scottredd's Full Review: Microsoft Zune Black (30 GB) MP3 Player
There are probably many resources that will help you compare the specifications between the Zune and iPod, and honestly, the devices are probably about equal if all you want to do is listen to music. However, I write this review from the point of view of someone who wants to do a little more than simply listen to music. I also offer my personal observations on what the Zune does well and what it does poorly.
Zune vs. iPod
I won't go there. Certainly entire web sites exist to discuss this point, should you be so inclined to want to follow those discussions. I may mention some points comparing the Zune to iPod in my review, however.
Zune vs. micro flash player
I love my iRiver micro flash player. I don't think the two can be compared equally, so I will simply say that one should always choose the best tool for the job at hand. There are times I would prefer a tiny device that uses an AA battery that can be worn around the neck or shoved into a pocket, even if I can't carry my entire music collection on it.
Zune as music player
I find the Zune a good music player. My music collection is not quite 30 gigs, so I haven't had the chance to experiment with the concept of shuffling music in and out of the Zune. The sound is excellent, as well as the user interface.
Playlists
I can use the Zune software playlist function to create selected lists of items that I want to hear. Some examples of playlists are:
* local music
* daily content (ie: daily podcast, radio shows, etc)
* my favorite songs
* everything I want to listen to in one day.
Playlists may not be created or edited on the Zune device, however, a single "quick list" exists for this purpose.
Auto Playlists
I can use auto playlists in the Zune software to automatically generate a playlist based on user-defined
criteria. Some examples might be:
* files with a defined artist
* files of a defined genre
* files of a certain length
* files of a defined rating
* files of a defined bitrate
* files with a name matching a string
* files matching custom metatags
There are many options that may be combined to generate auto playlists, so I think this is a powerful, misunderstood, underrated feature of the Zune.
Zune as audiobook/podcast player
First a note about podcasts. The initial versions of the Zune and Zune software do not natively support podcast subscriptions, however, the Zune, just like any MP3 player, can, indeed, play both audio and video podcast files. You are free to use any third-party podcast client and copy the downloaded files into your media library for syncing to the Zune. Further, by using the Zune software's directory monitor function, you can cause the Zune to automatically import the received podcast files. I feel that Microsoft must provide a podcast client in future releases in order to compete with the iPod.
I am an avid listener of long-format audio files. This includes things like time shifting recorded radio shows, audiobooks, podcasts, and old time radio dramas. Many digital audio players do not serve well playing these kinds of files due to limited fast-forward/rewind/pause/resume functionality, so I will go into a little details about how the Zune fares in this capacity.
Bookmarks - the Zune does remember where in a file you stopped listening after hitting pause or stop. The Zune does not remember the position of a file if you start playback on a second file. It's worth noting that it does remember individual stopping locations in video playback, however.
Long pause - If you stop the playback, even for a very long time, it resumes almost instantly when you press the play button.
Fast forward/rewind - The Zune mutes the audio when pressing the fast-foward/rewind buttons, so you'll have to stop and listen a bit if you are skipping things you don't want to listen to. The fast-forward/rewind function does pick up speed the longer you hold the button, but only to a point, after which the skip speed stays constant. It can take several seconds to move deep into a long file. You can easily spot the progress by watching the slider position as it moves across the bottom of the screen, plus an elapsed time display on the left and time remaining display on the right.
The Zune cannot play Audible.com content or other DRM WMA files, like audiobooks from the library, but anything that can be converted or rerecorded into MP3 or WMA can certainly be played.
Overall, I find the Zune more than adequate for listening to long format audio content.
Zune as video player
I don't have much experience with video playback on other devices, however, the Zune has just about anything I might want. All videos must be converted to a specifically formatted WMV file. The Zune software seems to be able to handle the conversions from many popular formats like AVI, MP4, and perhaps others. This includes video advertised for the iPod, such as downloads from Google Video.
Videos may be categorized by editing the WMV metadata. Using the metadata smartly makes for well organized libraries of TV shows and other serial content. Videos looks clear and crisp on the large LCD screen. If you stop watching a video, the playback position is remembered when you come back to it. The playback position is remembered for every video on the device.
It's not hard to discover how to freely or inexpensively convert your DVDs into a format suitable for the Zune, as well as how to search for TV shows on BitTorrent tracker web sites.
Overall I find the Zune an excellent device for watching video.
Zune as portable hard drive
Don't count on it. Out of the box, the Zune is not available to your PC as an external hard drive. Though through instructions found on the web, you may alter your PCs registry to do this, the steps are cumbersome and the process doesn't always work, as the best I could do was gain read access to my Zune. I was not able to copy files from my PC to my Zune when accessing it as an external hard drive.
Zune as picture viewer
The Zune software and device seem to integrate well with the "My Pictures" folder on your PC. The directory structures of the folders and even subfolders are preserved when viewing pictures on the Zune. Pictures are reformatted during the sync process for better display and storage on the device. You may start a slide show at any folder level, even while listening to music. Transitions between pictures are a simple fade-out/fad-in. Any picture from your library may be selected as a backdrop for your Zune.
Pictures transferred wirelessly to you from other Zunes will reverse sync back to your PC.
Zune as FM radio receiver
Wow, what a great idea! I am surprised other portable media players don't include an FM radio for those times you want to listen to breaking news or a special program.
The Zune's radio is sensitive, being able to pick up even weak stations, and any number of stations may be programmed into its presets. What's even cooler is that the Zune supports RDS (Radio Data System), showing the name of the radio station and often the track playing. Too bad it can't record from the radio like my iRiver flash player.
Zune Marketplace - the Microsoft equivalent of the iTunes Music Store
First I'll state that the Zune Pass monthly subscription model is a very cool idea for serious consumers of music. I'll come back to this in a moment.
Buying music is relatively painless after you go through the goofy process of buying Microsoft points. Search the web for more critiques and reviews on that. Basically a song costs 99 cents, and full albums are discounted. Just like with iTunes, you can search for music by keyword, or browse their library, listening to 30 second samples.
Once purchased, a tune is downloaded as a 192kbps WMA file with DRM protection, along with album art. Using the Zune software, you can burn the music to CD for playback on standard CD players, or to archive in your library.
If you'd rather "rent" your music, you can pay $15 per month to have (almost) unlimited access to the Zune Marketplace library.
I say almost because there are some songs that are either unavailable on the Zune Marketplace, or require an outright purchase. That being said, being able to freely download any and everything you might want, or even have the slightest interest in is a very cool feature. In addition to simply downloading your favorite arists and albums, you can let the Zune Marketplace help you explore new music my clicking on their "Playlists" section. These playlists appear to be handpicked playlists of music fitting various themes. Some themes are predictable like an artist's greatest hits, or music of a particular genre, but others are more whimsical and odd. Some examples are:
* Big Pipes
* Dead Boys
* Songs About Hair
* Fun With Goths
* Songs About Aliens
* Space Travel
* Songs For The Mentally Ill
* Sons With Very Long Titles
* Workout Music
I liken the ability to discover new music through playlists as having a subscription to a satellite radio service.
Note that downloaded Zune Pass music cannot be burned to a CD. Technically speaking, the downloaded music are 192kbps WMA files with DRM causing the music to expire after a short period of time, and playable only by the holder of the Zune Pass. Presumably, the expiration date will be extended if your subscription stays current, but I don't know for sure. Zune Pass music can be played by other WMA DRM capable players on your PC, such as Winamp. Once your subscription has ended, the music will cease to play on your PC and your Zune.
I don't have enough experience with the iPod to know if there are any music subscription services, but I do not believe that such a thing exists.
In my opinion, if you've got $15 a month to spare, and don't mind renting music rather than purchasing it, I think the Zune Zune Pass is an excellent combination.
Zune as socially usable device
Here's where the Zune is unique among media players. One critique of the "iPod culture" is that we are all tuned into our personal media players and not interacting with each other. The Zune, at least on the surface, attempts to get people together by permitting the sharing of music and pictures among Zune devices. Using a form of short distance wi-fi radio networking, a Zune can be used to share music and pictures with other Zunes in the immediate area. A single song, an entire album or a playlist can be sent to another Zune. Any album art for the song is also transferred. The recipient can listen to each song three times before the song expires. Received songs also expire after three days. Once the recipient syncs to his or her PC, the received items show in the library with the option to search for and buy the track. This sharing limitation unfortunately applies to all shared audio, regardless of whether the media was purchased from the Zune Marketplace, ripped from a CD, downloaded from a web site, or even self-produced.
Received pictures are not subject to this limitation, and may be kept permanently and forwarded on to other Zunes. Though perhaps overlooked as a social feature of the Zune, being able to customize with a background picture is fun, in that Zune users can compare the looks of their Zunes and exchange photos for use as backgrounds to keep the device looking fresh.
Video cannot be sent to other Zunes.
One fun feature of the wireless is that you can choose to display to other users a detailed view of what you are doing. For example, when scanning for Zune users, one might see the name of my Zune, followed by "Listening to Cake 'Never There'", "Watching Kitty Karry-all is Missing", "Listening to radio 99.9 FM", or "Viewing pictures".
If a user is being abusive and attempting to send you files to annoy you, the user can be blocked and thus, ignored.
Assorted points
Battery life
Zune battery life seems typical for hard drive based players. I can go an entire work day listening to music. The Zune may be recharged from any USB port using the supplied sync cable. For $30 extra, you can purchase an AC adaptor, but be aware that the sync cable is still required, a poor decision by Microsoft from the consumer's perspective, in my opinion, but one that probably makes more money for them.
Auto tagging, album art
The Zune software can automatically tag and locate album art for your imported media. It does this through a form of modern magic called audio fingerprinting. Somehow it analyzes the "sound" of a file and matches it up again a database of music and updates the metadata in the library with the artist and track information. You have to wonder if this usage gets reported to the RIAA or similar organizations. :)
Zune accessories
Zune accessories are hard to find and expensive. A cloth slip case is included, but you'll have a hard time finding a variety of accessories. If you care more about accesorizing with your media player than the unique features of the Zune, or being able to get various chargers, car and home stero docks, then buy an iPod.
Zune software slow
The Zune software is a memory and CPU hog on my older 1.2 GHz PC. Syncing 30 GB is slow on my older USB port. I am sure it's much faster on a newer PC with a USB 2.0 port.
Zune packaging
The Zune packaging is an artform unto itself. I don't care much about that sort of thing, but I was somewhat impressed with the detail that went into it.
Tactile controls
Overlooked by many, but important for me, is the ability to use the device without having to look at it. Since the Zune has actual buttons, rather than the iPod scroll wheel, I can reach into my pocket and change tracks, fast-forward/rewind, pause, resume and adjust volume without having to look at the device or navigate menus.
Summary
In short, the Zune is a nice offering for someone not already set on buying an iPod. Its unique features of wi-fi sharing, auto playlists and jazzy user interface make this a good video, music and audiobook/podcast player.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 249 Recommended for: Music Lovers - High Capacity Storage for an Entire Album Collection
Manufacturer: Microsoft CorporationManufacturer Part Number: JS8-00003Manufacturer Website Address: www.microsoft.comProduct Line: ZuneProduct Name: Z...More at Overstock.com
Manufacturer: Microsoft CorporationManufacturer Part Number: JS8-00001Manufacturer Website Address: www.microsoft.comProduct Line: ZuneProduct Name: Z...More at Overstock.com
IMPORTANT: Allow your Zune to charge for 30 minutes then disconnect and reconnect the cable to turn on the player 30 GB digital media player stores up...More at Amazon Marketplace
30GB digital media player stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video Features wireless networking so you can share tracks and oth...More at Amazon Marketplace
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