digital jukebox

(1) Software for managing music files. Also called a "digital music manager," "music manager," or just "jukebox," it lets users organize MP3 and other audio files into playlists, play the songs, rip CD tracks to MP3 and other formats, burn CDs and download titles to portable players. Digital jukeboxes and media players, which were originally only playback programs, have merged into one application that does it all.

Online music stores have also been integrated into the software to provide a seamless environment for purchasing and listening. For example, Apple's iTunes is a very popular digital jukebox/media player that runs on the Mac and Windows. See also jukebox.

(2) A home theater music player that stores music files on a built-in hard disk. It contains a CD drive for copying source material and may use a keyboard and screen for management and control. The device may play MP3 and other audio formats or be able to rip a CD into MP3 files. If it provides the ability to access files in a PC, it is more likely called a "media server" or "media hub." See digital media hub and digital media server.