Important Facts About Mp3 And Mp4 Players

Mpeg-1 Audio Layer 3, more commonly referred to as mp3, is a popular digital audio encoding format. A device that is designed to greatly reduce the amount of data required to represent the audio recording, by retaining the sound from the original uncompressed state. Mp3 is an audio-specific compression format. By compressing, certain sounds that cannot be heard by the listener outside the normal human hearing range, are removed. This makes the sound clearly audible to the listener.

The mp3 players have changed the evolution of music. The good old records, eight-track tapes, cassette tapes and CDs no doubt gave the music lovers a good time but none of these earlier music formats provided the convenience and control that mp3 players provide. It is as convenient as keeping it in your hand or pocketing it. You can create personalized music lists and carry thousands of songs wherever you go. Mp3 players are offered in different shapes and sizes.

For those who want to be with the time by possessing the latest gadgets or be the first ones to have them, here is a list of some popular mp3 player brands: Apple, Archos, Creative, Olympus, RCA, Rio, Samsung, SanDisk, Sony and iRiver. Most of these have good amount of storage capacity, screen size, compatible to Apple MacOS X 10.3.4 or later, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 or later.

Mpeg-4 Part 14, a multimedia container format commonly known as Mpeg-4. It is a device that stores digital audio and digital video streams, especially those defined by mpeg. Subtitles and still images are also stored. Mpeg-4 Part 14 allows streaming over the Internet. The filename extension for Mpeg-4 Part 14 files is .mp4, thus the name mp4. Devices that play .mp4 files are referred to as mp4 players.

The evolution of mp4 player devices has lead to providing more features such as fm tuner, voice recorder, email, and Internet browser capability. As it is capable of delivering audio and video at the same time, mp4 devices can offer a wide range of interesting features, such as web browsing, email, instant messaging, video and music download, Bluetooth wireless technology, digital camera and others. Not to forget the game capability, voice recording and multiple language options. The storage capacity is amazing which can start from 256 mega bites up to 40, 60 and up giga bites.

Mp4 is the next step in the evolution of music after mp3. The difference between mp4 and mp3 formats is that, mp4 devices hold both audio and video files. As for the mp3 it only holds the audio type file.

iPod is a brand of portable media players designed and marketed by Apple. The iPod name has become synonymous with mp3 or mp4 players as it is the most popular brand and holds the biggest share of the market. Devices in the iPod range are primarily digital audio players. These devices can be used to store an entire music library. This is not all, … Read More

7 Secrets of Successful Selling to Retailers

So you’ve invented the next great gadget, and you’re sure it’ll be a hit. In fact, you’ve got cartons of inventory stored in every room of your house that you’re itching to sell. Your friends and family said they “love it”, but how can you get retailers to “love it” enough to place an order with you?

Below are 7 secrets of successfully selling to retailers. While most of the secrets are common sense, it amazes me how many entrepreneurs, inventors, and small manufacturers trying everything except these 7 secrets.

1. Know the retailer you want your products in

Not every retailer will buy your product. Most retailers have a niche that they fill. Find out which type of customer will buy your product. Is a bargain shopper or an upscale trendsetter? If you sell low-end kitchen gadgets, perhaps a mass merchant like Walmart or K-Mart would be a better fit for your products versus Bed Bath and Beyond or Macys.

2. Know your product and why retail buyers should purchase it

Why should a retail buyer buy your product? Is it price, features, or something else? Be prepared to thoroughly discuss the features & benefits of your product, how it is better or different than similar products on the market and why a retailer would want to carry it. Without knowing what single thing differentiates your product from the thousands of similar products out there, you are just wasting your time in getting a retail buyer’s attention.

3. Know your program before calling a retail buyer

I’m talking about things like order minimums, “floor and ceiling costs”, suggested retail price, pre-paid freight versus collect, packaging specs, payment terms, returns to vendor, etc. Retail buyers will ask you some very tough questions and you need to know the details of your program, forwards and backwards.

4. Know what marketing or sales promotions you will provide to drive sales

If you think your job is done once the retailer gives you the first purchase order, you are lamentably mistaken. Don’t worry… a lot of small vendors forget this as well. Your post-sales job is to help retailers sell through the inventory that they just bought from you. As the retailer sells through your inventory, what do they do next? They buy MORE from you. Whether it is funding in-store promotions or simply listing the retailer’s URL on your website, driving more customers to your retailers is a MUST-DO action step.

5. Know what type of retail packaging will fit on the retailer’s shelf

Retailers will want to know what type of packaging your product comes in because they almost always have very limited space to work with – is it a bag with hanging hook or is it something they will have to put on a shelf?

Big-box retailers (like Target, Walmart, Sears, etc) will definitely want to see the product AND the packaging. They are VERY specific about their store image, their customer and their available “real estate”. They want … Read More