Waterproof audio players are devices capable of storing and playing audio media while being in contact with water. One intended use of waterproof audio players is to listen to audio where regular
portable audio players cannot be used so as not to risk getting them wet. As advances in technology make them smaller and lighter, they are becoming more and more popular in
swimming pools
A swimming pool, swimming bath, wading pool, paddling pool, or simply pool, is a structure designed to hold water to enable Human swimming, swimming and associated activities. Pools can be built into the ground (in-ground pools) or built abo ...
.
History
While waterproof
Cassette players and
CD player
A CD player is an electronic device that plays audio compact discs, which are a digital audio, digital optical disc data storage format. CD players were first sold to consumers in 1982. CDs typically contain recordings of audio material such a ...
s were developed and manufactured, their size, coupled with the fact that both had to include an opening mechanism, prevented customers from using them while swimming. Generally, they were intended for use in a shower or by a pool. They were rarely to be actually submerged in water.
With the advent of
mp3 players
A portable media player (PMP) or digital audio player (DAP) is a portable consumer electronics device capable of storing and playing digital media such as audio, images, and video files. Normally they refer to small, Electric battery, batter ...
, things began to change. The players became smaller and did not have to be opened, therefore making it much easier to
waterproof them. The firs
waterproof mp3 playerwas produced by
Oregon Scientific and several others followed.
Operation
Typically, waterproof mp3 players have only one port, intended both for the
headphones
Headphones are a pair of small loudspeaker drivers worn on or around the head over a user's ears. They are electroacoustic transducers, which convert an electrical signal to a corresponding sound. Headphones let a single user listen to an ...
cord and to be connected to a computer for loading audio. They are built to be minimal in weight and size, and are rarely capable of playing or displaying anything but audio information. In addition, the interface is minimized to include only the necessary buttons. Often waterproof mp3 players include a clasp to be connected to the
goggles
Goggles, or safety glasses, are forms of protective eyewear that usually enclose or protect the area surrounding the eye in order to prevent particulates, water or chemicals from striking the eyes. They are used in chemistry laboratories and ...
.
Alternatively, a regular
mp3 player
A portable media player (PMP) or digital audio player (DAP) is a portable consumer electronics device capable of storing and playing digital media such as audio, images, and video files. Normally they refer to small, battery-powered devices ...
can be waterproofed by putting it in a waterproof casing and connecting with
waterproof headphones. Companies such as
Action Audio,
H2O Audio,
OtterBox and Aquapac make such products. They have been sold and advertised in Runner's World magazine.
See also
*
Portable media player
A portable media player (PMP) or digital audio player (DAP) is a portable consumer electronics device capable of storing and playing digital media such as audio, images, and video files. Normally they refer to small, Electric battery, batter ...
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Waterproof Audio Player
Digital audio players
MP3
Water sports equipment