M4A.com

Modern technology is advancing at such a fast rate that it can be hard to keep up. It seems like only yesterday that we marveled at the mp3 player – and not long later we have a wide range of audio file formats and playback devices, including the new m4a player.

What is an m4a Player?

M4a players are designed to play the new type of file format – m4a. M4a is essentially the audio-only version of MP4 files. The key benefit of m4a audio files is that they take up much less space than mp3 files. An increasing amount of m4a compatible players are coming onto the market due to the preference for Apple iTunes (the world’s largest online music store) to offer their downloads in the m4a format.

To be able to play m4a audio files you will need to have access to an m4a player – either a personal playback device or through your computer. Otherwise you will need to convert the file into a format that is playable on your device – http://www.maniactools.com/soft/m4a-to-mp3-converter is a popular choice.

Types of m4a Players

You’ll find m4a players in numerous formats. The most common m4a compatible devices are the Apple iPod and iPhone – which, like iTunes, has a preference for this type of file format. If you own an android cell phone you can also download apps that allow you to play m4a files that you may have downloaded from iTunes or similar stores.

If you want to play m4a audio files on your computer you will probably need to download an m4a player or an add-on for your current media player. For example, if you are running Windows Media Player you can download an add-on such as the one found here: http://www.download3k.com/MP3-Audio-Video/Utilities-Plug-Ins/Download-free-Windows-Media-Player-to-M4A-SE.html that will automatically convert your audio files from m4a into files that Windows Media Player can read.

How much do m4a Players Cost?

The cost of m4a players varies and in many cases you can get them completely free of charge. There are a range of m4a players available to download that won’t cost you anything whereas others may cost you a small amount – depending on how advanced they are.

The cost of buying m4a players such as iPods are considerably more expensive, but obviously you have the benefit of having your music with you on the go.

Download m4a Players

There are plenty of m4a players available for download from the internet. The best place to start looking for m4a players is on www.download.cnet.com as all of their downloads are checked for viruses and malware prior to putting them up on their website.

An increasing amount of new media players being developed are fully compatible with all common audio formats – including m4a. These are a good option if you have audio files in various formats but don’t want to have to use a convert for certain files. The Haihaisoft Universal Player is one of the most popular free universal m4a-compatible players at the moment; you can download it here: http://haihaisoft-universal-player.en.softonic.com/.

As we mentioned before, you can also download add-ons for media players you already have or a converter to allow you to play m4a files on another non-m4a compatible player.

How to Choose an m4a Player

If you’re looking to download an m4a player the best way to start choosing is to read reviews from other users. Most popular download sites have user reviews and feedback attached to each download as well as a description of the pros and cons of each player by the website itself. This should help you determine which one is the best choice for you.

As most m4a player downloads are free, you can afford to trial a few different ones to see which one works best. Just always download from virus-free websites and use your own personal virus protection software to check over new downloads before installing.

 

Summary of m4a Players

In summary, m4a players are essential if you are downloading some of the latest audio files including music and e-books from online stores such as iTunes.

You don’t need to pay for a good quality m4a player – there are enough free downloads online that you should find one that works for you without spending a cent.