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FAQ: MP3 and its New World of Music
What does MP3 stand for?
MP3 is short for MPEG-3, a format that "compresses," or shrinks, audio files so they can be saved on a computer or portable MP3 player without taking up a lot of hard drive space.
Why the buzz about MP3?
The technology is changing the face of the music industry, giving consumers options and access they've never had before. MP3 lets you:
- Transform your computer into a digital jukebox.
- Create customized play lists of songs.
- Digitally manage small or vast music collections.
- Make your own CDs with a Mini-Disc player or CD burner.
- Buy music anytime, anywhere over the Internet.
- Access new and difficult-to-find-in-a-shop music, including remixes, live performances, and out-of-print albums and CDs
Who makes portable MP3 players?
A lot of companies, including Sony and Diamond Multimedia. The players, which are essentially portable hard drives, resemble Walkmans and connect to your computer. Most MP3 players store 45 to 60 minutes' worth of music, and give you the flexibility to customize and create your own play lists of songs.
Where on the Internet can I get the software that will play MP3 files on my computer?
If you have a Windows-based computer, go to:
If you have an Apple computer, go to:
- SoundJam MP
- Apple's Quicktime
- Grayamp was a popular player created by the now vanished DigiThought. However the program can be found in many software archives.
How much space will MP3s take up on my computer's hard drive?
Generally, an MP3 file will use about 1 megabyte of storage per minute of audio playback. But that will vary depending on the quality of the MP3 recording, which is usually measured in the number of kilobits used per second of audio.
