There are so many digital music players on the market, it’s hard to choose. You can get models that hold 15,000 songs, 30 songs, some with video, with games, address books, and radio tuners. With all of these options, many of us feel overwhelmed. I have compiled a humble report on a selection of MP3 players to further your knowledge of the technology and possibly relieve your stress during your next visit to Circuit City.

The three players showcased in this article are the iPod 30 GB, Creative Vision M 30 GB, and the Microsoft Zune. They all cost about $250, and hold 15,000 songs to 25,000 songs, depending on the player, play videos, and display photos. If you would like to know exact specifications, see the diagram provided.

Even if these sound cool, there are some drawbacks to consider. Just because the company says, “Our Player can hold 240 songs!” doesn’t mean that you can watch videos for a week and a half. It may hold that much, but the battery life is much shorter. The average video playback time is about 3.5 hours. The longest playback of the three is the Vision, with 4 hours video playback. Also, there is the small screen. Most screens are around three inches. So be prepared to squint at a small screen if you want to watch a movie.

Another major drawback is video downloads. Sometimes, even with the fastest of internet connections, it can take up to an hour to download your favorite episode of Grey’s Anatomy. If you want to download a TV show or movie, be prepared to wait. But if your player has a cable that enables you to record off TV or transfer video off a computer, that’s another way to go.

Is spite of all of these cons, there are so many things to like about MP3/Video Players. You can watch a video that no one else may want to watch (e. g. Dallas: Season 4), listen to your own music, and show people your cool photos. On the Zune, you can even share your data with your friends with an added fee. Even though there is a steep price tag, it’s an investment worth making.

*AUTHORS NOTE- All players have a memory of 30 gigabytes, and play videos. The prices listed are those from the manufacturer’s website and do not include taxes or other fees. Also, all of the players can be obtained from Circuit City, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, and various other retailers. See manufacturers’ website for more details.