PMP devices, which is short for portable music player, is a term used to describe any digital portable music player that allows you to download or save digital music files (in MP3 format) from their computer to play on a PMP. The category of PMP devices have all but replaced the larger Walkmans and portable CD players, not only due to their much smaller size but because you can store hundreds or ,on some devices, thousands of songs on them. Today Portable Music Player devices come in all shapes. As if we didn't have enough terminology in this category of devices already, here is another acronym for you. Some PMP devices, like MP3 players, are also called DAP, short for digital audio player. What is an MP3 Player? An MP3 player is a type of digital audio player and falls under the broader category of PMP devices. It's a small (often weighing less than an ounce) handheld device that use flash memory for storing MP3 files. In addition to supporting the MP3 format, depending on the brand of player you buy, it might also support additional file types such as Windows Media Audio (WMA), Waveform Audio (WAV), Music Instrument Digital Interface (MIDI), Advanced Audio Coding (AAC), Ogg Vorbis and other audio formats.

Key Terms To Understanding  MP3 Players: MP3 PMP MP3 player iPod iTunes Related Articles on Webopedia: Webopedia "Did You Know... Digital Audio Formats" Webopedia "Did You Know... When Is Downloading Music on the Internet Illegal?" Webopedia "Did You Know... Different Types of Memory Cards"

An MP3 player is basically a storage device that contains solid-state memory, like flash memory, and software that will let you transfer audio files from your computer to the player. MP3 players may also include features such as playlists, radio or Web site streaming, and basic options like being able to choose backlight color, and equalization options. MP3 players most commonly use the USB port on your computer for data transfer however some may plug into the FireWire or parallel port. Once you transfer the music files to the player they are stored in the player's memory. Most MP3 players are battery-powered and may also come with an AC Adapter.

Today there are also a host of other consumer devices which have an embedded MP3 player. Some examples include satellite radios, smart phones, PDAs, sunglasses, and even MP3 watches.

How Is It Different From an iPod?
The big question then is what's the difference between an iPod and an MP3 player? The answer to that questions is that both are MP3 players, but the iPod is a specific brand of MP3 player, made by Apple that has a specific set of features and design. Since the release of the Apple iPod in 2001,  under the iPod brand Apple has released many variations of its product such as the iPod classic, iPod Touch, iPod Shuffle, iPod Mini, iPod Nano and several spin-off devices such as the iPod Photo. Unlike most mass market MP3 players, the iPods use the Apple iTunes software to transfer music to the music devices. Using iTunes you can store a music library on your computer, burn  music from CD, transfer photos, videos, game and small applications (when supported by the player) and many other features.

DID YOU KNOW... In 2007 industry statistics show that the iPod has sold more than 110 million units worldwide. This makes the iPod the best-selling product in the history of digital audio players.

By Vangie Beal
Writer, www.Webopedia.com
Last updated: March 20, 2008

Webopedia "Did You Know... Different Types of Memory Cards"
There are a few major types of memory cards that can be used in common electronics. Each of these types of memory cards are different sizes and, as the technology progresses further, we see that over time the cards have become smaller in physical size but grow larger in logical size.

Webopedia "Did You Know... When Is Downloading Music on the Internet Illegal?"
One of the big issues concerning the music industry is, of course, the revenue loss. In theory, if a person is able to download his or her favorite music off the Internet, that person would not need to purchase the CD at a local music store.

Apple iPod
Apple iPod technical specifications from Apple's iPod Web site.

MP3.com 
Resource site for news and information about MP3. Includes a question and answer section, information about hardware and software, and links to related sites.

iTunes Web page 
The Apple Web site for all things iTunes.