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"MP3s, MP3s, all the way"
 So
you've heard a lot about the "MP3 Phenomenon" and how
many advantages they have but feel left out and alien to the phrase
itself! Worry not! We'll guide you through the whole thing. From,
what is MP3 to legal / illegal issues.
Just click on any one of the 4 sections of the guide
to go there directly:
1. The Format
2. Types of players and cost
3. Key features
4. The music industry's nervous - should you
be?
Before you buy …
The growing popularity of the MP3 format is largely due to three
factors: near CD-quality sound, compact players and small file-size.
Of course the increasing availability of free music might have something
to do with it too. Before you shop, get the answers to important
questions about what MP3 is, how to enjoy the music files, types
and cost, key features and the copyright controversy. We answer
all these questions below.
What
is MP3?
MP3, or MPEG3, stands for Moving Pictures
Expert Group Layer III. The Moving Pictures Expert Group is the
organization responsible for developing the format, and "Layer
III" refers to the third revision of the compression format.
The current version, MP3, has a compression ratio of 1:12 and a
minimum bandwidth of 128 Kbps, meaning every eight seconds of audio
requires 128 Kb of storage space. Compressing an audio file to MP3
can trim the file size to less than a tenth of the original file
with minimal loss in quality.
In English, the MP3 technology makes large audio files much smaller,
making them easier to download, copy, and store. The MP3 encoder
cheats a bit, by removing the parts of the recording not audible
to the human ear. While MP3 isn't quite as clear and rich as CD
sound, it's pretty close.
MP3 files can be created from music on CDs (or any analog or digital
recording from .WAV files to DAT) or downloaded from thousands of
sites on the web.
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Playing
MP3s
There are two ways to listen to MP3 files - on your computer
system and with a portable MP3 player.
For listening to files on your computer, you'll need a sound card,
speakers and/or headphones, and have a player installed. Several
free players, such as Winamp and Sonique, are available for downloading
at various MP3 sites. The Real player and Windows Media player also
handle MP3s. If your soundcard has a line output you can connect
your PC to your audio system via a 1/8-inch RCA cable.
But if MP3 files could play only on your computer the format wouldn't
be causing such a stir. Portable MP3 players, available from several
manufacturers, enable you to take your tunes along wherever you
go on a device small enough to fit in your pocket and weighing about
as much as a single cassette. Since they have no moving parts, they're
completely shockproof. No more scratches or skipping. Some models
will also play music downloaded in the proprietary G2 format developed
by RealNetworks.
It's not quite as easy, however, to change recordings as it is
with a portable cassette or CD player and it can take time to download
the files, especially at slower connection speeds.
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Types and cost
MP3 players are available in three types:
-
Personal players
— By far the most common type. Most players hold at least 60
minutes worth of music and some can store twice that. These
small portable units start at about $200, with fully-featured
models going for more than $300. Most run on AA batteries. Models
with re-chargeable batteries can play for 10-12 hours before
needing to be re-charged. Some players include headphones and
FM tuners.
-
Home players — These models differ from the
original MP3 portables in that most are designed to play MP3
files burned onto CDs. This requires the necessary software
for "ripping" digital files from CDs and other sources
and converting them to the MP3 format, plus a CD-R drive to
"burn" them onto a CD. High-end models can store as
much as 300 hours of digital audio. Basic models start at around
$300 and range up to about $1,000 for the top shelf variety.
-
Car players — Some, like the home players,
are designed to play MP3 files burned onto CD. A few have their
own storage drives capable of holding close to 30 Gb of music
with approximately 17 hours worth of music per gigabyte. Most
also include FM tuners. These models are removable from the
dash for security and so that they may be linked to your PC
for file transfer. Prices run from about $300 for the type that
play CDs to $1,200 or more for the type that includes its own
storage drive.
Note: There currently are very few home and car
models available.
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Fourteen
key features
Portable MP3 players come in a wide assortment
of colors and flavors. Here are the most common features to look
for:
-
Format: Players are available in three formats
— MP3, G2, and both MP3 and G2. (G2 is a proprietary encoding
technology developed by RealNetworks, as opposed to the open
standard of MP3).
-
FM radio: Some units include an FM tuner.
-
Voice recording: Allows you to record memos
or meetings.
-
Memory: Most players come with at least 32
MB of built-in memory (giving you room for an hour of music
or 16 hours of audio books), and many can boost that with simple
plug-in 32MB or 64 MB memory cards.
-
Software included: The software for downloading
MP3 files from the Internet to a computer is available free
from any of the Internet sites that distribute MP3 recordings.
The software you need to upload your own CDs to a computer in
an MP3 format is included with some models and also available
on the Internet for about $20.
-
Supported format: Windows Media Player, Real
Player, etc.
-
Low battery indicator: Lets you know when
it's time for new batteries or re-charging.
-
Universal Serial Bus port: USB replaces all
the different kinds of serial and parallel port connectors with
one standardized plug and port combination making it easier
to transfer downloaded music to your player.
-
Forward/reverse track search: Allows audible
high-speed scanning to desired part of selected track.
-
Auto resume: Remembers track location and
volume setting when power is shut off and starts at the beginning
of that track when power is switched back on.
-
Auto power down: Automatically turns off power
after 60 seconds when pause or stop have been activated to help
prolong battery life.
-
LCD screen: Displays music title and artist
information.
-
Back-lit display: Easy to read, even in low
lighting.
-
Power source: Some models run on one or two
AA batteries. Others operate on rechargeable batteries.
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Pop
for populists or pathway to piracy?
To borrow a little philosophy from the NRA, MP3s don't violate
copyright laws — people do. Obviously, a technology that allows
you to make digital copies of copyrighted material has the recording
industry worried. While many web sites offer free downloads of music
by independent artists seeking a wider audience, sites offering
illegal copies of songs and entire CDs have also become commonplace.
According to federal law, the owner of a copyright on a piece of
music (usually the composer and/or publisher) reserves all reproduction
and distribution rights. Consumers are entitled only to sell or
give away the single copy of each recording they purchase. This
is legally the case with MP3 files as well. Record companies are
scrambling to find suitable encryption techniques that will prevent
unauthorized duplication, but in the meantime the honor system is
in effect. Here's what's kosher and what's not:
Legal
-
Make your own MP3 files from copyrighted material such as your
own CDs
-
Store MP3s of copyrighted material on your hard drive or MP3
player
-
Download MP3s from the Internet which are offered with the
permission of the copyright holder.
Illegal
-
Post MP3 files of copyrighted material on the Internet without
the copyright holder's permission.
-
Download copyrighted material posted illegally (granted, no
one's going to know, but it's still illegal)
-
Make MP3 file copies of your own CDs to distribute for profit.
Note: Some web sites publish
a "disclaimer" to the effect that it's legal to download
copyrighted files if they are deleted within 24 hours. Nice
sentiment, but not true.
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