HOWZAT

There are companies that offer to rip your CDs for you, such as www.wepod.co.uk, but it’s not hard — and is considerably cheaper — to do it yourself. Once you’ve taken the plunge, having a fully digital music library brings plenty of benefits. You can set up dynamic play-lists that will soon transform the way you enjoy your music. Classical buffs can listen to Wagner’s entire Ring cycle without changing disc. You can swiftly create home-movie soundtracks, or — with some mobile phones — use your favourite MP3 track as a ring tone.

Having ripped your CD collection, the only question is what to do next. Take it to the beach, create drive-time playlists for the car, or host a dinner party without having to change discs every half-hour. Welcome to the 21st century.

OUT AND ABOUT

Jukeboxes offer better value than pocket-friendly Flash-memory players, and are not all designed in California.

Creative Zen Sleek — typically £200, or £194 at www.technoworld.com
This spanking new 20GB jukie is a nicely compact package, with an improved slider touchpad that also handles the new “music for rent” WMA downloads. Lacks a colour screen.

Sony NW-HD5 — typically £200, or £180 at www.amazon.co.uk
Sony’s Walkman jukeboxes now play MP3 files and this 20GB box is a beautiful artefact, with impressive battery life. However, the navigation is fiddly, the software barely adequate, and the mono screen seems dated.

AT HOME

Why connect an MP3 player to your hi-fi, or have a PC in your living room, when there are wireless gizmos that play music from a computer stored in another part of the home?

Slim Devices Squeezebox 2 — typically £200 (non-wireless £160), or £196 at www.dabs.co.uk
An intuitive interface, a fast, reliable connection and a remote control all make the Squeezebox 2 the best digital audio receiver (DAR) around. Apart from an inability to play tracks from the iTunes Music Store — you need Apple’s AirPort Express for that — lack of video support and price are the only niggles.

IN-CAR

The simplest solution is a CD player that plays MP3 files burnt onto a blank disc. Connecting up a digital jukebox has killed off the in-car CD changer.

Dension Ice Link Plus — £150 (including installation) at www.progressiveice.com
Integrates an iPod with your car radio (check compatibility at www.dension.com). You can then pick playlists and skip tracks through the CD player or a steering-wheel remote. The recharging cradle can be mounted on the dashboard or in the glove compartment.

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