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How to Choose and Buy a Digital Media Player

Here are some hints and tips and features to consider when choosing and buying a digital media player:

Memory

One of the most important features of any MP3 player is the amount of memory it has. To work out the memory capacity that you’ll need, you first need to decide what you will be using your media player for.

If you simply want to listen to a few of your favourite albums on the bus or train to and from work each day, then a basic USB stick MP3 player with upwards of 512MB of memory will be more then enough. If you are looking for a complete digital media player to use on long train journeys, flights, or even to keep the kids entertained in the back of the car, then you will need an MP4 player with at least 2GB of memory, but preferably more, so you can enjoy a fine selection of films and music.

The exact quantity of files that can be stored depends on the quality of the sound compression (known as the bit-rate) of each music track or file. CD-standard quality is 128 kbps, meaning that each minute of music will take up approximately 1MB of memory, so a standard song will require in the region of 4-5MB.

File Compatibility

It’s best to choose a versatile MP3 player that can store and play a range of music files. WMA, WAV and possibly ATRAC3 are all common file formats, and your MP3 player should be able to support these.

The same applies to MP4 players; there are numerous file formats that cover video and picture files and your MP4 player should be capable of supporting them. These include the JPEG file format for pictures, and the MPEG and MPEG-4 file formats for movies, as well as the previously mentioned music file types.

Cost

As with all purchases, it’s wise to set a budget and stick to it. The cost of digital media players varies a lot from the cheap USB stick to the most expensive complete portable digital entertainment system, so make sure you consider both your needs and the amount of money that you’re willing to spend.

Accessories

More and more digital media players are being created with home use in mind and not solely for their portability. Many brands have created docking stations for their players, which have built-in speakers for use around the home. Docking stations allow you not only to store your player safely and attractively around the home, but also to charge the battery as you are using it, therefore increasing its versatility.

Some digital media players come with protective sleeves or carry cases to stop them becoming scratched or damaged. If the model that you’re buying doesn’t, it’s worth ordering these at the same time.

Warranty

Check the product description to make sure that you are happy with the terms of the manufacturer’s guarantee, as the warranty length can vary depending on the brand and model of digital media player that you choose.

Further Information

You can find out about some of the top online suppliers of digital media players, including details of their delivery times and postage costs, in our Where to Buy section.

To learn about the different types of digital media player available, visit our Types section.

You can find out about popular brands and models of digital media player in our Top Models and Brands sections.