MP3 is not a new concept for the net-surfing music buffs. Basically, it is a compressed MPEG file format used for music. An MP3 file is 1/10 of an audio CD. Yet, despite the compressed size, the sound quality remains intact. And this is the reason for their popularity.

Free availability and easy accessibility also has a lot to do with the popularity of MP3., though legally speaking, MP3 files should not be made available free of cost. Still, millions of MP3 files along with the players required to play these songs can be downloaded without spending a penny. These players are software in fact which recognise the MP3 file format and can be decoded to play music.

This software, which looks like a music player, has user-friendly attributes like play, stop, eject, forward buttons etc. These players are also equipped with the latest features of CD players like graphic equalisers, bass booster etc. Some of the most common and widely used computer-based MP3 players are WinAmp, Sonique, Realplayer etc.

Out of these, WinAmp and Realplayer come as a package with Internet browsers like Netscape and Internet Explorer.

For downloading these songs at a connection speed of 28.8 KBPS, the average time required is 30 minutes. Depending upon the speed and stability of the connection, more than one MP3 file at a time can be downloaded, thereby reducing the telephone bill.

To play the music on the computer all that is needed is a telephone line, a modem Internet connection and a computer with the multimedia kit.

MP3 files are more than playing the music online or offline. It has revolutionised the hardware sector too. There are MP3 players available in the market, just like CD or DVD players.

The best thing about these players is the size and portability, as they are so small that they can fit into the shirt's pocket. Some of the popular players are Rio, Samsung's Yepp etc. All music hardware manufacturers like LG, Phillips, and Sony have their MP3 players, which are quite popular abroad. The most common players that are available in the Indian market have a memory of around 64 MB, which can store roughly 18-20 songs in memory in one go, though these players have the option of upgrading the storage capacity. However in the international market, high-end products with very large storage capacities are available. Recently Creative technologies launched an MP3 player with a storage capacity of 6 GB, thereby meaning that 150 CDs can be stored in it practically.

For using MP3 players, all that is needed is to download MP3 songs files from the Internet on to computer and transferring these in the MP3 player.

Though, for downloading the files on computer, normal browser, modem and Internet are required. For transferring the files from computer to MP3 player, special software, which normally comes free with the MP3 player, is required. For example, Yepp explorer software comes free with Samsung Yepp.

In order to add downloaded songs afresh, songs can be selectively deleted. Apart from downloading songs, voice can also be recorded on MP3 player. Normally, these players are equipped with microphones.

In a way, MP3 player can be called a complete music system. Depending upon its storage capacity, the price may vary anywhere between Rs 7,000 to Rs.15,000. As of now, these products fall in high-end segment, though the prices may eventually come down when they are launched here.