| The MP3 format is a compression system for music files that can compress a CD-quality song of 32MB down to about 3MB. This means users can download songs in minutes instead of hours and store more music on smaller media. MP3 players are portable devices similar
to cassette and CD players only smaller, and they use solid-state memory instead of a physical medium such as tapes or CDs. Current MP3 players include the software (ripper, encoder, and other utility programs) required to transfer MP3 files into
the player, utilities for copying music from CDs or Web sites, and a feature for creating custom playlists.
Basically, the player transfers data through a computer’s USB (Universal Serial Bus) port or the parallel port, although the USB connections can be up to 10 times faster than a parallel port connection, and then the files are saved in the player’s memory.
Most players use solid-state memory, which means there are no moving parts to break down or skip, so the sound quality is uninterrupted regardless of physical activity. This type of memory includes Internal Flash memory, CompactFlash cards, SmartMedia
cards, Memory Sticks, and other brand name options, with new products in the pipeline everyday.
The fundamental design includes an LCD (liquid-crystal display) panel, a microprocessor, a DSP (Digital Signal Processing) chip, an I/O (input/output) controller, an amplifier, buttons, and headphones or earpieces. The portable players are battery-powered
and use one or two AA batteries that last about 10 to 12 hours. Most players also have AC (alternating current) adapters for standard electrical outlets, and some come equipped with DC (direct current) adapters to use in cars. The newer players have tiny
hard drives that can store 10 to 100 times more than flash memory, and the storage capacity just continues to climb.
Currently, a standard, portable MP3 player can play about half an hour (32MB) to an hour (64MB) of music, although upgrades (with additional memory devices) can increase playing times up to 10 hours of extended play. Portable CD players can play one CD of
continuous music, about 74 minutes, and portable cassette players with auto reverse can play the length of the longest tape available, which is currently about two hours of continuous music; after that, you must change the CD or tape or replay the same
one over again. Industry analysts predict MP3 players will eventually replace CD and cassette players completely. |
