The Digital Music Revolution By Brian Kerschner

The MP3 The MP3 owes its incredible popularity to one basic fact, it puts music into manageable files which can be downloaded through an internet connection The MP3 owes its incredible popularity to one basic fact, it puts music into manageable files which can be downloaded through an internet connection

How Does the MP3 Work? Well… - The MP3 is a digital audio codec, that is it’s a method of compressing and then decompressing digital sound - The MP3 is called a Lossy Codec because certain portions of the data which are judged to be less essential are removed and cannot be restored upon playback. This allows the MP3 to be a more compact file format - Alternatively, if a codec can reproduce the original data with no loss of quality, it is called Lossless

But just how compact is the MP3? In standard CD format, one minute of music takes up about 10 MB, In standard CD format, one minute of music takes up about 10 MB, In MP3 format, that same minute of music only takes up about 1 MB In MP3 format, that same minute of music only takes up about 1 MB

Where can you play MP3 files? On your personal computer On your personal computer On MP3 CD’s with the appropriately featured CD player On MP3 CD’s with the appropriately featured CD player On portable digital music players On portable digital music players While these portables are sometimes called MP3 players, most players support a number of audio file types While these portables are sometimes called MP3 players, most players support a number of audio file types

3 Popular File Formats MP3 -The most popular codec for storing and transferring music WMA - Developed my Microsoft - Windows Media Audio is one of today’s most popular audio formats. - Though it is not currently as popular as the MP3, WMA tends to outperform MP3 in the area of sound quality.

3 Popular File Formats - This performance advantage makes it a good file format for portable digital audio players, where total play time is limited by a finite amount of internal memory AAC - An up-and-coming compression format for digital audio. - AAC is the audio file format used by Apple in their popular iTunes Music Store

3 Popular File Formats - In terms of sound quality and data efficiency AAC solidly beats the still popular MP3 format - This is not surprising however since AAC is a newer, more advanced form of compression

The Rise Of The Digital Music Player Now that quality music downloading services like the iTunes® Music Store, BuyMusic, and Rhapsody™ are available, pocket-sized MP3 players are more popular than ever. That's because the right portable lets you take your PC audio with you wherever you go. Digital Music players include enough memory to store at least an hour or two of your favorite tunes — and some can store hundreds of hours' worth! Now that quality music downloading services like the iTunes® Music Store, BuyMusic, and Rhapsody™ are available, pocket-sized MP3 players are more popular than ever. That's because the right portable lets you take your PC audio with you wherever you go. Digital Music players include enough memory to store at least an hour or two of your favorite tunes — and some can store hundreds of hours' worth!

Types of Digital Music Players Flash Memory - A very compact form of storage - It cannot skip because its “solid state” memory, so players that use this type of storage are good for jogging, exercise etc.

Types of Digital Music Players - This type of storage is significantly more expensive than hard drive storage so players using it typically have storage measured only in megabytes

Hard Drive - This type of storage stores music on a miniature hard drive - It stores more music but is often bulkier than flash memory,

Types of Digital Music Players - Since these players contain moving parts, they technically are susceptible to skipping, but most of these players incorporate memory buffers that virtually eliminate skipping - Players using this kind of storage usually have larger LCD screens where you can see an interface designed to give you easy navigation of an entire library consisting of hundreds or thousands of songs. - If exposed to electric shock or a powerful magnet, these hard drives can be erased. This is extremely unlikely but possible nonetheless

4 Popular Hard Drive Players There are now more than enough digital music players out there to accommodate unique preferences and individual needs There are now more than enough digital music players out there to accommodate unique preferences and individual needs Here we conduct a survey of 4 popular hard drive players, because while there are dozens of small storage, flash memory players on the market, there are relatively fewer hard drive based players, and therefore the competition is even closer in this market Here we conduct a survey of 4 popular hard drive players, because while there are dozens of small storage, flash memory players on the market, there are relatively fewer hard drive based players, and therefore the competition is even closer in this market

Apple iPod Price: $399 Storage: 20GB (5,000 Songs) Battery: Approx 8 Hours

Apple iPod Advantages - The Apple iPod is the most popular MP3 player of its kind and the standard to which all other players are compared - Its interface is the arguably the most intuitive and easy to use of any player out there - Aesthetically pleasing and sexy looking - Designed for use with iTunes which is arguably the most intuitive and easy to use software

Apple iPod Disadvantages - Compatible with both Mac and PC however for PC users, a USB connection must be purchased separately for Cannot play WMA which is rare, only plays MP3 and AAC files - LCD and case are fragile and vulnerable to scratch, the case that comes included makes the iPod’s buttons and interface inaccessible - More functional cases are available at at additional cost - Lacks Tuner and recording capabilities are also sold separately

Apple iPod Mini Price: $250 Storage: 4GB (1000 songs) Battery: Approx 8 Hours

Apple iPod Mini Advantages - Except for storage, the iPod Mini has all the same features as the iPod except its 40 percent smaller, which is smaller than any cell phone - Comes in a variety of very nice colors

Apple iPod Mini Disadvantages - Apple originally wanted the iPod Mini to be more affordable than the iPod, but the iPod mini is only 50 dollars less than the 15GB iPod, that’s about three times the storage as the iPod Mini - Does not play WMA files, only MP3’s and AAC’s

iRiver iHP 120 Price: 400 dollars Storage: 20GB (5000 Songs) Battery: Approx 15 Hours

iRiver iHP 120 Advantages - Same price as equivalent storage iPod - Includes FM tuner - Includes a digital voice recorder and remote - Has twice the battery strength as the iPod - Plays MP3, WMA, and WAV files

iRiver iHP 120 Disadvantages - iRiver I HP 120 is not as easy to use as the iPod - Its not as aesthetically pleasing as other players

Rio Karma Price: $300 Storage: 20GB (5,000 songs) Battery Life: Approx Hours

Rio Karma Advantages - Costs 50 dollars less than the storage equivalent iPod - Has twice the battery strength as the iPod - Plays MP3, WMA and AAC files - Weighs an ounce less than the Ipod

Rio Karma Disadvantages - Rio’s Music Manager software has drastically improved recently but its dificult to beat the iPod/iTunes relationship - Bulky, thick design is more dificult to clutch than other players - Controls are more difficult than the iPods

Conclusion of Survey The iPod and the iPod mini are still the best choice for ease of use and aesthetics The iPod and the iPod mini are still the best choice for ease of use and aesthetics Of the two, If your music library is significantly bigger than 4GB, the iPod is the better choice, especially because of the negligible price difference between the iPod Mini and the original iPod Of the two, If your music library is significantly bigger than 4GB, the iPod is the better choice, especially because of the negligible price difference between the iPod Mini and the original iPod But if you value compact size and portability more than high capacity, the iPod Mini could be your new best friend But if you value compact size and portability more than high capacity, the iPod Mini could be your new best friend

Conclusion of Survey - The iRiver iHP 120 is the techies music player - If ease of use and aesthetics make no difference to you, this is a good music player - The battery is twice as strong as the iPod, it has more features included and it supports WMA files

Conclusion of Survey - The Rio Karma is by far the best value of the survey - The Rio Karma is 50 dollars less than the iPod and iRiver but has twice the battery life of iPod and supports WMA files - Again it is not as easy to use and nice looking as the iPod though

Conclusion of my Conclusion Consumers who don’t want an iPod should feel good knowing there are some legitimate alternatives. The other music players surveyed surely give the iPod a run for its money. Thank you Consumers who don’t want an iPod should feel good knowing there are some legitimate alternatives. The other music players surveyed surely give the iPod a run for its money. Thank you

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