CNN - Top 10 MP3 players and applications

From...

November 26, 1999

Web posted at: 11:37 a.m. EST (1637 GMT)

by Max Green

(IDG) -- It's been more than a year since the introduction of MP3 files, and the hype shows no signsof abating. Music distributors failed to incorporate watermarks into MP3 devices before the holidaysas they had planned. And with no other new audio file format being so widely accepted in themarket, MP3s will continue to be one of the most popular audio formats well into 2000. The freedownloads on this list cover your basic MP3 needs: creating them, playing them, and searching forthem on the Web. A few others go above and beyond to improve the sound of your audio and let youadd custom looks, or "skins," to WinAmp, the popular MP3 player. So if you haven't yet, join the fun!If you'd like to experiment more with Internet music, click the "More MP3 extras," link below.

Top 10 MP3 utilities

WinAmp: This update of the popular music player supports MP3, CD, Audiosoft, Mjuice, and otheraudio formats. It also lets you use skins and audio effect plug-ins.

Planet MP3Find: Sick of listening to your Mel Torme eight tracks? Get into the mix with PlanetMP3Find. MP3Find searches MP3 servers by artist or song faster than you can say "audiophile." TheWindows Explorer-esque interface gives you activity information about FTP sites before initiating aconnection, so you can steer clear of dead-end servers.

CDex: Extract data from an audio CD and store it in a .wav or MP3 sound file. The utility reads thedigital audio data directly from the disc.

Abe's MP3 Finder: Quickly search the Internet for MP3s by simply typing in an artist name or songtitle. Abe's MP3 Finder maintains an updated database of MP3 sites to help you avoid broken anddefunct links. It supports a variety of protocols including HTTP, SMB, and FTP. Version 3.6 offers anintegrated FTP client, bug fixes, and more.

MP3 Fiend: Simultaneously search 11 of the Internet's best MP3 engines. Just set the search terms,and MP3 Fiend quickly gathers all pertinent links. MP3 Fiend lets you save search results andsupports where can i download music for free on my phone downloading utilities such as GetRightand download mp3 songs how to make money fast and free GoZilla. This version offers expanded

search results, improved stability, and improved efficiency.

MP3 Star Search: Put digital music on your PC with this search utility. MP3 Star Search combs 12separate search engines and gives you query results in an Explorer-like interface. It tests all resultsso you can avoid dead-end FTP servers, and it supports CuteFTP for quick file transfer.

Xing MP3Live Encoder: This utility is designed to provide high-quality, streaming audio for livefeeds. It accepts input from analog audio sources and performs real-time audio digitizing and liveencoding, then it transmits the data through IP networks.

RealJukebox: This file lets you play MP3, CDs, RealAudio, Liquid Audio, and other popular musicformats. You can also record CDs at near-CD quality (up to 96 kilobits per second). Downloadexclusive, free songs for RealJukebox users. The file is compatible with portable digital musicplayers.

MPFree: This free and easy-to-use MP3 software is perfect for cluttered and overtaxed desktops.MPFree uses the Xaudio engine, and it offers a full of range of playlist controls. It also offers a maskeditor, which lets you completely customize your player.

DFX: This application compensates for the limitations of typical PC playback systems and listeningenvironments, and enhances Winamp's sound quality by correcting the sonic limitations of MP3 andWindows Media. (These audio formats suffer from two major problems: loss of high-frequencyfidelity, causing a muffled sound, and loss of stereo separation and depth.)

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RELATED SITES:

Winamp.com

Planet MP3Find Home

Abe's MP3 Finder

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