|
The purpose of this
section are two-fold:
(1) to offer our customers some guidelines in selecting equipment
that will make the experience of listening more beneficial to them, and
(2) to list MP3_CD compatible equipment
found by our customers to be satisfactory for
their personal use. Likewise, Spirit Enterprises, itself a user of such
equipment , simply lists what it has found useful for its purposes as well.
----------------------------------------------------------------
Some guidelines for selecting an MP3_CD compatible player:
If at all possible, acquire an actual MP3,
preferably one of ours, to test equipment before purchasing. (While rare,
some electronic stores may require you to return purchased equipment to the
original manufacture, not them, if you are unhappy with your selection. When
in doubt, ask for store return policy before checking out!)
Some basic key functions & features to check for:
(a) Is the player capable of returning to the place
it left off even after the power is turn-off. Can it be programmed to do so
simply? If you have been listening for a half-hour within an hour session,
you really want to avoid starting from the beginning of the track each time.
(b) Can you go directly to a track or jump from
track-to-track easily with fast forward arrows?
(c) Can you easily go fast forward or backwards within a
track without skipping to the next track accidentally? If you really want to
rehear something or jot down a note -- this feature has got to work for you!
(d) Can all control functions in general like volume level be
easily understood and operated?
(e) Can you do (b) or (c) or (d) above with remote control
provided? The better portable CD Players have in-line remotes so you can
store your player in a back pack while walking or running.
(f) Anti-skip time -- how long 45 seconds - 2
minutes - 4 minutes? Portable CD players, in order to save battery time and
to avoid interruption to the listener, now only spin the CD disc as
necessary to provide continuous play.
(g) Are batteries re-chargeable or just replaceable?
Listening time available? This depends on your personal need and
judgment. The newer CD portables feature re-chargeable batteries.
(h) Does the portable unit come with a tape cassette
adapter for car use. If it doesn't, and you need same for your car, tape
cassette adapter kits are readily available for purchase for around $20
each. Even if you don't have a tape cassette player, there are wireless
audio connectors that can play thru your car FM player for the same amount
of money. See next column for Wireless Audio Link.
Some features worth having but not necessarily essential.
(a) Does the unit have a large read out display -- LED
with backlighting preferable as it can be read better in daylight. Does it
sport an inline remote (between CD player & headset) with the same
features.
(b) Does the unit support MP3-- ID3 tags. MP3s
may be recorded with Artist info that is displayable to the user. Spirit
Enterprises uses ID3 tags to provide track info on Teacher & Bible Verses
being taught. As our track assignments are simple and straight forward
for both MP3s & CDs, navigating from track to track can be easily
accomplished without being display dependent.
|
MP3_CD Compatible Players --updated
2/18/04
Categories:
--- Cars:
Updated: 5/7/2007 - In 2007, many car manufactures like Saturn and Toyota
provide options for CD/MP3 Players and/or input jacks for portable players,
Ipods, etc. For your next car, check for MP3 support.
--- Computers
Do you have a
computer and want to know how to play an MP3 or CD? -----
If you have a PC supporting any popular Microsoft Windows operating
system, go to START, PROGRAMS, ACCESSORIES, ENTERTAINMENT, and choose either
CD Player or Windows Media Player to play CDs or MP3s, respectively.
----------
If you are a MAC user, Quicktime covers all audio requirements.
--- "Boom-boxes" for home use &
excursion.
Updated: 5/7/2007 - Lots of
choices now days. Found an all digital CD/MP3/Tape Player at Target made by
Phillips with full function remote and auto reverse for cassette tape player
- totally unique for about $150.00 which I snatched up for my wife, Dodi.
--- CD Portables for car, walking, jogging , and home..
Lots of brands and makes available
from $30.00 and up!
-------
Do you have stores like Best Buy, Fry's, Good Guys, Radio
Shack, Target, Walmart near you? It's worth a trip to see what is available for
some hands-on operation. Look for or ask for equipment that displays MP3
compatibility symbol.
-----
Tip: You can easily connect a portable MP3 player to play thru your
home entertainment system. Radio Shack is a ready source for any cables you
might need. See also Audio Wireless Link below.
--- DVD Players
---
Sony brand seemed to have a number of models that were of interest.
Spirit Enterprises purchased one for its own use and found same to work
satisfactorily. At Costco and Fry's, newer TVs with built in DVD players and
many standalone DVD Players were observed to have MP3
compatibility symbol.
----
--- Wireless Audio Link
---
This
versatile option (as can be connected to a portable MP3 player) transmits
wirelessly thru a FM radio in your car or at home. Tried successfully by our customers in
their car, the unit as initially purchased at Frys
Electronics for $20.00, was also found to be available thru the Web. The
particular unit was manufactured by SIIG. Inc. and can be referenced by
Part#CE-WAL012 and Model#CE0710. --- Our customers noted that
similar devices were available and to be forewarned that the unit they
purchased required the car's cigarette lighter outlet for a power source.
---
For any additional information or recommendations, please feel free to give
us a call at the office. Thanks for your input!
|