Photos and graphics

Almost all MP3 players now have the ability to display photos and other still images, like album cover art. Photos take up a surprisingly small amount of storage space, so memory size isn't usually an issue. Images are converted to a compressed format to save memory space. This process automatically takes place when you transfer images over from your PC to your player.

The iPod touch has a wide screen for viewing movies and videos.

Video

The demand for video on MP3 players has grown dramatically. Several Internet sites now offer movies, TV shows and other videos for download. As with music download stores, your favorite site's protected format may determine your choice of player. Video purchased through the iTunes Store, for example, can only be transferred to an Apple iPod; those from Amazon.com will only play on a Windows®-based device.

Players with video capabilities have full-color screens, which draw more power than the monochrome screens of earlier audio-only players. Video also requires more processing power than audio, draining more juice from your player's battery. While a player may give you 15-20 hours of audio playback on a single battery charge, you may only get 3-6 hours of video playback.

If you require a player that will go a long time without recharging, you might want to think about how important video playback is to you.

Radio tuners and voice recorders

Some players come with additional features that can also affect your decision. Still like to listen to the radio? A built-in FM tuner is a common, although not universal, feature among both hard-drive and embedded memory MP3 players.

The Sony NWZ-X1051FBSMP features a built-in FM tuner for more listening options.

Voice recording is another popular option, especially among students who want to take audio notes of lectures or seminars. Players with this feature come with built-in microphones. Recordings are usually done at a very low bitrate, which lets even smaller capacity MP3 players store 8 or more hours of voice recording.

Bluetooth® connectivity

Some MP3 players, cell phones, and other devices are Bluetooth-enabled, making them easy to connect together wirelessly. For example, if you had a Bluetooth-enabled cell phone, MP3 player, and headset, you could easily switch from listening to music on your MP3 player to answering calls on your cell phone. Bluetooth headsets usually include built-in microphones, so you can carry on a conversation with your caller.

If your car stereo has Bluetooth, you can play your compatible MP3 player through it without having to connect any wires. And the same is true for using a Bluetooth-enabled player with Bluetooth portable speakers, or audio/video system.

Other devices

In the process of choosing an MP3 player, it's important to remember that other devices like cell phones, PDAs, plug-and-play satellite radios, and even GPS units also play digital music files. This function is not their primary purpose, however, and song storage and playback options are generally limited compared to MP3 players of similar capacity.

Function can help determine if any of these alternative devices may be a good solution for you. If you only want to carry one portable device, for example, you may opt for a cell phone with MP3 playback capability. If most of your music listening is done while hiking or exercising outdoors, a GPS health and fitness monitor may make more sense.

The trade-off for consolidating these devices is usually lower storage capacity, which means less variety. With a cell phone or a GPS unit you can keep your favorite songs close at hand, but if you want to access thousands of songs and perhaps a movie or two at a moment's notice, then an MP3 player is probably in your future.