| Just when you thought you were getting a handle on | | | | memory MP4 players tends to be higher than for the |
| MP3 players and the sea of file formats that you | | | | more common hard disk type players. |
| might potentially need supported on any device you | | | | If cost is the primary consideration, CD/DVD players |
| purchase, along comes MP4. What are MP4 players | | | | are probably a good choice. These devices offer large |
| and why would you be interested in buying one? In | | | | screens and the most reasonable pricing. They do |
| reality an MP4 player, also often referred to as a | | | | tend to be more bulky however and can skip when |
| portable media player, is basically a MP3 player with | | | | jostled around. |
| the added capability of playing MP4 files and using | | | | When shopping for a MP4/portable media player, new |
| video format in addition to audio. | | | | users should put hands on several devices to |
| MP4 players allow users to store movies, TV shows, | | | | determine the quality of both the video and audio |
| music videos, and photos along with songs. Some of | | | | playback. These features are core to a buyer's |
| these devices even have FM tuners, voice recorder | | | | satisfaction. Screen size, resolution, and brightness can |
| functions, cameras, and built-in TV tuners. The ability to | | | | vary significantly among brands. Some screens offer |
| view e-books, play games, access the internet and | | | | widescreen viewing and others have screens which |
| record from TV are available on some models. | | | | reduce glare. When looking at audio quality, the |
| The pricing of an MP4 player varies widely; from under | | | | headphones on the device should also be tried. In |
| $100 to as much as $2,000. The functions and number | | | | many instances, purchasing higher quality headphones |
| of file formats supported however varies widely. It is | | | | is worth the purchase price. |
| important to know what audio and video formats you | | | | Memory capacity of course is also a consideration as |
| will most often wish to use and which the particular | | | | video files in particular take up a great deal of space. |
| device you are considering will support. | | | | A half hour TV show for instance may take up 200 |
| Portable Media Centers are generally the most | | | | MB of space. In case additional storage will be needed |
| expensive types of MP4 players and are targeted for | | | | in the future, buyers should determine what type of |
| an audience with Media Center PCs. The major | | | | storage can be used and how much it will cost. |
| drawback to portable media center devices is that | | | | Certainly another important factor when making a |
| they don't support DivX and XviD files. | | | | purchase is to determine which features will be most |
| Hard disk MP4 players offer many more features and | | | | desired. For instance, will the user want to see lyrics |
| are more popular due to this and their lower price tag. | | | | for songs displayed during playback, would they prefer |
| They offer a built in screen and support for WMA, | | | | to have HD or widescreen viewing capability, is the |
| MP3, DivX, and XviD files as well as others. For | | | | ability to connect to the internet important, or would |
| anyone searching for a smaller and more durable | | | | they make use of their MP4 device for playing |
| device, solid state/flash memory type MP4 players are | | | | games? Shoppers should think through how they want |
| a good choice as they have no moving parts. Files are | | | | to use an MP4 player before making their selection to |
| stored in flash memory or RAM. Pricing for flash | | | | avoid any disappointment after their purchase. |