how do mp3 players work?

Recording audio started towards the end of the 19th century with Thomas Edison's phonograph. This was a machine (that consisted of a tinfoil cylinder and a speaker that resembled the megaphone) that he invented and used to make a recording of Mary Had a Little Lamb, the first song recorded. This moment was crucial in the history of recorded sound. Wax, metal and other materials are shaped into cylinders and disks were used for at least 50 years. In 1929 the vinyl records were made and dominated the scene for the next forty years. Amazingly enough magnetic tape was developed at the same time but it only gained popularity in the 1960s. In 1985, the Compact Disc was developed by Sony and Philips and instantly became a huge success and, 13 years later, the portable MP3 player then made its debut. It was a breakthrough that would change everything; we can now store and listen to a massive amount of music, not just a few songs that use up all the memory of the player. So, in order to be able to store much, we must get the file compressed. This is where the codec software enters the stage; it can convert analogue music to a smaller digital file which is then stored in the memory of the MP3 (the air pressure waves that we hear as sounds bear the name of ‘analogue audio' when they are recorded). MP3 files can be constructed at higher or lower bit rates, with higher or lower resulting quality. A mid-range bit rate setting of 128 Kbit/s results in a file of about 1/10th the size of the file created from the original source. When we listen to our music, the software that has been embedded in the player reads the file which then decompresses it, converts it to analogue, amplifies the signal and transfers it to the headphones. This, in a nutshell, is how it works. As for the hardware, there is a laser device that reads the CD's, just as the stylus works for the records and a magnetic head for cassette tapes. The idea no longer looks puzzling now that several types of MP3 players have been created and the future of the system is likely to store even more revolutionary devices of the kind. We will certainly see an increase in a wide range of products but, for the time being, there are only three types of MP3 players available. The smallest, cheapest and probably the most reliable of all are the Flash Players. Their batteries are long lasting due to the fact that they have no moving parts. The capacity of these players has already reached 4GB and will surely increase in the near future. The newest models are about the size of a credit card. Hard Drive Players can have a memory of 80GB so they can hold thousands of tunes, photos and videos. All this on a device that is about the size of a deck of cards. Last but not least, the latest generation of portable CD-players, the CD MP3 players, employ MP3, ATRAC and WMA formats; some of them can even burn CDs, and will hold 10 to 45 hours of music per disc. There are also Minidisk models, a little more expensive than the standard ones.

By Ron Aldo

what`s hot for 2009 in mp3 devices?

What's hot for 2009 in mp3 devices? If you go by name recognition alone it would be anything from Apple's iPod series. Face it Steve Job and team have done a great job equating the iPod with all things mp3. There is more to the mp3 landscape, however. Did you know there are mp3 players that do not require any connectivity to the Internet to function? Did you know there are combination CD mp3 players? Did you know there are many models that are extremely affordable and easy to use? If not, keep reading we think you'll find something that's a perfect fit. Apple iPod – We'll bring this up first because we know it's what you'll probably think of first. From the iPod Shuffle to the iPod Touch you'll find an option from $49 to around $400. Price and unit will depend entirely on what you want it to do.

The 1 GB unit will allow you to house more than 200 songs, while the larger 32 GB units allow video, movies and certain PDA qualities that make it a function that goes beyond what you might think of an mp3 device. Sony MP3 – The 21st Century finds Sony selling an entirely new Walkman. At the time of this review a 2 GB Walkman could be purchased for around $40. This included an FM receiver and a record function for radio shows you want to record digitally for later playback. Like the iPod you can also feature larger units with a video display. Available units provide up to 8 GB of storage. Phillips MP3 – Like the Sony the top end player is an 8 GB video and audio mp3 device. Also like Sony this provides an FM receiver. Their top end unit (SA6185) provides built in speakers allowing you to share your video and music without ear buds. Coby MP3 – This company has always been about providing affordable electronics. They provide a 2 GB mp3 player for around $27. This unit is based on a USB plug built in. No cords needed. On the top end Coby provides a wide screen video playback unit that comes in models up to 16 GB of storage. Creative MP3 – How's this for tantalizing? A 2 GB mp3 player for more than $20 less than a 1 GB iPod Shuffle? Creative has provided this with the Zen Stone. This also features speakers and an FM receiver. PC World reviewed Creative's top model, the Zen X-Fi and said, "…beyond question a better all-around digital music player than any of Apple's current iPods." The 32 GB unit sells for less than $300 and comes with the ability to use certain Internet functions in a wireless atmosphere. RCA MP3 – RCA has long been known for their electronics and commitment to audio. The 2 GB Pearl is an unusual offering. This mp3 player provides the least expensive unit and it comes with the ability to expand your playlist through an onboard slot for an expansion card. The downside is the unit is powered by a single AAA battery. This will need replacing about every 15 hours. For the sports enthusiast RCA provides the Jet Stream. This provides wireless earphones, a stopwatch, calorie counter and pedometer. Zune MP3 – So, you're thinking 32 GB may not be enough for the music and videos you want to play on your portable mp3 player. Zune from Microsoft offers up to 120 of space for around $250. They also offer units for less die hard fans with 4 GB at the lower end.

Sandisk MP3 – This company has taken a hard look at how some people listen to music and concluded that there were some who would love an mp3 player, but who either did not have a computer or the expertise needed to download music. That's the premise behind SlotMusic. This product allows you to simply plug a pre-loaded card into the mp3 player with music – much like a CD. It is the only mp3 player reviewed that offers a completely offline way to gain mp3 music. However, they also provide units that do require Internet connectivity with up to 32 GB of space for around $250. Buying Your MP3 Player Online shopping has become a great way to purchase electronics.


By Anthony Coleman