MP3 player reviews: FAQs
How do MP3 players work?
You can transfer a stack of CDs to your MP3 player
They operate in a different way from other types of personal stereos because you don't insert CDs or DVDs. Instead, content is stored in a digital format.
They’re usually much smaller than portable CD and DVD players, so they fit more easily in your pocket. And they can hold more tunes. The Apple iPod Nano, for example, is smaller than a mobile phone and can hold around 2,000 songs in 8GB (gigabytes) of memory.
You will need a computer to use an MP3 player and ideally access to the internet. You copy, or 'rip', CDs and DVDs you already own onto your computer and transfer them to the player, or you can download music onto the player from websites.
How much storage do I need?
As a rule of thumb, 1MB of storage can hold around one minute of music.
Therefore a 1GB MP3 player can hold roughly 1,000 minutes of music which works out at around 15 CDs worth of music.
Before you buy, think about what you need your player for and then decide whether you need a hard disk or solid state version.
Is digital always better than analogue?
It's a common perception that going digital leads to higher quality, but it depends on the format.
For example, to make audio file sizes manageable, so they don't take up too much space on your computer or MP3 player, most digital formats are compressed using techniques that result in some loss of quality.
Formats such as MP3 remove parts of the music/video. The parts removed are usually not noticeable, but it does depend on how much is removed and how discerning a listener/viewer you are.
How do I prepare music for my MP3 player?
To transfer your CDs to an MP3 player you first have to convert the music into MP3 format. This is done using media player software that comes with your computer (and also sometimes with your player).
One of the advantages of MP3 is that you don't have to record in real time (though some minidisc players can also record at slightly higher speeds), so the process is quite quick.
Can I connect my MP3 player to my hi-fi?
Leads and docking stations
The easiest way to connect your MP3 player to a hi-fi is with a lead (£3 or so) from the line-out or headphone jack to your amp. Some MP3 players come with cradles that have outputs to connect to the hi-fi. When you come home, pop the player in the dock, and it's automatically connected to the hi-fi.
FM
The handiest way to send music from an iPod to a hi-fi or radio is through an FM transmitter. Simply tune your hi-fi's radio to the right frequency and you're away.
Wireless
Of course, if you have an MP3 player, the chances are you've also got a computer that's filled with MP3s. So you can just connect your PC's sound output to your hi-fi and play tracks from there.
You can make this connection wirelessly via Wi-Fi. You’ll also need something to beam the information to – a box that plugs into your hi-fi. These 'extenders' convert the data from your computer into ordinary analogue audio and are widely available from electrical retailers such as Maplin.
Does the bitrate of my digital file matter?
Digital music files are recorded at different bitrates. The higher the bitrate, the more detail is stored in a recording, and the better the audio quality.
However the higher the bitrate, the more memory space and audio file occupies. An 8GB MP3 player stores around 200 albums worth of AAC or MP3 tracks (they’re of comparable audio and bitrate quality), but only around 30 high-quality Wav encoded albums.
What is a podcast?
Podcasts are more popular than ever
Podcasts are downloads from the internet of radio programmes and TV clips. They are a popular way of catching up on radio shows, and will work on any MP3 player.
Which? has its very own podcasts and you can find free content on the BBC website, such as Mark Kermode’s movie reviews.
Podcasts from iTunes use the H.264 format.
Can I listen to audiobooks on my MP3 player?
If your player can playback audio files, music isn’t the only option – you can also download talking books from internet sites such as www.audible.co.uk and the iTunes store.
Books are also available in the regular MP3 format from sites such as Silksoundbooks.com. There are thousands of titles to choose from, many voiced by notable actors such as Julie Christie and Bill Nighy. Prices vary, but silksoundbooks sell for £7.95 each.