[TOOTS]

Hi there

I need a quick lesson in MP3, I just want to listen to portable music while I'm on the MTR/bus, I see lots of Hong Kongers have these little boxes around their necks - then I realised that these are MP3's. I want to be more local, and have the same, but have no idea on how these work....I have some questions:

1. what is a good make?
2. where is the best place to buy?
3. what are the main features to look out for?
4. how do you download music into them?
5. does it cost to get music?
6. do I need other equipment to get music into an MP3 player, like a Hi-Fi system, CD player, computer programmes to covert music?
7. I hear that they have a radio function, are there english radio stations in HKG?
8. what price range should I be looking at?
9. what about MP4 - are they the new MP3?

Please help, as I need to listen to music/english radio on my travels!!

Cheers
Toots

[KnowItAll]

1) The best of the best -- Apple Nanos at this moment in time.

2) Apple.Com if you accept that the Nano is the best...

Read up ...

http://www.devlib.org/resources/gadg...black/details/
and tons of other places.

[mrcheese321]

I'm going to try and answer you question.

MP3 is actually a type of compression. If you were to take a file straight off of a CD it would be a WAV file and would be about 20x larger than a MP3 file is.

As for make: The one to get for you is going to depend on what you are looking for. I purchased a Sony Vaio Pocket (They don't make them anymore) because I wanted a unit that had line out on the base so that I could hook it up to my sound system. I also was looking for a portable that could power a pair of Shure 4cs without the need of an external headphone amplifier. That combined with the gorgeous screen the Vaio is what made me buy one.

Apple Ipods are probably the most well known and have the easiest interface for the typical user. Iriver and Creative make very good units as well.

Best place to buy: Can't help you with that. I got mine in the US.

Main Features: I do believe that there are English radio stations, so if you want to listen to the radio, then you want a FM tuner. Other than that, space is really what you want. More space = more songs that you can put on the unit. Some have FM recording, where you can record straight off of the radio. Some have preset equalizer settings, and some will let your make your own. Also, if you are going to be jogging, then you might one that has a hand/arm strap. It really comes down to what you want from the player.

How to download music: You usually have to connect your Mp3 player via USB or firewire to your computer. You will usually get the cables and instructions with the player.

Does it cost to get music: You can either buy music online from various retailers. Apple Itunes, Sony Connect come to mind first. Or you can take existing cds that you already have an use your computer to "rip" them into mp3 format so that you can use them on your player.

Extras: Most of the players will come with the software necessary to convert your music. So your player and your computer should be all that is necessary.

$: MP3 players go from 500HK up to 2500HK. It is really up to you what you want to spend.

MP4: mp4 hasn't caught on as much as mp3 has. I believe that this is rooted in the fact that mp3 is used much more these days. That isn't to say that mp4 isn't going to be like the CD and takeover the cassette tape. I still think that will be a long time off if it ever happens.

HTH
c

[dropdedfwed]

hey Toots,

1. what is a good make?

agree with KIA. Apple. no matter - nano or iPod. cant beat the quality and value for money.

2. where is the best place to buy?

online

3. what are the main features to look out for?

battery life, memory, aftermarket add ons... apple is the way to go

4. how do you download music into them?

of ur computer via USB port. for anything apple, iTunes (comes in box) makes it a breeze. other MP3 players pretty easy, drag and drop.. etc

5. does it cost to get music?

can use ur own CD's and convert to MP3, or buy online...

6. do I need other equipment to get music into an MP3 player, like a Hi-Fi system, CD player, computer programmes to covert music?

see above

7. I hear that they have a radio function, are there english radio stations in HKG?

yes some do have FM tuners..not all do .. re english stations - yes HK has them ...good... ummmmm...

no

for more info check the apple site.. or do a google.

if u want simplicity, i think anything apple branded plugged into a computer with iTunes is pretty much fool proof.

fwed

[KnowItAll]

I should remind you .. once you buy a MP3 player, you will enter the twilight zone of addons, accessories, skins and what not ...

[mrcheese321]

Isn't that the case with any electronic toy KIA?

I know that all of my toys have add-ons. There isn't one that is exactly how it came out of the box.

c

[Gatts]

Originally Posted by KnowItAll

1) The best of the best -- Apple Nanos at this moment in time.

I don't think so. None of the Ipod models offer gapless playback. Causing many live cd's, and cds where one track "flows" into the next to have annoying interruptions. Other players do this without any hassle, why can't Apple? I have an Ipod an while I listen to it almost everyday, this annoys the crap out of me.

Oh well

[jimbo]

Notice that not many locals seem to have ipods, JNC, Wewa, etc are all more popular.

People that go for Ipods fall for the hype, If it was that good in the first place why is there seemingly numerous models superceding the previous coming out every few months?

[martyn]

I think apart from the Apple Ipods, the Korean brands are the best at making mp3 players.

[BenderBends]

ipods have the most elegant and simple designs....

everyother company tries to mimic but usually fails...
do you not want new versions? new designs? new sizes? more options? color? photos? video?

numerous models because they are incorporating newer technology...its how all tech stuff goes...look at mobiles, computers, tv's etc.....

there are some good alternatives if you dont want to pay the apple price tag though.....i just havent seen any with half the class