MP3 and MP4 Players Are Putting the IPod to Shame

Nowadays it seems that the iPod has reached a monopoly-like popularity in America, which has led many people to think that if they want an MP3 player, it has to be iPod. And then there are others that look around at the unimpressive-looking stock of MP3 player alternatives and immediately assume that the iPod is the best you're going to find in looks and function and durability. Nothing could be further from the truth, especially if you consider price! The iPod is an overpriced and obsolete piece of machinery compared to these other MP3 and MP4 players. I will go through price ranges and explain in detail what you can expect to pay at that level, and what you can expect to get - no, what you i>deserve to get - specifically at my two preferred sites: Chinavision and Uxcell.

Quality and Durability

Like the iPod, these lower-priced MP3 and MP4 players are made in China. Since these players tend to be nameless for the greater part (although Samsung and Sony are getting involved in this rapidly developing market), the money you pay will not be lining the pockets of any CEO executives or paying that company's taxes. However, do not think that because these players are generic, you are receiving less quality or amount. You'll find that to be the case in most of your technology purchases. Just getting that out of the way so that the next prices won't seem too good to believe. Prices are in US Dollars (USD).

MP4

An MP4 is a quick term to describe an MP3 player that plays video, the video is not usually of the MP4 filetype, but it was chosen simply because it infers it is one level ahead of MP3. Most MP4s come included with a variety of other features, such as radio, voice recorder, photo viewer, e-book, and games. MP4 players are your best value because they are feature loaded and have the best looks - at very low prices. Most MP4 and MP3 players that I will cover can also be used as USB flash drives.

Your Memory Needs

MP4 players, by the average, usually have lower memory than Hard-Drive MP3 players (like the iPod), because they use flash memory (hence, why they can be used as flash drives). Most MP4 players fall within the 1GB - 8GB range. While 1GB may not seem like a lot compared to the massive 80GB higher-end iPods, it is enough to hold some 20 CDs. (According to Windows Media Player 56MB = 1CD - if you rip your CD in WMA file format instead of MP3). All of these players can play WMA, WAV, and MP3 - many can play more. You can adjust your music needs to that scale, but I recommend 4GB as a good average for everyone. If your memory needs are higher than 8GB, do not worry, there are MP4s that hold from 20GB to 120GB - for a lot less $$$ than the iPod. I will cover those too.

Under $20

If a quality $20 MP3 player is hard to believe, then you will probably not believe that there are many MP3 players that are cheaper than $20. However, they have the unattractive designs and usability that you usually find at the stores next to the iPods. Since we are trying to get away from that, I will not cover those. They usually run in the $7-$15 range however.

$20-$30

Around the $20 range, the MP3 players start getting much more attractive and higher quality. In the twenties range you can expect to find a decent variety of 1GB MP3 players. As you get closer to the $30 mark, 2GB MP3 Players begin to appear. These are easy to use, and the vast majority can be used as flash drives, voice recorders as well. Some play FM radio. The players are small and compact for easier portability. Comparable to the iPod Shuffle but usually smaller than the iPod Nano.

$30-$40

This is the range of some very attractive 2GB MP3 players, and where the 1GB MP4 players begin to appear. A sexy looking device will cost you closer to the $40 mark. MP4s at this range usually carry the same set of features and a similar interface, making the switch from one to the other a breeze. Music, Video, Radio, Photo, Voice Recorder, Games and E-Book features are included with all of them. Some of them have Bulit-in Speakers to share your music. Many have Double Headphone Jacks for easier sharing. These players are Screen size on these players is usually 1.5"" - larger than the iPod Nano's. The players are usually smaller than the iPod Nanos - although several imitation players have appeared that are of comparable size.

$40-$50

This is the range where 2GB MP4 Players begin to appear. Most have Built-in Speakers and a larger screen - usually running into the 2""-3"" range. Same features as listed above, just with double the memory.

$50-$100

A wide variety of items are available in this price range. MP4s ranging from 2GB to 8GB with the same features as listed above. Hard-Drive MP3 players and PMPs (Personal Media Players). PMPs are amazing devices, they have all the MP4's features (Music, Video, Photo Viewer, Voice, Games), with a larger screen - and usually have the capability of playing original Nintendo NES games on them! Not only that - but many now come with Photo Taking capabilities, as well as Video Recording. Apart from PMPs, in this range you can also find Digital Camera/MP3 devices, that are basically digital cameras with a headphone jack, that can play music as well as take pictures and record video and audio. The photo quality on these devices is better than on the PMPs, because the PMPs - in an effort to cram all that in a small space - have what basically amounts to a cell phone camera lens. Although it is much better than many camera phones in the market, it does not compare to an actual camera's quality.

$100-$200

This is where the high end devices can be found. PMPs with additional features and memory, Digital Camera/MP3 devices that take higher resolution shots, larger screen sizes - an improvement to what was found in the last level. This is the price range where Mass StoragePMPs begin to be found - with memory ranges from 20GB (prices in the lower hundreds) to 80GB (upper hundreds). While many of us would never fill an 80GB iPod, you will find that much easier when you have and hundreds of movies in your player for those long drives - as well as thousands upon thousands of songs. The luxury level of the MP4s is in this range - which for the same price, would only buy you the lower-end iPods.

$200 and Over

True luxury and functionability are available at this level. Because I have personally never found the need to buy anything from this level, I can not say much. The features I have seen from players in this level are, in addition to all that you have seen up until now, include Large Screens of 5"" plus,
usually 7"" (That's a decent-sized portable DVD player screen right there), Massive Storage up to 120GB and TV-Signal Reception as well as Remote Control. Occasionally, Chinavision will have a player available at this level. Uxcell does not as far as I know. There are also the elusive and mega-functional MP4 Player/Phones that are more than a match for the iPhone! However, these can not be used in the United States because of the way our cell phone system is set up. Card-Using systems like those in Europe or East Asia are ideal for these phones.

Uxcell or Chinavision

Chinavision has cheaper prices than Uxcell for the most part. This does not translate to true savings, however, because of the huge shipping fees that you have to pay (around $16) - since you are directly importing from China. HOWEVER, Chinavision has a great wholesale program, where buying more than one player leads to discounts. This makes the shipping eventually pay for itself and you yourself can earn money by selling these devices to others and earn a nice profit. One thing to watch out for is Import Duties. I have never ordered anything over $250 so I do not know when you are required to pay Import Duties (a tax for importing goods from a foreign country). Anything under $250 does not require you to pay these fees in the United States.

If you plan on only buying one player, or a lower-priced player that is not worth buying from Chinavision due to the shipping, then shop from Uxcell. Their standard shipping does not exceed $5 for Digital Cameras and MP4 players. Occasionally Uxcell has several MP4 players on sale with Free Shipping.

Get Out and Buy!

Go get the device of your dreams, now that you know it won't cost you an arm and a leg! You can also even start your own business with Chinavision and get started making money! And of course, Uxcell and Chinavision's purchases have warranties and Uxcell has a 100% Customer Satisfaction policy. I speak specifically of these two sites because they are the ones I have the most experience with. I also recommend Geeks - although their prices are not as low as Uxcell.

All this information is accurate as of the writing of this article. MP3 and MP4 player prices fall rapidly throughout the year. If there is something you cannot afford right now, do not be surprised to see it half the price a year from now. Literally, half the price.

Javier De La Rosa ""MP3 and MP4 Players Putting the IPod to Shame""Associated Content