A: An MP3 is a highly compressed digital audio file. Most MP3 files are ten times smaller than regular audio files, meaning they can be downloaded much more quickly and take up much less storage on a hard drive or memory card on a Portable MP3 Player.

Q: Isn't it illegal to download MP3s from the Web?

A: No. MP3 files themselves are not illegal. In fact, there are many Web sites that offer free, legal music downloads. Many independent artists use this as a way to get their music out there. More and more established artists are using the Web for music distribution, whether it is free or for a small fee. While some Web sites do facilitate illegal file sharing, there are plenty of legitimate ways to download MP3 files.

Q: Where do I find MP3 files on the Web?

A: In more and more places! MP3 technology is changing the way music is distributed, with many iconic artists like the Rolling Stones beginning to offer ways to download MP3s. Many emerging bands offer free downloads to promote their music and Web sites like www.artistdirect.com allow fans to access music from their favorite artists.

Q: What is the sound quality on MP3 files?

A: When downloading MP3 files, ideally you want files that have been compressed at a rate of 128 kbps. This is considered "near-CD" quality sound. When a regular audio file is compressed at that rate, most of what is pulled out is undetectable to our ears. Meanwhile, the MP3 file requires only one-tenth of the storage space, allowing you to load up thousands of songs on your Portable MP3 Player.

Q: Can I play MP3 CDs on my regular CD player?

A: It is possible to convert MP3 files on your hard drive to regular music files to be burned on a conventional CD. However, if you have a CD-MP3 Hybrid Player, you can burn MP3 CDs, which are like music CD-ROMs, capable of holding up to 10 hours of music on a single disc. These discs can be played on Car MP3 Players, too, allowing you to enjoy hours of music in your car without changing discs.

Q: How do I know what kind of Portable MP3 Player to buy?

A: Like any purchase, it depends on what your looking for. If you want to have all your favorite albums and songs in one place, allowing you to choose any grouping of songs at any given moment, then a Hard Drive MP3 Player is for you. If you want a smaller, lighter player, and don't mind downloading selections of music from your PC more frequently, then a Flash MP3 Player is probably the way to go.

Q: Can I take advantage of MP3 technology without giving up my old CDs?

A: Yes! CD-MP3 Hybrid Players look a lot like Portable CD Players, but they also allow you to play MP3 CDs, which are like musical CD-ROMs capable of holding up to 10 hours of downloaded music. This can be the best of both worlds for the avid CD fan who doesn't want to transfer all those old CDs to MP3 format.

Downloading MP3's

With so much media attention on Internet file sharing sites and record company lawsuits, it is easy to think that downloading MP3 files for your Portable MP3 Player is illegal. This is not the case. There are many places on the Web that offer legal downloads of free music, and some artists are beginning to offer downloads for small fees. These could well be the way of the future for music sales.

MP3 Players Accessories

Once you've settled on which type of Portable MP3 Player works best for your needs, there are is array of MP3 Player Accessories to consider. MP3 Player Carry Cases are available for just about every model, and you have a wide range of MP3 Player Headphones to choose from. When you feel like taking a break from headphones, you might want MP3 Player Speakers that can blast your favorite tunes at home or work. The storage capacity of most Flash MP3 Players can be expanded by adding Memory Cards, and every Portable MP3 Player owner needs to know about Batteries and MP3 Software.