MP3 vs. CHART

Media
Type
Contents & Quality Availability Capacity Physical Qualities Cost per Lecture Playback Equipment
TAPE Direct recording includes announcements, etc. Average sound quality. Single lecture as well as complete books of the Bible and collections of related books. 1 tape = 1 entire lecture (100 - 120 min) Sensitive to extreme temperatures and tape breakage. Less compact than CDs $6.00 - 120 min
$5.00 - 60/90 min
Standard cassette player. Commonly found in cars and home stereo systems
CD Edited: Removal of extraneous commentary. Digitally mastered for highest sound quality. Complete books of the Bible and collections of related books only (as available) 2 CD's are required to hold one entire lecture (100 - 120 min) Compact and easy to store. More durable than tapes. $8.00 for 2 CDs or 100 min
$6.00 for 1 CD or 74 min
Standard CD player. Commonly found in cars, computers, and home stereo systems
MP3 Edited: Removal of extraneous commentary. Digitally mastered for highest sound quality. Complete books of the Bible and collections of related books only (as available) 1 MP3 typically contains 12 to 15 hours.  Compact and easy to store. More durable than tapes. Requires far less storage space than CDs or tapes $4.00 for 100 min (or 50 Mega Bytes at 64 kilo bits per second)
Requires a MP3 compatible CD player [Please see MP3 Playback Options below]

MP3 Playback Options

Home Computer Home computers playback MP3s  and the software is free.
Home Entertainment System Many of the newer systems play MP3s.  If MP3 compatible, MP3 symbol typically displayed.
Car Stereo with Cassette Player * With purchase of a portable MP3 player and a car adaptor. Plays CDs and MP3s
Portable CD Player Most portable CD players sold today with the MP3 compatibility symbol.
DVD Player Most DVD players sold today will also play MP3s & CDs
MP3 Player (e.g. iPod) * A diskless player that can hold thousands of hours of audio. Used in conjunction w/home computer. MP3 data files may be easily copied to any data storage device.  

* Available where ever audio equipment is sold: Best Buy, Fry's, Target, Wal-Mart, etc.