If you are a music buff or simply enjoy music, chances are you are already in possession of some sort of a music system. Gone are the days when we had to laboriously wind up the gramophone or put the needle on the exact spot on the record-player and when we were traveling we had to be content with a good old portable radio. But, with new advances in technology, first came improved versions of the stereo, then the cassette player and now we are simply spoilt for choice because the market is inundated with newer and better audio and stereo products. The mind boggles at the wide array of choices and it can certainly confuse anyone looking to buy the latest equipment.

With shrinking spaces but advancing technology, it is now possible to buy a mini system of stereo and audio device which is also high on quality. If you are living in a small apartment or a dorm room, you might just want a mini system like an iPod or a MP3 player. These can come with speaker docks which you can put up in your rooms or office. The basics of a mini stereo system consist of a stereo receiver and speakers.

Portable CD players, iPods, MP3players have all but replaced the portable radio. Now, no matter where you go, you can always put your mini system in your pocket and be assured of enjoying your favorite music. What a relief especially on mind-numbing long-distance flights! Your morning walks can also be pepped up with music coming into your ears.

Some mini systems let you enjoy CDs and are also capable of charging your iPod. They have remote control and reflux speakers for better sound. It is possible to use the mini-stereo system for other purposes also. You can use it for an alarm clock or you can play a single CD or play music directly from the iPod. The mini system of stereo and audio device players come in a wide range from portable CD players to simple AM/FM radios. They also come with a wide selection of speakers.

The technology is so advanced that it does not matter whether you have the iPod nano, iPod shuffle or IPod video. You can convert any of these into a full-fledged music system with portable iPod speakers. The iPod stereo docking system provides optimum functionality. And, even if you do not have an iPod, you can still listen to music with a MP3 micro system. It is a fallacy to think that these will not work in a small stereo. In fact, an iPod or Mp3 player makes an important core component in a mini stereo/audio system and even a small DVD or CD player is able to run a big home theatre. So, you can easily combine your home and mobile stereo system.

Many MP3 players offer a whole lot more than simply play the digital audio. They are capable of letting you watch videos, listen to radio and are thus more versatile than people think them to be. Different players have different memory storage and depending upon that, you can store as many hours of music as you like literally in your pocket. The advantage of these mini systems is that their audio outs perform like any other audio part. Just imagine being able to carry your music with you wherever you go without the bulk.

Mini system of stereo and audio device player has come as a boon because you no longer have to allocate large areas in already shrunk spaces for your music system and a simple set of speakers will work wonders with the acoustics.

This article can be accessed in portuguese from the Article section of page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/eletronicos.php

Roberto Sedycias works as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br

Tags: audio, mini system, stereo

Mp3 audio format became available back in 1993. Shortly after it became the standard internet audio format, and it is still very much used world wide. Recently another format has been introduced, the mp4 audio-video format which allows video capability, so that users can watch movies, TV shows, music videos along with mp3 songs.

As the industry of mp4 player devices evolved, more features such as fm tuner, voice recorder, email, internet browser capability and others were added to mp4 devices, making them a desired product among electronic users.

Differences between mp4 and mp3 format, relies basically that mp4 devices holds both audio and video files. As for the mp3 it only holds the audio type file. So, one could think of mp4 as being the next step in this evolution file format that started with mp3.

Due to the capability of delivering audio and video at the same time, mp4 devices can offer a wide range of interesting features, such as web browsing, email, instant messaging, video and music download, bluetooth wireless technology, digital camera and others. Also game capability and multiple language options are features that made mp4 devices so popular. Other features, such as voice recording, enabled mp4 devices to be used for professional purposes, besides entertainment.

Another important mp4 feature is the storage capacity, that can start from 256 mega bites up to 40, 60 and up giga bites. Usually a small hard disk unit is used to hold several giga bites of data. For smaller storages, an internal electronic flash memory may be used.

As a music player device, mp4 may offer a 7-band equalizer which will allow the user to change the sound category according to the music style. These sound categories are Pop, Jazz, Rock, Soft, Classic and DBB. Also mp4 player device will support various format files such as Mp3, AMV, ASF, WAV, WMA, WMV and others. As far as the supporting video formats are concerned this device proves to be able to convert file in the AVI, MPEG, Windows media format into the AMV thru the use of software.

Since mp4 devices is compact, it is safe to say that its small size, light weight and good user interface menu, make this device portable, easy to control and access no matter where one can be.

As mp4 format became more popular, several internet audio-video download sites started to offer services, so that mp4 users can download their favorite music or video at affordable prices. There are sites that offer music file download for only 99 cents each, and one has to only pick his favorite song, not the entire album.

Also available in these internet sites are files called Podcasts, which includes information programs, news broadcasts, comedy and entertainment programs. Podcasting is quickly becoming a buzz word among the techie crowd. So what is podcasting, anyway? Podcasting is online audio and video content that is delivered via an RSS feed. Although Podcasting is new, it should become a mainstream communication medium in the near future.

Being basically a container, mp4 player devices are able to provide multimedia solutions with its audio-video file format. Because of that mp4 players became very popular and as it becomes more sophisticated with new features being added in new models, people become more eager to own these device players. After all most electronic consumers do have a wish to keep up with modern time.

Roberto Sedycias
IT Consultant for PoloMercantil

This article is under GNU FDL license and can be distributed without any previous authorization from the author. However the author´s name and all the URL´s (links) mentioned in the article and biography must be kept.

This article can also be accessed in portuguese language from the News Article section of page http://www.polomercantil.com.br/mp3-mp4-audio-portatil.php

Roberto Sedycias has a bachelor degree in Business Administration and over 20 years experience in systems analysis and computer programming. Currently working as IT consultant for http://www.polomercantil.com.br

Tags: audio, ipod, mp3, mp3 player, mp4, mp4 player, video