If you are planning to upgrade your mp3 player then ask yourself the following
- What are the features do you like the most in your mp3 player?
- What features you don’t like in your mp3 player and why?
Before buying a mp3 player, first know your needs
Ask these questions to yourself to identify your needs
- Which shape do you prefer for the mp3 player design?
- rectangular 2. ball 3. stick
- To know about different designs available in the market visit here
- Do you need an audio amplifier? (to play the music outside without the headphones) (Y/N)
- How often do you use your player?
- When do you mostly use your mp3 player?
- while travelling
- while working
- during leisure time
- while exercising, jogging, etc.
- others (please specify)
- How much minimum battery backup is required?
- Which shape do you prefer for the mp3 player design?
- What extra features do you want in your mp3 player?
- What type of charger would you prefer?
- USB
- 220V domestic charger
- Both Others
- Your desirable price range for the product. (in Rs.)
- <2500 2500-5000 c. >5000
Consider the following features before starting your research
| VOICE RECORDER |
| FM RADIO |
| DISPLAY |
| VIDEO & PICTURES |
| MEMORY |
| COMPACTNESS |
| AESTHETICS – The look of the MP3 player |
| SPEED |
| TOUCH SCREEN |
| HOLDER |
| EXTERNAL MEMORY CARD SLOT |
| BATTERY BACK-UP |
| POWER SAVER MODE |
| SLEEP TIMER |
| DURABILITY |
| COMFORT |
| LOCK BUTTON |
| FORMAT COMPATABILITY |
| IN-BUILT GAMES |
| COST |
Knowing the features of the mp3 player, now what exactly should you look at the product description page?
Confused? You have to look for the following
Comfort
- Earphones
- Holder
- Buttons
Specifications
- Memory
- Picture resolution
- Battery type
Features
- Dimensions
- Colour
- FM radio
- Voice Recorder
- Lock button
- Sleep Timer
- Touch Screen
- Backlight display
Usage
- Audio format
- Software compatibility
- Battery Life
- Playback modes
- Power saver modes
The following table tells you what is inside a MP3 player. Here is the functional decomposition of a MP3 player in layman terms
| DEVICE | INPUT | FUNCTION | OTHER EFFECTS | OUTPUT |
| Power supply | 9V | Charges | Supplies power | 1.2V/8mAh |
| Display | Digital signal | Converts signal into data | Data | |
| Buck converter | DC voltage | Regulates | Drops down the voltage | DC voltage |
| Earphones | Digital signal | Converts electronic signal into audio signal | ________ | Audio signal |
| Memory | Music files | Stores | Fast information storage | Music files |
| Sound recorder | Audio signal | Records audio | ________ | Electric signal |
| Data port | Data | Transfers data | ________ | Data |
| Digital signal processor | Digital signal | Processes the signal | ________ | Digital signal |
| Audio port | Electric signal | Transmits | ________ | Audio |
| Amplifier | Audio signal | Amplifies | Filters the noise | Amplified audio signal |
Now compare more than 3 products that you have selected. Here is a sample comparison
| Apple Nano | Sandisk Sansa Fuze+ | Sony Walkman A series | Philips Gogear | |
| Flash Memory | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB | 8 GB |
| Compression format | MP4,AAC,MP3,WAV,HE-AAC,Protected AAC,MP3-VBR,AIFF | MP3,Wma,Wav,AAC,MP4,FLAC,Ogg Vobris | MP3, WMA (DRM), AAC, and Linear PCM audio formats; AVC, MPEG-4, and WMV | MP3, WAV, WMA, AAC, Ogg Vorbis, FLAC, APE |
| Interface | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary | Proprietary |
| Dimensions | 89×41×6.6mm | 79×48×76mm | 46.8×104.9×7.2mm | 113×9.95×58mm |
| Resolution | 90,240 pixels | 76,800 pixels | 96,000 pixels | 1,53,600pixels |
| Controls and navigations | Superior | Superior | Superior | Superior |
| Cost | Rs 9400 | Rs 8999 | Rs 8990 | Rs 9900 |
| Battery Life | good(24hours) | good(15hours) | good(29hours) | good(24hours) |
| Weight | 36.4g | 56g | 62g | 100g |
| Equalizer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Sleep timer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Backlight display | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Playback modes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| FM radio | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| voice recorder | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Lock button | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Power saver mode | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Touchscreen | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
SELECT THE BEST!
Never go with a site’s rating. Preferences change from individual to individual. Know your need and select the best that suits you and your budget.
