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ONHOLD offers a variety of  music and/or message recording formats such as:
1) CD audio, 2) digital cassette tape, 3) audio file on floppy disk, 4) audio file on SmartDisk (or other removable media), 4) audio file on CD ROM and 5) MP3 file delivered via the internet.

Each format, in turn, is played back on an appropriate media player as follows:

CD audio - CD PLAYER or DIGITAL PLAYER
The vast majority of our clients select ONHOLD on CD® services and obtain a portable CD player of their own  - purchased from a local home electronics retailer in their area.  After many years of CD service, we do urge clients to refrain from buying low-end players (as they are prone to losing their repeat program memory) and recommend a medium-priced Sony or Panasonic product.

Floppy Disk - DIGITAL PLAYER
This format is exclusively used on digital players from Prodigital Manufacturing. Our new customers opting for digital player technology will find this product, available from ONHOLD, to offer exceptional cost-benefits.

SmartCard (other removable media) - DIGITAL PLAYER
This is a more past/recent digital technology used on players such as the Premier SM1000.  If your company already has a SmartCard or other removable media digital player system, check with us about supplying you with your next on-hold recording.

Audio File  CD ROM / MP3 - MP3 player, PC/MAC media player programs
More and more, savvy technology customers are developing their own media player system to deliver the recorded music and messaging to their phone system and opt for ONHOLD to simply forward a finished recording in an audio file format of their choice. By example, their media players might be an MP3 player or a Windows Media player. In fact, clients choosing to purchase Prodigital's PD 312 or 324 digital player often receive recordings from ONHOLD via an e-mail attachment -- which they can save to a standard 1.44 floppy disk and insert into their digital player for quick program replacements. 

Each of these media and player options offer different benefits and costs.  We urge new clients to review our equipment benefits section carefully to consider the best player choice -- meeting need and budget. 

Since player systems are simply a means by which clients may utilize our recorded services, ONHOLD does not require that clients purchase equipment from us. You are always welcome to secure your own equipment, allowing ONHOLD to serve you with the recorded services you may require.

AUDIO CABLE
All players mentioned below, require a six foot audio cable to connect the player to your phone system. The type of connection depends upon your particular MOH port (1/8 inch, RCA, 1/4 inch, wire terminals or punch-in block) but all connections to the players mentioned herein are usually 1/8 inch mini. ONHOLD only provides such audio cables with certain digital player purchases.  Clients may find any audio cable needed at their local Radio Shack and at many area home electronics stores.

ONHOLD is pleased to offer Prodigital's PD-312 and 324 digital players.  Currently a leader in providing low cost digital playback with exceptional audio fidelity,  the model 324 is low priced in comparison to all other players on the market and offers simple one button operation for message loading. 

With up to 12 minutes of  memory time, this player comes with high and low frequency controls, dual  600 and 8 ohm output and a built-in, on/off monitor - so you can listen to your program any time .  Simple to install,  this player plays back your recorded ONHOLD music and messaging 24 hours a day, seven days a week and auto-restarts should a power surge or outage temporarily affect your program play.  Just load it up and walk away!

Most other digital players are priced according to digital memory size, with larger memory-chip models costing more. All standard models offer 6 minutes of sample time (ala a 6 minute endless loop tape) as well as a memory switch, allowing onhold music and message programs to be captured in either a base or low sample rate. This is done so that greater times can be recorded at lesser sample (sound) values. Therefore, all digital players provide a base level of sound quality at a base length of time or lower sound quality for a longer length of time (ie; 4 bit sample at 6 minutes, 2 bit sample at 8 minutes).
 
Digital players are monophonic, downloading a cassette tape to a computer chip, then playing the chip memory back in constant repetition. This provides little wear on the drive train (downloading only) and no wear of moving parts, since the program is played back from digital memory. Each unit comes with AC connection, internal speaker, volume control and audio-out jack. These players retail starting at about $350, depending on model and manufacturer, and have an unproven functional life. Most manufacturers provide a limited one year warranty. It is important to note that digital players fail just as analogue players do. Tape longevity or the lack of regular moving parts should not be confused with equipment longevity. Digital players, like these, play anywhere from a 6 to 18 minute chrome cassette tape, depending on sample rate and size of digital memory chip.

As mentioned at the top of this page,  the vast majority of our clients select ONHOLD on CD® services and obtain a portable CD player of their own  - purchased from a local home electronics retailer in their area.  After many years of CD service, we do urge clients to refrain from buying low-end players (as they are prone to losing their repeat program memory) and recommend a medium-priced Sony or Panasonic product.