The Moving Picture Experts Group Layer 3 Audio or MP3 is a digital audio encoding format which is used to store songs and other audio files. The format uses a psychoacoustic model that discards less audible sounds and records more audible sound in an efficient manner. The format is successor of Perceptual Transform Coding (PXFM) and Optimum Coding in the Frequency Domain (OCF) codecs. MPEG1 codec was first published in 1994 while MP2 codec was published in 1995.



The ease of sharing music files popularized the use of MP3 format among the users. This ease created problems related to copyright infringements. Therefore, many online music retailers use their proprietary formats to counter this problem. They use an encrypted digital rights management format that prevents the users from using the music in a way that has not been authorized by music record companies. The quality of sound of a digital audio format depends upon its bit rate to a greater extent. A lower bit rate results in low quality sound. A much lower bit rate may result in compression artifacts. Such artifacts may make those sounds audible which were not present in original music or production.

An MP3 player is a portable digital audio player that stores and plays audio files. Most of these devices use rechargeable batteries and support video playback functions. The players have been categorised on the basis of their storage media. Flash based players hold digital audio files on their internal flash memory. The players consume less battery power as they do not have any moving parts. Some commercial flash based players may have up to 32 GB of flash memory. Hard drive based players read audio files from a hard disk drive. These players come with massive memories. Some of these players may have up to 250 GB of memory, which is large enough to record an entire music collection on a single player.

The third variety of MP3 players is known as CD MP3 players. These players have the capability to decode and play MP3 files that have been stored on a compact disc (CD). The immediate predecessors of these players were MiniDisc players. These earlier players have no support for digital file formats. SeeHan Information Systems produced the first digital audio player on commercial basis in 1997. The player was sold under brand name MPMan in South Korea during 1998. The player was later licensed to Eiger Labs by SeeHan.

Car MP3 players are specially designed to work in a car. These players allow people to enjoy quality music during their travels by road. The players perform many useful functions for the users. They provide the users with a list of their favourite play list and also keep track of their calendar events. These players are made compact so that they can easily be fitted into the available limited free space of a car. The iPods specially use MP3 format as it allows the device to play hundreds of songs at a stretch. Most of these players have USB, SD and iPod connections that add to the versatility of these devices.

Most of the current portable MP3 player come with programmable track memory that allows the users to keep track of their songs. Most of these devices also feature AM/FM tuners and digital anti skips memory. Samsung has launched some of the best selling digital audio players in recent years. Some of the best selling Samsung MP3 players include Samsung YP-P2 Touch Screen 4GB Multimedia Player, Samsung YP-U3 Stick 1GB player and Samsung YP-K5 2GB player. All these players feature TFT LCD display, FM radio and support Multi Language options. The devices come packaged with genuine accessories like an ear phone, a USB cable, CD and stand. The players come with Samsung's standard 6 months warranty.

Sony, Blaupunkt, Kenwood and Sanyo are the leading manufacturers of digital music players. These companies have rolled many new models of best MP3 players. The devices produce high quality sound by eliminating unwanted sound. These portable digital audio players have redefined the ways people entertain these days.