Some music downloads have limited compatibility and may not work with your mp3 player. Most notably, not all mp3 players are compatible with itunes and not all music downloads will work on ipods. Before signing up for a music service you may want to check and see if your mp3 player is really compatible.
Refer to the chart below to see if your mp3 player is compatible:
* Click on a music service to see
detailed review
| Napster | Rhapsody | mTraks | Emusic | iTunes | EZ Tracks | Amazon MP3 | |
| iPod | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
Compatible | Compatible | Compatible |
| Zune | No | No | Compatible | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
| Sony | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
| Sandisk | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
| Iriver | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
| Creative | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
| Samsung | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
| Phillips | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
| RCA | No | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
| Toshiba | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
| Rio | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
| Dell | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible | No | Compatible | Compatible |
To-Go Service:
Music Download Format:
Sometimes the format of music files makes them not work on certain brands of mp3 players. iTunes music, for example, is in m4p format which only works on ipod mp3 players. To learn more about music formats go here.
- The monthly service for Rhapsody has an
option
called 'To-Go' service. Customers must sign up for this option if they
want to be able to listen to songs on an mp3 player. Otherwise, songs
may only be listened to on a computer. Other music
services do not have 'to-go' service.
DRM (protected music formats):
- iTunes and some other music services put DRM (digital rights management) on all their music downloads. DRM prevents customers from using their music on certain mp3 devices and renders them incompatible.
- Music downloads purchased legally from these services can be modified to work on any mp3 player if the DRM protection is removed. To learn how to do this go here.
Music Download Format:
Sometimes the format of music files makes them not work on certain brands of mp3 players. iTunes music, for example, is in m4p format which only works on ipod mp3 players. To learn more about music formats go here.