HOWZAT

Remember, too, that any MP3 player’s memory can store not only music, but all manner of digital delights, including audio books, key documents or cherished photos — a growing number can display images, and sometimes video, on a colour screen or nearby television. Rip it up, baby.

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FIRST THINGS FIRST

• Decide a type of player. Flash players simplify the transfer of music from a computer: you plug them straight into a USB port, then drag and drop music files. Jukeboxes usually require software for managing music. Opt for players using the faster USB2 standard.
• Consider your day-to-day needs. To carry a few hundred tracks, choose a small flash player. At 128kbps, 1GB holds 240 songs; at superior 192kbps quality, 160.
• Check which formats your machine will play. MP3 will play on almost any new music player. WMA is fairly common for legit music downloads and the newer subscription services. AAC is the preferred format of legit downloads for Apple’s iPods. Atrac3 works only on Sony machines.
• Maximise battery life by not discharging a rechargeable battery fully; don’t hop between tracks or use the backlight too much. Unlike most MP3 players, an iPod’s rechargeable battery is not easily replaced. Apple must do this, for £65, after roughly 500 recharges.
• Opt for a dedicated MP3 player, as opposed to a mobile phone or palmtop, if you listen to music regularly. With few exceptions, converged devices offer inferior sound quality.
• Factor in at least £20 for better headphones, and accessories such as remote control or cradle.

  FLASH PLAYER — Pros Tiny, lighter, more rugged than a hard disk; often plugs straight into computer; can double as a USB pen drive.
  Cons More expensive per gigabyte than a hard- disk player; limited storage; fiddly to operate.

  HARD DRIVE — Pros Can store thousands of songs, along with photos; large screen, for easier navigation; some will display photos or video.
  Cons Fragile; less battery life; bulkier than flash.

  CD PLAYER — Pros Cheap; will play music instantly without transfer from a PC first; no DRM issues; some now play MP3 from a CD.
  Cons Bulky; CDs offer limited storage (700MB) and scratch easily; fewer options for managing a collection; can’t alter playlists on the move.

  LOADING YOUR MACHINE

  Ripping Term for transferring your own CDs onto a computer as compressed audio files, which makes them more versatile. There are various compression formats, but choosing MP3 means you can store albums on any portable audio player, including many new CD players, then pump music throughout your home. The best software is iTunes (www.itunes.com) or, for those who do not own an iPod, Winamp (www.winamp.com).

  Downloading Britain’s broadband explosion has made this a more compelling proposition. Whether you are tempted by illicit file-sharing services, such as BitTorrent, or happy to pay for licensed material, broadband brings all styles of music within reach, as well as audio books. Monthly subscription-based services let you audition music without limit, even on a portable player, for £15 per month, whereas à la carte providers make you pay for each track separately. For a directory, visit www.pro-music.org.

  Podcasting Download the growing number of professional radio programmes, enthusiasts’ musings and travel guides — free as MP3 files — then, listen to them at your leisure on any portable player, or even a laptop. Find a podcast to suit your tastes at www.odeo.com, www.podcastalley.com or, for iPod-owners, within iTunes itself.

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