Quick Tips for buying a MP4 player on www.1powershop.com

MP3 players are all the rage, and now we have MP4 players for sale on 1powershop you may have seen them, those dinky little devices that can play videos as well as music.They seem to mainly come from foreign shores, and after my partner purchased a couple of them, I though I would share my experiences of using one.Obviously what I say here may not apply to all players, but you should read the auction carefully and check with the seller to find out exactly what it is you are buying.....Some MP4 Players are NOT MP4 PLAYERSSounds odd that doesn't it? But its true, MP4 is a well defined standard, and the players we received DO NOT PLAY MP4 FILES, in reality they just play mp3 files and DMV files. Try to put on many of the files that would play on a genuine MP4 compatible device and they just wont work.In reality, the MP4 is often just a marketing term, meaning it can do more than just play MP3 files.You should ask the seller if it genuinely is a MP4 player, and if it can play all MP4 compatible files.You can put your own videos on the player.Well to a certain extent thats true, BUT only if you are prepared to convert them to an obscure format first. This isnt always easy, and the tools provided may not be that useful, or easy to use....Dont assume you can just download a mpeg or avi file of the internet, or from your camera and play it on the mp4 player, check with the seller first.The Conversion tools needed come free with the player.In the case of the players we got, yes we did get a CD with the software, but its in chinese or some similar language that makes it impossible for me to figure out the software! Not only that but the software driver for converting to the DMV format is a DEMO that expired after one month.This is something that you need to establish with your seller, are they going to sell you software that expires after 30 days, and after you have left feedback thinking all is fine?It will come with a manual so I can learn how to use it.Well, ours came with a manual. In chinese or something like that.Not worth the paper it was printed on for us, if a seller wants to sell internationally they should make it clear in the auction that they cant be bothered to source a translated manual, or write a guide for the item in the native language of the purchaser. Ask you seller if all the documentation and software/manuals will be in English.It will be upgradeable.Many players are supposed to be "firmware" upgradeable, but in reality most players dont even have ANY makers name on them, they dont even have a model number. You basically end up buying a device that the manufacturer does not want their own name on.Because of this, and because non of the documentation has any reference to who made the player, you will have a very hard time trying to get support from the manufacturer, and can forget about sourcing upgrades, apart from third party ones that run the risk of killing your player if you download one that is not for exactly the right model.Dont forget also to check what the situation with returns is, do you pay the return postage if the item arrives faulty? How long will it take to be delivered? Make sure you do your research before buying. Dont just get a gadget because it sounds great, ask the seller detailed questions, and if they cant answer, or are vague, walk away.

Choosing Safe Toys for Children part 2 (1powershop)

3 to 4 years
Age Group
Imagination and imitation combined with vigorous physical activity
Ending age of most toy related injuries at 4 years
Safe Toys
Those in 2-3 year category plus
Toy telephones
Metal tea set
Dolls with wrap-around clothing
Construction sets with easily connecting large pieces
Rugged key-wound or friction-operated toys
Blunt scissors
Lacing cards
Simple card and board games
Non-electrical trains
Selected toys with small parts
Tricycles with low-slung seats, used off roadways
Dangerous Toys
Highly flammable costumes
Electrical toys
Shooting toys that endanger eyes
Poorly balanced tricycles or riding toys
Lead soldiers
Riding toys in hilly areas or inclined driveways
Tricycles that take child too far from supervision
Broken toys
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4 to 6 years
Age Group
Will develop cooperative social play. Improve physical coordination
Begins era of bicycle related injuries
Safe Toys
Pail and shovel
Building blocks
More advanced construction sets
Cut-out paper dolls, hand and finger puppets Modeling clay
Paints and paint books
Non-electrical trains, battery operated toys
Kites
Stencils, activity books and picture books
More demanding board and card games
Simple musical instruments
Small sports equipment
Selected toys with small parts
Bicycle with 20" wheel and training wheels, for 4-7 year olds
Dangerous Toys
Poisonous or oil-based paint sets
Flammable costumes or ones with material to the floor
Kites made of electrically conductible aluminized polyester film
Electrical toys, unless battery operated
Shooting toys and darts with pointed tips
Poorly-balanced tricycles or wagons
Bicycle poorly maintained
Bicycle used on roadways
Bicycle too large for child
Fireworks of any kind
Lawn darts
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6 to 8 years
Age Group
Further cooperative and social play
Physical and intellectual interests. May have renewed interest in playing alone
Safe Toys
Kites
Battery-powered electrical toys with Underwriters Laboratory (UL) approval
Puppets and puppet theatre
Complicated jigsaw puzzles
Games requiring some reading
Well constructed, lightweight tool sets
Dolls and doll equipment
Flower press
Set demonstrating simple principles of science. (Magnets & magnifiers, etc.)
Equipment for playing bank, store, filling station, etc.
Bicycle with 24" wheel for 7-10 year olds
Dangerous Toys
Kites made of electrically conductible aluminized polyester film
Poorly made sports equipment
Shooting toys and toys with loud noises (cap guns, etc.)
Fireworks of any kind
Electrical toys run on household current
Lawn darts
Broken toys
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8 to 12 years
Age Group
Art, Craft, Building and Science interests
Safe Toys
Electrical toys with UL approval used on household current only after you have explained how to use toy and electrical plug and outlets
Bicycle with 26" wheel for kids over 10
Other sidewalk vehicles, skates, skateboards, etc.
Well-constructed sports equipment
Put together models
Chemistry and other science kits
Hobby and Arts and Crafts kits and materials
Some projectile toys (dart guns, etc.)
Dangerous Toys
Lawn darts
Fireworks of any kind
Sharp-edged tools
Poorly constructed sports equipment
B-B Guns/Air Rifles, until child understands gun safety

Choosing Safe Toys for Children part 1 (1powershop)

Injury prevention and your kids-The biggest threat to the health of children over age one is not some dread disease. It is accidental injury. More children are seriously hurt or killed by accidental injuries than by anything else. And many childhood injuries can be prevented by parents who know how. You already care enough to do everything possible to protect your children. Protecting them from injuries is a very important way you can safeguard their health. This publication is one of a series that helps parents prevent childhood injuries.
Toys cause many preventable injuries. Tips on Toys will help you decide just which toys are safe for your children as they grow. Take a few minutes to look over the toys you already have, and keep these guidelines in mind when you buy new ones.
The suggestions made in this publication are based on national information about the kinds of toys most often involved in accidents. Most of this information was gathered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and the checklist was developed under funding from U.S. Centers for Disease Control.
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Up to 1 year
Age Group
Awareness of sound, motion, touch & color
Hand to mouth curiosity
(teach the early walker not to walk or run with toys in his mouth)
Need constant supervision during play
Safe Toys
Unbreakable large-end rattles
Squeak toys with molded in noise-maker.
Washable dolls and stuffed animals with bright embroidered features
Brightly colored objects hanging in view (mobile, etc.) out of reach and with cords less than 12" long
Brightly colored cloth or rubber balls with textured surface to grasp
Unbreakable cups and smooth objects that can be chewed
Brightly colored beads on a strong cord less than 10" long
Dangerous Toys
Rattles with ends smaller than 13/8" in diameter
Those with small enough to swallow or with removable parts that are sharp or could be swallowed
Those with poisonous paint, or cords over 1 2" long
Stuffed animals with glass or button eyes
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1 to 2 years
Age Group
Time of reckless mobility
Hand to mouth testing
Very curious
Needs extremely close supervision during play
Safe Toys
Blocks with rounded corners
Push-pull toys
Books with cloth or stiff pasteboard pages
Non-glass mirrors
Take apart toys with large pieces
Dangerous Toys
Same as above PLUS toys of older children that mobility puts within the toddler's reach
Toys with strings over 12" long
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2 to 3 years
Age Group
Development of language and more curiosity
Beginning age of most toy related injuries at age 2
Safe Toys
Peg boards with large pieces
Wooden animals
Large crayons
Low rocking horse
Dustless chalk and chalkboard
Simple musical instruments
Simple jigsaw puzzles with large pieces
Blocks with numbers and letters
Toys that aid color, size and shape identification
Sturdy cars and riding toys ( wagons, riding toys, tricycle for 2 1/2 year olds at earliest)
Dangerous Toys
Those with sharp edges or easily breakable material
Toys with small removable parts or poisonous paints
Marbles, beads and coins
Electrical toys
Metal toys with unfinished slots, holes or edges that can cut
Lead soldiers
Tricycles with seats over 12" high (not for children under 2 1/2 years)
Riding toys used in hilly areas or inclined driveways
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Introduction MP3/MP4

Introduction
Whether you want to get your groove on while working out or would like to amuse yourself as you commute on public transit, a portable MP3 music player could suit your needs. MP3 players--available in a wide variety of styles and sizes and capable of storing thousands of songs--capitalize on digital technology to supplant traditional Walkman-style cassette-tape players and portable CD players.
The Big PictureToday's players pack loads of songs, and the devices are easy to manage, too. We'll help you figure out which one is best for you. more
The Specs ExplainedThe storage capacity and battery life of an MP3 player can have a big impact on how much you enjoy it. We'll explain what's behind these and other specifications. more
MP3 Player Shopping TipsOur advice will help you find the right MP3 player for your lifestyle without paying too much. more

MP3 Player Shopping Tips

Choosing the right MP3 player isn't that difficult, but one player does not fit all. People will want different things from their players.
Think about how you'll use the player. Joggers will almost certainly want a lightweight, flash-memory-based device, since hard drives don't react well to the shock of bouncing around all the time; audio aficionados who want lots of music at their fingertips should keep their eyes on the highest-capacity hard-drive models. And if you want to view video or photos on the device, the quality of the screen is an even more critical consideration.
Try your favorite before taking it home. We can't stress this enough. Make sure you can use the on-screen display to navigate to a specific song, and ask a clerk to show you how to transfer music to the device, if possible. Always bring your own set of headphones to listen to the sound quality of each unit you're interested in.
Get the largest-capacity device you can afford. Whether you buy a flash- or hard drive-based MP3 player, make sure to choose a model with the largest storage capacity possible. Even if you don't think you'll need it now, you will probably be happy to have it later.
Pay close attention to the user interface. Does the player's menu system make sense to you, and is the interface easy to use? If you can't find the songs, artists, or albums you want to play quickly and easily, keep looking.
Mind your power options. While some flash-based portable players use replaceable alkaline batteries, most hard drive-based units feature a built-in rechargeable battery that cannot be easily removed. While these devices can keep going for tens of hours, if you're not going to be somewhere near a power outlet or a computer with a USB port, you might find yourself out of juice with no way to charge the player.
Look for wide file format support. All players should support the MP3 format; but if you prefer WMA, AAC, or Ogg Vorbis, make sure your player of choice can handle the files.
Consider a player with an FM tuner. Usually found on flash-based players, this feature isn't essential, but it's nice to be able to listen to the radio--especially if you grow tired of your recorded music.
Do you need a carrying case? Some players come with a small carrying case, others don't. The more expensive and more fragile the player (hard-drive devices are the most delicate), the more likely you'll want a custom-fitted case to protect it. Even if the drive mechanism isn't delicate, you should take into account how upset you would be if your new possession were to get scratched.
Shop around, online and offline. MP3 players are widely available in almost every consumer electronics outlet, and their prices fluctuate. You can check prices from a variety of sources before you buy.