Make Sure You Get the Right Player
Mar 26 '00
Every MP3 player offers something different with regards to features, options, and even the "host-computer" that fills the MP3 player with music.
I recently bought an MP3 player (a Samsung Yepp) not because it was the best player on the market, but because it came closest to the feature set I wanted. The list of players I considered went from the archaic Diamond Rio 300 up to the latest models, like the Creative Nomad II.
Keep in mind that the best player today will be eclipsed by a player next week or next month. Plan on obsolescence or on spending a whole lot of money.
The things I considered carefully included
1) Operating Systems Supported. Software comes bundled with every MP3 player. This software, which facilitates the transfer of MP3's between the computer and the player, runs only on specified operating systems. For example, the software for the Yepp and Lyra run on NT (and 9x), while the software that bundles with the Sony VAIO Memory Clip is 98 only. I have yet to see any MP3 player advertise Win2k support. Better have the right operating system, or your MP3 player will be useless.
2) USB or Parallel Port? If you have NT, you have no choice - it's parallel port only. If you have 95 (Second Edition), 98 or 2000, and have a USB port on your computer, then you have a choice. USB is faster, but parallel is ubiquitous. But be warned - parallel players usually require ECP or EPP parallel ports - if your computer is a little older, check your documentation.
3) Expandable? How? Not all players are expandable (the Sony VAIO is not). If it is expandable, there are issues to consider.
There are two different media types - CompactFlash and SmartMedia. CompactFlash cards come in larger "capacities", are often used by digital cameras, and can be plugged into a special reader or PCMIA adapter (which you plug into a laptop) for faster data transfer. In addition, the IBM Microdrive (340 meg, the size of a box of matches) is compatible with the CompactFlash standard, so the drive is an option for some players - the Creative Nomad II is one. The Lyra uses CompactFlash, but state that they will not support the IBM Microdrive. I have seen no significant advantages for SmartMedia (but that doesn't mean they don't exist).
4) Internal Memory? A corollary to expandability is how much internal memory comes with the player, and how that memory is provided. A good-quality MP3 will, as a rule of thumb, take one megabyte of storage per minute of music. Have a 32-megabyte player? You'll get about 32 minutes of music. Simple.
Next, you have to consider how the manufacturer provided that memory. It could either be built in (the Samsung Yepp has 64 meg of memory built in) or it could be provided by a bundled memory card (the Lyra has no internal memory - you get a bundled card). I prefer a player with built in memory, and an expansion slot. I don't like the idea of fiddling with these media cards - if the memory is built in, then I can use the player without a card.
5) Is it Extendible? Some players have the ability to download new CODECs (CODEC stands for COder-DECoder - it's the software that reads the MP3 and turns it into sound). There will undoubtedly be new formats to encode music in (especially to ensure that you aren't pirating it). If your player is not upgradeable, it will become obsolete quite quickly. The RCA Lyra and Creative Nomad II can be upgraded.
6) Jiggle Proof? Yup, not all MP3 players are solid state. Several are on the market (or will be soon) that use hard drives, like the IBM Microdrive. I wouldn't trust these to work well for people with an active lifestyle. Most of the big-name players are solid state, but something to keep in mind.
7) Power Supply? What type of batteries does it come with? What size? Some require AAA-size batteries, others AA. Some provide a rechargeable battery (and the player acts as a charger). Probably not a big deal, but something to keep in mind.
8) Other Extras? Does it come with a belt-clip? Are the headphones the style you want (some are "buds", others are the standard over-the-head-cushion-type)? What about cables (parallel or USB)?
9) Other Features. The Yepp does voice recording (for meetings) and can store names and phone numbers. Pretty handy. Voice recording is becoming the norm, and I would expect the same for basic data storage. Look for convergence of PDAs (like Palm Pilots) and MP3 players.
10) Did it Fit My Lifestyle. Kind of a weird question, but I needed a generic title to discuss all the possible unique features that all manufacturers build into their players. Do you need a back lit LCD display? Do you want to be able to tweak the equalizer settings, or are some predefined setting enough? How small or big do you want the player? Are the buttons too small or close together? If you exercise with the player, will you accidentally hit buttons? Lots of questions - look at these sorts of things when picking a player.
I hope this addresses most of the issues. MP3 players are not cheap - you want to make sure that you get one with the right features. Check out my review of the Samsung Yepp to figure out what I thought was important.
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Epinions.com ID:
DavidGriffiths
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Member: David Griffiths
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Reviews written: 90
Trusted by: 79 members
About Me:
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