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iPods & MP3 Players
MP3
Format Basics: What Is It?
by my-tech-guide.com
If
you haven't heard of the MP3 format - where have you been? This compression algorithm, which can pack CD-quality
audio into files of reasonable size while maintaining a high
level of quality, has been the darling of Internet audio enthusiasts
worldwide.
The MP3 format has generated much controversy in the recording
industry because of its near-perfect digital music reproductions.
With the right tools, users can create MP3 files from audio
CDs on their own computers.
Music pirates have been placing these "ripped" MP3
files on the Internet for download, much to the dismay of artistes
and recording companies.
However, the
fledgling legal MP3 industry has been making great strides
of its own. Numerous independent artistes have
mushroomed on the Internet, fully utilizing this medium to
distribute their songs. Web sites such as GoodNoise and MP3.com
also provide countless numbers of free MP3s for download.
The
MP3 format is not limited to just music - virtually any
form of audio can be encoded into MP3, such as audio books,
news broadcasts, speeches, and recordings.
For the listener, the format means new artists who can never
seem to get accepted by record labels but turn out to be big
hits with the public, can gain exposure for their music on
their own Web sites.
The file can be played by an MP3 player (WinAmp is a popular
one on the Internet, available from www.winamp.com) on a computer.
It can be transferred to a CD, but CD players can't recognize
the MP3 format. (However, there are some CD players now being
produced that can decompress MP3 files on the fly and play
them. The advantage: A CD, instead of holding 60 minutes of
music, can now hold about 150 to 200 songs.)
Small wonder, then, that MP3 is the second-most-frequently
used search word on most search engines.
What is MP3?
Developed for movie audio in the early '90s by German researchers,
it's a compression technique that shrinks digital audio files
to less than a tenth of their original size with no sound degradation.
What does MP3 stand for?
It's short for MPEG (Motion Picture Experts Group) Audio Level
3, which probably explains why it's shortened to three letters.
How do I use it?
A. Find a Web site with MP3 files, then click on the song
you want. It'll take about five minutes to download using a
56K modem, provided you have the required new version of Microsoft
Internet Explorer and MP3-playing software. (The latest Windows
Media Player will do, and is offered for free at some legal
MP3 sites.) Each song requires about 3.5 megabytes of hard-disk
space.
MP3.com (http://www.mp3.com/): Features downloadable songs
and MP3 players, along with answers to frequently asked MP3
questions. Since it's legal, artists either post here because
they're unsigned or because their record labels have agreed
to let them. Such corporate tolerance usually means the artist
needs exposure, so you probably won't find the most popular
songs.
Goodnoise (http://www.goodnoise.com/): MP3.com's major competitor,
it offers the same essential services.
AudioGrab.com (http://www.audiograb.com/): Similar deal, smaller
selection.
Atomic Pop (http://www.atomicpop.com/): Internet-based label
whose MP3 files include the new video from Public Enemy.
Winamp (http://www.winamp.com/): A cool MP3 player.
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SolveYourProblem.com : 2007
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