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Getting started -MP3 player guide

When shopping for an MP3 player, first decide how much you're willing to spend on a unit you might want to replace in a year or two. Then decide whether the player you want will be an iPod or that of another brand, which might not be as popular but might offer useful features that iPods lack.

You should also decide whether you'll mostly watch videos or listen to music. Most MP3 players can handle downloaded music videos, movies, and TV programs, but some are better at it than others. A rising number of MP3 players now offer built-in support for optional wireless Bluetooth headphones for tangle-free listening, and even Wi-Fi capability for downloading music directly from online stores and browsing the Web.

iPod or not?

With Apple's family of players so ubiquitous, and so similar in many ways, it's worth considering the advantages and shortcomings of iPods before going further with your buying decision. iPods are easy to use, thanks to superb integration of the players and the company's iTunes software. The iTunes Store offers the largest selection of legal digital content on the Web, including virtually all the available downloads of major TV shows. The newest generation includes options such as a camcorder, 64GB of flash memory, and 160GB hard drives. iPods also have a plethora of accessories to extend their use, from boom boxes and clock radios with iPod slots to iPod cases that come in many colors and fabrics. Several other brands of players have custom aftermarket equipment (although generic gear will, for example, allow you to pipe any player's music into a component sound system or a car stereo).

As for drawbacks, iPods typically cost a little more than non-Apple players with comparable capacity. And they have some special limitations, such as the inability to easily transfer music to any other devices not on your home network. In addition, iPods require you to open iTunes to transfer music into the player; competing devices more conveniently let you drag and drop music files without opening music-management software.

Music, movies and more

If video content is going to be a big part of your entertainment mix, make sure the player's display is large enough (at least 2 in. measured diagonally) to let you watch comfortably for extended periods. Also think about what you'll watch, and how you're going to get it. For example, some models let you record directly from a TV, cable box, or digital video recorder (DVR), either on the fly or on a schedule. Some players have Wi-Fi connections that let you wirelessly swap music, photos, and other files with other players of the same model, or patch into wireless home networks to connect with a PC, or access the Web to browse sites or to download music and videos. Just remember that those special abilities often add hundreds to the player price tag and introduce yet another set of considerations.

Video in your pocket

Apple iPod Touch

Many of the latest color-display MP3 players can now show downloaded music videos, movies, and TV programs. Some can even record directly from a TV, cable box, or digital video recorder (DVR), either on the fly or on a schedule. Some come equipped with built-in speakers, or have Wi-Fi that lets you wirelessly swap music, photos and other files with other players of the same model. Some can also patch into wireless home networks to connect with a PC, or access the Web to browse sites or to download music and videos. If you like the idea of totally portable entertainment and don't mind squinting at a smallish screen.

Apple

MP3 players have been on the market since the mid 1990s, but nobody really listened until 2001. That year, Apple's iPod took the music world by storm, and soon displaced the Sony Walkman as the portable music player of choice. The company now commands 70 percent of the digital music-player market. Apple's success rests in part on its creation of a self-contained digital-entertainment system. iTunes, its content-management software, works seamlessly—only with iPods. Its online iTunes store offers by far the largest library of online video content, supplementing its dominance over online music sales. There are four iPod lines: The iPod Classic hard-disk players, the Nano flash players, and the Touch, a flash player with a large touch screen, full Web browser, and the ability download content wirelessly via its Wi-Fi connection. There's also a tiny belt-buckle-like Shuffle, a flash player that lacks a display.

MP3 player shopping tips

Weight capacity vs. size

Consider a flash-memory model (4GB can hold about 1,000 songs) if a lower price, smaller size, lighter weight, and long playback time are more important to you than a vast selection of tunes. Look for flash models that can accept external memory cards if you want expanded song capacity. If you have a large music collection that you want to keep with you, a hard-disk player might make more sense. Players with a 160GB capacity can hold about 40,000 songs and could serenade you for months without repeating a tune. But a hard-disk player can be more complicated to manage than a flash-memory player. For some, navigating through the menus or directories (folders) of songs might also take longer.

Be sure your computer can handle it

New computers shouldn't be a problem, but make sure any player you're considering is compatible with your older Windows or Macintosh computer (including its operating system). Keep in mind that some operating-system upgrades can exceed the price of a player. And your computer must have a USB port.

Consider ergonomics and design

Whichever type of MP3 player you choose, make sure you'll be comfortable using the device. Look for a display that is easy to read and controls that can be worked with one hand. Because sizes and shapes vary widely, check to see that the player fits comfortably in your pockets, and that it's easy to fish out when you need to access controls. Accessories that might be important to you might not be included, such as an AC charger, protector cases, or belt clips, a consideration to you in the overall cost of the player.

Consider headphone quality

While many players can produce near audio-CD quality music out of their headphone jacks, the headphones they come with can degrade the quality. Most perform respectably, and any performance differences might not be a bother to you in typical, everyday use. If you're particular about sound quality, it would be worth buying better-quality after-market headphones for use with your player.

Consider power consumption and battery type

With any portable device, batteries are a consideration. Our tests found a wide variation in battery life among the players. Depending on the player settings, some will run out of power after only nine hours of play, while others can play music for more than 60 hours before their batteries give out. Flash-memory players tend to have longer playback times than hard-disk players. Playing videos can run down a battery in just a few hours.
Some flash-memory players use AA or AAA batteries and can accept either standard or rechargeable batteries. Other players use non-removable or nonstandard batteries that charge via a computer USB port. (An AC adapter is typically a £10 to £30 option.) You can expect a bit longer playback time using standard batteries, but purchasing a charger and using rechargeable batteries will be more cost effective in the long run and more environmentally friendly.

Other players use rechargeable nonstandard shaped nickel metal-hydride (Ni-MH) or lithium-ion (Li-ion) removable batteries, which are more expensive and harder to find. They typically cost £20 to £50 to replace. Many players use a non-removable rechargeable battery. When the battery can no longer hold a charge, the player has to be sent back to the manufacturer for service—a costly procedure if the product is no longer under warranty.