|
PMPs or Portable Multimedia Players (simply called MP3 players) can be divided categorized in different ways. You can divide them on the basis of the storage media used, the size and relative compactness of the device and also on the basis of the presence of a display. Then there is the generic division on the basis of pricing, which is all some people are interested in.
Let’s take a tabulated look at the types of PMPs:
On the basis of storage media
1)Hard drive based PMPs – These devices use magnetic recording media much like the hard drive inside your PC. Typically such PMPs are larger in dimensions and weigh more. They also have a greater storage size (typically), and are more suited for those looking to store a lot of space-hungry videos or for those looking to cart their entire collection of music with them.
2)Flash based PMPs – These are newer crop of players, bringing with them the goodness of flash storage – they are lightweight, compact and produce little or no heat. They are also sturdier because of no moving parts. Flash is catching up to HDDs slowly when it comes to storage space, but a flash-based PMP offering comparable storage is still 3x the price of an HDD-based PMP. Very soon, flash-based players will take over the market. We’re already seeing flash storage on PMPs touch the 64 GB mark. This is enough for most users. We should see 128 GB as a viable storage capacity in 2011. Prices will gradually drop as well.
On the basis of display
1)No display, purely music – such devices are typically compact and good for someone only looking at a compact, music player. A good example would be the iPod Shuffle
2)Display-based PMP – such PMPs typically have a small to medium sized display that is not more than 2.4-inches in size (diagonally). A good example would be the iPod Nano and the iPod Classic. These devices can also be used for video playback, but the displays are typically a limiting factor.
3)Video PMP – These devices typically have a much larger screen, in the range of 2.8-inches, or even larger. For example, Cowon’s now defunct Q5W had a display size of five inches. Another example would be the Apple iPod Touch.
In general, manufacturers try to have several product lines in the PMP range. Needs are very diverse. You could need a basic PMP to listen to music while jogging or working out. Someone else might need something that plays a lot of video formats while having a large screen to use aboard the daily commute to office. Yet another user may want an audiophile-grade PMP that is capable of playing lossless audio formats.
It’s therefore, important to understand that no two people look for identically the same thing when shopping for a PMP, just like any other consumer device. Therefore it’s important to understand that manufacturers position products for a particular audience. Therefore what’s good for your neighbor might not be good for you. With this in mind, the most important piece of advice we can give you is to get a practical hands-on of the device you intend to purchase. Touch it, use it, play with it – stores like Tata Croma, Reliance Digital and E-Zones are ideal places to get a hands-on experience. Once you find you like it, then you can purchase the device from the store giving you the best price, or even online if you prefer to do so.
When shopping for a PMP, we recommend keeping the following parameters and features in mind:
1)Video or not: This is perhaps the most important choice you will make. Remember, if you are pretty sure you will not be viewing photos or videos on your device and you do not want a display to interface with the device, you are better off with a non-display based device. Additionally, if you don’t need a display, why pay for it? The audio component of a non-display PMP will be better than a display-based one, given the same price. Many people spend a little to buy a video-based PMP, only to discover they don’t use the video playback feature at all.
Additionally, if you’re shopping for a video PMP, you need to check out the display before you purchase it. The colours and contrast should be up to the mark, as should daylight legibility. It’s important to check this out before spending any money.
2)Storage space: This is another important parameter. Are you only going to be using your PMP for FM Radio? If so, a 2 GB player will suffice. Do you need to lug around 10,000 lossless files? You might need to look at a hard drive-based device, or even one with a lot of flash memory that would be much costlier. Some PMPs also offer expandable storage by offering SD and microSD slots in which you can slot in a memory card and have more storage. This type of expansion is a powerful tool indeed, for you can add a 16 GB card into a 4 FB player and get a size of 20 GB – a huge plus, especially considering the falling price of flash memory. When fixing on a size, define your current size requirement and double it for a decent amount of future proofing. Generally, these days, look for at least 8 GB of storage space.
3)File Formats: When shopping, remember that file formats are very important. This is because this is one feature that cannot be upgraded, unless the manufacturer chooses to add support for a codec in a system update. So if a PMP cannot play .FLAC files (for example), chances are, it won’t be able to play files of this format. For people looking at a PMP to view videos, you need to pay close attention to the video codec’s supported. Likewise, audiophiles will be interested in the playback of lossless files such as .FLAC and .ape. Obviously, no player will support many lossless formats, but in general, one format is all you need, as you can rip your CDs to that format for use on the PMP. In general, Cowon is one brand that includes support for .FLAC files. Apple players do not support .FLAC, instead Apple chooses to use their own lossless format called Apple lossless or .ALAC. In general, for an audio PMP, MP3 support will serve 95 per cent of all users. Video PMPs will support .AVI and .MPEG4 files formats.
4)Additional points to look for: Battery life is an important consideration too, especially for people who are always on the move and need to listen to music and watch videos on the go. For such people, a higher battery capacity will be helpful, most PMPs have a specification that states the number of hours of playback between charges. Also look for the battery rating. Some might also want to look for other features, like the presence of a clock, calendar, alarm, FM Radio, touch-screen or even a camera. If you are in the market for a touch-screen based PMP, look at the ones based on capacitive technology – resistive touch is outdated and not user friendly.
Shopping for earphones: For the music junkie, bundled earphones just don’t cut the mustard. If you are serious about music, you will probably want a slightly better earphone. For most users, we recommend in-ear earphones, also known as earplugs because they have silicone earpads that protrude into your ear canal, blocking out external noise and also giving you higher volume and bass levels. Some people find earplugs to have reverberation due to the ear sealing that causes unwanted reverberations. Remember that a decent set of earplugs will set you back by at least Rs. 500, and the better sets will cost in excess of Rs. 1,000. Those looking for premium brands will not find a lot of offerings in India, and be prepared to pay a premium for audiophile-grade earplugs. Such earphones can easily cost above Rs. 10,000, and are for those discerning audiences looking for the best possible music experience. Brands to look for in India include Soundmagic, Creative, Sennheiser and Bose. Brands not available here, but available for orders on websites include Shure, Ultimate Ears, Grado and Audio Technica.
|
Close
About us
