Listening to music has come a long way. From the antique gramophone disc to audio cassettes, from the CD to itunes — it’s been an interesting journey for music lovers. The latest is a range of MP3 players. Choosing a model from the wide variety in the market can be an overwhelming experience. A player may look ravishing but may not have a brand name. Consumer Education and Research Society, Ahmedabad, advises you not to buy an MP3 player just because it looks fancy. Think about how you plan to use it, what suits your lifestyle best. There is no use buying a player that stores 1,000 songs but leaves you baffled while trying to switch it on.

There are three types of MP3 players — flash drive, hard drive and micro hard drive-based players. If you are very active and like to exercise to music, you may want to consider flash drive players. These are very durable and work efficiently even when you are on a treadmill or playing a sport. They are the only ones without any moving parts. The battery for these players lasts much longer and can play music from two to 70 hours.

However, if you are not on the move all the time, you might want to consider hard drive players. The battery for these will last for around eight to 20 hours. These players are capable of retaining more data and so are larger in size and have a bigger screen too. However, these players tend to skip songs when subjected to intense physical movement.

Micro hard drive players are a compressed version of the hard drive players with the same skipping defect when used with vigorous physical activity. These players are popular among buyers as they weigh less and have a compact size with a fine storage capacity. Listed here are some features of flash and hard drive players, which you must keep in mind while choosing an MP3 player.

Connectivity is the way a player talks to the computer so that it can transfer music. The main option available is the USB port. This requires a special cable, usually included in the packaging. The display screen on most digital audio players is tiny these days. Using the screen is a must as it helps to navigate through the options in the player. The content should always be visible.

Colour screen, photo viewing and video playback — most MP3 players now come equipped with a colour screen that can display JPEG and BMP digital files. This is a nice feature for those who like to carry precious memories with them.

Many players offer FM radio reception. This feature is common on flash drive-based players. Other radio-related features include FM recording, transmission and presets. Very few players are compatible with AM reception. Advanced playback features — newer models offer the feature to create on-the-fly playlists without a computer, smart playlists, song rating methods and automatic volume control, to name a few.

File types and formats help the data to be downloaded from the computer. The most basic MP3 player would read the .mp format, if not more. Software guides you to get music on to the player. Most players allow you to compile playlists and copy files. The instructions given by the software have to be precise. Most players are compatible with software from Linux, Mac, Windows and Windows Vista.

Storage capacity is one of the main features of the MP3 player. If the storage required is to supplement the home entertainment system, it better be large. Players with expandable memory options are also available in the market.

Battery type and life will determine how long your player lasts. Most MP3 players mainly use rechargeable batteries. Frequent travellers should opt for replaceable alkaline batteries. AA or AAA batteries are more widely available.

Players now also have the Wi-Fi feature to download songs. Players with bigger storage capacity can store files and data in case you have forgotten your pen drive or CD. Some players have inbuilt microphones to record a lecture or conversation.

Before you invest in an MP3 player, check with some users. Browse through the range of players available at the malls. Surf the Internet and visit the sites of manufacturers. If any particular feature is important to you, make sure the MP3 player you want has it. The price of the players available in the Indian market may range from Rs 500 to Rs 20,000.

TIPS ON BUYING MP3 PLAYERS

The sound quality is most important for good music. If you are not satisfied with the quality of the earbuds offered with the player, go in for another set from a different company.

Get the most storage space you can afford. Extra storage doesn’t mar the quality but helps as a data storage device.

Go in for a system that automatically synchronises with the music collection on your computer. It saves a lot of time as the files are compared on its own and additions are made, if any.

Prioritise your need. If you need only music, don’t go in for players with video capacities.

Be sure to get an adequate display screen.

The ease of use will reflect how easy it is to use all the functions and controls of the player. So get a first-hand experience and try and navigate all the options.

 

For more information write to cerc@cercindia.org