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Portable media player

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+#REDIRECT [[Portable media player]]
-{{Merge to|Portable media player|discuss=Talk:Portable_media_player#Merge_with_Digital_audio_player|date=January 2011}}
+{{R from merge|Portable media player}}
-A '''digital audio player''', shortened to  '''DAP''', is a [[consumer electronic]] device that stores, organizes and plays digital [[audio file format|audio files]]. In contrast, analog audio players play music from [[cassette tapes]], or [[record (music)|record]]s.   Portable devices that also play video and text are referred to as [[portable media player]]s.  Often digital audio players are sold as '''MP3 players''', even if they support other [[file formats]].<ref> http://www.webopedia.com/DidYouKnow/Hardware_Software/2008/iPod_mp3Player.asp</ref>hiiii
-==History==
-[[Image:ListenUp player.jpg|thumb|right|Audio Highway's Listen Up player, winner of an Innovations Award at the Consumer Electronics Show in Jan. 1997.]]
-The immediate predecessor in the market place of the digital audio player was the portable [[Compact Disc player|CD player]], or "portable audio device."
-[[Kane Kramer]] designed one of the earliest digital audio players, which he called the IXI. His 1979 prototype was capable of approximately 3.5 minutes of audio playback but it did not enter commercial production. His UK patent application was not filed until 1981, patent 2115996 issued in 1985, and {{US Patent|4667088}} in 1987. [[Apple Inc.]] hired Kramer as a consultant and presented his work as an example of [[prior art]] in the field of digital audio players during their litigation with [[Burst.com]] almost two decades later.<ref>[http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,419522,00.html British Man Says He Invented iPod in 1979], Foxnews.com, 9/09/2008</ref>
-The world's first company to announce a portable MP3 player and the attendant system for uploading MP3 audio content to a personal computer and then downloading it onto a personal MP3 player was Audio Highway. Under the direction of founder and CEO, [[Nathan Schulhof]], Audio Highway announced its Listen Up player on September 23, 1996,<ref>">{{cite web|title=Audio Highway news release, Sept. 23, 1996|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Audio+Highway+Announces+the+Listen+UP+Player+--+A+New+Device+that...-a018696161}}</ref> won an Innovations Award for its Listen Up player and its Listen Up Personal Audio System at the [[Consumer Electronics Show]] in January 1997,<ref>">{{cite web|title=Audio Highway news release, Jan. 9, 1997|url=http://www.prnewswire.com.au/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/46598&EDATE=}}</ref> and began shipping the Listen Up player in the United States in September 1997.<ref>">{{cite web|title=Audio Highway news release, Aug. 7, 1997|url=http://www.thefreelibrary.com/Audio+Highway+Launches+Personalized+News+and+Information+Service-a019649073}}</ref> The Listen Up player also won a People's Choice Award<ref>[http://www.prnewswire.co.nz/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=104&STORY=/www/story/1-30-98/405522&EDATE= 1998 People's Choice Award]</ref> at the 2nd annual Internet Showcase conference, held Jan. 30, 1998.
-As the lead inventor on three U.S. patents (5,557,541; 5,572,442 and 5,841,979),<ref>Each of these patents were assigned to Information Highway Media Corp., a company co-founded by Schulhof and the predecessor name of Audio Highway.  [http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,557,541.PN.&OS=PN/5,557,541&RS=PN/5,557,541 5,557,541]: Apparatus for distributing subscription and on-demand audio programming</ref><ref>[http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,572,442.PN.&OS=PN/5,572,442&RS=PN/5,572,442 5,572,442]: System for distributing subscription and on-demand audio programming</ref><ref>[http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO1&Sect2=HITOFF&d=PALL&p=1&u=%2Fnetahtml%2FPTO%2Fsrchnum.htm&r=1&f=G&l=50&s1=5,841,979.PN.&OS=PN/5,841,979&RS=PN/5,841,979 5,841,979]: Enhanced delivery of audio data</ref> as well as co-inventor on another U.S. patent (6,549,942), Schulhof is sometimes referred to as "the father of the MP3 player industry."
-One of the chips used to create portable MP3 players was the Micronas MAS3507D <!-- or at leas the Micronas MAS 3xxx series--> [[Application-specific integrated circuit|ASIC]] MP3 Decoder chip.<ref name="xilinx_Xcell35">{{cite web|title=Xilinx Xcell Journal 35 - complete issue (Q1 00)|url=http://www.xilinx.com/publications/archives/xcell/Xcell35.pdf}} 091117 xilinx.com</ref> Several electronics [[Do it yourself|DIY]] projects used this circuit as a software based approach would have limited battery time severely. This chip allowed the [[microcontroller]] to read data from a flash memory and feed the decoder chip, creating a low power solution.
-The next company on the MP3 player scene was South Korea-based [[Saehan|Saehan Information Systems]] which began selling its “[[MPMan]]” player in the middle of 1998. The South Korean company then licensed the players to Eiger Labs which distributed them—now branded as [[Eiger Labs MPMan F10]]—to the North American market during the summer of 1998.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mp3playerlimelight.com|title=MP3 Players - The Basics and History}}</ref> The flash-based players were available in 32&nbsp;MB (about 6 songs) storage capacity.
-The [[Rio PMP300]] from [[Diamond Multimedia]] was introduced in September 1998, a few months after the MPMan and also featured a 32 MB storage capacity. It was a success during the holiday season, with sales exceeding expectations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.antiqueradio.com/Dec04_Menta_mp3pt1.html|title=Collecting MP3 Portables -- Part 1|last=Menta|first=Richard|publisher=Antique Radio Classified}}</ref> Interest and investment in digital music were subsequently spurred from it.<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://news.harmony-central.com/Newp/1998/Rio-PMP300.html|date=1998-09-14|title=Diamond Multimedia Announces Rio PMP300 Portable MP3 Music Player|accessdate=2007-12-05|publisher=Harmony Central}}</ref> Because of the player's notoriety as the target of a major lawsuit,<ref name=mp3>{{cite book | last = Hart-Davis | first = Guy |coauthors= Rhonda Holmes | title = MP3 Complete | publisher = Sybex | location = San Francisco | year = 2001 | isbn = 0782128998 | page= 613 }}</ref> the Rio is erroneously assumed to be the first DAP.<ref>
-{{cite news|url=http://www.news.com/Bragging+rights+to+the+worlds+first+MP3+player/2010-1041_3-5548180.html|title=Bragging rights to the world's first MP3 player}} [[CNET|CNet.com]] article on the first manufactured DAPs.</ref>
-In 1998, [[Compaq]] developed the first [[Hard disk drive|hard drive]] based DAP using a 2.5" laptop drive. It was licensed to [[Remote Solution|HanGo Electronics]] (now known as Remote Solution), which first sold the PJB-100 ([[Personal Jukebox]]) in 1999. The player had an initial capacity of 4.8&nbsp;GB, with an advertised capacity of 1200 songs.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.eetimes.com/story/OEG20000818S0035|last=Yoshida|first=Junko|coauthors=Margaret Quan|title=OEMs ready to roll on jukeboxes for Net audio|page=1|publisher=[[EE Times]]|date=2000-08-18|accessdate=2007-12-05}}</ref>
-In 2000, [[Creative Technology|Creative]] released the 6GB hard drive based [[Creative NOMAD|Creative NOMAD Jukebox]].  The name borrowed the [[jukebox]] metaphor popularised by ''Remote Solution'' and also used by ''Archos''.  Later players in the Creative NOMAD range used [[microdrive]]s rather than laptop drives.
-In October 2001, [[Apple Inc.|Apple Computer]] (now known as Apple Inc.) unveiled the [[iPod classic#First generation|first generation]] [[iPod]], a 5&nbsp;GB hard drive based DAP with a 1.8" [[Toshiba]] [[Hard disk drive|hard drive]].  With the development of a spartan [[user interface]] and a smaller form factor, the iPod was initially popular within the [[Macintosh]] community. In July 2002, Apple introduced the second generation update to the iPod. It was compatible with [[Microsoft Windows|Windows]] computers through [[Musicmatch Jukebox]]. The iPod series, which grew to include [[flash memory]]-based players, has become the market leader in DAPs.{{Citation needed|date=November 2010}}
-In 2002, [[Archos]] released the first "portable media player" (PMP), the [[Archos Jukebox series#Jukebox Multimedia|Archos Jukebox Multimedia]].<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.archos.com/corporate/press/press_releases/PR_ARCHOS_Gen_5_Availability.pdf|title=ARCHOS Generation 5 Available Worldwide|publisher=Archos|date=2007-09-12|accessdate=2007-12-05}}</ref> Manufacturers have since implemented abilities to view images and play videos into their devices.
-In 2001 the first MP3 players were installed into mobile phones in South Korea and the first artist to sell songs as MP3 file downloads directly to mobile phones was [[Ricky Martin]]. The innovation spread rapidly and by 2005, more than half of all music sold in South Korea was sold directly to mobile phones. The idea spread across the globe and by 2005 all five major handset makers, Nokia, Motorola, Samsung, LG and SonyEricsson had released musicphones. By 2006, more MP3 players were sold in musicphones than all stand-alone MP3 players put together. The rapid rise of the musicphone was quoted by Apple as a primary reason for developing the iPhone. In 2007, the installed base of musicphones passed the 1 billion level, and today more than half of all mobile phones in the world have an MP3 player.
-Although [[Online music store|online music services]] such as [[RealNetworks]]’ [[Rhapsody (online music service)|Rhapsody]] also offer legal downloads through a subscription plan, the launch of the [[iTunes Store]] in 2003 established the model of selling individual songs and albums for purchase.
-==Operation==
-[[Image:Sandisk Sansa Clip.JPG|thumb|right|200px|Connecting a computer to a [[SanDisk Sansa]] Clip. ]]
-[[Sampling (signal processing)|Digital sampling]] is used to convert an audio wave to a sequence of binary numbers that can be stored in a digital format, such as [[MP3]]. Common features of all MP3 players are a memory storage device, such as [[flash memory]] or a miniature [[hard disk drive]], an [[embedded processor]], and an audio [[codec]] microchip to convert the compressed file into an analogue sound signal.
-Most DAPs are powered by [[rechargeable batteries]], some of which are not user-replaceable.  They have a 3.5&nbsp;mm stereo jack; music can be listened to with [[earbuds]] or [[headphones]], or played via an external amplifier and [[loudspeaker|speakers]].  Some devices also contain internal speakers, through which music can be listened to, although these built-in speakers are typically of very low quality.
-Nearly all DAPs consists of some kind of display screen, although there are exceptions, such as the [[iPod Shuffle]], and a set of controls with which the user can browse through the library of music contained in the device, select a track, and play it back.  The display, if the unit even has one, can be anything from a simple one or two line monochrome [[LCD]] display, similar to what are found on typical [[pocket calculators]], to large, high-resolution, full-color displays capable of displaying photographs or viewing video content on.  The controls can range anywhere from the simple buttons as are found on most typical [[CD players]], such as for skipping through tracks or stopping/starting playback to full touch-screen controls, such as that found on the [[iPod Touch]] or the [[Zune HD]].  One of the more common methods of control is some type of the [[scroll wheel]] with associated buttons.  This method of control was first introduced with the Apple iPod and many other manufacturers have created variants of this control scheme for their respective devices.
-Content is placed on DAPs typically through a process called "syncing", by connecting the device to a [[personal computer]], typically via [[USB]], and running any special software that is often provided with the DAP on a [[CD-ROM]] included with the device, or downloaded from the manufacturer's website.   Some devices simply appear as an additional disk drive on the host computer, to which music files are simply copied like any other type of file.  Other devices, most notably the Apple iPod or Microsoft [[Zune]], requires the use of special management software, such as [[iTunes]] or Zune Software, respectively.  The music, or other content such as TV episodes or movies, is added to the software to create a "library".  The library is then "synced" to the DAP via the software.  The software typically provides options for managing situations when the library is too large to fit on the device being synced to.  Such options include allowing manual syncing, in that the user can manually "drag-n-drop" the desired tracks to the device, or allow for the creation of [[playlists]].  In addition to the USB connection, some of the more advanced units are now starting to allow syncing through a wireless connection, such as via [[WiFi]] or [[Bluetooth]].<ref>
-{{cite web
-|url=http://www.clarinox.com/docs/whitepapers/Whitepaper_05_MP3.pdf
-|title=MP3 streaming over Bluetooth
-|publisher=clarinox
-|accessdate=2010-08-04
-}}</ref>
-Content can also be obtained and placed on some DAPs, such as the iPod Touch or Zune HD by allowing access to a "store" or "marketplace", most notably the [[iTunes Store]] or [[Zune Marketplace]], from which content, such as music and video, and even games, can be purchased and downloaded directly to the device.
-==Types==
-[[Image:Philips GoGear SA1110 at Miercurea-Ciuc in 29 aug 2006.jpg|thumb|200px|Close-up view of the Philips GoGear SA1110 flash-based player]]
-[[Image:zenvmlandscape.jpg|thumb|200px|An embedded hard drive-based player ([[Creative ZEN]] [[ZEN Vision:M|Vision:M]])]]
-[[Image:Expanium.jpg|thumb|200px|An MP3 CD player ([[Philips]] Expanium)]]
-Digital audio players are generally categorized by storage media:
-* '''Flash-based players''': These are non-mechanical [[solid state (electronics)|solid state]] devices that hold digital [[audio files]] on internal [[flash memory]] or removable flash media called [[memory card]]s. Due to technological advancements in [[flash memory]], these originally low-storage devices are now available commercially ranging up to 64 GB. Because they are solid state and do not have moving parts they require less battery power, are less likely to skip during playback, and may be more resilient to hazards such as dropping or fragmentation than hard disk-based players.  There are [[USB flash drive]]s available that include basic MP3 playback capabilities.
-* '''[[Hard drive|Hard drive-based]] players''' or '''digital jukeboxes''': Devices that read digital audio files from a [[hard disk drive]] (HDD). These players have higher capacities currently ranging up to 500 GB.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.gazaro.com/deal/amazon-archos-5-500-gb-internet-tablet-with-android-1249823|title=Archos 5 500GB Internet Tablet with Android|publisher=gazaro|accessdate=2010-06-09}}</ref>  At typical encoding rates, this means that tens of thousands of songs can be stored on one player. The disadvantage with these units is that a hard drive is inherently more fragile than solid-state storage, thus more care is required to not drop or otherwise mishandle these units.
-* '''[[MP3 CD]]/[[DVD]] players''': Portable CD players that can decode and play MP3 audio files stored on [[compact disc|CDs]].  Such players are typically much less expensive than either the hard drive or flash-based players.  Also, the blank [[CD-R]] media is very inexpensive, typically costing less than US$.15 per disk.  In addition, these devices have the added bonus of being able to play standard [[Red Book (audio Compact Disc standard)|"Red book" audio CDs]].  A disadvantage is that due to the mechanical nature of these devices, they are even more fragile than the hard drive based players, and thus more susceptible to skipping or other misreads of the file during playback if mishandled.  The better quality units attempt to mitigate this by providing a solid-state buffer in which the first several seconds of music is read into before playback begins.  Also, a CD can typically hold only around 700 megabytes of data, thus a large library will require multiple disks to contain.  However, some of the more expensive, higher-end units are also capable of reading and playing back files contained on larger capacity [[DVD]] disks as well, including the ability to playback and display video content, such as movies.  More recently, portable Blu-ray players hit the market, and also portable DVD players with USB and memory card slots have come along.
-* '''[[Computer network|Networked]] audio players''': Players that connect via (WiFi) network to receive and play audio.<ref>[http://devices.natetrue.com/musicap/ DIY Networked Audio Player]</ref>  These types of units typically do not have any local storage of their own and must rely on a server, typically a personal computer also on the same network, to provide the audio files for playback.
-* '''[[USB|USB host]]/[[memory card]] audio players''': Players that rely on USB flash drives or other memory cards to read data.
-===Recording===
-Many players have a built-in [[electret microphone]] which allows recording. Usually recording quality is poor, suitable for speech but not music.
-There are also professional-quality recorders suitable for high-quality music recording with external microphones, at prices starting at a few hundred dollars.
-===Radio===
-Some DAPs have [[FM radio]] tuners built in.
-== Common audio formats ==
-Most audio formats use [[lossy compression]], to produce as small as possible a file compatible with the desired sound quality. There is a [[trade-off]] between size and sound quality of lossily compressed files; most formats allow different combinations&mdash;e.g., MP3 files may use between 32 (worst) and 320 (best) kilobits per second. Different lossy formats may give files of different sizes for the same perceived quality.<ref>[http://nigelcoldwell.co.uk/audio/ Comparison of Audio Compression formats with examples to listen to]</ref>
-The formats supported by a particular DAP depend upon its [[firmware]]; sometimes a firmware update adds more formats. To listen to a file on a player, it must be in a supported format; format conversion on a [[computer]] is usually possible, but with loss of quality.
-[[MP3]] is the dominant format, and is almost universally supported.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://gale.cengage.com/reference/peter/200712/amazon.htm|title=Péter's Digital Reference Shelf - Amazon MP3|accessdate=2008-04-17}}</ref> It is a proprietary format; manufacturers must pay a small royalty to be allowed to support it{{Fact|date=May 2010}}.
-The main proprietary alternative formats are [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]] and [[Windows Media Audio|WMA]]. Unlike MP3, these formats support [[Digital rights management|DRM]] restrictions that are often enforced by files from paid download services.
-[[Open source]] formats, which do not require manufacturers or music distributors to pay a fee, are available, though less widely supported. Examples include [[Vorbis|Ogg Vorbis]], [[Free Lossless Audio Codec|FLAC]] (a lossless codec), and [[Speex]].
-Most players can also play uncompressed [[Pulse-code modulation|PCM]] in a container such as [[WAV]] or [[Audio Interchange File Format|AIFF]].
-==Controversy==
-{{Further|[[ITunes Store#The Consumer Council of Norway EULA challenge|iTunes Store]], and [[Digital Rights Management#Controversy|Digital Rights Management]]}}
-Although these issues are not usually controversial within digital audio players, they are matters of continuing controversy and litigation, including but not limited to content distribution and protection, and [[digital rights management]] (DRM).
-=== Lawsuit with RIAA ===
-The [[Recording Industry Association of America]] (RIAA) filed a lawsuit in late 1998 against [[Diamond Multimedia]] for its [[Rio PMP300|Rio]] players,<ref name=mp3/><ref>{{cite court|litigants=RIAA v. Diamond|court=[[United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit|9h Cir.]]|date=1999-06-15|url=http://web.archive.org/web/20061004081232/http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/ca9/newopinions.nsf/04485f8dcbd4e1ea882569520074e698/ddc79aee7dcda44288256e5a007184a3?OpenDocument official documentation.}}</ref> alleging that the device encouraged copying music illegally. But Diamond won a legal victory on the shoulders of the [[Sony Corp. of America v. Universal City Studios, Inc.|Sony Corp. v. Universal City Studios]] case and DAPs were legally ruled as electronic devices.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virtualrecordings.com/rio.htm|title=Court Gives "Go-Ahead" to Digital Music Revolution|publisher=Virtual Recordings|last=Gross|first=Robin D|accessdate=2007-12-05 |archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20071031072846/http://www.virtualrecordings.com/rio.htm <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archivedate = 2007-10-31}}</ref>
-===Risk of hearing damage===
-According to [[SCENIHR]], the risk of [[hearing damage]] from digital audio players depends on both sound level and listening time. The listening habits of most users are unlikely to cause hearing loss, but some people are putting their hearing at risk, because they set the volume control very high or listen to music at high levels for many hours per day. Such listening habits may result in temporary or permanent hearing loss, [[tinnitus]], and difficulties understanding speech in noisy environments.<ref>{{cite web | title=Personal Music Players & Hearing| publisher=GreenFacts Website | date=2008-09-23 | accessdate=2009-03-26 | url= http://copublications.greenfacts.org/en/hearing-loss-personal-music-player-mp3/index.htm}}</ref>
-====Alternative methods to reduce risk====
-Much of the risk of hearing loss is largely associated to the fact that many use headphones with the devices, and that they consider them personal devices instead of stereo system components.  However, the headphone outputs technically output line-level stereo analog audio where a [[TRS connector|TRS]]-to-[[RCA connector|RCA]] connector (though the other end is sometimes TRS) can sometimes be used for bookshelf stereo or AV receiver use as an alternative method.  Car audio system use has similar benefits as users often use stereo analog AUX inputs with TRS connectors, or [[cassette adapter]]s on older car audio equipment, and [[FM transmitter]]s on equipment without AUX inputs or cassette deck.
-==See also==
-*[[Comparison of portable media players]]
-*[[External hard disk drive]]
-*[[Internet radio device]]
-*[[Media Transfer Protocol]]
-*[[Ogg]]
-*[[USB mass storage device class]]
-==References==
-{{Reflist|2}}
-==External links==
-{{commonscat|Digital audio players}}
-* [http://www.antiqueradio.com/Dec04_Menta_mp3pt1.html Collecting MP3 Portables – Part I], [http://www.antiqueradio.com/Apr05_Menta_mp3.html Part II] and [http://www.antiqueradio.com/Jul05_Menta_MP3s.html Part III] - [[Richard Menta]]'s three-part article covers the first digital audio players on the market with pictures of each player.
-* [http://www.gadgetheaven.co.uk/buying-guides/ipod-mp3-player-buying-guide/ MP3 Player Buying Guide]
-{{Computer sizes}}
-{{DEFAULTSORT:Digital Audio Player}}
-[[Category:Digital audio players| ]]
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