Basic Introduction to MP3

MP3 files are music files which have been compressed into the MP3 format. The player plays MP3 files which have been written onto a CD disc.

•The first thing you will need is an IBM compatible PC computer (at least Pentium class) or an apple computer (at least G3 class) with lots of RAM and a CD-R or CD-RW writer. Then you will need some software. (Either it is in your new computer already or you may have to buy this from MusicMatch or a similar company. You may go to the Website www.musicmatch.com or www.nero.com.)

•To play MP3 files on this player, you will need to make (record) a disc with these MP3 files on them.

•We recommend you get some books or information from the internet to help you learn this exciting new way to store & play hundreds of songs in MP3 format. Also you may search the web for “MP3” and you will immediately find a world of information and songs.

NOTE: Most audio CD players cannot play MP3 files. This player can play both MP3 and normal music files. (It WILL NOT play CDs that have BOTH MP3 and normal audio files on the same CD.)

•To download an MP3 file (song) from a website (like www.mp3.com), go to http://www.mp3.com and you can find a search link at the top of the homepage that allows you to search for MP3 files. Input a key word and click on that link and you will find many songs by many new artists. To download an MP3 file, click on software, then get MP3 link or newer software, register and click on download. We recommend you make a new folder for MP3 files.

•You will also need blank CD’s that are recordable, these are called CD-R or CD-RW (CD-R discs can be recorded on only once, CD-RW can be erased and rewritten but are much more expensive).

•Successful recording of a CD needs an uninterrupted stream of high speed data. For best results, limit or close your other programs on the computer while recording to prevent buffer underruns or empty spots on the disc.

(NOTE: You can also learn all about MP3 at the mp3.com site)

•You can play MP3 songs on most computers of today or you can highlight them for downloading & “burning” (recording) them onto a CD later. Note this player will play MP3 songs which end in the extension “.MP3” (dot MP3). You can select how to save a file, select .MP3 as the correct extension on your computer.

•If you want to convert your existing records or tapes to MP3 discs, you will need to record them using a sound card with appropriate jacks. You will also need software such as MusicMatch or RealJukebox and a set of audio cables to connect your tape player to your sound card.

•If you want to record your favorite music CDs as an MP3, you need to convert them into MP3 format. Ripping is the term used for converting audio files into MP3 format.

•MP3 opens a whole new world of music to you. Learn about this exciting new format and enjoy.

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