MP3 is one of the most widely used compressed digital audio formats. This is because despite its relatively small file size it retains a high quality of sound. Lesser space is therefore taken up in an MP3 player's memory or in any other storage device. Consequently, one gets to save more MP3 audio tracks. The small file size also enables much quicker and easier transferring.
In most cases, MP3s do not have Digital Rights Management (DRM), and as such are favored by most independent recording labels and many music bands or groups for distributing their music. They believe that free and unlimited distribution of their music in the MP3 format will eventually translate into positive results in terms of getting a large fan base.
Most MP3s are not copy-protected, as compared to other digital audio formats such as the AAC. AAC is the proprietary format used by all of the audio tracks that Apple sells in iTunes. Furthermore, AAC has very sophisticated Digital Rights Management (DRM) to prevent any individual from copying and distributing the copyrighted audio files without Apple's authorization.
So now comes the question: If iTunes does not sell any audio tracks in the MP3 digital audio format, does it mean that MP3s can never be played on any model of iPod?
The answer is a positive No. It may come as a surprise to some iPod users but MP3s can actually be played on any model of iPod. You no longer need to spend your money to purchase songs from iTunes. In fact, saving and importing audio tracks in the MP3 digital format can be easily done through the iTunes Library.
This is done by utilizing the Add New Folder option. Just make sure that you save all of the MP3s you wish to include in the iTunes Library in one folder for easier access. Afterwards, you just need to run the iTunes software and all the MP3s will be synchronized and stored in the iTunes play list. Once the tracks in the MP3 format are in the Library, all you need to do is to transfer them into your iPod.
Even tracks from your purchased audio CDs can be converted to the MP3 format and then saved onto your iPod. Just bear in mind that making copies from CDs can be considered legal and within fair use just as long as you do not distribute them to anyone else.
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