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Zune or iPod

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  • The CheeseThe Cheese Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Recoil42 wrote: »
    The_Cheese wrote: »
    Recoil42 wrote: »
    But who has 80gb of music

    whoooooo.jpg

    just saying

    Well then. That shows me.
    Still, most people DON'T have that much music, and DON'T need an 80gb iPod. So the point remains (mostly) valid.
    You're right, but there is the issue of what happens when you expand past 30gb, and it's nice to have some space to hold files (I actually keep about 5gb empty so I can carry around some files)

    The Cheese on
  • electronicmajielectronicmaji __BANNED USERS regular
    edited March 2007
    there are no zune alternatives and according to dsmc its illegal to come up with one....yoru screwed..

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  • BeckBeck Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Honestly, I would just check out some reviews at CNET and other websites, and see if you would prefer the Zune over your iPod. Some of the Zune's advantages are a FM Radio, and a much nicer screen (video and photos look great on it), but it takes a pretty big hit with a 14-hour battery life compared to the iPod's 20.
    The Wi-Fi options are pretty much worthless, on the whole, as everyone will turn Wi-Fi off to save battery life...But if you had a friend with a Zune, using it could be pretty fun.

    Personally, though, I'd go with the iPod. While I like the larger screen on the Zune, the battery life just breaks the deal for me.

    Beck on
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  • electronicmajielectronicmaji __BANNED USERS regular
    edited March 2007
    again microsoft drmed items have given me nothing but problems Ive been able to only install them on a feew computers and if you dont follow the instructions to a q your screwed and you got a bricked windows install you will never be able use that mp3 player on....

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  • Snake GandhiSnake Gandhi Des Moines, IARegistered User regular
    edited March 2007
    My only real beef with the Zune software is that it doesn't support RSS feeds for podcasts. I like to just fire up the software and have all my podcasts update and synch themselves.

    But I imagine such a feature is coming eventually.

    Snake Gandhi on
  • DHS OdiumDHS Odium Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    again microsoft drmed items have given me nothing but problems Ive been able to only install them on a feew computers and if you dont follow the instructions to a q your screwed and you got a bricked windows install you will never be able use that mp3 player on....

    Can we please stop talking about DRM? I won't be buying from the marketplace, so no DRM, and you are wrong about the Zune DRMing everything on there. It only does this when you transfer a song to another Zune wirelessly, and that may soon change as well.

    As to the Zune software, what I meant by drag and drop was, in iTunes, I can click a song and drag it to my iPod, I don't use any kind of syncing. I'm wondering if I can do the same with the Zune software, or if I have to designate folders or playlists to sync. I'm not talking about opening it up as a portable drive in My Computer and dumping music on there.

    Thanks to everyone who has replied so far.

    DHS Odium on
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  • electronicmajielectronicmaji __BANNED USERS regular
    edited March 2007
    The fact is zune software is controlled by drm. Whether you are using drmed files or not the interface which throught you connect these mp3 players to the computer is heavily encrypted and drmed and as far as I know there is no disk mode on the zune yet.

    the connection is very buggy wouldn't work. Sometimes would. if you dont install the software before connecting the zune your computer will be fucked and you will totally have to resintall windows if you want the zune to ever work on the ocmputer.


    trust me I've dealt with these wma based mp3 players before. They are nightmares and I still get bad dreams about them...sorry!

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  • Snake GandhiSnake Gandhi Des Moines, IARegistered User regular
    edited March 2007
    DHS Odium wrote: »

    As to the Zune software, what I meant by drag and drop was, in iTunes, I can click a song and drag it to my iPod, I don't use any kind of syncing. I'm wondering if I can do the same with the Zune software, or if I have to designate folders or playlists to sync. I'm not talking about opening it up as a portable drive in My Computer and dumping music on there.
    You can drag and drop just certain songs.

    I keep my whole librabry synced, but then I have a Zune account, so I get all the music I want for $15 a month

    Snake Gandhi on
  • TrikoTriko Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    You already have had an Ipod for ages, if it's not broke or the competition isn't vastly superior...why change for changes sake? Sell your Zune and buy more music and videos for your Ipod, problem solved.

    I do wish my Ipod Video has a built in FM tuner though :\

    Triko on
  • Snake GandhiSnake Gandhi Des Moines, IARegistered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Triko wrote: »

    I do wish my Ipod Video has a built in FM tuner though :\
    I didn't even know the Zune had one when I bought it, but it is pretty handy. Sound is pretty good too.

    Snake Gandhi on
  • electronicmajielectronicmaji __BANNED USERS regular
    edited March 2007
    theres this thing...its called a ipod remote....it adds fm support to an ipod.......

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  • DratatooDratatoo Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Beck wrote: »
    Honestly, I would just check out some reviews at CNET and other websites, and see if you would prefer the Zune over your iPod. Some of the Zune's advantages are a FM Radio, and a much nicer screen (video and photos look great on it), but it takes a pretty big hit with a 14-hour battery life compared to the iPod's 20.
    The Wi-Fi options are pretty much worthless, on the whole, as everyone will turn Wi-Fi off to save battery life...But if you had a friend with a Zune, using it could be pretty fun.

    Personally, though, I'd go with the iPod. While I like the larger screen on the Zune, the battery life just breaks the deal for me.

    I just want to know why having FM radio is being touted as "big feature"? Yeah I am going to buy a high capacy HD based mp3 player just to listen to shitty "loop the top40's hits" radio stations.

    @The original poster:

    You said you have different operating systems. Then the iPod would be the way to go. There is at least one program for every OS under the sun which enables you to fill the iPod or to play music from it. Otherwise - I am not 100% sure what kind of iPod you got - as somebody already suggested - try to use the Zune for a while. Maybe you like it better.

    If you have one of the latest iPod models (version 5.5) then the screen should be compareable with the Zune. (brightness wise) The latest models received a DS lite style screen update and feature a faster processor. (I believe you should be able to throw DVD quality videos on these iPods)

    The older version 5 ipod models were limited concerning video playback:

    mpeg4 - max of 480x480px, ~2100kBit/s, 160kBit/s acc audio (can process max 230400 px at once, so 600x300 videos etc should be possible)
    h.264 - max of 320x240px, ~700kBit/s, 128kBit/s acc audio

    Edit: I was really surprised that the Xbox 360 is capable to play music from a HFS formated iPod. (after downloading the plugin)

    Dratatoo on
  • Recoil42Recoil42 Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    The fact is zune software is controlled by drm. Whether you are using drmed files or not the interface which throught you connect these mp3 players to the computer is heavily encrypted and drmed and as far as I know there is no disk mode on the zune yet.

    trust me I've dealt with these wma based mp3 players before. They are nightmares and I still get bad dreams about them...sorry!
    Triko wrote: »
    I do wish my Ipod Video has a built in FM tuner though :\
    theres this thing...its called a ipod remote....it adds fm support to an ipod.......




    Oh god, the stupidity is hurting my brain. D:

    Recoil42 on
  • Bouncing_SoulBouncing_Soul Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    I can only comment on the iPod side, having the video one... The reason I bought an iPod after my Creative Jukebox 2 died was because most everything was being made for the iPod.

    I work on a Mac at work so I'm able to listen to music off of it through the USB cable without having to transfer any songs to the computer.

    I also use it in my car instead of CD's or a changer, and I bought an Alpine stereo that interfaces with the iPod so I can control it through the stereo.

    If it weren't for those things I probably would have gone with something else. I've never watched a movie on it or stored any pictures.

    Bouncing_Soul on
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  • electronicmajielectronicmaji __BANNED USERS regular
    edited March 2007
    Recoil42 wrote: »
    The fact is zune software is controlled by drm. Whether you are using drmed files or not the interface which throught you connect these mp3 players to the computer is heavily encrypted and drmed and as far as I know there is no disk mode on the zune yet.

    trust me I've dealt with these wma based mp3 players before. They are nightmares and I still get bad dreams about them...sorry!
    Triko wrote: »
    I do wish my Ipod Video has a built in FM tuner though :\
    theres this thing...its called a ipod remote....it adds fm support to an ipod.......




    Oh god, the stupidity is hurting my brain. D:

    Oh god, the stupidity is hurting my brain.

    electronicmaji on
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  • TrikoTriko Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    theres this thing...its called a ipod remote....it adds fm support to an ipod.......

    The key words to focus on is "built in" FM tuner for the Ipod. It's a convenience issue for folks that want to be able to listen to favorite local radio stations on a device they paid over $250 for ($300 in my case, bought before price drop); without having to pay an extra $50 for Official Ipod FM tuners, and also dealing with the extra bulk and wires of an add-on, especially if you carry around a lot of stuff in your pockets.

    The Zune offers a free built-in FM tuner, and to a first time MP3 buyer with no allegience to either brand, it's a good selling point.

    Triko on
  • BeckBeck Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Dratatoo wrote: »
    Beck wrote: »
    Honestly, I would just check out some reviews at CNET and other websites, and see if you would prefer the Zune over your iPod. Some of the Zune's advantages are a FM Radio, and a much nicer screen (video and photos look great on it), but it takes a pretty big hit with a 14-hour battery life compared to the iPod's 20.
    The Wi-Fi options are pretty much worthless, on the whole, as everyone will turn Wi-Fi off to save battery life...But if you had a friend with a Zune, using it could be pretty fun.

    Personally, though, I'd go with the iPod. While I like the larger screen on the Zune, the battery life just breaks the deal for me.

    I just want to know why having FM radio is being touted as "big feature"? Yeah I am going to buy a high capacy HD based mp3 player just to listen to shitty "loop the top40's hits" radio stations.

    Some people appreciate it, I guess, but I'm with you. I honestly see no real reason to listen to the radio if I can listen to music I actually want to hear. It's a nice little extra, though, in case of an emergency or something.

    Beck on
    Lucas's Franklin Badge reflected the lightning back!
  • DHS OdiumDHS Odium Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Recoil42 wrote: »
    The fact is zune software is controlled by drm. Whether you are using drmed files or not the interface which throught you connect these mp3 players to the computer is heavily encrypted and drmed and as far as I know there is no disk mode on the zune yet.

    trust me I've dealt with these wma based mp3 players before. They are nightmares and I still get bad dreams about them...sorry!
    Triko wrote: »
    I do wish my Ipod Video has a built in FM tuner though :\
    theres this thing...its called a ipod remote....it adds fm support to an ipod.......



    Oh god, the stupidity is hurting my brain. D:

    Oh god, the stupidity is hurting my brain.

    No, he is absolutely right. Your comments are plain false. Come on, if I connect a Zune without the software I need to reinstall Windows? Please get out of this thread if you are going to keep that up.

    And stop talking about DRM, I won't have to put up with any DRM if I don't share or buy from the marketplace, which I already said I wasn't. So no goddamned DRM.

    Edit: I have one of the earlier 5th gen iPods, so the Zune screen would be a definite improvement.

    DHS Odium on
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  • KyouguKyougu Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Something to note about the Zune, is that putting videos on it is a pain. It will only play WMVs, and the software that comes with it will only covert mp4. Meaning that if you're like most people, you'll be doing lots, and lots of converting. Truthfully, it's sorta become a hassle that I haven't bothered putting new videos on my for a while.
    With that said, I love my Zune. It's my first HDD player, so my experience is limited, but I haven't had any problems with it, I like the interference, and the videos do look nice in it when you finally get them there.

    Kyougu on
  • DHS OdiumDHS Odium Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Kyougu wrote: »
    Something to note about the Zune, is that putting videos on it is a pain. It will only play WMVs, and the software that comes with it will only covert mp4. Meaning that if you're like most people, you'll be doing lots, and lots of converting. Truthfully, it's sorta become a hassle that I haven't bothered putting new videos on my for a while.
    With that said, I love my Zune. It's my first HDD player, so my experience is limited, but I haven't had any problems with it, I like the interference, and the videos do look nice in it when you finally get them there.

    Well, I have to convert videos to mp4 now so the iPod will play them. Any other good free software out there that does conversion AND allows you to tweak the output settings. I know there is Videora, but I haven't tried to see what it can do yet.

    DHS Odium on
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  • chaossoldierchaossoldier Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Lucky for you, I've had experience with both a Zune and an iPod as being previous owners of both.

    iPod: Nice. It's a sleek little machine. Plays pretty well and the battery can usually last a good while depending on what you do with it (I had an older, 20gig iPod with the colorless LCD. Kept the backlight settings low and everything was dandy). Problem I've noticed is that iPods seem to enjoy shitting out after they're past their warranty. Both of my iPods died the "Unhappy ipod face of death", and it wasn't just sudden. It was a gradual death process after my warranty expired.

    This is what happened to my second iPod (which I had replaced early last year for the same problem this one had). First the buttons of the wheel started getting stuck and pressed in so that you'd always hit the menu button or it just wouldn't respond. This would then happen with greater frequency until the menu button was just permanently stuck. That next day, I go to plug my iPod in to my computer to add some songs through iTunes and I notice that my computer is taking a hell of a long time to notice that it was plugged in. Eventually, nothing would respond. WHen I unplugged it, everything was fine. I went to turn on my ipod to check what was wrong and I suddenly start hearing a "wirrring" and a "clicking" sound from the hard drive. It repeats this for a few minutes before the icon of death popped up.

    Seeing as this was my second one, I figured that was enough with Apple.

    Zune: Not too bad. Not as sleek as an iPod considering the "brick" shape. It feels like a solid machine. Menus are pretty nice. Video quality is pretty good too. Only problem is that it feels kinda like they're selling you the "Core Zune". With the zune, you get the player, the software CD, earbuds and a USB cable. You want the AC adapter? Gotta buy it separately for 30 bucks. Docking station? 40 bucks. Car Jack? Also 30 bucks. Or get them all in one neat pack for 99 bucks.

    THe software is a bit of a pain in the ass. By default, it automatically finds and syncs with your pictures, movies, and MP3s that it finds. My first hour with the software was spent unsyncing all of my porn from my Zune. If you don't turn off the autosync, it will also delete the songs from your Zune if you delete it from your computer. A bit of a pain in the ass if you like saving HDD space. The software is also a huge resource whore and it likes to run all the time in the background, sucking up your resources.

    Now, remember back when I said the Zune feels solid? Well, it certainly becomes a solid paperweight the moment you drop it, so you're going to need to buy a 20 to 30 dollar case for it. I had the fine luck of just today getting the money to get a case and the AC adapter, but hours before I'd even be able to make the trip to get them, I bumped into a desk with it in my pocket and it shattered the LCD. Thing is fucking fragile. Guy I called to see about getting it replaced said the same thing and how he had to buy a new one because Microsoft's warranty doesn't cover physical damage.


    All in all, they're both decent at what they do. The iPod would probably be the better deal considering the variety of different players.

    chaossoldier on
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  • DHS OdiumDHS Odium Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    Thanks. As to your "Core Zune" comment it comes with exactly what the new iPods do. I remember getting a wall charger, firewire cable, usb cable, headphones, and some extra stuff with my 4th gen. When I got my 5th gen they just give you a usb cable, headphones and a cloth skin.

    And the Zune does feel solid, shame about your screen.

    I'm feeling like I should stick with the iPod because it works with all my computers, particularly my main machine which is a Linux box. I'm afraid I can only use my Vista laptop to sync the Zune, and honestly, in a few months that laptop, which is a company laptop, becomes mine, which I plan to sell. So in the future it is questionable whether I'll have a Vista machine, I should because I have two licenses. And I'm considering building a DVR box using Vista Ultimate since the Media Center is pretty nice.

    Personally, I have issues with both players. I want my music in a format that will play on any computer and device, so I use MP3, I'd like to start using OGG, but these players don't support it. Same for video, I dont want a bunch of MP4 or WMV files, I'd like to use Mpeg or even avi cause they play on anything, with the latter being an exception since these players won't play them.

    I would love for hacks to be out to allow these things to play any format under the sun and support drag and drop, that would be ideal. But it seems to really enjoy these devices, you need to tack on other devices and software made by the same company for the "real experience."

    Before I bought the iPod for cheap, I was considering the Zune. I honestly like the look of the player, especially the brown, I need to use the interface more to have an opinion about that. I like the Zune screen better, and the fact that the back is shiny scratch city. The extra features like FM radio is nice, though I hate the radio, and the wireless which is currently useless, I hold out hope will become a cool feature. Bill Gates said that it will be able to connect wirelessly with a PC or a 360 in the future, but I don't know if I believe that.

    In the end, in terms of overall look and feel, I think I currently slightly prefer the Zune. But I know the software and ease of use of putting on videos and songs and using it across multiple computers gives the edge to the iPod.

    DHS Odium on
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  • DarmakDarmak RAGE vympyvvhyc vyctyvyRegistered User regular
    edited March 2007
    DHS Odium wrote: »
    Recoil42 wrote: »
    The fact is zune software is controlled by drm. Whether you are using drmed files or not the interface which throught you connect these mp3 players to the computer is heavily encrypted and drmed and as far as I know there is no disk mode on the zune yet.

    trust me I've dealt with these wma based mp3 players before. They are nightmares and I still get bad dreams about them...sorry!
    Triko wrote: »
    I do wish my Ipod Video has a built in FM tuner though :\
    theres this thing...its called a ipod remote....it adds fm support to an ipod.......



    Oh god, the stupidity is hurting my brain. D:

    Oh god, the stupidity is hurting my brain.

    No, he is absolutely right. Your comments are plain false. Come on, if I connect a Zune without the software I need to reinstall Windows? Please get out of this thread if you are going to keep that up.

    And stop talking about DRM, I won't have to put up with any DRM if I don't share or buy from the marketplace, which I already said I wasn't. So no goddamned DRM.

    Edit: I have one of the earlier 5th gen iPods, so the Zune screen would be a definite improvement.

    Yeah, that's false because I reformatted my harddrive (new computer) and I haven't reinstalled the Zune software yet (hence me asking about any alternatives) but I have it plugged in right now to recharge and there are no problems. It sees the Zune and asks me if I want to install software for it, but I tell it "no".

    Also, chaossoldier, you said it autosynched your porn to your Zune? Who has porn in .wmv format? :D

    Darmak on
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  • LoneIgadzraLoneIgadzra Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    My primary machine is a MacBook. So for me, it would be nonsensical to buy a Zune. I wish iPods supported a few more formats, they're the only thing that'll work with this computer.

    LoneIgadzra on
  • electronicmajielectronicmaji __BANNED USERS regular
    edited March 2007
    DHS Odium wrote: »
    Recoil42 wrote: »
    The fact is zune software is controlled by drm. Whether you are using drmed files or not the interface which throught you connect these mp3 players to the computer is heavily encrypted and drmed and as far as I know there is no disk mode on the zune yet.

    trust me I've dealt with these wma based mp3 players before. They are nightmares and I still get bad dreams about them...sorry!
    Triko wrote: »
    I do wish my Ipod Video has a built in FM tuner though :\
    theres this thing...its called a ipod remote....it adds fm support to an ipod.......



    Oh god, the stupidity is hurting my brain. D:

    Oh god, the stupidity is hurting my brain.

    No, he is absolutely right. Your comments are plain false. Come on, if I connect a Zune without the software I need to reinstall Windows? Please get out of this thread if you are going to keep that up.

    And stop talking about DRM, I won't have to put up with any DRM if I don't share or buy from the marketplace, which I already said I wasn't. So no goddamned DRM.

    Edit: I have one of the earlier 5th gen iPods, so the Zune screen would be a definite improvement.

    While you may have experienced otherwise thats the problem with zunes if you have a problem. Oh and your garaunteed to have one. They will be different on each computer. So far with the zune I brought (and took back) It gave me that problem and I had to COMPLETELY REINSTALL WINDOWS. To get it to work.

    Ipod: 100
    Zune: 0
    in this round.

    electronicmaji on
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  • electronicmajielectronicmaji __BANNED USERS regular
    edited March 2007
    My primary machine is a MacBook. So for me, it would be nonsensical to buy a Zune. I wish iPods supported a few more formats, they're the only thing that'll work with this computer.

    Anything specific you want?

    if you want lossless support install rockbox on your Ipod it will give you flac and alac support not to mention ogg vorbis.

    The only problem with it is you can not play full speed aac files and drmed aac you cant play at all. But you can dual install it on the ipod and restart the ipod when you want to switch.

    it also has plugins and many games...

    electronicmaji on
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  • ben0207ben0207 Registered User regular
    edited March 2007
    I've never used a Zune, but I Boot Camp my Mac and in terms of media software WMP11 is a pile of shite. If you can use WMP10 with a Zune then I guess that's okay, but WMP11 alone would push me to buying an iPod.

    (Of course I already own an iPod and see no reason to ever buy anything different)

    ben0207 on
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