the world than more subscription.
1. Apple iPod Shuffle 2nd Generation
[Photo]The 2nd generation of iPod shuffle is cool it's very nice for the people because it's new style looking, little size, feather-light weight, ease of use and have low price. If you liked that model, you'll definitely be impressed by the second-generation shuffle. It's a lot smaller, has a built-in clip, and best of all costs begin $79.99 (available only in 1GB capacity), making it a perfect stocking stuffer. In fact, it's cheap enough that even if you have a full-size iPod, you could pick the shuffle up for a song and use it just for working out or running. However my idea think if using a player with no screen or extra features doesn't appeal to you, then you're better off checking out players like the iPod nano, the Creative Zen V, or the SanDisk e200 series and more model.
2. Sony Noise Canceling Walkman NW-S705F [Photo] Sony has been trying very hard to innovate these days, and this effort is clearly evident in its Walkman line of MP3 players. The company's latest addition is the Sony Noise Canceling Walkman NW-S705F. As the name implies, the included in-ear headphones on this model have a distinctive active noise-canceling feature. But unlike other noise-canceling headphones, they're powered by the player's battery rather than by a separate power source. This is a great concept and the implementation is pretty good, although I'm not terribly impressed by the player's controls and software integration.
3. Creative Zen Vision M 30GB Black [Photo]Zen Vision it's better and smaller than all and does more than play your videos, photos and music too. It displays them in their true glory on a vibrant, large full-color screen. Perfect for road trips long or short, carry your entertainment in the palm of your hand. Available in a light 30GB model, take your pick from 5 dazzling colors - blue, green, pink, black and white pattern for choose.
About the Author
http://mp3cover.blogspot.com http://mp3fine.blogspot.com
1. Apple iPod Shuffle 2nd Generation
[Photo]The 2nd generation of iPod shuffle is cool it's very nice for the people because it's new style looking, little size, feather-light weight, ease of use and have low price. If you liked that model, you'll definitely be impressed by the second-generation shuffle. It's a lot smaller, has a built-in clip, and best of all costs begin $79.99 (available only in 1GB capacity), making it a perfect stocking stuffer. In fact, it's cheap enough that even if you have a full-size iPod, you could pick the shuffle up for a song and use it just for working out or running. However my idea think if using a player with no screen or extra features doesn't appeal to you, then you're better off checking out players like the iPod nano, the Creative Zen V, or the SanDisk e200 series and more model.
2. Sony Noise Canceling Walkman NW-S705F [Photo] Sony has been trying very hard to innovate these days, and this effort is clearly evident in its Walkman line of MP3 players. The company's latest addition is the Sony Noise Canceling Walkman NW-S705F. As the name implies, the included in-ear headphones on this model have a distinctive active noise-canceling feature. But unlike other noise-canceling headphones, they're powered by the player's battery rather than by a separate power source. This is a great concept and the implementation is pretty good, although I'm not terribly impressed by the player's controls and software integration.
3. Creative Zen Vision M 30GB Black [Photo]Zen Vision it's better and smaller than all and does more than play your videos, photos and music too. It displays them in their true glory on a vibrant, large full-color screen. Perfect for road trips long or short, carry your entertainment in the palm of your hand. Available in a light 30GB model, take your pick from 5 dazzling colors - blue, green, pink, black and white pattern for choose.
About the Author
http://mp3cover.blogspot.com http://mp3fine.blogspot.com
Zune Vs. Ipod - The Battle Over The MP3 Domination Begins Right Here
The ipod has been one of the best little gadgets that apple has designed in a long time. Not only was it great for mac lovers for also for those who still like owning a pc. Microsoft has something in mind that will blow the ipod and the ipod nano clear out of the water. Microsoft calls it the zune and the features that this little mp3 player so far is showing much more promise then the ipod ever did.
The zune has a retail price of $249.99 and guess what that is more then worth the price just because of all the features the little powerhouse has. It gives you storage that you will probably never be able to fill along with being able to send information to other zunes through an ingenious wireless zune to zune connection. I can see apple starting to worry about the zune not only because it is a competitor for the ipod but also because microsoft has been able to dominate the computer market for a very long time and odds are will always.
There is talk of a zune shortage during the release time and this can always be met with many trying to get their hands on them as soon as possible. There are at the moment 3 great colors for the zune and odds are there will either be updated colors or skins that could possibly go over the case. Microsoft is also setting up a song site where zune owners can get a membership to and get a ton of songs that will go right into the zune.
Whether you are an apple fan or not you have to realize that the zune will end up taking over what ipod started. There were many diehard pc fans who ended up going and buying an ipod so whatever you do don't feel like you are a traitor to your brand. You just need to go with what suits you best and has the features that you are looking for. For most though it is hot, it is new and it is something that they need right now.
There are many places where you can purchase the zune just make sure and pick one up before they get too hard to buy. Odds are you will start to see these selling on ebay for an appreciated price due o the demand. Also do not forget that there are ways to get the brand new $249.99 zune completely free. Odds are a free zune is much better then paying for one but you need to be the judge of that.
It looks like most people are going to be getting the white zune and then there are a few who are actually going to test out the brown colored one. Not really the best choice for an electronic device but looks like money none the less.
All around probably going to be one of the best devices to be sold in the year 2007 and for good reason. Stop wasting your time and get a microsoft zune today.
Don Virden - Proud Father and Internet Marketer
The zune has a retail price of $249.99 and guess what that is more then worth the price just because of all the features the little powerhouse has. It gives you storage that you will probably never be able to fill along with being able to send information to other zunes through an ingenious wireless zune to zune connection. I can see apple starting to worry about the zune not only because it is a competitor for the ipod but also because microsoft has been able to dominate the computer market for a very long time and odds are will always.
There is talk of a zune shortage during the release time and this can always be met with many trying to get their hands on them as soon as possible. There are at the moment 3 great colors for the zune and odds are there will either be updated colors or skins that could possibly go over the case. Microsoft is also setting up a song site where zune owners can get a membership to and get a ton of songs that will go right into the zune.
Whether you are an apple fan or not you have to realize that the zune will end up taking over what ipod started. There were many diehard pc fans who ended up going and buying an ipod so whatever you do don't feel like you are a traitor to your brand. You just need to go with what suits you best and has the features that you are looking for. For most though it is hot, it is new and it is something that they need right now.
There are many places where you can purchase the zune just make sure and pick one up before they get too hard to buy. Odds are you will start to see these selling on ebay for an appreciated price due o the demand. Also do not forget that there are ways to get the brand new $249.99 zune completely free. Odds are a free zune is much better then paying for one but you need to be the judge of that.
It looks like most people are going to be getting the white zune and then there are a few who are actually going to test out the brown colored one. Not really the best choice for an electronic device but looks like money none the less.
All around probably going to be one of the best devices to be sold in the year 2007 and for good reason. Stop wasting your time and get a microsoft zune today.
Don Virden - Proud Father and Internet Marketer
How to Choose the Right MP3 Player?
MP3 players ... there are so many choices! How do you know which one is best for you? Read the tips below and you will surely find the right mp3 player for your own needs.
1) First of all, you need to find out what are your needs. It sounds obvious, but choosing the right mp3 player for you starts right here. You should ask yourself "What kind of mp3 player do I want?" and "What I will be using the mp3 player for?" Can you afford an expensive mp3 player, or do you want a cheaper one? You will use it while driving to and from work, working around the house or exercising? It needs to play video files and to show pictures as well? Or maybe you need it to have a FM
radio tuner or digital voice recording features. Find out exactly what you need it for and then it will be much easier to choose.
2) There are two types of mp3 players: flash mp3 players and hard drive mp3 players.
The advantage of the flash mp3 players is that they have no moving parts (they have an embedded memory chip) and are ideal to use while running or exercising. Another advantage is that they are cheaper than hard disk mp3 players. The disadvantage is that flash mp3 players have relatively low memory, but on the other hand they can be upgraded by choosing a larger memory card. The other type of mp3 players are similar to computers, considering the fact that they hold the memory on a hard disk. They are also known as "jukeboxes" and have hard drives of 20 GB or more. And this is their main advantage, because you can store much more content. You can play music and audio books and lately display pictures and play video files as well. However, you need to know that the hard disk is not upgradeable, so you should decide right from the start how much storage space do you really need. Another disadvantage is that they are expensive compared to the flash mp3 players.
3) If price is important to you, then you need to know that you can have a flash mp3 player for $100 or less. The most expensive hard drive mp3 players can cost in the $500 range. However, as new models appear all the time, older quality models are now available at cheaper prices, even for the hard drive mp3 players.
4) Research before you buy. We often tend to buy on impulse, but please don't do it. It is very easy to get on the Internet and check the websites with reviews from other users or comparison websites. This way you can find "insider" information that you would otherwise have no access to. You can even find websites that will show you web sites with various prices for the same mp3 player, and the differences can be quite large. You never know when you can find a really good deal. Basically, know what you want and need and then do the research. This way you can be almost sure that you will choose the right mp3 player for you.
Lily S. is the owner of OdioMall.com. She has been online for about 10 years and actively in the internet marketing business over a year now. She's also helping people to start their online business from scratch by offering them a partnership with her and free materials.
1) First of all, you need to find out what are your needs. It sounds obvious, but choosing the right mp3 player for you starts right here. You should ask yourself "What kind of mp3 player do I want?" and "What I will be using the mp3 player for?" Can you afford an expensive mp3 player, or do you want a cheaper one? You will use it while driving to and from work, working around the house or exercising? It needs to play video files and to show pictures as well? Or maybe you need it to have a FM
radio tuner or digital voice recording features. Find out exactly what you need it for and then it will be much easier to choose.
2) There are two types of mp3 players: flash mp3 players and hard drive mp3 players.
The advantage of the flash mp3 players is that they have no moving parts (they have an embedded memory chip) and are ideal to use while running or exercising. Another advantage is that they are cheaper than hard disk mp3 players. The disadvantage is that flash mp3 players have relatively low memory, but on the other hand they can be upgraded by choosing a larger memory card. The other type of mp3 players are similar to computers, considering the fact that they hold the memory on a hard disk. They are also known as "jukeboxes" and have hard drives of 20 GB or more. And this is their main advantage, because you can store much more content. You can play music and audio books and lately display pictures and play video files as well. However, you need to know that the hard disk is not upgradeable, so you should decide right from the start how much storage space do you really need. Another disadvantage is that they are expensive compared to the flash mp3 players.
3) If price is important to you, then you need to know that you can have a flash mp3 player for $100 or less. The most expensive hard drive mp3 players can cost in the $500 range. However, as new models appear all the time, older quality models are now available at cheaper prices, even for the hard drive mp3 players.
4) Research before you buy. We often tend to buy on impulse, but please don't do it. It is very easy to get on the Internet and check the websites with reviews from other users or comparison websites. This way you can find "insider" information that you would otherwise have no access to. You can even find websites that will show you web sites with various prices for the same mp3 player, and the differences can be quite large. You never know when you can find a really good deal. Basically, know what you want and need and then do the research. This way you can be almost sure that you will choose the right mp3 player for you.
Lily S. is the owner of OdioMall.com. She has been online for about 10 years and actively in the internet marketing business over a year now. She's also helping people to start their online business from scratch by offering them a partnership with her and free materials.
Audio Books, Something Educational To Use Your MP3 Player For
The MP3 player and other devices have become very popular. The many advancements that have been made in terms of technology are amazing. We have much more technology now than we did just five or ten years ago. The technology industry is always coming out with something new and improved. All these devices are to make our lives easier. We can do so much with the technology we have, and it will just continue to become more advanced.
The MP3 player is one of the many technologies that has grown rapidly in popularity. Your MP3 player allows you to take your music with you anywhere. Many people enjoy listening to their music, and this allows you to do so where ever you want. You can listen to your favorite songs while at work, or jogging, or exercising, without disturbing anyone else. They are small enough to stick in your pocket and be out of the way. No bulky walkmans to carry around anymore.
Time seems to be something many people feel they do not have enough of. We are so busy doing so many things it is sometimes hard to get everything done, or find time to do everything we want to do. Reading is one such thing that many people do not have time for. Finding the time to sit down and read a book can be very difficult in today's busy world. After going to work all day, and cooking, and cleaning, and taking care of the kids it is hard to make time for reading. After getting everything else done you are ready to just go to bed.
The MP3 player may have a solution to your problem. You can now download audio books for free off the internet. You can visit one of the many sites available and get an audio book. By doing this you can be listening to your book instead of reading it. Now you can get your reading in while you are cleaning, or cooking supper, or on the drive to work. This is a great way for you to keep up on your reading and still keep up with the rest of your busy life.
There are many sites that offer these free audio books. Some sites offer only certain categories, while others have a wider variety. You can find audio books of the Bible, or scripture readings if that is what you would like. You can also find classic books, or science fiction, or more modern novels, or even children books, or rhymes. Whatever you are looking for you can find. You can many options available to you.
Next time you want to read a book, but don't think you have the time you may want to think again. Just remember that there is a wide variety of audio books available for you to download for your MP3 player for free.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as audio books at http://www.bargainbookstoreonline.com
The MP3 player is one of the many technologies that has grown rapidly in popularity. Your MP3 player allows you to take your music with you anywhere. Many people enjoy listening to their music, and this allows you to do so where ever you want. You can listen to your favorite songs while at work, or jogging, or exercising, without disturbing anyone else. They are small enough to stick in your pocket and be out of the way. No bulky walkmans to carry around anymore.
Time seems to be something many people feel they do not have enough of. We are so busy doing so many things it is sometimes hard to get everything done, or find time to do everything we want to do. Reading is one such thing that many people do not have time for. Finding the time to sit down and read a book can be very difficult in today's busy world. After going to work all day, and cooking, and cleaning, and taking care of the kids it is hard to make time for reading. After getting everything else done you are ready to just go to bed.
The MP3 player may have a solution to your problem. You can now download audio books for free off the internet. You can visit one of the many sites available and get an audio book. By doing this you can be listening to your book instead of reading it. Now you can get your reading in while you are cleaning, or cooking supper, or on the drive to work. This is a great way for you to keep up on your reading and still keep up with the rest of your busy life.
There are many sites that offer these free audio books. Some sites offer only certain categories, while others have a wider variety. You can find audio books of the Bible, or scripture readings if that is what you would like. You can also find classic books, or science fiction, or more modern novels, or even children books, or rhymes. Whatever you are looking for you can find. You can many options available to you.
Next time you want to read a book, but don't think you have the time you may want to think again. Just remember that there is a wide variety of audio books available for you to download for your MP3 player for free.
Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Beach, Florida. Find more about this as well as audio books at http://www.bargainbookstoreonline.com
Flash Based MP3 Players Versus Hard Drive Based MP3 Players
According to the music, audio and video loving public, MP3 players are one of the greatest creations ever invented. They not only allow you to build humungous sound file libraries, but you can also take those files with you and listen to them wherever you go, whether it’s into the next room or an entirely different country. And actually, it’s not only sound files that you can travel with. The MP3 player market has greatly expanded to include mini digital screens that allow you to store and watch videos and keep and display photo ‘albums’ as well. It doesn’t get much better than that in terms of convenience.
And although MP3 players are a great convenience and are not difficult to use, there are differences between them, specifically in terms of their inner workings. Let’s take a look at the technological differences to get a better idea of what this means.
Hard Drive Based MP3 Players
Also referred to as Digital Jukeboxes, a hard drive based MP3 player can incorporate, nowadays, up to a 100 gigabyte memory card. That’s an awesome size providing an abundant amount of space to store all of your digital files. A hard drive based MP3 player affords you with the opportunity to download and store all of your music and other digital files directly into your MP3, where they will remain for safe keeping and your listening and viewing pleasure until you either delete them, add to them or copy over them. Once the hard drive is full, it’s full, however it would take a very, very long time and an enormous amount of digital files to fill up 100 gig hard drive.
There is also something called a micro-hard drive MP3 player that is available as well. These have a smaller memory capacity, but are also much lighter than the MP3 players with the larger hard drives.
Flash Based MP3 Player
Flash based MP3 players are latest craze to hit the portable audio and video device market. Unlike the hard drive based MP3 player, a flash based player only provides you with up to 4 gigabytes of memory on each card, but those cards are interchangeable. So you can still collect music, videos and photos with a flash based MP3 player, however they don’t have nearly the same amount of storage space. But as mentioned, you can change the flash card as frequently as you like, almost like changing a CD on your stereo. Keep in mind that you need special, additional, compatible equipment such as a flash reader for your computer in order for you to be able to download the digital files and then transfer the card to your MP3 player.
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for TotalMP3Player.com If you're looking to get the most out of your Ipod, then be sure to visit TotalMP3player.com to learn about Ipod Hacks and where you can buy wholesale ipods.
And although MP3 players are a great convenience and are not difficult to use, there are differences between them, specifically in terms of their inner workings. Let’s take a look at the technological differences to get a better idea of what this means.
Hard Drive Based MP3 Players
Also referred to as Digital Jukeboxes, a hard drive based MP3 player can incorporate, nowadays, up to a 100 gigabyte memory card. That’s an awesome size providing an abundant amount of space to store all of your digital files. A hard drive based MP3 player affords you with the opportunity to download and store all of your music and other digital files directly into your MP3, where they will remain for safe keeping and your listening and viewing pleasure until you either delete them, add to them or copy over them. Once the hard drive is full, it’s full, however it would take a very, very long time and an enormous amount of digital files to fill up 100 gig hard drive.
There is also something called a micro-hard drive MP3 player that is available as well. These have a smaller memory capacity, but are also much lighter than the MP3 players with the larger hard drives.
Flash Based MP3 Player
Flash based MP3 players are latest craze to hit the portable audio and video device market. Unlike the hard drive based MP3 player, a flash based player only provides you with up to 4 gigabytes of memory on each card, but those cards are interchangeable. So you can still collect music, videos and photos with a flash based MP3 player, however they don’t have nearly the same amount of storage space. But as mentioned, you can change the flash card as frequently as you like, almost like changing a CD on your stereo. Keep in mind that you need special, additional, compatible equipment such as a flash reader for your computer in order for you to be able to download the digital files and then transfer the card to your MP3 player.
Gray Rollins is a featured writer for TotalMP3Player.com If you're looking to get the most out of your Ipod, then be sure to visit TotalMP3player.com to learn about Ipod Hacks and where you can buy wholesale ipods.
Choosing the Right MP3 Player
You may be too young to remember, or maybe you do and would rather not, the once familiar scene of somebody walking down the street with a transistor radio pinned to his ear. Back in the seventies, it was quite common to see people bobbing their heads to a beat only they could hear, distracted from the rest of the world. One can imagine how a young person today would find the image ridiculous, as he straps on his MP3 player and goes about his day in the same manner.
From bulky handheld radios, to Walkmans, to iPods, the ability to listen to music on the go has evolved. Meanwhile the devices with which we listen have arguably devolved in size! Amazing to see how a tiny music player barely covers the palm of a baby's hand, yet can hold hundreds of recorded songs! Yet, how do you know which music player is right for you?
The technology of MP3, or streamed MPEG audio, had definitely made life easier for music lovers who want to take their tunes anywhere they wish. Where the traditional portable tape player limited a person to one tape of up to twenty songs, an MP3 player allows the user to listen to as many as a thousand without having to go home for more music! Whether used for jogging, to break the boredom of housework, or to keep the pace going at work, the MP3 player has fast become a necessity. Everywhere you go, you see tiny ear buds connected to thin wires.
Here are some things to consider if you are in the market for an MP3 player:
Price versus Usability
How much are you willing to spend on such a device? Depending upon its capacity and capabilities, players can run from just under a hundred dollars to as much as five hundred. If you consider yourself a nominal user, taking a player out on a daily, hour-long run, you might not need video capability or the need to log in thousands of songs when only a hundred or so would do.
The frequent traveler, on the other hand, may appreciate the MP3 player with built in video options for watching recorded shows, or listening to favorite podcasts, while flying or on a train. Determine your needs and the reality of your use for an MP3 player, and buy accordingly.
Ease and Compatibility
What kind of computer do you own? Is the player compatible with your current platform? You will need a computer to download the music to the player, and you want to be certain the software that accompanies it is user-friendly and doesn't take up too much memory in your hard drive. As you shop for players, as to see demonstrations of as many as possible, and get a feel for how you will be able to operate your player. Find out if there are any warranties involved, and ask about customer support should something go wrong.
Once you have educated yourself with regards to the type of MP3 player you want, you can enjoy your music freely.
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer and editor. She offers free SEO advice to authors and webmasters. She writes for The Computer Connection, military computer financing at affordable prices.
From bulky handheld radios, to Walkmans, to iPods, the ability to listen to music on the go has evolved. Meanwhile the devices with which we listen have arguably devolved in size! Amazing to see how a tiny music player barely covers the palm of a baby's hand, yet can hold hundreds of recorded songs! Yet, how do you know which music player is right for you?
The technology of MP3, or streamed MPEG audio, had definitely made life easier for music lovers who want to take their tunes anywhere they wish. Where the traditional portable tape player limited a person to one tape of up to twenty songs, an MP3 player allows the user to listen to as many as a thousand without having to go home for more music! Whether used for jogging, to break the boredom of housework, or to keep the pace going at work, the MP3 player has fast become a necessity. Everywhere you go, you see tiny ear buds connected to thin wires.
Here are some things to consider if you are in the market for an MP3 player:
Price versus Usability
How much are you willing to spend on such a device? Depending upon its capacity and capabilities, players can run from just under a hundred dollars to as much as five hundred. If you consider yourself a nominal user, taking a player out on a daily, hour-long run, you might not need video capability or the need to log in thousands of songs when only a hundred or so would do.
The frequent traveler, on the other hand, may appreciate the MP3 player with built in video options for watching recorded shows, or listening to favorite podcasts, while flying or on a train. Determine your needs and the reality of your use for an MP3 player, and buy accordingly.
Ease and Compatibility
What kind of computer do you own? Is the player compatible with your current platform? You will need a computer to download the music to the player, and you want to be certain the software that accompanies it is user-friendly and doesn't take up too much memory in your hard drive. As you shop for players, as to see demonstrations of as many as possible, and get a feel for how you will be able to operate your player. Find out if there are any warranties involved, and ask about customer support should something go wrong.
Once you have educated yourself with regards to the type of MP3 player you want, you can enjoy your music freely.
Kathryn Lively is a freelance writer and editor. She offers free SEO advice to authors and webmasters. She writes for The Computer Connection, military computer financing at affordable prices.
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