What Is Anynet

Anynet is an audio-visual networking system created by the Samsung Electronics Company. Using this system, individuals can link different Samsung devices to one another, or experience various audio-visual files using a standard television. This system makes it easy to network various devices, even for those with no formal electronics knowledge or training. It also provides a single remote for operating a wide variety of system components.

When Samsung introduced the original Anynet program, it was designed to work with up to two devices, plus a television. A few years later, the company introduced a more advanced networking program called Anynet+. Anynet+ works with up to 12 different devices, and uses high-quality HDMI cables to connect these devices to the TV. Users can control a cable box, DVD or Blu-Ray player and home theater system through the Anynet network. With Anynet+, devices such as digital cameras, camcorders, and stereo systems can also be included in the home entertainment network.

The program relies on a special menu built into most models of Samsung televisions. From this menu, users can access and control any connected device using only the Anynet+ remote control. This program provides a centralized location for storing and viewing pictures and home movies. It also allows the user to consolidate various devices into one simple system.

One of the biggest benefits of this program is that it uses only one remote control. Instead of having separate remotes for speakers, cable, and other devices, a single unit can be used for all, which can help to clear up clutter in the home. While using this program, users press a single button to power-down all components instead of turning each device off individually. Best of all, this system makes it easy to connect new devices with a "plug and play" connection. There is no need for complicated wiring or networking, and many homeowners can set up Anynet without assistance.

The main drawback to this system is that it only works with Samsung products, and not all Samsung models are Anynet-equipped. While other electronics manufacturers may have similar programs, they are not interchangeable with one another. Buyers who have some home electronics devices from brands other than Samsung will not be able to use these devices with Anynet. For some users, the hard-wired connection may also be a potential drawback. The use of wires limits connectivity options somewhat, as devices must be close enough to the television to accommodate a wired connection.

What is an iPod

An iPod is a portable device for storing and playing digital media files, and it is designed and produced by the computer company Apple Inc. There are several variations of iPods that are different sizes, have different purposes and use different technologies. For example, some smaller versions are mainly for playing music files through headphones. Other versions have video screens and can play movie files. Some even have touchscreens, can provide Internet access via wireless technology and can double as personal digital assistants (PDAs). Updated versions, or generations, of the various types of iPods are frequently released as the technology and designs improve.

Variations

Released in 2001, the original iPod came with a body of white acrylic glass and chrome. Three years later, Apple released the iPod Mini, which was about one-third the size of the original device and encased in a variety of shiny metallic colors. The Mini was discontinued after a little more than one year and replaced by the iPod Nano. The smallest member of this family of devices, the Shuffle, which was released in 2005, reduced the size to that of a package of stick gum and looked very much like the original. Unlike the original version, the Mini and the Nano, the Shuffle does not have a display screen.

The most versatile version of this device, the iPod Touch, was released in 2007 and features a touchscreen. In addition to being a media player, it functions as a PDA and wireless Internet device. It also can be used as a handheld console for video games.

Storage

Original versions of the iPod — more recent generations use the name iPod Classic — could store 5 gigabytes (GB) of digital files, which was the equivalent of about 1,000 digital music files. Other versions of this line of devices have a range of storage capacities, from as small as 2 GB to more than 150 GB. The Classic and Mini use tiny hard drives for memory, and the Shuffle, Nano and Touch use flash memory.

Content Management

An iPod's content is managed using Apple's proprietary software called iTunes. The device can be connected to a computer, and the owner can use iTunes to transfer media files from the computer to the device and then organize those filed. The Touch can connect to the iTunes Store through the Internet to download media files, most of which are available for a small price, although some might be free. It also can download applications from Apple's App Store, also either for a price or free.

What is an MP3 Player

MPEG-1, Layer 3 (MP3) is a standard for digital audio compression that has been defined by the Moving Picture Experts Group (MPEG). An MP3 file is an audio file that has been compressed using this standard. Strictly speaking, an MP3 player is an electronic device that is made especially for playing these files. In a general sense, however, any electronic device for playing digital audio files might be referred to as an MP3 player, regardless of the actual type of digital files that it plays.

Sizes and Memory

MP3 players come in many sizes and storage capacities, but they typically are portable devices that are small enough to fit easily in the user's hand. Most have enough memory to store hundreds or even thousands of digital audio files, which usually are songs. The files usually are placed in an MP3 player's memory by connecting it to a computer and transferring the files to the device. Some advanced models of MP3 players, however, might allow the user to download the files directly from the Internet.

The smallest MP3 players use a type of memory known as flash. Flash is very compact and uses very little power, allowing for extremely small designs with long battery life. The limitation of flash-based MP3 players is that they do not have a great deal of storage capacity. For larger storage needs, hard disk-based MP3 players were developed. These can have storage capacities of more than 10,000 songs, but they must be larger than flash-based players and generally are more expensive.

Features and Accessories

Many MP3 players have small screens that tell the user the name of the song and other information about it. The screen also might serve as a user interface, allowing the user to execute commands or choose various options. Some of these devices even have touchscreens, which allow their users to tap directly on the screens to make choices or execute commands instead of pressing buttons elsewhere on the devices. Most of these devices come with earphones, and some models have built-in speakers that allow users to listen to MP3s without having to wear earphones.

Digital Hubs

Some non-portable MP3 players also have been developed. Sometimes referred to as digital hubs or media centers, these devices are crosses between stereo components and computers. With network connections — often wireless — they are able to access MP3s and other digital content stored on computers on the network. With a full array of standard audiovisual connections, they are able to integrate with home entertainment systems. These devices typically come with remote controls and might use televisions as display screens for menus and playback information. 

One advantage of these digital hubs is that more than one device can access the files at the same time. All of the files can be stored in the hub, and MP3 players that have wireless connectivity can access the files. This essentially turns an MP3 collection into a music library that has multiple copies of every song.