Mp3 Players
In 1899, US patent commissioner Charles Duell was quoted as saying, "Everything that can be invented has been invented." Thank goodness this wasn't true! Of course, since then we've had televisions, personal computers, cell phones, and in very recent decades such remarkable innovations as the MP3 players. If you've never owned an iPod, you may not know just what an MP3 player is and how it's used. Here are some basics about what an MP3 player is, its electronic components, how it works, and the variety of MP3 players on the market today.
What is it?
An MP3 player is a device used to store music, video, and photos. Unlike former innovations that allowed consumers to do these things, an MP3 player is extremely convenient because it can fit into a pocket, enabling users to easily carry it anywhere and use it at just about any time. Regardless of its small stature, however, a typical MP3 player has around 20 gigabytes of memory, which means it has the capacity of storing about 500 CDs! But what exactly is this little gadget? Think of an MP3 player as a computer. Just like your desktop or laptop, an MP3 player stores files. The MP3 player derives its moniker from the MP3 files, which are audio-specific format files, which are stored on it. DOC and PDF are types of files used for storing certain information such as printable documents, while MP3 is a file type which is used for storing music. An MP3 player is a specific type of computer which is used to play back sounds stored in coded format.
How does it work?
The MP3 file format, or MPEG audio layer III, revolutionized the music industry back in the late 20th century. This was when the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) developed video-data compression systems, including HDTV broadcasts, digital satellites, and DVD movies. The MP3 compression system developed by MPEG is a compression system that actually reduces the number of bytes in a song, while still retaining clear sound. This was no small feat, because compressing a song compromises its sound quality. With MP3 compression, consumers no longer have to sacrifice sound quality for the convenience of a smaller file size. Of course, this smaller file size allows for music to be downloaded faster from the internet. Another difference between the MP3 player and previous music players is its solid-state memory. Earlier forms of music devices require moving parts that read encoded data on a CD or a tape. MP3 players, however, use data storage with a software application embedded within to allow the transfer of MP3 files to it. This embedded software is another reason for the MP3 player's convenience and portability. An MP3 player is a digital music player, storing its music and photo files in digital files in binary code, which is used for different methods of encoding data using the binary number system's two binary digits of 0 and 1. Like every other computerized device on the market today, MP3 players use circuit boards, made of material that does not conduct electricity, which is used to hold its electronic components such as capacitors and resistors that hold and manage the electrical charge.
What are the different types?
There are a myriad of types of MP3 players out on the market today, including hard drive, mini-hard drive, and flash memory players. What type is best depends on a consumer's budget, needs, and purposes of use.
Hard drive and mini-hard drive
These types of MP3 players are a bit heavier and larger than other types, typically because they offer more storage capacity. If you're looking to purchase something that can hold the entirety of your favorite music collection, plus video and photos, the hard drive is probably for you. A drawback may be the fact that they do contain moving parts, and moving parts can cause songs to skip. These types of MP3 players do often contain some sort of anti-skip protection. This type of MP3 player can also allow podcast recording. Aptly named, the mini-hard drive MP3 player is akin to its larger counterpart, as it still contains moving parts. The fact that it is smaller, though, gives it less storage capability.
Flash memory
This is the lightest and smallest type of MP3 player, which means it generally has less storage capacity. These types of players have no moving parts, which make them excellent for those who wish to listen to their music while working out. They are still capable of holding a good deal of music files, though, regardless of their small stature.
MP3 players have become the world's most popular gadget for storing and playing back music, video, and photo files. With their incredible ease and convenience of use, MP3 players arguably have revolutionized the way consumers not only listen to their favorite music, but the way the world records everyday and special occasions.
What is it?
An MP3 player is a device used to store music, video, and photos. Unlike former innovations that allowed consumers to do these things, an MP3 player is extremely convenient because it can fit into a pocket, enabling users to easily carry it anywhere and use it at just about any time. Regardless of its small stature, however, a typical MP3 player has around 20 gigabytes of memory, which means it has the capacity of storing about 500 CDs! But what exactly is this little gadget? Think of an MP3 player as a computer. Just like your desktop or laptop, an MP3 player stores files. The MP3 player derives its moniker from the MP3 files, which are audio-specific format files, which are stored on it. DOC and PDF are types of files used for storing certain information such as printable documents, while MP3 is a file type which is used for storing music. An MP3 player is a specific type of computer which is used to play back sounds stored in coded format.
How does it work?
The MP3 file format, or MPEG audio layer III, revolutionized the music industry back in the late 20th century. This was when the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG) developed video-data compression systems, including HDTV broadcasts, digital satellites, and DVD movies. The MP3 compression system developed by MPEG is a compression system that actually reduces the number of bytes in a song, while still retaining clear sound. This was no small feat, because compressing a song compromises its sound quality. With MP3 compression, consumers no longer have to sacrifice sound quality for the convenience of a smaller file size. Of course, this smaller file size allows for music to be downloaded faster from the internet. Another difference between the MP3 player and previous music players is its solid-state memory. Earlier forms of music devices require moving parts that read encoded data on a CD or a tape. MP3 players, however, use data storage with a software application embedded within to allow the transfer of MP3 files to it. This embedded software is another reason for the MP3 player's convenience and portability. An MP3 player is a digital music player, storing its music and photo files in digital files in binary code, which is used for different methods of encoding data using the binary number system's two binary digits of 0 and 1. Like every other computerized device on the market today, MP3 players use circuit boards, made of material that does not conduct electricity, which is used to hold its electronic components such as capacitors and resistors that hold and manage the electrical charge.
What are the different types?
There are a myriad of types of MP3 players out on the market today, including hard drive, mini-hard drive, and flash memory players. What type is best depends on a consumer's budget, needs, and purposes of use.
Hard drive and mini-hard drive
These types of MP3 players are a bit heavier and larger than other types, typically because they offer more storage capacity. If you're looking to purchase something that can hold the entirety of your favorite music collection, plus video and photos, the hard drive is probably for you. A drawback may be the fact that they do contain moving parts, and moving parts can cause songs to skip. These types of MP3 players do often contain some sort of anti-skip protection. This type of MP3 player can also allow podcast recording. Aptly named, the mini-hard drive MP3 player is akin to its larger counterpart, as it still contains moving parts. The fact that it is smaller, though, gives it less storage capability.
Flash memory
This is the lightest and smallest type of MP3 player, which means it generally has less storage capacity. These types of players have no moving parts, which make them excellent for those who wish to listen to their music while working out. They are still capable of holding a good deal of music files, though, regardless of their small stature.
MP3 players have become the world's most popular gadget for storing and playing back music, video, and photo files. With their incredible ease and convenience of use, MP3 players arguably have revolutionized the way consumers not only listen to their favorite music, but the way the world records everyday and special occasions.