There are a LOT of rumors out there surrounding different formats of digital music players. I'm here to help you decipher what is real and what isn't. When you buy a digital music player of any brand you will get software with it for your computer. All of the software will "rip" or transfer your current CD collection(s) to your player. This software may or may not have a virtual store to visit, to buy more tunes. The tunes from that particular store will come in a format that is native to your digital music player (usually .mp3 or .m4p). If you download a song and the suffix is not .mp3 or .m4p know that you can ALWAYS change the format of your downloaded music to a format right for your player, despite what claims you hear to the contrary. A quick and easy (though somewhat unwieldy) fix-take your downloaded music, drag it on to your desktop and burn it to CD. The conversion will either turn your music into the CD format (which is .aiff) or (if your desktop burning software provides a choice) mp3. ANY computer will read .aiff. When done burning, drag the .aiff file into your digital music software (that came with the player). This is an easy fix for players that don't support m4p (Apple). iTunes (if you buy an iPod) will always change your old tunes to it's proprietary format (m4p), but has a provision in iTunes preferences to change your music TO mp3 if you so desire. This "format problem" is one of the myths that you will hear people on either side of the "which is better" debate. The "problem" simply doesn't exist. You should chose a digital music player based on your "ease of use" level, where you are going to use it and how much music you're comfortable taking around with you. Most players are great, it comes down to trying several out at a store and choosing your favorite. Happy Listening!