If you are plotting to buy an MP3 or MP4 player, you should take into account its memory capacity, supported formats, accessories and battery. Apple, Sony, Microsoft, Samsung, Philips and several other brands are available. Need help choosing the right product? This guide can help you in picking the best player suited to your needs.

What are MP3 and MP4 players?

MP3 and MP4 players are digital devices that let you take your music and videos with you, wherever you go. You can transfer files from your computer to the player and delight in them anywhere using headphones or portable speakers and the built-in screen. Use MP3 players to play music and MP4 players to view photos and play videos. These players are convenient to own and simple to use. They provide entertainment for hours on end.

What are the different types of MP3 and MP4 players available for sale?

You can buy various types of MP3 players like flash memory players and hard disk drive players. You have a large selection of MP4 players to choose from as well, including basic models, MP4 players with digital cameras, HDD media players, DivX MP4 players and TV MP4 players.

How many songs and images can a player store?

The number of songs you can store on a player depends upon the memory space available. The memory capacity of an MP3 player ranges from 256 MB to 160 GB. MP4 players have a much higher memory capacity with ranges of 20 GB to 100 GB and above. A 1 GB player can store more than 350 songs and 300 images. Since MP4 players playback video, they have more memory, as videos consume much more space. MP4 players use hard disks for better storage capacity. If you have to store hours of video, opt for an MP4 player with 20 GB of storage, as a minimum. Memory card slots allow you to expand the memory space available in MP3 and MP4 players, so check for them before making your final selection.

What formats do these players support?

Before buying an MP3 or an MP4 player, make sure that it plays the formats you want. An MP3 player supports other formats like AAC (the default format used by iPods), WMA (Microsofts technology), and Atrac (Sonys audio compression technology). MP4 players can play more file formats than MP3 players. The basic MP4 player can support MP4, MP2, MP1, DivX, AVI and WMV video files. They also support audio formats like MP3, WMA and Ogg Vorbis.

What features do MP4 and MP3 players have?

MP4 players come with built-in screens and recording features. Theses players usually include an MP4 conversion software and instructions on how to best encode video content. High-end MP4 players can record audio directly to the memory from an in-built FM radio tuner, line-input or microphone. For added convenience, some players feature an in-built microphone. You can also record TV shows directly from your television and output your saved data to your TV.

Many MP3 players feature backlit screens for better viewing, radios and Wi-Fi capabilities. Wi-Fi enabled MP3 and MP4 players let you download songs and videos from the Internet. Most current models support high-speed USB 2.0 transfer and a few models support FireWire.

Which player is best for you?

If you will use your player only for small durations, then choose a small, compact and lightweight one. Looking for a player to store your entire music collection? Go for players with 30 GB of memory or more. If you intend to use your player on long trips, select among models with lengthy playback times. If you are looking for an MP3 player for sports or working out, you will need an ultra-compact player like the iPod Shuffle or a small flash memory player that clips onto your clothes. Get a compact flash-based player with a pair of noise-canceling headphones if you travel by bus or train.

What accessories are available for MP3 and MP4 players?

There are many accessories available for MP3 and MP4 players. Here is a look at some in detail.

Headphones:

Most Portable Audio or MP3 and MP4 players come with earphones. If you listen to music at work, clip on or wrap around headphones might be more comfortable. Noise-cancellation headphones provide clear sound when your travel. Buy a headphone splitter to share music with a friend.

External Speakers and Docking Stations:

There is a wide range of external speakers available for MP3 and MP4 players. Most of these speakers include docking stations that will recharge your player.

Travel Speakers:

Carry travel speakers with you when you picnic or hit the beach with your friends and family. These speakers use rechargeable batteries.

FM Transmitters:

FM transmitters allow you to transmit songs stored on your player through any radio.

Batteries:

Nearly all MP3 and MP4 music devices use a rechargeable battery. You can recharge a player by connecting it to your computer.

AC Adapters:

Many MP3 and MP4 players come with a standard AC adapter to quickly recharge your music device.

Cases and Skins:

Protect your music player from scratches with cases and skins. They come in many different designs and colors, so choose your favorites to personalize your player.

Cradles:

Cradles hold MP3/MP4 players in your vehicle while you drive.

Armbands:

Strap your music player on your arm with an armband. Get one if you plot on exercising with your player often.

Cassette Adapters:

Cassette adapters allow you to play MP3 songs from your portable music player in your vehicles cassette deck.

If you are plotting to buy an MP3 or MP4 player, you should take into account its memory capacity, supported formats, accessories and battery. Apple, Sony, Microsoft, Samsung, Philips and several other brands are available. Need help choosing the right product? This guide can help you in picking the best player suited to your needs.
What are MP3 and MP4 players?
MP3 and MP4 players are digital devices that let you take your music and videos with you, wherever you go. You can transfer files from your computer to the player and delight in them anywhere using headphones or portable speakers and the built-in screen. Use MP3 players to play music and MP4 players to view photos and play videos. These players are convenient to own and simple to use. They provide entertainment for hours on end.
What are the different types of MP3 and MP4 players available for sale?
You can buy various types of MP3 players like flash memory players and hard disk drive players. You have a large selection of MP4 players to choose from as well, including basic models, MP4 players with digital cameras, HDD media players, DivX MP4 players and TV MP4 players.
How many songs and images can a player store?
The number of songs you can store on a player depends upon the memory space available. The memory capacity of an MP3 player ranges from 256 MB to 160 GB. MP4 players have a much higher memory capacity with ranges of 20 GB to 100 GB and above. A 1 GB player can store more than 350 songs and 300 images. Since MP4 players playback video, they have more memory, as videos consume much more space. MP4 players use hard disks for better storage capacity. If you have to store hours of video, opt for an MP4 player with 20 GB of storage, as a minimum. Memory card slots allow you to expand the memory space available in MP3 and MP4 players, so check for them before making your final selection.
What formats do these players support?
Before buying an MP3 or an MP4 player, make sure that it plays the formats you want. An MP3 player supports other formats like AAC (the default format used by iPods), WMA (Microsofts technology), and Atrac (Sonys audio compression technology). MP4 players can play more file formats than MP3 players. The basic MP4 player can support MP4, MP2, MP1, DivX, AVI and WMV video files. They also support audio formats like MP3, WMA and Ogg Vorbis.
What features do MP4 and MP3 players have?
MP4 players come with built-in screens and recording features. Theses players usually include an MP4 conversion software and instructions on how to best encode video content. High-end MP4 players can record audio directly to the memory from an in-built FM radio tuner, line-input or microphone. For added convenience, some players feature an in-built microphone. You can also record TV shows directly from your television and output your saved data to your TV.
Many MP3 players feature backlit screens for better viewing, radios and Wi-Fi capabilities. Wi-Fi enabled MP3 and MP4 players let you download songs and videos from the Internet. Most current models support high-speed USB 2. 0 transfer and a few models support FireWire.
Which player is best for you?
If you will use your player only for small durations, then choose a small, compact and lightweight one. Looking for a player to store your entire music collection? Go for players with 30 GB of memory or more. If you intend to use your player on long trips, select among models with lengthy playback times. If you are looking for an MP3 player for sports or working out, you will need an ultra-compact player like the iPod Shuffle or a small flash memory player that clips onto your clothes. Get a compact flash-based player with a pair of noise-canceling headphones if you travel by bus or train.
What accessories are available for MP3 and MP4 players?
There are many accessories available for MP3 and MP4 players. Here is a look at some in detail.
Headphones:
Most Portable Audio or MP3 and MP4 players come with earphones. If you listen to music at work, clip on or wrap around headphones might be more comfortable. Noise-cancellation headphones provide clear sound when your travel. Buy a headphone splitter to share music with a friend.
External Speakers and Docking Stations:
There is a wide range of external speakers available for MP3 and MP4 players. Most of these speakers include docking stations that will recharge your player.
Travel Speakers:
Carry travel speakers with you when you picnic or hit the beach with your friends and family. These speakers use rechargeable batteries.
FM Transmitters:
FM transmitters allow you to transmit songs stored on your player through any radio.
Batteries:
Nearly all MP3 and MP4 music devices use a rechargeable battery. You can recharge a player by connecting it to your computer.
AC Adapters:
Many MP3 and MP4 players come with a standard AC adapter to quickly recharge your music device.
Cases and Skins:
Protect your music player from scratches with cases and skins. They come in many different designs and colors, so choose your favorites to personalize your player.
Cradles:
Cradles hold MP3/MP4 players in your vehicle while you drive.
Armbands:
Strap your music player on your arm with an armband. Get one if you plot on exercising with your player often.
Cassette Adapters:
Cassette adapters allow you to play MP3 songs from your portable music player in your vehicles cassette deck.

If you have been inspired by the Olympics there are plenty of gadgets to get you fit and quick so when it comes to 2012 you are raring to go. Here are just some from the wonderful world of swimming.
If money is no object then top of your swimming list will be the Speedo LZR Racer swimsuit. Worn by all the top Olympians, it is going on sale to the general public for those keen to go quicker.
The most well-known of swimmers to embrace the suit is Michael Phelps, the distress is for us mere mortals its going to set you back around 550 USD when it becomes available in October later this year. The first fully bonded bodysuit is a full-length bonded suit with seams ultrasonically welded together that according to Speedo makes low profile silhouette and reduces skin friction drag.
In the first 8 days of swimming at the Beijing games, 23 out of 25 World records have been won by athletes wearing Speedo LZR RACER with 94 percent of gold medals at the games have been won and 89 percent of all medals by swimmers wearing the swimsuit.
Just make sure you aren’t overtaken by the 85-year-ancient slow-coach when wearing it, that really could be embarrassing. Okay so we do not all need to go quicker than a dolphin, swimming can be dull at the best of times so what about livening it up with a waterproof headphones set.
The new range from H2O is called the AMPHIBX will offer a 100 percent watertight secure seal up to 12ft underwater, the ability to control touch and click wheel controls even under water and come with a connector for using a standard headphone plug under water.
Besides the iPhone the case range will offer underwater protection for the iPod players, iPod touch, as well as most mp3 players and phones. The AMPHIBX series is designed to accommodate more than one specific device without sacrificing performance say its makers.
The company is hoping that users will use the soon to be released SURGE bass-amplified waterproof headphones. Available in the US this month the cases are expected to cost around 69. 99 USD to 79. 99 USD.
Finally if you have got to do some swimming you will need a pool. Thanks to the wonders of Google Maps raucous revellers are using Google Earth to find new venues to party in. Revellers rules include stipulating that everyone has to wear fancy dress and also bring a bike to allow a quick getaway if the pool owner appears. A spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police warned owners of swimming pools should be on their guard.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Neither is there an simple way to earn money, especially from home. To make yourself employable, you need to ensure that you have the required skill sets as well as excellent marketing and interpersonal skills. A sound portfolio (for aspiring writers, editors, photographers, designers, etc. ) is a must.

Today several private companies and MNCs are employing people who prefer working out of their homes. A host of opportunities exist for home employment in areas as diverse as telemarketing, selling insurance, data entry, typing, data conversion, copywriting, accounting , writing (academic and journalistic writing), editing and proof reading, web design, content development, Internet-based research for companies, graphic design and desktop publishing, programming, audio and video editing, translation work and etc is available.

With a honest bit of technology skills (typing and word processing skills, being PC literate), entrepreneurs can use the worldwide web to start companies and work from the convenience of their homes.

Before you get into the home employment groove, make sure you have the requisite qualifications, hardware, and time management skills to convince potential employers that you are the right person for the job.

Step 1: Make The Right Choices

Before you consider quitting your day-job or start working from home, take a piece of paper and list out your skills, preferred areas of employment, and your comfort-level in each area. For instance, if you are a programmer, weigh the benefits of home employment versus working in a corporate environment. If you are a student, chart out your daily schedule and figure out how much time you can spare for a ‘part-time’ job, even if it doesn’t involve stepping out of home.

Remember, you may or may not earn as much as you would in a full-time job, and freelance projects take time to source and payments are delayed, in some cases. Zeroing in on the right kind of job is vital. Don’t get stuck with a job you don’t like.

Step 2: Set Up Your Workstation

Once you have narrowed down your choice of employment, you can set up your workstation. You need to make sure that your future work area is very comfortable – use ergonomic furniture, wherever possible.

For Writers/Editors: A quick PC is a pre-requisite, you may also have to install software such as MS Office/Open Office, QuarkXP-press or Adobe InDesign.

For Designers: Although it’s not vital to invest in a Mac (Apple Macintosh), make sure your PC has enough RAM (at least 1 GB), hard disk space, and install a excellent graphics card. You also need to install design software such as Adobe photoshop, 3D Studio Max, Quark, Corel Painter, or Adobe InDesign.

For Data Entry/Typing Assignments: A computer, MS Office/open Office, or other data-entry software.

For Medical Transcription: Medical transcription involves transcribing medical records dictated by doctors (patient history, records, notes, lab reports), usually located in clinics abroad. Basic requirements include a PC with about 40 GB hard disk space, 256 MB RAM (minimum), sound card and Internet access. You would also require headphones, word processing software, and a excellent dictionary.

Step 3: Prepare Your Portfolio:

Prepare a excellent resume, entering the right keywords under ‘Objective’. Use sites like IT-people and Monster to get basic understanding of the job profile. Use Resume Builder on these sites (needs registration) and on MS Word.

Step 4: Set Up A Web Site or Blog

Make a excellent web site (one that’s not too garish, text or image heavy).

If you are a freelance photographer or freelance programmer or freelance web designer or freelance graphic designer, place up thumbnails of your work on the site. You could also set up a web log (blog) on sites such as Blogger. com and LiveJournal. com. Don’t forget to provide your e-mail address, resume, and contact details at a prominent location on the site.

Use the best search engines in the business Google, Yahoo!, MSN search, and the right keywords (freelance programming, freelance translation, freelance projects, Data entry, Freelance programmer, Freelancing, Freelancers, Freelance work, Custom web design, Outsource projects, Outsource work, and etc. ) to find the jobs you want. Don’t provide personal details while registering on a website unless it’s absolutely essential.

Rent-a-coder. com, a freelance-sourcing site has a ranking system to rate the work of freelancer programmers, and help companies choose people best suited for a particular project. Elance. com, Guru. com, GetAFreelancer. com, Scriptlance. com, and Freelance Work Exchange are other well loved freelance sites.

It’s very, very vital to ‘connect’ with the outside world. Join networking groups such as Friendster and Ryze , have your blog linked to blog rings, and enroll in forums, user groups and other specific online communities. Caveat-online communities have their own set of protocols and etiquette. Remember to follow the rules; don’t forward your resume to everyone you meet.

Step 5: Make A Work Schedule And Meet Deadlines

Make a ‘work culture’ for your self. Just because there is no ‘boss’ breathing down your neck, you can’t afford to slacken or miss deadlines. In fact, you have to work twice as hard to ensure that the companies/clients hiring you have absolutely no reason to regret employing a freelancer.

Step 6: Sell Yourself

Be your own Boss, and brand manager. While it’s vital to have an online presence in the form of a website or blog, it’s equally vital to be aware of competitive pricing and different payment strategies.

Do not charge your clients less because you are working from home. Make enquires pertaining to the market rates for a particular project (say, web-design or coding), and charge them accordingly. Also, do not under-rate or overrate your skills; and do not undersell or oversell yourself. Be as honest as far as possible.

Tip: To ascertain that Google throws up your site when users enter certain keyword, make the title of your webpage very specific (Fashion Photographer or Freelance Writer or freelance programming or Outsource work or as the case may be).

Ensure that your site linked to other prominent ones, by publishing research papers online, being part of active online communities or regularly updating your web log with quality content.

Step7: Upgrade Your Skill-Sets

When you have time, enroll in training sessions, part-time diploma courses or distance education programs to upgrade your existing skill sets. With technological advancements, there will be rapid changes in the employment scenario as well.

The IT industry, for instance, is continuously evolving. You may have to invest in software courses, at least once every year, to learn new programming languages, improve your design and editing skills, and so on. Not upgrading your skills periodically would reduce your chances of employment, in any field.

Step 8: Exercise Regularly

As the maxim goes, health is wealth. Working from home may reduce your travel time but it might also bring to halt the small exercise you were getting earlier by walking to and from the train or the bus station. To ensure that you give your best to the projects you source, some physical exercise, yoga, and meditation sessions coupled with a balanced diet will help you stay mentally and physically in excellent shape.

There is no such thing as a free lunch. Neither is there an simple way to earn money, especially from home. To make yourself employable, you need to ensure that you have the required skill sets as well as excellent marketing and interpersonal skills. A sound portfolio (for aspiring writers, editors, photographers, designers, etc. ) is a must.

Today several private companies and MNCs are employing people who prefer working out of their homes. A host of opportunities exist for home employment in areas as diverse as telemarketing, selling insurance, data entry, typing, data conversion, copywriting, accounting , writing (academic and journalistic writing), editing and proof reading, web design, content development, Internet-based research for companies, graphic design and desktop publishing, programming, audio and video editing, translation work and etc is available.

With a honest bit of technology skills (typing and word processing skills, being PC literate), entrepreneurs can use the worldwide web to start companies and work from the convenience of their homes.

Before you get into the home employment groove, make sure you have the requisite qualifications, hardware, and time management skills to convince potential employers that you are the right person for the job.

Step 1: Make The Right Choices

Before you consider quitting your day-job or start working from home, take a piece of paper and list out your skills, preferred areas of employment, and your comfort-level in each area. For instance, if you are a programmer, weigh the benefits of home employment versus working in a corporate environment. If you are a student, chart out your daily schedule and figure out how much time you can spare for a ‘part-time’ job, even if it doesn’t involve stepping out of home.

Remember, you may or may not earn as much as you would in a full-time job, and freelance projects take time to source and payments are delayed, in some cases. Zeroing in on the right kind of job is vital. Don’t get stuck with a job you don’t like.

Step 2: Set Up Your Workstation

Once you have narrowed down your choice of employment, you can set up your workstation. You need to make sure that your future work area is very comfortable – use ergonomic furniture, wherever possible.

For Writers/Editors: A quick PC is a pre-requisite, you may also have to install software such as MS Office/Open Office, QuarkXP-press or Adobe InDesign.

For Designers: Although it’s not vital to invest in a Mac (Apple Macintosh), make sure your PC has enough RAM (at least 1 GB), hard disk space, and install a excellent graphics card. You also need to install design software such as Adobe photoshop, 3D Studio Max, Quark, Corel Painter, or Adobe InDesign.

For Data Entry/Typing Assignments: A computer, MS Office/open Office, or other data-entry software.

For Medical Transcription: Medical transcription involves transcribing medical records dictated by doctors (patient history, records, notes, lab reports), usually located in clinics abroad. Basic requirements include a PC with about 40 GB hard disk space, 256 MB RAM (minimum), sound card and Internet access. You would also require headphones, word processing software, and a excellent dictionary.

Step 3: Prepare Your Portfolio:

Prepare a excellent resume, entering the right keywords under ‘Objective’. Use sites like IT-people and Monster to get basic understanding of the job profile. Use Resume Builder on these sites (needs registration) and on MS Word.

Step 4: Set Up A Web Site or Blog

Make a excellent web site (one that’s not too garish, text or image heavy).

If you are a freelance photographer or freelance programmer or freelance web designer or freelance graphic designer, place up thumbnails of your work on the site. You could also set up a web log (blog) on sites such as Blogger. com and LiveJournal. com. Don’t forget to provide your e-mail address, resume, and contact details at a prominent location on the site.

Use the best search engines in the business Google, Yahoo!, MSN search, and the right keywords (freelance programming, freelance translation, freelance projects, Data entry, Freelance programmer, Freelancing, Freelancers, Freelance work, Custom web design, Outsource projects, Outsource work, and etc. ) to find the jobs you want. Don’t provide personal details while registering on a website unless it’s absolutely essential.

Rent-a-coder. com, a freelance-sourcing site has a ranking system to rate the work of freelancer programmers, and help companies choose people best suited for a particular project. Elance. com, Guru. com, GetAFreelancer. com, Scriptlance. com, and Freelance Work Exchange are other well loved freelance sites.

It’s very, very vital to ‘connect’ with the outside world. Join networking groups such as Friendster and Ryze , have your blog linked to blog rings, and enroll in forums, user groups and other specific online communities. Caveat-online communities have their own set of protocols and etiquette. Remember to follow the rules; don’t forward your resume to everyone you meet.

Step 5: Make A Work Schedule And Meet Deadlines

Make a ‘work culture’ for your self. Just because there is no ‘boss’ breathing down your neck, you can’t afford to slacken or miss deadlines. In fact, you have to work twice as hard to ensure that the companies/clients hiring you have absolutely no reason to regret employing a freelancer.

Step 6: Sell Yourself

Be your own Boss, and brand manager. While it’s vital to have an online presence in the form of a website or blog, it’s equally vital to be aware of competitive pricing and different payment strategies.

Do not charge your clients less because you are working from home. Make enquires pertaining to the market rates for a particular project (say, web-design or coding), and charge them accordingly. Also, do not under-rate or overrate your skills; and do not undersell or oversell yourself. Be as honest as far as possible.

Tip: To ascertain that Google throws up your site when users enter certain keyword, make the title of your webpage very specific (Fashion Photographer or Freelance Writer or freelance programming or Outsource work or as the case may be).

Ensure that your site linked to other prominent ones,by publishing research papers online, being part of active online communities or regularly updating your web log with quality content.

Step 7: Upgrade Your Skill-Sets

When you have time, enroll in training sessions, part-time diploma courses or distance education programs to upgrade your existing skill sets. With technological advancements, there will be rapid changes in the employment scenario as well.

The IT industry, for instance, is continuously evolving. You may have to invest in software courses, at least once every year, to learn new programming languages, improve your design and editing skills, and so on. Not upgrading your skills periodically would reduce your chances of employment, in any field.

Step 8: Exercise Regularly

As the maxim goes, health is wealth. Working from home may reduce your travel time but it might also bring to halt the small exercise you were getting earlier by walking to and from the train or the bus station. To ensure that you give your best to the projects you source, some physical exercise, yoga, and meditation sessions coupled with a balanced diet will help you stay mentally and physically in excellent shape.