MP3 Players

MP3 Players  are portable music players that use a hard drive, microdrive, or flash drive.  Their primary function is to store and play digital music, and many function much like a portable computer.  They are much more efficient than using CDs because you can bring all your music on a single device which saves you the hassle of lugging around a  massive CD wallet .  At this point, owning an MP3 player isn't ahead of the curve--it's downright essential. With music at your fingertips thanks to the internet, why not own a MP3 player!? 

Leading Brands

Apple iPod While the iPod touch  leads the pack with entertaining applications, wi-fi capabilities, and touch screen technology, the Shuffle  and Nano  are still among the most popular models delivering no-frills music.  The iPod Classic  should also be recognized as the rock-solid MP3 player that started it all for Apple.

Zune (by Microsoft) Microsoft's Zune is another great MP3 player for those looking to take their digital music on-the-go.  With all five models offering music, video, and photo support you simply can't go wrong.  They range from 4GB - 120GB in capacity, and are sure to please you with seamless integration on Microsoft machines and the intuitive controls.  An FM tuner is also included on all models, which makes this MP3 player more attractive than the iPod to some.

Zen (by Creative) The Zen, by Creative is all about versatility. Each one of their MP3 players has its own unique features, but all boast FM tuners for radio enthusiasts.  The deluxe X-Fi model  features HD audio support and wi-fi capabilities and should not be overlooked by technology junkies. On the simpler side, the Mosaic  delivers hours of music along with a few lifestyle tools (alarm clock, planner...), and an external speaker packed into an attractive interface.

Integration (With Your Media Collection)

One of the most challenging processes new MP3 owners face is integrating their MP3 player with their media collection.  Many are eager to use their new MP3 player and simply start dragging and dropping, paying no attention to where everything is located.  This almost certainly leads to missing files, invalid directories, and of course, frustration. Follow these tips to organize your media collection:

• Decide on a single folder for your music.
• This will serve as the primary location for your music files.
• This will be the directory you will tell iTunes or any other MP3 player software where your music is located.
• Use sub-directories to organize by artist.
• Each folder inside your main folder should be a different artist.
• Ex- C:\my music\pink floyd
• Separate Albums
• Inside each artist folder should be each album by that artist
• Ex- C:\my music\pink floyd\the wall
• Use a separate folder for singles.
• If you like to collect singles in addition to full length albums, use a separate folder to store them.
• Ex- C:\my music\singles
• Tag your music.
• 'Tagging' music is the process of labelling your music.
• Common tags include: Artist, Album, Track title, Genre, and Album art.
• Tag&Rename is excellent software for doing this with ease.

• Use the same structure for film.
• If your MP3 player supports film, place your videos in a separate folder. 

Care

• Never leave your MP3 player exposed to extreme heat or cold for a prolonged amount of time.
• This can seriously reduce the battery's lifespan.

• Never get your MP3 player wet or expose it to moisture.
• This will void most warranties and repair agreements.

• Avoid leaving your MP3 player in plain view in your car.
• In addition to car stereos, MP3 players are becoming a favourite target for thieves.

• Buy a case for your MP3 player to protect it from drops and scratches

Related Products

MP3 Player Accessories	Headphones	iPod Speakers	iPod Cases	iPod Accessories

International Resources

For this resource in your home country, please see:
NL: MP3 Speler Shopgids