Faced with the great diversity of models, consumers can quickly feel lost.
What type of music player should you choose to listen to your favorite songs?
What storage capacity should you choose if you want to watch videos?
What screen size should you prefer?
All of these questions deserve an answer to make sure you choose a device that is right for you.
The different types of music players
Compact music players
Compact music players, most often USB MP3 players, represent the simplest models of music players. They respond perfectly to occasional music listening. This type of player is not always equipped with a screen and displays ultra-basic functions (listening and navigation via the classic play / pause / next / previous keys). Practical, they can be taken everywhere and above all, they are the cheapest on the market.
Some models of compact music players are designed to meet specific uses.
Thus, joggers and other athletes can opt for a watch format model which is practical in order to maintain total freedom of movement during physical activity.
In the same vein, there are music players that clip directly onto clothes.
Some devices are completely waterproof and are very practical for swimming or taking a bath to music.
Multimedia players
Multimedia players have a screen that makes it easier to navigate through your different music directories.
But the digital multimedia player is also switching to video!
These peripherals become true pocket multimedia centers capable of reading a multiplicity of formats.
The most sophisticated models even offer the possibility of an Internet connection via WIFI or GPRS.
The user can thus surf the web or download content and applications.
Which player for what use?
For occasional listening
If you just want to listen to your favorite songs on public transport or while walking, it is better to favor MP3 players with basic functionalities which are, most of the time, synonymous with practicality and lightness.
No need to carry a mini tablet to listen to music.
As such, portable players in USB format have the advantage of slipping easily into a pocket or a bag and of being easy to handle thanks to the flush reader keys.
For discerning music lovers
Do you have thousands of songs on your computer?
To take your music everywhere, opt for multimedia players with a large capacity.
Equipped with flash memory or hard disk, this type of device usually displays the menu via a color screen.
This interface offers greater navigation comfort which allows the user to manage their content, create playlists or modify certain advanced parameters: audio quality, video, equalization modes ... A multimedia player will also allow you to enjoy "bonus" content available with many music albums, such as music videos.
For touch junkies
Latest born, portable players are closer to the smartphone in terms of handling.
If they do not necessarily have a larger storage capacity, they generally have a neat aesthetic interface.
The more high-end models can also accommodate applications and connect to the Internet.
Flash memory or built-in hard drive?
Digital music players can be equipped with two types of storage media: flash memory or built-in hard disk.
These two technologies have different advantages.
Flash memory is often found in the most compact models because it requires less space than a hard drive.
This technology consumes less energy than the hard drive, therefore increasing the autonomy of the player before recharging.
In addition, flash memory allows the device to benefit from ultra-fast power-up.
For its part, the integrated hard drive offers greater storage capacity than that offered by flash memory.
Indeed, music players with hard drives can, depending on the model, display a capacity of over 200 GB.
Technical characteristics
The compression format
To restrict the space they occupy in the device memory, audio, video or photo files are compressed.
So that this manipulation does not lead to a qualitative loss, it is advisable to check the compression formats exerted.
For video content, the MPEG4 format is the most commonly used while MP3, even if there are many others, remains the most common for audio files.
Decoded formats
The formats read by your future digital music player are a fundamental criterion.
In fact, the more formats your device decodes, the less you will be forced to perform conversion operations using the software provided when you purchased your device.
If you are using online music shopping services, you should also verify that your player plays WMA DRM format.
Storage capacity
The storage capacity of your player depends above all on your needs.
On the market, you will find flash memory portable players with a memory of 128 MB to 8 GB while the built-in hard disk devices sometimes have a capacity of up to 160 GB!
If you want to be able to listen to some music on the go, a simple compact flash-memory MP3 will be more than enough.
This type of device is also more resistant to vibration than models equipped with a hard drive.
They are therefore more suitable for sports.
Autonomy
On portable music players, on average, a rechargeable battery offers 30 hours of listening to its user even if more high-end models reach 100 hours.
This type of battery can be recharged either from the mains or from a computer via a USB connection.
However, most of the time, the batteries are integrated into the player, which prevents replacement in the event of a breakdown.
Note, however, that there are still a few models of portable players, more restrictive, which operate on batteries.
Screen size
The size of the screen is an element which determines your comfort of reading and handling.
Again, it will all depend on your needs.
OLED, LCD, colors, black and white ... If you want to be able to watch videos or look at photos, remember to check the quality of the image and its resolution.
However, if you only want to listen to music, the screen offers easy navigation through your songs.
The connection
When you buy a digital music player, it is above all to enjoy its content anywhere.
But you still need to be able to transfer them from your computer to your device without difficulty.
Some compact models already have an easy-to-plug USB port.
But beware: other devices have plugs specific to their brand.
Even if they come with a suitable cable for charging and connection, check their compatibility with some of your devices, including docking stations or FM transmitters.
The options
The built-in FM tuner
If you are a news enthusiast or frequent radio broadcaster, select a digital music player model with built-in FM tuner.
If possible, opt for a radio with RDS to ensure uninterrupted listening on the go.
The presence of a microphone
There are digital music players that have a microphone.
This option can be used in particular to transform your player into a dictaphone.
Integrated speakers
Some models of music players have built-in speakers.
They are, however, not very powerful.
For better listening, opt instead on portable speakers.
WiFi
Devices with WiFi will generally allow you to download your tracks without going through your computer.
Some models similar to smartphones allow you to download many applications.
The bluetooth module
To benefit from the music files of your walkman via the Bluetooth speakers of your hi-fi system, your device must also have the Bluetooth function.
Thus, no need for tedious connections!
Use your walkman well
Transfer music files from a computer
Transferring files from your PC to your digital music player usually requires a USB connection.
To do this, you can plug your device directly into one of the USB ports on your computer, which will recognize it as if it were an external hard drive.
All you have to do is drag your content inside.
You can also use the management software provided when purchasing your player.
This type of software allows the user to organize his library and to benefit from advanced parameters.
Why not copy the lyrics of your songs directly to your player, for example?
Use online services
Many online services offer users of digital music players to download films, music or even series against payment.
The user has permanent access to this type of online store and only buys the content they want for a fixed or definitive period.
Control the sound level of listening
Prolonged listening to music or video files can have serious consequences on hearing and cause hearing loss, tinnitus or even hyperacusis.
To avoid excess, France requires manufacturers to market portable music players whose sound power cannot exceed 100 decibels with the original headphones by limiting the output voltage at the headphone socket to 150 millivolts.
Related products
Headsets and headsets
To get the most out of all your tracks, a headset that's right for you is important.
Headphones for athletes, high-end headphones for music lovers, the choice is wide!
The protective cover
If the cover is an accessory, it is nonetheless essential.
When traveling, your device can be subjected to severe strain and suffer many shocks even when stored in your bag.
Dust and crumbs can quickly put a player out of service.
To avoid damaging it, manufacturers offer an eclectic range of protection.
From the hard cases to the soft case through the waterproof cover, you will inevitably find the model you need.
Cables
To transfer your files, you usually need a USB cable.
Although it is often supplied with the player, it still happens that the latter no longer works.
You will easily find a USB cable in mass distribution stores or in specialized high-tech stores.
The multi-headset star connector
To share your music files with your friends or for your children to watch a video together, consider the star connector which allows you to connect several headphones to your player.
> Also discover:
What is the best streaming music service?
(Spotify, Deezer, Amazon Music ...)
