Flash Memory MP3 Player

flash memory mp3 player

By Anne Ahira

So you have decided to bite the bullet and shop for an mp3 player? Now comes the confusing part what and where to buy and more importantly, what is the difference between a hard drive and flash memory mp3 player?

On the surface, it is really quite simple, hard drive players have a tiny drive inside similar in nature to what is in your home computer. They have small moving parts and are not recommended for heavy activity like jogging or extreme exercise.

A flash memory mp3 player has no such internal parts. Instead, there memory is more like what you would find on a jump drive. They are not prone to damage from heavy use but the down side is they are limited in the amount of memory they offer.

2 GB Flash

A 2 GB flash memory mp3 player can hold anywhere from 500-1,000 songs depending on the player and the file format of the music. If a player is compatible with WMA, you can fit nearly twice as much as say mp3 format tracks. Some of these small mp3 players will also come with image and video capability but do not expect much from it.

4 GB

• 1,000 mp3 tracks
• 12 hours of video
• 2,000 photos
• Some units come with a SD card slot for expanded memory

8 GB

• 32 hours of video
• 2,000 tracks of music
• Hundreds of photos
• Also come with expandable memory

16 GB

• 24 hours of video
• 2,000 music files
• 4,000 images

Features

All of the above features may vary slightly between models and brands, for instance some 16 GB flash memory mp3 players boast double the capacity listed above. The important thing to remember is to read the technical descriptions very well.

A flash memory mp3 player is the current  favorite among many people. The reason is they are more reliable and less prone to damage than their hard drive based counterparts are.  That does not mean there is no following for hard drive mp3 players; they just require use that is more careful.

Cons

The main problem with flash memory mp3 player is the lack of size. Currently the largest flash mp3 player is a 32 GB. There is rumor that companies are looking for ways to increase capacity but for now that is as good as it gets. This is a problem mainly for people interested in the video capabilities of these players. If you want plenty of room for video, you will have to stick with the hard drive based variety.

Conclusion

It really depends on what your needs or wants are when it comes to choosing between flash memory mp3 players and hard drive memory. If you plan on taking it with you a lot and using it while you exercise stick with flash.

I suggest you check out my other guide on MP3 Player Creative Labs and Zune Brown

Here's Flash Memory MP3 Player Selections:

Coby MP305-2G MP3 Player with 2 GB Flash Memory FM...	Customer Review: I got this MP3 player to listen to audio books from [...], so I was disappointed to find out that it is not compatible with [...] formats. There is a tedious work-around for that, so fine. Other than that, I like this little thing. It's small yet stu... Read More	(99)
In Car 4-in-1 Mp3 Wireless Modulator/fm Transmitte...	Customer Review: The transmitter is fragile, but with care it performs great. I use it to listen to audio books. I would not recommend using it for music as there often is interference when fm radio traffic is heavy. I purchased a couple of these as gifts.... Read More	$139.99 (30)
Bluetooth MP3 Player Sunglasses - 2GB Flash Memory...	Customer Review: COVERS TOO MUCH OF YOUR FACE IN SUMMER. YOU'LL FEEL EXTRA HOT. REMEMBER TO PEEL OF THE PROTECTIVE FILM FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE LENSES. LOOK FOR A BETTER PRICE THAN AMAZON'S. VERY WELL ENGINEERED AND BUILT.... Read More	$149.99 (1)
1GB Bluetooth MP3 Watch Built-in 2GB flash memory ...	Customer Review: Click Here for More Info	$169.99
"That's So Raven" Mix Stick MP3 Player...	Customer Review: I purchased the Princess Forever and Tinkerbell Sassy Pixie for my daughters for Christmas. I haven't given them to them yet but have tested them. There are pros and cons......Pro: ADORABLE! The girls will love them. The sound quality is good and the... Read More	(3)