One thing a growing number of people are turning to are online audio services like Audible and Audiofeast to provide them with alternatives to music for their players. These two services offer up things like audio books, newspapers, magazines and other types of spoken content which can be downloaded for your listening enjoyment.
What is the advantage of having say, “The Da Vinci Code” or “eBay Radio”, over music? It depends upon your needs. Often, music will serve you just fine as your primary audio on your player. It’s great for working out to, taking away the stress of the day and all those other things which make it so popular.
Other times, having someone read you that book you never get the chance to buy at your corner bookstore, or listening to your favorite NPR program on your own timetable, is the better way to go. This type of audio content is especially suited for long commutes, flights, and other times where you want entertainment which has more than just a beat.
Before we take a look at two of the top services, Audible and Audiofeast, a general rundown of how you get hold of this type of content is in order. As is the case most of the time, these things cost money. Subscription plans, which often allow you to download a certain amount of audio each month, can vary by price. Depending upon the provider, you may end up choosing from a yearly or monthly plan.
Since these services are constantly trying to attract new members, deals will often be offered which can be very attractive. One of the most popular is to bundle a MP3 player from companies like iRiver and Apple with a one year subscription to the service. For those who don’t have MP3 players, or who are looking to upgrade, this may be a way to go.
Once your money is plunked down, the next step is usually to download software to your desktop or laptop. After installed, this will serve as your main way of transferring audio programs from the service to your player. Typically, you will select the audio content either directly from the software or through the service’s website. The software is then used to download your new purchases. As with all other things you download, how long it actually takes to get to your computer depends upon the size of the audio file and the speed of your Internet connection. After the download is complete, you can send it directly to your player.
A very important thing to note: not all MP3 players are supported by these types of services. Owing to technology issues, only certain brands and models will be compatible. Typically, these services will make sure they have deals signed with major manufacturers so the likelihood of your player being supported if it is from a well known company is high. It’s worth checking first though on the service’s website before signing up.
As for the specific types of content available, a more thorough breakdown by service is given further on. Generally, audiobooks (abridged and unabridged), periodicals, news, talk and special interest programs, old and new radio programs and other types of spoken audio programs are available. Often, these items come as individual downloads you pay for either as part of your monthly (or yearly) fee or on an individual basis. Other times, especially in the case of items like the Wall Street Journal or NPR’s Hourly Update, items are refreshed frequently and available as part of a specific subscription option.
With the groundwork now laid for services which bring the spoken word to your portable audio devices, lets take a look at two of the companies with the best offerings: Audible and Audiofeast.
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Monday, July 13, 2009
How to Buy an MP3 Player
The digital revolution has caught up with the venerable Walkthing. An MP3 Player is the perfect tool for people on the go who have moved their music collections onto their computers. Because they're digital-- some with absolutely no moving parts--MP3 players don't skip or warble if you're running, skiing or biking.
Instructions:
Step 1
Shop for price.MP3 Player range from $60 for a bare-bones RCA Lyra to $500 for the top-of-the-line Apple iPod. Other popular brands are Creative Labs, SonicBlue, Archos, Samsung, Sony and Panasonic.
Step 2
Get a player with as much storage as you can afford. The more storage, the more music it can hold. One minute of MP3 music takes up about 1 megabyte (MB) of memory, so a 128 MB MP3 player can hold about two hours of tunes. Unlike computers, memory and storage are sometimes used synonymously in MP3 players, since the storage in smaller devices (under 128 MB) is usually made of Flash memory chips.
Step 3
Make sure any potential purchase works with your computer. Many MP3 players don't work with Macintosh computers, though that's improving.
Step 4
Try the controls. Less-expensive players often have control panels that can charitably be described as "minimalist." Make sure they make sense to you.
Step 5
Pick up the unit to gauge its size and weight. Would it be comfortable in your pocket or on your belt? How about when you're moving around?
Step 6
Check out the player's advertised battery life. Manufacturers' claims aren't exact, but they can be used for comparison.
Step 7
Choose a unit with USB or FireWire, rather than a parallel connection to your computer. USB and FireWire are fast and flexible.
Step 8
Look for a player with an FM radio receiver. Some models can record music from the radio, and will identify the artist and title the next time you connect the player to your computer. Some also double as digital voice recorders.
Step 9
Look for expandable storage, especially on units without much built-in memory. CompactFlash, MemoryStick and SecureDigital media are common choices. Newer models with more storage have internal hard disks that can store computer data.
Step 10
Have a listen. MP3 players use standard stereo headphones. If you don't like the headphones that come with a player, there are a variety of styles you can purchase.
Tips and Warnings:
A few high-end MP3 players have built-in FM transmitters to send music wirelessly to a car stereo. You can do the same with a pocket-sized FM transmitter; if you don't mind wires, use a cassette-on-a-cable device from a portable CD player car kit.
Some MP3 players double as portable CD players, so you can burn your MP3 files to a CD and pop it in the player.
The legalities of MP3 music-swapping are constantly changing, but please respect the work of the artists: Make sure they get compensated for their work
Sources:http://www.ehow.com/how_108615_buy-mp3-player.html
Instructions:
Step 1
Shop for price.MP3 Player range from $60 for a bare-bones RCA Lyra to $500 for the top-of-the-line Apple iPod. Other popular brands are Creative Labs, SonicBlue, Archos, Samsung, Sony and Panasonic.
Step 2
Get a player with as much storage as you can afford. The more storage, the more music it can hold. One minute of MP3 music takes up about 1 megabyte (MB) of memory, so a 128 MB MP3 player can hold about two hours of tunes. Unlike computers, memory and storage are sometimes used synonymously in MP3 players, since the storage in smaller devices (under 128 MB) is usually made of Flash memory chips.
Step 3
Make sure any potential purchase works with your computer. Many MP3 players don't work with Macintosh computers, though that's improving.
Step 4
Try the controls. Less-expensive players often have control panels that can charitably be described as "minimalist." Make sure they make sense to you.
Step 5
Pick up the unit to gauge its size and weight. Would it be comfortable in your pocket or on your belt? How about when you're moving around?
Step 6
Check out the player's advertised battery life. Manufacturers' claims aren't exact, but they can be used for comparison.
Step 7
Choose a unit with USB or FireWire, rather than a parallel connection to your computer. USB and FireWire are fast and flexible.
Step 8
Look for a player with an FM radio receiver. Some models can record music from the radio, and will identify the artist and title the next time you connect the player to your computer. Some also double as digital voice recorders.
Step 9
Look for expandable storage, especially on units without much built-in memory. CompactFlash, MemoryStick and SecureDigital media are common choices. Newer models with more storage have internal hard disks that can store computer data.
Step 10
Have a listen. MP3 players use standard stereo headphones. If you don't like the headphones that come with a player, there are a variety of styles you can purchase.
Tips and Warnings:
A few high-end MP3 players have built-in FM transmitters to send music wirelessly to a car stereo. You can do the same with a pocket-sized FM transmitter; if you don't mind wires, use a cassette-on-a-cable device from a portable CD player car kit.
Some MP3 players double as portable CD players, so you can burn your MP3 files to a CD and pop it in the player.
The legalities of MP3 music-swapping are constantly changing, but please respect the work of the artists: Make sure they get compensated for their work
Sources:http://www.ehow.com/how_108615_buy-mp3-player.html
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Alter SWF to AVI and WMV Unbound of Value
If you wishing to persuade experience videos and audio files to various opposite formats, there are various unrestricted SWF to AVI - persuade to WMV applications you can decide from. If you only beggary to execute this chore at formerly, mightiness as comfortably interpret vantage of whatsoever try versions you can get on the cyberspace. You conscionable demand to download these applications and run a falsehood on your machine. Most of these versions simply allow you to fulfil a few conversions or use the sweat in a leave fast you to purchase the production. If you plant condition to use it and bonk gotten yourself modified with its port, resolve on purchase the set exclusive if the toll is honorable.
Otherwise, you can comfort perceive separate unrestricted SWF to AVI - change to WMV softwares you can use for uncommitted and in permanence. Most of these freewares, however, are not as sainted as the profitable ones. To secure that you are not symptom your treasured time downloading the employment, try to perceive both expert and human reviews.
The premiere action you should sensing for in a unloose SWF to AVI - convince to WMV software is its compatibility with most recording and audio formats much as WMA, WMV, AVI, MPG and SWF. These formats can run on most media players and devices specified as iPod, PSP, and Xbox360. Separate than that, you bang to excrete trusty that the grade of the files that you score converted is most the corresponding as their daring enter formats.
Otherwise, you can comfort perceive separate unrestricted SWF to AVI - change to WMV softwares you can use for uncommitted and in permanence. Most of these freewares, however, are not as sainted as the profitable ones. To secure that you are not symptom your treasured time downloading the employment, try to perceive both expert and human reviews.
The premiere action you should sensing for in a unloose SWF to AVI - convince to WMV software is its compatibility with most recording and audio formats much as WMA, WMV, AVI, MPG and SWF. These formats can run on most media players and devices specified as iPod, PSP, and Xbox360. Separate than that, you bang to excrete trusty that the grade of the files that you score converted is most the corresponding as their daring enter formats.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
How to Troubleshoot Samsung MP3 Player Connection Problems
Samsung makes several models of both flash-based and HDD-based MP3 players. Many of these players connect to the computer for file transfer via USB cables. Connection problems can result from a faulty device driver as well as an outdated or not-frequently updated version of Windows. Follow the steps below to solve connection problems you may be experiencing with your MP3 player.
Instructions
How to Update Windows
Step 1
Update Windows. The connection issue could be caused by Windows, not your Samsung MP3 Player.
Step 2
Disconnect the Samsung Player from your PC.
Step 3
Go to "Start," "All Programs" and "Windows Update."
Step 4
Install all mandatory and optional updates.
Step 5
Restart your computer and try to connect the Samsung MP3 Player again.
Update or Reinstall Device Driver
Step 1
Connect the Samsung MP3 Player to your PC.
Step 2
Open Windows Device Manager. Go to "Start," "Settings," "Control Panel," "System" and click on the "Hardware" tab.
Step 3
Locate "Portable Devices" and look for the device containing a yellow question or exclamation mark. Double-click the device to open "Properties" and click the "Device" tab.
Step 4
Click "Update Driver." Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver (select "Yes" when prompted whether you want to search the Internet for the driver).
Step 5
Install the new driver and click "Finish." Retry the Samsung MP3 Player connection.
Instructions
How to Update Windows
Step 1
Update Windows. The connection issue could be caused by Windows, not your Samsung MP3 Player.
Step 2
Disconnect the Samsung Player from your PC.
Step 3
Go to "Start," "All Programs" and "Windows Update."
Step 4
Install all mandatory and optional updates.
Step 5
Restart your computer and try to connect the Samsung MP3 Player again.
Update or Reinstall Device Driver
Step 1
Connect the Samsung MP3 Player to your PC.
Step 2
Open Windows Device Manager. Go to "Start," "Settings," "Control Panel," "System" and click on the "Hardware" tab.
Step 3
Locate "Portable Devices" and look for the device containing a yellow question or exclamation mark. Double-click the device to open "Properties" and click the "Device" tab.
Step 4
Click "Update Driver." Follow the on-screen instructions to update the driver (select "Yes" when prompted whether you want to search the Internet for the driver).
Step 5
Install the new driver and click "Finish." Retry the Samsung MP3 Player connection.
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
How to Download Music from the Computer to an MP3 Player
MP3 player is a portable music player which allows music enthusiasts to listen to music with the use of a simple and small music device. The MP3 player does not only provide users with convenience but also offers a much better quality of music as compared with the more conventional ways of listening to music. There are various ways of transferring music into the MP3 player and one of the most usual methods is to copy the user’s favorite CD directly to the player. Another common method is to download music files from the Internet such as Limewire, iTunes, and Bittorrent into the computer and then convert these files to a format suitable for the MP3 player.
Materials Needed:
- MP3 player
- MP3 file
- USB cable
- computer
Step 1
When purchasing an MP3 player, the player usually comes with software that enables the user’s computer to hook up with the player. Prior to downloading any music to the player, the user must first install the software into the computer where he intends to get the music for the player. To install the software, insert the CD on the computer’s CD Rom-drive and connect the MP3 player to the computer.
Step 2
The software will then be installed automatically into the computer. Installation is complete once the user can already see that the computer has already read the player. Once the computer has read the player, the player is now available and ready to receive music from the computer.
Step 3
Connect both the player and the computer to a USB cable. The user will then be notified if a connection has been made once the message “USB connected” is displayed on the player’s screen.
Step 4
A series of instructions will then appear on the computer for the installation of the drivers. Simply follow the installation guides until the installation has been completed.
Step 5
Open the “Manager Program” and locate the folders containing the music files the user wants to transfer to the player. Select the folders in order that these will be stored on the computer.
Step 6
The user then chooses the location on the MP3 player where he wants the folders to be stored. After choosing a location, click on the “Download” icon to start downloading the music into the player.
Step 7
The downloading process will take a few seconds to complete. Once the user is notified that the process is complete, the player can now be disconnected from the computer. The new music downloaded can now be played.
Source:http://www.liutilities.com/how-to/download-music-from-the-computer-to-an-mp3-player/
Materials Needed:
- MP3 player
- MP3 file
- USB cable
- computer
Step 1
When purchasing an MP3 player, the player usually comes with software that enables the user’s computer to hook up with the player. Prior to downloading any music to the player, the user must first install the software into the computer where he intends to get the music for the player. To install the software, insert the CD on the computer’s CD Rom-drive and connect the MP3 player to the computer.
Step 2
The software will then be installed automatically into the computer. Installation is complete once the user can already see that the computer has already read the player. Once the computer has read the player, the player is now available and ready to receive music from the computer.
Step 3
Connect both the player and the computer to a USB cable. The user will then be notified if a connection has been made once the message “USB connected” is displayed on the player’s screen.
Step 4
A series of instructions will then appear on the computer for the installation of the drivers. Simply follow the installation guides until the installation has been completed.
Step 5
Open the “Manager Program” and locate the folders containing the music files the user wants to transfer to the player. Select the folders in order that these will be stored on the computer.
Step 6
The user then chooses the location on the MP3 player where he wants the folders to be stored. After choosing a location, click on the “Download” icon to start downloading the music into the player.
Step 7
The downloading process will take a few seconds to complete. Once the user is notified that the process is complete, the player can now be disconnected from the computer. The new music downloaded can now be played.
Source:http://www.liutilities.com/how-to/download-music-from-the-computer-to-an-mp3-player/
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