MIDIMonster323's Full Review: Microsoft Zune Black (30 GB) MP3 Player
UPDATE 6/16/07
Ok, I am going to "release" my Zune frustration/rants and explain them here....
Zune is getting alot of online presence and support which is good, yet when you look at the feature set compared to the iPod(lacking) and the Creative Vision:M(ZVM), I was feeling ripped off in a big way.
http://dapreview.net/zune_vs_ipod_vs_zvm.html
Microsoft has really shot itself in the foot for setting up the "Plays for Sure" to combat Apple and make it compatible with a host of MP3 players, yet doesn't even support it for its own player-essentially creating it's own competition. Because of this, you can't go to Amazon and buy/rent MOVIES to watch on its more than capable hardware and screen. The ZVM will do that. Heck, you can't even find movies or videos on Zune Marketplace so you have to rip your own and this is a pain...and illegal depending on how you do it. Zune has become more like the Apple in its closed eco-system setup that doesn't play well with other sites....except for some iTunes content and I don't like that at all. Don't re-create, how about re-invent?
I read a hacker's article that there are several locked features inside Zune (IM'ing, etc) that may come out on a future hardware release. What that tells me is I will need to shell out ANOTHER $250 to get a feature I may really need or want....and that’s just crap. Even if that wasn't true, the feature set on Zune just doesn't compare to the ZVM in what it can do right now...today.
Firmware Updates-This is a sore spot as well. 1.3 didn't resolve anything for my skipping and Support couldn't fix it.....even with downloading the files again. When I burnt the files into Tunebite, the file itself played perfectly, so that tells me where the problem is. Update 1.4 was a slap to me as a consumer because there are so many NEEDED fixes that it comes across as someone sitting on their butt and just pushing something out the door so it appears there is work being done.
So, I've sold our Zunes and was barely able to get half of what we paid for 3 month old units....fared better than most sellers on Ebay.
I hope for those of you holding out hope to Microsoft that one day, you’ll be pleased. Some of us just don't want to wait that long.
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Update 6/9/07
Ok, I've spent enough time to complete the review from a user perspective.
If you never knew other MP3 players were out there, Zune would be a good player for that. Knowing there are others out there and comparing the feature sets is quite eye-opening:
http://dapreview.net/zune_vs_ipod_vs_zvm.html
MS has the uncanny ability to promise things and if you aren't able to read between the lines, you're going to be disappointed...and that is what has happened here. In a nutshell, the Zune 1.0 was a fast attempt to get into the market before all the features were add or the vendors lined up for music/video content. Sure, people want to line up with Microsoft because they are a behemoth company, but to lay it down, the Zune 30GB is crap. For $250, it truly isn't worth the money since there isn't alot of support for the hardware. I.E....the video screen is the largest one out there yet you can't download movies (legally) for it or find them in the Zune Marketplace. The WiFi is a neat idea feature, but the way it's used (3 Plays/3 Days) is just a "see what we can do" than giving the user something to win us over with. Music that is personally created gets stuck here because it stops after the 3 day share window even though you can't purchase it anywhere else. Go Figure!
If you like audio books, then look elsewhere. Zune doesn't support them and is file-format limited. A 3rd party converter would be necessary, yet it violates the EULA for the audible books purchased.
Bottom line is there are still many things missing from the Zune--Video downloads, Clock, Outlook Sync, definite power off procedure, and the needed unlocking of features already in it, yet slated to be reportedly unlocked with Zune 2.0 hardware release coming this year. So unless you want to spend another $250 to get features already available on the Creative Zen Vision:M, then you've wasted your money.
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Update 5/29/07!
The recent Firmware Update 1.3 will help the battery life and the song skipping from Zune Marketplace downloads. MS is ramping up the advertising and released two more colors in addition to the base black, brown, and white-they now have PINK and WATERMELON RED. This update did not correct my skipping issues.
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I got the White 30GB Zune as a gift and am finding it to be an excellent piece of hardware. I've scoured the net to read reviews and comparisons to the iPod and so far, have found favorable articles on it. The "official" reviews are mixed and you'll find reviewers slanted toward iPod just because that's what they've always used.
The 30GB storage is plenty ample as you can store music, movies, and pictures on it. It comes with WiFi to share your music with others, yet the caveat is that the friend can play it up to 3 times in three days before needing to purchase a license. For those songs that are "free share" without licensing(homemade songs), that is still being worked out.
The sound quality is remarkable and there is an equalizer of sorts where you pick the type of style(Acoustic, Pop, etc). The headphones that come with it are ok, but would recommend premium headsets for music lovers.
The FM radio is a nice touch as it downloads the name of the song and the artist from your radio station. The movies are *still* forthcoming on the Zune Marketplace(ZM) which is currently the only 100% compatible download service for the Zune. ZM promises more content for movies as the service is barely 4 months old, yet the music library is quite impressive and now up to 5 million plus songs, just barely shy of iTunes library. It will take some time for ZM to come into line with iTunes. Currently, you can get movies into Zune buy purchasing converter software and inputting movies you currently own on DVD. I recommend the Cucusoft converter AND I will state officially that it is for ripping movies you already own.
The accessories that are available for Zune are getting more available as time passes, yet the initial offering will get anyone up and running with cables, chargers, a couple of Zune-compatible docking speaker ports, car accessories, and frankly, Ebay is a great place to find them all as stores aren't yet fully stocking all the inventory. Wal-Mart has begun selling the ZuneMarketPlace Points cards that are good for Zune and XBox online purchases.
I love the big screen on it and it crisp and fine quality. The battery life still averages 12 hours.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 250 Recommended for: Music Lovers - High Capacity Storage for an Entire Album Collection
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