Zune 30 GB Digital Media Player (Brown)
by Zune
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Category: Network Media Player
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Digital Photo Product Details
Artist: Artist Not ProvidedManufacturer: Zune
Brand: Zune
Edition: Electronics
Format: CD-ROM
Release Date: 2006-11-14
Platform: Windows 2000, Windows XP Home Edition, Windows XP Professional
Model: ZUNE
Color: Brown
Publisher: Zune
Studio: Zune
Music Label: Zune
Product features:
- 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 to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video
- Features wireless networking so you can share tracks and other media, and wirelessly sync from your computer using a wi-fi connection (Version 2 Upgrade).
- 3-inch color screen features a landscape mode for video viewing
- Compatible with Zune Marketplace for media downloads and subscriptions
- Automatically imports your existing music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media Player in a variety of formats
- Sony MDR-J10 H.Ear Headphones with Non-Slip Design (Blue)
- Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220 Noise Isolating Earphones
- Zune HD Sync Dock
- Kicker ZK500 Zune Speaker Dock (Black)
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Zune 30 GB Digital Media Player (Brown)
Customer Review: It exceeded my expectations
Summary: 3 Stars
It was an incredibly deal on Zune player at last holiday season, so I decided to give it a try, so clicked to order. I was very interested in what software giant can offer in own player collecting all the best from players offered by already established companies on this market as Creative Lab, and Apple. My Zune 30 was delivered prior Christmas and was waiting under the tree until the clock chimed 12.
As a theater begins from a coat check as DAP begins from a packaging. Every company considers packaging really seriously and tries making it most attractive and innovating. I remember packaging of my first 3g iPod when I really had no clue how to open it.
After removing two sticky clips I slid top of box very easily and got an access to the content of packaging.
Zune took center part, headphones took left part
and an interface cable was in right section of the inner box.
Another section accessible from top contained a pouch, manuals, and software.
Comparing packaging of Zune, Zen , and iPod I'd give 1st place to Zune and the last to Zen.
Although Zen has most technical information on the box, not so many retailers have actual device in stock reachable by consumers, so the information doesn't reach consumer until he/she really purchased it. First what I did was comparing sizes of iPod and Zune.
Obviously Zune is slightly bigger, however it fits comfortable in hands and pockets. A plastic case seems fingerprints free and probably scratch resistant as well. Screen is huge. Controls look Ok. Play and back buttons are a bit small, but easy to press anyway. You can notice that navigation dial of Zune is also smaller. General problem is that you can miss actual button, for example press center button instead of arrows.
I tried a pouch, it fitted very perfectly. I remember a very loose pouch of Zen, when I could fit two Zens in it, and as result my Zen slid down and has been fallen on a granite floor. Part of its case was broken, luckily it continued working well.
However Zune's pouch isn't suede one, as iPod has.
Now I was ready to charge and try it. I connected it to USB port, however it didn't start charging until I turned on computer, although USB was powered all time. An interface cable has protective caps on both ends, similar to iPod's interface cable, however it wasn't fitted so perfectly, I had problems to disconnect it from Zune's end. I hoped to see Zune in Explorer as a standard MTP device after connection, however Vista didn't show Zune anywhere. I remember I could copy music to Zen instantly after a connection ( Zen is MTP device as well). Ok, I decided to play with Zune interface a bit. It came pre-filled with some music, videos and pictures. User interface appeared quite intuitive, screen is big and I was impressed. I tried FM tuner, reception was clear and easy to tune on different stations. I was only wondering when DAP will start incorporate HD tuners? I tried to figure if I can records radio, however it seems not possible. So now it was time to fill it with my own music now. Since it didn't work out of the box, I pulled CD with software and started installation. First step of the installation was obtaining an update. So if you start using Zune in fields, then no way to make it working without an Internet connection. The actual update installed first Zune management program and then begun updating Zune firmware. I heard that Microsoft issued 2nd generation of Zune, which is generally just a firmware update for 30gb version of the device. An updating firmware took some time, it seems similar to iPod procedure, a new firmware image gets first loaded on a hard drive of a device, and then it gets flashed. UI of Zune looked quite different after the updating firmware. Text of menu items became even bigger; color palette was changed from brownish colors to dark gay ones. New items appeared in Settings menu, and total music navigation got change offering multiple choices switching from artists to albums view and versa. I'll tell about navigation ability of Zune later.
Zune management desktop software
As I already mentioned, you can't use WMP or just Explorer for Zune management. It is certainly drawback, which is dictated by a simple monopoly rule - "We're confident and do know how to do better, if you do not like something, then tell us and we will correct it, do not correct it on your own". Anyway, Zune software is quite innovative. It inherits some principles from iTunes providing 3 panes Artist-Album-Song view.
The UI is completely custom, and it mimics a tabbed access to different functionality of the program. You need some time to get used before taking all advantages of new UI. I'm still learning it. Some things are quite not intuitive, or require too much extra clicking, for example you can't correct artist/album/song/year in one place. I haven't found how to change genre and year at all. Zune software uses concept of synchronization a local library with a device. You can beef content library without a device and mark items for future synchronization. A special place is reserved for library, however items being already on a disk can remind in an original location. Zune software recognizes three communication areas as Zune, CD/DVD drive and community input box.
A killing feature of Zune was an introduction of a socializing feature in opinion of Microsoft. You can see a clear notice of it on Zune's box. I really do not see much benefits of that, it is probably because of age, tastes and so on. At least social feature should look something different, can be much more clear how to use and how to get benefits from it. As I mentioned, Zune management software has context sensitive UI, so when you are in device mode, you can configure Zune wireless network making it connected to your home WiFi. WEP is supported and the program is able to discover available networks and generally easy to use. However finally the Zune wireless capabilities are completely useless. I tell below why. Ripping ability of Zune software quite good, you can choose several format of ripping, including Microsoft lossless, and MP3. MP3 ripping is quite fast, mostly real time of speed of CD copying, Ripping quality supported up to 320Kbps. However Zune uses less comprehensive DB than CDDB, so many my CDs especially European made weren't recognized.
So let's conclude on Zune management software:
Pros
Innovative UI
Easy navigate and find
Most of available compressed and lossless audio formats are supported WMV, AAC, MP3
Cons
No software alternatives
Not flexible in change or retrieve all song information
Connected to not so comprehensive variant of CD DB
Limited support of video formats (WMV only)
No support open format as FLAC or OGG
Zune firmware
General UI
As I mentioned, Zune UI looked differently after firmware update. Again, UI is completely custom and innovative. Menu items are just oversized text with wide using sparkling video effects for highlighting and selection. Microsoft chosen an opposite color schema to Apple's one, so all texts are white on dark or black background. However everything is readable quite well. Navigation is very intuitive. Microsoft was in a difficult situation since a touch dial ring, and a slide bar were taken by other vendors. However a classic arrow managed scrolling and navigation work quite well. I was even impressed that Zune supports national alphabets in the scrolling directory. Generally arrow controls provide a very revolutionary two-dimensional navigation, so I can easily manage album or artist selection from the same view. Actually selection a category as artist, song, or genre converts items of it in a scroll vertically list and selection any item from the list converts previous navigation to horizontal with a vertical scrolling of a new selection. Play now screen shows oversized album art, play progress and song, artist, album info. For some reason the screen doesn't have track/song number in the list. Long song, album, or artist name isn't scrolled and just fades out. However it is auto scrolled when selected in a list. White color of play progress doesn't look good when album art has white background. Another problem is that screen is readable when backlit is on. It is very annoying, since you need to press the center button to read the screen.
Sound and video quality
Sound quality is really good. It is a bit different than iPod. I'd say that Zune has a little dip in mid range. Zune is also less loud. My major claims were that Zune doesn't support volume or equalization control per song or album bases. regarding video, I can't tell much, because I do not have videos in WMV format. Certainly big, and bright screen is good for viewing videos, but lacking in supporting different formats limits using Zune for this purpose.
Wireless
I still do not understand why this feature is in Zune. I didn't try it for Zune to Zune communication, however it is useless for sync purpose. It is easy to setup wireless to be connected to home WiFi, however Zune drops connection unless song really short. I did all recommendations from Microsoft site, but nothing helped. Actually one of the recommendation to have Zune powered. It means you need some wire anyway. What really would be nice, if Zune provides a kind of simplistic browser allowing to look for files in music directories when some specific service is setup. I'd develop such feature gladly, I hope Microsoft listens me. Another disadvantage is if you have radio on, then it shorts battery life substantially.
Conclusion
Pros
Big screen, easy readable, good contrast and colors
Nice UI
FM Tuner
Two-dimensional navigation
Cons
No clock
No smart lists
No statistics
Short battery life
Lousy wireless
No recording
No disk mode
No song position in a list and list size
No scroll names in play now
Progress bar invisible on certain album arts
No volume normalization
No per son/album equalizer
Screen invisible without backlit
Recommendation
I'd recommend Zune to persons who listen music occasionally and own a relatively small songs collection. Zune is perfect for children though. However Zune is useless for serious music enthusiasts. All my recommendation based on price under $100.
Pictures for this review are here
http://7bee.j2ee.us/blog/2008/01/06/1199656500000.html
Description of Zune 30 GB Digital Media Player (Brown)
Zune starts with a 30GB digital media player and adds a twist. You can wirelessly share selected full-length sample tracks, playlists, pictures or your home-grown tracks directly from Zune to Zune. Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video. You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while you're listening. Watching video in landscape mode gets the most out of the vivid display. Zune has all that and a built in FM tuner, too.Platform: WindowsPackaging: BoxEntertainment and sharing to go. That's the Zune 30 GB Digital Media Player. The Zune plays music and videos, displays images, and unlike the iPod, it even receives FM radio so you can stay on top of local news or sports. Designed around the principles of sharing, discovery, and community, Zune connects people and empowers them with the tools needed to share entertainment experiences. The Zune experience is centered around connection--connection to your library, friends, community, and other Zunes. It's powered by software that allows users to manage files on the player, rip audio CDs, and buy from a wide selection of music and videos at the Zune Marketplace.
 The Zune lets you share music and pictures with other Zune users in the area. |
 The controls are designed to be familiar and easy to use so you can jump right in and start having fun. View larger. |
 Zune software can find compatible music files on your PC and copy them to your Zune device. |
 Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing lets you share your favorite tracks and photos. |
 Browse more than 100,000 artist bios and hundreds of playlists in the Zune Marketplace. |
The Zune's navigation is simple and intuitive with a scroll wheel and basic buttons, and the big, bright screen makes it easy to browse music and show off your favorite pictures and videos. This attractive, smart device stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 100 hours of video. Get creative. Make playlists on the go and watch slide shows while you're listening. And if you're watching video on the Zune, you'll be pleased with the landscape mode that allows you to get the most out of the vivid display.
Zune-to-Zune Sharing
Don't forget the primary principle of the Zune: sharing. With this device in hand you're holding an opportunity to share music and photos wirelessly from one Zune to another. Send your favorite tracks or images to your friends, or just about anyone with a Zune that's within your reach.
Whether you're walking down the street, in a room with a bunch of friends, at a concert, at the airport, or on the bus, you can whip out your Zune and see all the other Zune devices that surround you. In the blink of an eye you're connected to your best friend and you can send over your band's newest song. Another friend might get the hilarious podcast your little brother made at school, plus that hot new song you just downloaded from the Zune Marketplace. And, of course, there's all the good stuff that your friends want to send back your way. The connections are made and the Zune community grows.
Best of all, the song you sent (or received) isn't a short 30-second preview--it's the whole song. Your friend can sample the song up to three times in three days, flag it on their device and then buy it from the Zune Marketplace. You can send pictures, too. If you loved the photo of your dog at the park and you just have to share it with your buddies, shoot it off to whoever is around. And any pictures that are sent or received can be kept and viewed indefinitely.
Sometimes you don't want to be noticed, and the Zune allows you to fly under the radar. All you need to do is turn the wireless function off, or adjust the privacy settings to control whether people can see you are online. And if you want to keep your Zune private while studying in the library or reading the newspaper on the bus, you can also block Zune devices in wireless range from sending you a song.
Zune Marketplace
Zune makes it easy to find music you love--whether it's songs in your existing library or new music from the Zune Marketplace. You can easily import your existing music, pictures, and videos in many popular formats from your PC and browse millions of songs at the Zune Marketplace where you can purchase individual tracks or buy a Zune Pass subscription to download as many songs as you want for a flat fee. Plus, you can apply Microsoft Points towards the purchase of music so you can buy online without a credit card for added security. At the Zune Marketplace you can read over 100,000 artist biographies and features from leading magazines including XLR8R, NME, and FADED, and you'll have easy access to Billboard Charts, including Billboard 200, Hot 100 Songs, and more. You'll even be able to browse what people in the Zune community are listening to by checking out the Zune Charts.
Pre-Loaded Content
Zune is a vehicle to explore new sounds and share entertainment experiences. With that in mind, the Zune comes pre-loaded with a variety of songs and videos from hot, new artists, as well as some fun films and images. With something for everyone, the pre-loaded Zune content may help you discover your new favorite band, but at the very least you'll have some entertainment at your fingertips so you can start connecting and sharing. Zune pre-loaded content includes loads of audio tracks, music videos, and film shorts, plus 12 classic rock posters from "Art of Modern Rock: The Poster Explosion."
Zune Accessories
You can choose from a full line of accessories to outfit your Zune. These three Zune Accessory Packs provide complete solutions for Zune in your car, in your home or while you travel. Individual accessories are also available.
- The Zune Car Pack includes everything needed to hit the road with a Zune device, such as the built-in FM tuner with AutoSeek and the Zune Car Charger.
- The Zune Home A/V Pack enhances your experience in the home through five products that integrate Zune with the TV and music speakers: Zune AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Sync Cable, Zune AC Adapter and the Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock.
- The Zune Travel Pack is a set of five products designed to keep friends and family entertained on the road: Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and the Zune AC Adapter.
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