MP3 Players and Song Files

With Black Friday coming closer and closer, it's time to talk MP3 players. Specifically: the music that you wish to load on them.

If you buy an iPod or a Zune, you'll have to load the respective software. In both cases, the programs are bloated, and tend to hog system resources. I actually don't like the Zune software at all, though I do have a special place in my heart for the actual player.

How old is your computer? If your system isn't fairly new, it's going to labor and strain when you run iTunes or Zune. Keep that in mind when you shop. Especially if you want a big player so that you fill it with lots of music. That tranfer will take time, and eat up your resources.

However, a good number of the other players on the market work with Windows Explorer. With these, you load music and other files simply by plugging in the player (USB connection). Just drag and drop the files that you want to add, and use your "Delete" key to dump the ones that you don't want anymore. This is simple, very easy on even older computers' resources, and painless.

Also, keep file types in mind when you buy a player. Not every device will play every type of file. The Zune and iPod will not, right now at least, play anything that you download from SpiralFrog. If you purchase downloads from the iTunes Store, do not expect them to work in any device that isn't an iPod. Be sure, before you buy, that you'll be able to enjoy your music downloads.

Speaking of file types: What about your CD collection? You'll have to rip those files to your computer's hard drive, then transfer the music to the device. Be sure, when you rip, that you choose a file type that the player can handle. Several years ago, I had a small iRiver. That sucker would not play WMA files. I could load them, but they wouldn't play. The device just didn't handle them, so I had to convert them to MP3 format, which took time and annoyed me.

Do your research before you buy. There are many players on the market, and they are not all equal. Be sure that you know what you're getting, or putting under the Christmas tree for somebody else this year. And if you do give someone an MP3 player, throw in a gift card to that person's favorite pay-download site or record store.