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MP3 players: Opinions on the Zune
Opinions on the Zune
by tech_fantatic - 12/28/06 6:30 PMI'm considering purchasing the Zune. It is between that, an iPod Video or a Creative Player. The Zune seems to be the one that fits me the best. But I'm still not sure.
If you own the Zune, and especially if you own one of the other players or have owned, how do you like it?
I've read a lot of reviews, but it seems like a lot of them are from people that don't own it, reviewed it before it came out, think iPod is just better, etc. So I am looking for some real reviews based on actually owning the product.
Some questions:
Do you feel it is worth the cost?
Do videos actually fit the whole screen? I think I read that they are smaller than the screen.
Are there any major flaws that you have noticed?
Is it it fairly easy to get media onto the player?
Anything that you don't like at this point, do you think there is a good possibility Microsoft may update with firmware in the future?
As far as the size of the player, that is fine with me. I don't mind it being a little bigger than iPod. I actually like it being larger and I like that the player doesn't scratch as easy?
Also, the Wireless feature really doesn't interest me, so it doesn't matter about its limitations.
Thanks so much!
Also...
by iamLaura - 12/28/06 7:00 PM In reply to: Opinions on the Zune by tech_fantaticWhoever who may comment on this...
I've heard the Microsoft Zune is troubling because of its lack of compatibility with media types. Is it as bad as it seems?
(Great post by the way. I'm also looking at the Microsoft Zune.)
Thanks for adding that
by tech_fantatic - 12/28/06 8:34 PM In reply to: Also... by iamLauraI too am a little concerned about the file types. I have a player now that is very difficult to find compatible files. The instructions don't even list what files it will take.
So, this is something that is important to me. However, I will be using mostly CDs for my music, rather than online downloads. As long as this is a legal way to go (not real sure)
Is it true that e-music is a good site to get music from if you do download?
mp3 s
by ktreb - 12/28/06 9:15 PM In reply to: Thanks for adding that by tech_fantaticAs long as your songs are in mp3 format, you can play them in almost any player with possibly the exception of older Sony players. So you can play mp3 formatted songs on iPod, Zune, Creative, SanDisk, etc. If they are in wma, you can play them on most players except iPod. There are other formats too, but unless you're a true audiophile, I wouldn't bother with them. And you would probably know about these formats already.
Now about eMusic. It is a subscription service where you can download a set number of songs monthly for a fee. You don't rent these songs, you'll actually own them once downloaded. And they come in un-drm'ed mp3 format, which will allow you to put them on almost all players. The one caveat to this is that the selection is probably not as good as iTunes. And while there is mainstream stuff, it tends to skew toward independent labels and artists. There is a free trial. Once the trial ends and if you decide eMusic isn't for you, the downloads are yours to keep.
As far as I and most others who contribute to these forums are concerned, ripping YOUR cds to YOUR computer to put on YOUR mp3 player(s) is fair use and is legal. (and btw, I have 5 iPods, and I love them - solid build, simple interface,tight integration with iTunes)
The Zune is a compelling player, but I would not buy at the present time because it's only available in 30 GB, lacks podcast support, and the Zune Marketplace needs to offer video. I'm not technically advanced enough to convert my own video to put on it. I am a little disappointed at what came out at its launch. I played around with it and then went out and bought another iPod.
However, if I ever do decide that video is more important, I'll probably go for an Archos 504 or 604. I want a bigger screen and the ability to act as a dvr. But it's a little pricey and video is not a priority at this time.
Thanks for your reply
by tech_fantatic - 12/29/06 7:21 AM In reply to: mp3 s by ktrebYour answers definitely helped.
I wasn't sure about e-music. I've heard some good things about it, so I thought I would check.
Glad to hear about the CDs. That is how I prefer to have my music. It just like to have a hard backup and it has always been reliable 
30gb I think is going to be more than enough space for me. I know video is going to take up a lot of space, so the extra is important. But, I think 30 should cover me.
I wonder if Podcast support is something that could be fixed with Firmware?
I'm sure video is something they plan to do down the road. I'm probably not advanced enough to convert my own video either, so it would be nice if it was compatible with more. I'm not really sure where I could find compatible videos.
I like the iPod as well, I always have. There are just some concerns I have with it, on top of the fact that I've never actually seen it. The fact that it scratches so easy is dissapointing to me. I wish the screen was a little bigger. Video isn't a huge issue for me, but if i can play video I would like a nice size screen. I don't have an iMac, so I don't know what kind of problems I might run into there. And also, I've heard that the iPod isn't compatible with many files either. I thought it basically only worked with iTunes.
I've always been interested in Archos, but it is a little more than I need as well. They seem like a good player. Since video really isn't my main concern, I think it would be a little more than I want to spend and I think I would be back to the issue of not being able to use it as my stereo.
BAck to the drawing board
you do need iTunes
by ktreb - 12/29/06 10:15 AM In reply to: Thanks for your reply by tech_fantaticTo transfer stuff to the iPod. As far as music is concerned, as long as they are in mp3 format you can put them into your iTunes library to put on the iPod. I have a Windows pc, and I've had iTunes even before I had an iPod. BTW, iTunes is a free download from the Apple website. So you can at least try it out to see if you like it before committing yourself to iPod/iTunes.
And in addition to iTunes, I also have RealPlayer and Windows Media 10 on my computer. They happily share my library with iTunes, except for purchased tracks. If I really need those, I can always burn those to audio cd and import them back as mp3. But I don't really need to.
As far as Zune/podcasts - a firmware update and the addition to the Zune pc software could fix that. Maybe they will roll that out with video.
As far as capacity is concerned, I never thought I would fill up 30 GB. Well, I'm 1.3 GB away and my collection is growing weekly. I have $250 iTunes credit (from gift cards and certificates) that I still need to use up. I'm already itching for something bigger, but I will need to get a new laptop with more memory first.
I wish the iPod wasn't so scratchable, but mine is nicely encased and is still as pristine as the day I bought it.
My advice for buying is to not buy anything that you haven't seen. You really need to touch it and try it out with your own hands to see if you really like it. (The Apple Store, if there is one near you, provides a really good experience for doing this - I find the other stores lacking in this respect) After all, you will be spending a couple of hundred dollars and you shouldn't be spending it on something sight unseen.
Good Luck on your search!
I have iTunes
by tech_fantatic - 12/30/06 7:34 AM In reply to: you do need iTunes by ktrebI have iTunes, I've had it for a little while now. I have a couple of downloads as well. I like that iTunes seems to have a lot of options to keep your music organized. So I like that.
I have both Real Player and Windows Media as well. I believe that I've had one of the programs get the music from another. But, I think it was iTunes getting music from Windows Media, or something like that. But that is good news as well.
As far as Podcasts, I really don't listen to many, if any. I like to listen to some of the Podcasts on here. But it really isn't a big concern of mine. But, if they would allow it in the future that would be great. I don't really plan to purchase many videos online, at least not for now. But hopefully that will be available soon as well.
See, you look like you buy a lot of music online. I don't even know if I have 250 songs in my collection. I think I have around 15 CDs, with a few being Christmas. And around a 100 or so songs that I purchased online. But, among those some of them were my free downloads from iTunes and then 50 are downloads I one somewhere else. I wish I had enough songs to fill one, but I think I have less than 5gb and it doesn't grow fast at all.
I don't really know how easy it is to scratch the iPod, I just listen to what other people say. But, I have heard of people saying that it scratched just from putting it in and taking it out of the case. I would never have something like this and not get the case and I am extremely careful with my electronics. But, it just seems to be one of the downsides.
I wish that I were able to see more players. I think that would really help in my decision. As I said, the Zune is the only player I have actually been able to touch. I was in Staples and they happen to have a display out that has one on and working. I only played with it for a few minutes, but even then it is locked down so you can't really hold it. All there other players weren't on, except for two. But, you couldn't listen to the sound cause they had it turned down. I used a Nano that was locked inside of a docking station. But it was kind of hard to use because of how they had it sitting. My other stores would be Wal-Mart and Kmart. Wal-Mart has a good selection, but none of them actually work and they are locked inside of a case. Kmart doesn't really have any good players. There is a Circuit City and a Best Buy, but they are quite a drive away and I haven't had the chance to go yet. I planned to go today, but I'm sick so probably won't leave the house. Would either of these places be good to actually use the players?
Thanks so much for all your help!
You can see them...
by ktreb - 12/30/06 8:27 PM In reply to: I have iTunes by tech_fantaticbut I don't think you can really play them. I haven't been in a Circuit City since October, but I don't remember it being a particularly user friendly experience. I was in Best Buy last week. It looks like you can touch them, but they're bolted down so you can't pick them up. No headphones attached to them so you can't listen to them. It wouldn't hurt to check, though. Things could be different in your area and I guess it's better than nothing.
Yes, the video iPod is quite scratchable and there are some cases out there that will scratch it. I've learned to avoid cases with tags on the inside, such as InCase Neoprene - there is a back tag sewn to inside that scratches the back of the iPod. The front was fine, and the scratches on the back weren't that bad, just annoying. The Nanos are fairly scratch resistant and for the first couple of months I had one I didn't use a case. Now both models are encased in clear hard plastic with belt clips.
Do you have a Costco membership? They sell the Zune, 30GB/80GB/Nano on site. You actually can't try them out there, but you can buy one, try it out, and if you don't like it, you can return it without hassles and no restocking fees. If you buy online, you can return them to the store, but you probably won't get your shipping back. They do offer more players online. They have an unlimited return policy on everything except computers (and those have a 6 month policy).
I suppose it would be better than nothing
by tech_fantatic - 12/31/06 7:55 AM In reply to: You can see them... by ktrebI'm trying to think of some places I could go that would have them out, but I can't think of any. So I think I will check just to see what they offer. Other than those my only other option would be Radio Shack. And usually they don't have many.
You would think Apple would try to change how easily the iPod scratches. I know most people that spend $200 or $300 on a player don't want it to get all scratched up, especially when it is supposed to look as the iPods do.
There isn't a Costco in my area, I checked online. I have a membership to Sams Club. Basically the same type store, but I would have to check how good their policy is. I'm going to assume it isn't quite as good, they tend to be more like Wal-Mart in that sense.
Thanks again for all your info!
Zune Pros vs. Cons
by Homer44281 - 12/29/06 10:34 AM In reply to: Opinions on the Zune by tech_fantaticI was give Zune for X-mas
Pros: Big clear screen
30Gb is alot of space
good ausio quailty
Cons: Must use Zune software to transfer files
(unless you are adept hacker)
Windows Media Player DOES NOT RECOGNIZE ZUNE
Will not play "Play for Sure" files
Cannot transfer audio books downloaded from local library
Will not transfer any part of a DVD
(unless it is home movie, can't load clips from Simpsons)
If you plan to only load music that you rip from your CD's, your photos, and your home movies, then it's a cool player.
If you have "Play for Sure" files or other files you bought online, borrow audio books from library via internet downloads, want to watch clips from DVD's ... ZUNE IS NOT FOR YOU
Thanks for your info
by tech_fantatic - 12/30/06 7:50 AM In reply to: Zune Pros vs. Cons by Homer44281I think I agree with the pros. Screen seems beautiful, space seems like plenty, not sure about sound really haven't listened to it.
It seems like a lot of cons 
I'm not a hacker, so I would need to use the software. I'm really not sure how much of a hassel that would be. It seems odd Windows Media doesn't recognize Zune. Hopefully that will be fixed with Firmware. I'm sure I have Play For Sure files, not sure of how many. Can you transfer those to an Audio CD and put them on the player then? I don't have any audio books, so I don't think that will be a problem. I'd like to be able to put a DVD on there. But again, hopefully that will be fixed.
I guess the best thing with Zune is to wait and see what happens. Doesn't Zune have a lot more out of the box than an iPod. For example, an FM tuner, etc.
Did you take the plunge?
by tinycrack - 8/22/08 11:48 PM In reply to: Thanks for your info by tech_fantaticI'm curious if you purchased it and what you thought of it if you did. I have a zune and I despise the software. It's slow and clunky.... not intuitive. It's bizarre that it doesn't interface with windows media player....the product of the SAME company. The drm protection is disgusting. They don't know if the product I have is mine or not and it should not be their call to get into my business. I kind of figured MAYBE it would have an interface similar to the Windows mentality. I would love to be able to have the option of "play all files within this folder." Another thing is the audio output. There is not even the simplist graphic equalizer.
Zune
by mopar1223 - 8/18/08 6:11 AM In reply to: Opinions on the Zune by tech_fantaticHi, I have owned my zune for about 4 months, i find it was worth the money for 80GB or storge space.
When it comes to the videos, the screen is very large, the videos fit to screen depending on if the video was made to fit.
I havnt noticed any flaws, i especially like that there is a touch pad as the main seeking tool.
it dosnt come with the software, you have to go to www.zune.net to get the software, but it sync's it self.
I have already had to update it, so there is a great possibility on if it will update again.
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