Archived from ListenSmart.com, January 26, 2004. Historical; not current advice. Software, prices and links are as they were then.
Source: Wayback Machine capture.
Hardware FAQ
Q: What Hardware do I need to play music from my computer?
A: For the best listening experience you'll want to make sure your computer has, at a minimum, the following features:
- For Windows:
- 166MHz processor: Windows 95: External Speakers (or headphones)
- For Macintosh:
- PowerMac (Macintosh): External Speakers (or headphones)
Q: Why can't I get any sound out of my speakers?
A: Assuming that your sound card and software are configured correctly, you may be experiencing a minor issue with your hardware. First, check to make sure the cables are securely installed in the proper jacks. If the volume is extremely low and you can't adjust it from the computer, chances are you've made the common error of plugging the cable into the line-out socket rather than the speaker socket. Lastly, check both your computer's and your speaker's volume controls to make sure they are at adequate levels.
Q: How much do portables cost?
A: Generally, portable MP3 players range from about $150 to $500, depending on the number of features and capabilities. Be sure to keep your eyes open for special deals through ListenSmart.com
Q: How much memory do I need to store my MP3 files?
A: To answer this question you will need to decide how many MP3s you plan on storing on your internal hard drive. On average, MP3 files allow you store about a minute of music for each MB. That means most songs will fall within the 3-5 MB range. Therefore, if you have 1000 MB of free memory (or 1Gig), you can store…. well you do the math.
Q: How can I make my own CDs?
A: First you'll need to make sure that you have a CD-ROM Burner installed on your computer. Most burners come with a software package that will walk you through the process of moving files from your computer to a CD.
Q: If I burn my own CDs, can I play them in my stereo's CD player?
A: Unfortunately, at this time, audio CD players do not recognize the MP3 or WAV formats. So even if you tried to play your new CD of Jimmy's 105 Greatest Hits, no sound would come out. If you really are serious about playing MP3s on your home stereo, read the info about the PC adapters or the new MP3 home stereo systems.
Q: My computer doesn't have speakers. What should I do?
A: Most computers come with and internal speaker already installed. Go to your volume controls to turn it on. However, to truly do justice to the music found here on ListenSmart.com, you'll want to check out the section on this page about speakers. Speakers these days usually range from about $50-200. The other option is to get a pair of headphones and crank it up. Just be careful of that whole talking while listening to your headphones thing… we all know how that goes.