MP3

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Introduction

An acronym for MPEG layer 3, MP3 is an audio file format based on MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) technology for compressing a sound sequence into a very small file with no noticeable loss in quality.

MP3 has become the most popular form of transporting audio around the World Wide Web.  With MP3 it is feasible to download quality audio from the Web very quickly and and store in portable players and digital audio servers. MP3 files can also be imported into Live Channel for streaming.

How does MP3 works?

MP3 is the file extension for MPEG audio layer 3. Layer 3 is one of three coding schemes (layer 1, layer 2 and layer 3) for the compression of audio signals. It has the ability to compresses CD-quality sound by factor twelve, while still maintaining high fidelity. Layer 3 uses perceptual audio coding and psychoacoustic compression to remove all superfluous information and produces high sound quality. Based on MPEG layer 2 and layer 3 compression, mp3 is a streamable audio file format that has enabled many new digital audio applications, and stimulated the development of newer improved streaming formats

When sound is compressed into an MP3 file, an attempt known as 'destructive' compression is made to get rid of the frequencies that can't be heard. After a file is compressed, the data that is eliminated in the creation of the MP3 cannot be replaced.

When encoding a file into MP3 format, a variety of compression levels can be set. For instance, an MP3 created with 128 Kbit compression will be of a greater quality and larger file size than that of a 56 Kbit compression, thus the more the compression level decreases, the lesser the sound quality.

Why uses MP3?

1. Compression of sound files into the MP3 format reduces file size by a factor of twelve, with little or no loss of sound quality. There aren't many other formats currently available that can reduce file sizes to this extent while keeping fairly good quality.
    

2. MP3 is supported by highly-distributed software packages such as Windows 98, Macromedia Shockwave, and RealPlayer, and has become the standard for internet-based music. Moreover, MP3 is supported worldwide by more listeners, devices, and software than any other CD-quality sound format.
    

3. There are a huge range of programs to do practically anything with MP3 including encoding, decoding, ripping, playing, mixing, editing, streaming, organising, finding, and sharing.
    

4. There is a wide range of qualities that can be selected when 'encoding' (or compressing) MP3 files. Although not all 'encoders' have all the options, there are 14 different bitrates to choose from (ranging from 32kBit/s to 320kBit/s) which change the quality and thus the file-size of the encoded audio. 128 or 192kBit/s usually provide acceptable results.
    

5. MP3 is an ideal medium for accessing legal music files over the internet without the extensive download times involved with WAV/AIFF files. This is great for the discerning music lover as music has become more freely available over the internet.

MP3 Player

MP3 player can be either a standalone hardware which can play MP3 files, or it can be a software which enable the computer to play MP3 music. There are several different types of MP3 players that are available. They are divided into three categories , but there are also other products that can play MP3 music, such as smartphones.

1. Flash Player
   These is the smallest and lightest of all players. It is roughly about the size of a Zippo lighter, or even smaller. It doesn't has any moving parts, making it great for active people that like to listen while jogging, skiing, exercising at the gym, etc. Flash memory players' memory capacities typically range from 64MB (about 1 hour of MP3 music) to 512MB (8 hours). Simply connect them to your computer using the software provided to add or change the files you want to listen to.
    

2. Hard Drive Player
   This player has a small hard drive in it to store information. Hard drive player is extremely versatile and allows you to store several gigabytes of information. It can also be used as a backup device for your computer or to transfer large files from one computer to another.
    

3. CD Player
   Devices are portable, but because of the size of the CD, they do not fit into the pocket. CD/MP3 players require that you first extract or buy MP3 music and then burn it on a CD. The benefit is that these products are reasonably priced and one CD can store at least ten ordinary CDs worth of MP3 music.

Smartphones can also play MP3 music. In order for it to work, there must be an MP3 player software (which can be downloaded) installed in the device before you can download and listen to MP3 music.