Insignia MP3 Player FAQ
- Besides MP3 storage and playback, the Insignia MP3 player offers several notable features. Most models also support WMA and Audible file formats. Insignia players are also able to display photos and video on the LCD screen. This screen doubles as the Insignia's menu, but it is not a touchscreen. Instead, user preferences can be set by using the control buttons next to the screen to scroll through and select menu items.
Insignia MP3 players also support ID3 tags as part of the audio files, so that song titles, artist names and other information can be displayed during playback. All Insignia models offer stereo playback and use a "mini" universal output jack for headphones or speakers. - Despite being sold at a significantly lower price point, Insignia MP3 players actually have several features lacking from iPods and many other MP3 players. The first among these is an integrated FM radio tuner. The lack of a radio has been a common complaint from iPod owners, and Best Buy was responsive to this in designing the Insignia.
Insignia players also use a detachable battery, which allows users to keep an extra battery on hand for extended periods of use. This also means that if a battery loses its charge over time, it can be replaced, whereas changing a defective battery in an iPod is impossible. Finally, the Insignia MP3 player features a micro-SD card slot for the quick addition of extra memory in addition to the flash hard drive. - Despite its advantages, there are drawbacks to the Insignia MP3 player. One of these is its size, significantly bulkier and heavier than comparable models from other brands. On most models, the LCD screen has a resolution of only 320x240 pixels, which is fine for menu display, but doesn't do justice to high-resolution digital photos or video. Another disadvantage to the Insignia line is its limited hard-drive size, far below the massive storage capacities of the latest generation of iPods.
Depending on the quality of the headphones or speakers being used, some users have complained about the audio quality of Insignia MP3 players. The on-screen menu can also be difficult to navigate, especially for users who are already familiar with another brand of MP3 player. The same is true for the software included with Insignia players for uploading songs and other content from a personal computer. - The biggest difference between the various models offered in the Insignia line is storage capacity. Players with two, four and eight gigabytes are all currently available. These capacities can be expanded by using the micro-SD card slot to store additional data. Some Insignia models now feature Bluetooth, which allows them to link to headphones or speakers wirelessly.
Several colors are offered, though most Insignia MP3 players are available exclusively in black. Over the years, new models have generally featured more storage, larger LCD screens and enhanced menus.
In spite of these differences, the various Insignia models have far more in common with one another than they do with MP3 players produced by other brands. - For the most part, customers, as well as electronics critics, have given the Insignia MP3 player average ratings. While not as stylish or well-known as the Apple iPod, the Insignia MP3 player still has all of the important features needed in a basic MP3 player, with other capabilities that make it worth considering. Quality feedback has varied from model to model and customer to customer, but battery life and overall reliability are generally rated as strong.
One of the main selling points of the Insignia MP3 player is its price. At several hundred dollars less than some iPod models, the Insignia can provide an excellent budget option for anyone who wants the simple ability to take their music with them wherever they go.
