How does an mp3 player work?

[cakedup]

Thinking of getting one for DS for xmas.

But where do you get the music from to transfer onto the mp3 player? He's no music fanatic, just starting to get into it so don't want to spend too much or do anything that requires a monthly sub. Are there different websites where music can be downloaded from and I'm guessing you have to pay for each individual tune?

If it's an iPod then you would use iTunes to download music. If another brand then you can buy and download music from Amazon.

Ohhh I see! Thanks AssassinateBeauty . Not an iPod as too expensive.
Ok well it looks like Amazon are doing a deal - 99p for 3 months. To be honest I think he'll be able to download all the music he needs in 3 months!

iPods/iPhones/iWotsits can play music from all sorts of places not just that bought in iTunes. In particular you can buy from Amazon and play them.

The 99p for 3 months thing that Amazon are offering is a streaming service. Once you stop paying the music stops playing. Also some cheaper MP3 devices will not work with the service, you'll need a compatible device. There's a list of those here:
www.amazon.co.uk/b/?node=1954070031&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

BadgersPaws2 oh ok, thanks for that. So we couldn't save any of those tunes during the 3 months - thought it was too good to be true.

DS is not properly into music, in the sense he likes certain bands or anything. But he loves listening to some of the tunes he comes across on youtube. So it's not worth me paying anything monthly (can't afford it either) so I guess I just need to decipher what his music style is (is there a genre call shitty gaming electronic no-soul music?) and buy a few albums for him.

BadgersPaws2 re the link - which one of those would mp3 player fall under? Can't find the list of compatible mp3 devices.

Sorry to keep on...does buying a few albums of his fave type of music seem the best option for me? I'm presuming any album you can buy on Amazon will be compatible with any mp3 player?

I don't believe so, once your subscription runs out the music stops playing. The mobile app will need to connect to the internet once every month or so to make sure that you're still subscribed.

Amazon, and other streaming services, will need something more than "just" an MP3 player. They'll need something a bit more powerful that can download and run apps, like a phone or tablet.

You can convert pretty much any CD into audio files that an MP3 player can play. Some players will come with software to help you, for example iPods work with iTunes. Other very cheap ones might expect you to do it yourself with some software on your computer.

Record companies did go through a phase of trying to block this, but I don't think anyone does anymore, and even back then it was very uncommon. So I'd expect to be able to copy any CD onto an MP3 player.

You can purchase, download and keep MP3 albums from Amazon without needing to pay for a subscription. You need to choose the "MP3 Download" format option when you buy them. That then allows you to download them onto your computer. You'd then need to follow the instructions for the MP3 player to transfer the songs.

"You can purchase, download and keep MP3 albums from Amazon without needing to pay for a subscription."

Yes you can, and often when you buy an album from them they also give you the MP3 tracks to download as well.

Personally I'd rather have the album and make my own, better, copies of the tracks than what Amazon will sell you. MP3 albums are ofte not that much, if any, cheaper than getting the actual CD. However buying individual tracks from Amazon or iTunes can also be a great way to get just the songs your after.

If you do buy any MP3s from Amazon they'll work on pretty much any player, including iPods/iPhones etc.

If you do buy from iTunes then many devices, not just Apple stuff, will also be able to play them.

Once you know what device you might be looking at then it will be possible to say "oh you can buy from X, Y or Z".

Ok, I think I'm getting the hang of it now! So, I can buy albums off Amazon without a subscription by choosing the mp3 version. I would then need to download that mp3 onto my laptop, and then onto the mp3 player, right?

Or, I can buy an actual physical CD, burn that onto the laptop and then onto the mp3 player, is that right? Slightly illegal but hey, we all recorded tapes in the 80s.

What's the point of an mp4 player? I know it's for video rather than just audio, so do people use it to watch films? Or are some songs available as an mp4 to include a music video?

I know what DS would love to do, is to download his music from youtube but I'm not sure if that's possible. Quick search on google shows me there are converters that might do this but not sure how/if they work.

I'm looking at something like this or similar, or if having the mp4 element is useful then maybe something like this

I can't tell you how much I appreciate your help, thank you!

You can rip songs from YouTube to MP3 for free with the right website.

You can then save them to your pc and upload them
To your MP3.

All free bar the cost of the MP3.

You need a pc to do it not a tablet etc

"So, I can buy albums off Amazon without a subscription by choosing the mp3 version. I would then need to download that mp3 onto my laptop, and then onto the mp3 player, right? "

Yes.

"Or, I can buy an actual physical CD, burn that onto the laptop and then onto the mp3 player, is that right? Slightly illegal but hey, we all recorded tapes in the 80s. "

Yes, and yes it is technically illegal again.

"What's the point of an mp4 player? I know it's for video rather than just audio, so do people use it to watch films? Or are some songs available as an mp4 to include a music video?"

MP4 is technically a type of file that can be audio or video (or other things). But some players will use "MP4" to mean that they can play video. Places like iTunes do sell videos.

"I know what DS would love to do, is to download his music from youtube but I'm not sure if that's possible."

Yes it's possible, but it's also illegal and much worse than just converting the CD in my opinion. Don't do it.

The Sony MP3 player is an example of a player that won't work with things bought from iTunes and I also think that it will only work with Windows computers. Those things may or may not be a problem for you.

"You can rip songs from YouTube to MP3 for free with the right website. "

Yes you can, but it's very wrong.

I work in an industry that relies on people not trying to rip my work off. How would you feel if you saw people discussing how to take your work without paying you for it? Please don't.

BadgersPaws2 completely understand where you're coming from re ripping songs from youtube....I've just asked DS to show me what 'gaming music' he listens to on youtube and the tunes are all listed and available on Amazon, so happy to pay for it. Thanks so much for taking the time to help me out

You also solve everybodys gift problems - just get him Amazon vouchers

cdtaylornats my sister has bought him amazon vouchers but I want to buy him presents he can open and explore. Plus giving him a voucher won't make any difference....it'll still be me helping him to decide what to buy.