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Zune: 23 Months Later
meatflower
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
I'm considering buying a Zune but before taking the plunge I'd like to sample the masses of good ol' G&T.
Currently I own an aging 3G iPod which I use for music (and that's really all the 3G does anyway). The problem is that the battery is down to the point where it will last about an hour on a full charge. Yes I could replace it, but ever since selling my PSP for a DS I've lost all mobile video capabilities and the 5G iPod's screen size is not gonna cut it after using the PSP. In comes the Zune. The screen looks great and the rest of the unit doesn't look too shabby either (I know some people hate it).
I'd still be using it mostly for music. I read this review at Ars Technica from last November. From what I gathered they were happy with the hardware but the software was buggy and not very user friendly. My question to the G&T populace:
Has Microsoft improved the Zune's software in the past 6 months? Do you own a Zune? Do you like it? Even if the software is still buggy and not user friendly, is it enough of an annoyance that you would have rather gotten a 5G iPod?
Also, I have a ton of music I've ripped from all my old CD's and easily imported into iTunes. Will the Zune software take issue with these non-DRM'd mp3's? I ripped all the stuff with EAC (Exact Audio Copy) and then converted to MP3 with LAME. They're just straight mp3 files so it doesn't seem like it should be a problem. They also have no DRM or other proof of ownership built in so I can see how it may be an issue.
What about ripping my own DVD's? Will that be a problem?
Thanks.
To the mods: I did a search and found a few threads of varying ages on the subject. I thought it would be better to create my own thread to get answers to my own specific questions rather than hijack an old thread.
Currently I own an aging 3G iPod which I use for music (and that's really all the 3G does anyway). The problem is that the battery is down to the point where it will last about an hour on a full charge. Yes I could replace it, but ever since selling my PSP for a DS I've lost all mobile video capabilities and the 5G iPod's screen size is not gonna cut it after using the PSP. In comes the Zune. The screen looks great and the rest of the unit doesn't look too shabby either (I know some people hate it).
I'd still be using it mostly for music. I read this review at Ars Technica from last November. From what I gathered they were happy with the hardware but the software was buggy and not very user friendly. My question to the G&T populace:
Has Microsoft improved the Zune's software in the past 6 months? Do you own a Zune? Do you like it? Even if the software is still buggy and not user friendly, is it enough of an annoyance that you would have rather gotten a 5G iPod?
Also, I have a ton of music I've ripped from all my old CD's and easily imported into iTunes. Will the Zune software take issue with these non-DRM'd mp3's? I ripped all the stuff with EAC (Exact Audio Copy) and then converted to MP3 with LAME. They're just straight mp3 files so it doesn't seem like it should be a problem. They also have no DRM or other proof of ownership built in so I can see how it may be an issue.
What about ripping my own DVD's? Will that be a problem?
Thanks.
To the mods: I did a search and found a few threads of varying ages on the subject. I thought it would be better to create my own thread to get answers to my own specific questions rather than hijack an old thread.
meatflower on
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Now if it looked like the iPhone without the whole phone part....I'd be all over that.
Rumor has it that after the iPhone hype dies down a bit (Sept/Oct), new video iPods that are basically iPhones without the phone will be coming.
Come on man.
My only problem is that its a bit too large to go running with.
I love my Zune and I have no regrets about buying it at all. The sound quality (along with my new Ultimate Ears) is freaking amazing.
DVD Ripping to Zune is pretty easy. It's just a matter of getting some capable software like Xilisoft or Cucusoft.
The Zune can play ALL Non-DRM mp3s. Don't worry, I'm sure your mp3 collection will work on the Zune.
Aesir, you shouldn't be running with Hard Drive mp3 players anyway. You'll end up breaking the thing.
Is it still a resource hog? Because that and the fact that it was ALWAYS running in the background were my main problems (I haven't reinstalled the program on this new computer yet so it's been awhile since I've used it or added new music to my Zune, heh).
Zune software is better than it was but some things like putting video on the zune still take longer than seems necessary.
My greatest praise for the zune is that the thing is built like a rock. I skate with mine and I have fallen with it in my pocket plenty of times. I've also landed directly on the zune multiple times to no ill effect to the insides, buttons, or screen. The case is marred a bit but it doesn't suprise me. After getting my iphone I questioned selling my zune but I've decided to keep it.
Shogun Streams Vidya
Also, widescreen videos on the go? ++
- You won't have any DRM related problems with your MP3s.
- Download and try the Zune software yourself now, when it was first out a bunch of morons over at Engadget and the like were spouting FUD about it and gave it a bad rep. From the Ars review they don't go into much depth as to why the software is bad they just say its 'quite nice.. when it works' so I'd just try it out yourself.
At the moment I would say a Zune is honestly the better choice.
My #1 beef is currently the lack of native podcast support. Well, it can play podcasts fine (since they're just mp3s), but I wish the software were able to listen to feeds, auto-download podcasts, etc. Currently, I'm stuck with using some third party program called FeedMyZune which is barely usable (and riddled with bugs). Sadly, it's the only program I've found that works under Vista, unless someone knows a better solution.
- Don't add me, I'm at/near the friend limit
Steam: JC_Rooks
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No need to worry about that, and I would definately recommend buying a Zune. Easy to use, very functional, and 6 months later it still holds its battery like new.
猿も木から落ちる
Probably.
I've got a Zune, and though I use it mostly for music, it's handy to have videos to watch while on long commutes, while waiting for people, or while eating lunch.
Your not alone. I just don't see the point. I like my video BIG. Been saving up for one of those LED engine Samsung sets. Watching video on a portable screen just seems to defeat the purpose of video.
I was going to wait for the second generation Zune, though, which is expected to drop before the end of the year (as well as some kind of solid state Zune "nano")
Of course, now that I found out about club.live.com, I might just get MSoft to send me a free Zune...
I have no special urge to HAVE video in my pocket, but if it end up that something that I want otherwise also has video, I'm not going to turn it down because of it.
And if I'm going to be stuck with video, I might as well have decent video, if all other features I care about are the same.
Are you some kind of magical pixie-faerie? The iPod Mini is like the size of my pinky.
In all seriousness, though, the Zune is maybe a little bit bigger than a video ipod.
I dropped my Zune six months ago. Splat. Cracked LCD. My first thought was "crap, there goes 30-50 bucks for a new screen... looks like I'll have to hold off on *whatever useless 360 game I was going to blow the cash on.*"
Nope. LCD replacement? $180.
5G Ipod? $30.
If you DO get one, make sure to get a wicked sturdy case.
Oh, and Zune=x10,000 better if you use a 360 for anything media related.
Nope, me as well. I bought a Zune mainly because of price and the slick interface.
The main reason I bought a zune was for the subscription service. As you probably know, Apple doesn't offer a subscription service (yet). Now, I realize that the subscription thing isn't for everyone; and I'm constantly amazed at how much of a polarizing subject it can be.
Video is cool. I didn't really care originally, but now I rip dvd's from netflix to watch in the carpool and on the eliptical machine.
All in all, I'm pleased with the zune. And the battery is still going strong.
Not really a necessity for me. What I need/want is an MP3 player with enough storage to hold my entire library + some room to expand. Right now I have about 13GB of music + podcasts on my 4th gen 20GB iPod, and I absolutely cannot stand not having my entire library with me. I have a Sansa e250(2GB + 1GB micro sd card) that I use for working out and it can be amazingly frustrating at the gym when I feel like listening to a certain artist and I don't have them on the sansa(other than that I *love* the sansa). So that means I want minimum 30GB in a player. Find me a 30GB+ player that's come out in the past year that doesn't have video capability? It's not that I want video specifically, but when I go to upgrade, the requirements I have for music demand a player that can also display video.
I thought I'd never use my iPod's video stuff until I missed an episode of The Office one week and picked it up on iTunes to watch on the train ride to work. Now I have more video than music on there. I wouldn't mind the Zune's bigger screen but I'm kinda stuck, having hitched my wagon to Apple's engine long, long ago.
Zune Pass = WIN... I download anything and everything... complete Asia collection... *click*... awesome world and folk music *click*... all the Coltrane your ears can understand ... *click*
The selection is quite extensive and as a bonus the 360 can stream every bit of the subscription music... so music in the living room is a thousand times better for me.
I'm just wondering, can it play songs purchased form the iTunes store?
I use the video all the time on my commute on the train to work. It does only accept WMV and MP4 but that hasn't really bothered me since I have WinAvi Video Converter. The screen is large but don't expect to read any subtitles on it.
I love the fact that it has an FM tuner for those times you just don't feel like listening to anything you have. Along with that, just customizing the wallpaper of the Zune is a nice feature. I like seeing Jessica Alba as my background as I go through my music. It makes me feel all fuzzy.
Are you the guy that designed the original xbox controller?
This would seem like an obvious "no" but there is that DRM free stuff that you can purchase that the Zune will play.
For the most part: no
The standard burn to CD rip back method works for stripping DRM
Yeah, video big is obviously ideal, but the Zune/iPod/iPhone isn't trying to replace your 60" DLP TV. It's trying to offer acceptable video quality on the go. So you can watch movies while on the train/bus/can/in line for something/while eating lunch/whatever else. If the device is light enough with a nice enough screen then huzzah.
For instance, the PSP is too big for this. The iPhone however is a great size for a portable video player with a pretty awesome screen.