The Zune Is Here... Small Review

[Fr3@k3r]

Well had a hour or 2 to start playing around with my new little toy...

first im gonna start off by saying... pictures wont do this awesome mp3 any justice.. you cant judge the awesome quality without seeing it in person working.

so first of all ill start out with appearence...

Compared to the Ipod the Zune is just like it should be.. AWESOME!

When it first comes out of the box its just stunning quality and almost the perfect size for anyone's hand size.

The quality of the zune is amazing.. NO flimsy parts, no parts that will break off... and so sturdily made it feels like it wont break..

Quality of the Build on my scale... 9 out of 10

how easy is it to use?

its actually simpler compaired to the ipod.. very easy even a child should be able to use it.. microsoft did a very good job putting this together and so far ive enioyed it..

the only thing that will take some getting used to is how it auto switched the controls when it goes from up and down to side to side viewing :)

How easy on my scale? 8 out of 10

now how bout the screen...

the first thing i did was throw on some of the free included videos to actually see how this will compare to the video ipod...

Wow, there's crystal clear quality all around.. high quality screen is something microsoft should be proud of..

im encoding a video now to see how well it does in high x264 and mp4 re-encoded movies... i wanna see how good of quality this screen actually is watching Lord Of THe Rings :P

Screen Quality on my scale .... 10 out of 10... just perfect

Sound quality :)

well i can say that the earphones that come with the zune are not very high quality but are very very good for included headphones. The sound quality on vidoe and audio is just as you would hope.. Crystal clear audio with nice bass..

the zune also comes with a few preset equalizer settings... i think 5-6 and are very usefull :)

i suggest ivesting in set of the high quality earphones or maybe even some higher quality. Havent had a chance to test microsofts high quality $30 earphones you can buy for the zune yet.

Sound quality on my scale .... 8.5 out of 10... better earphones will improve quality

Everything else?

Software installation was absolutely simple... Install the zune software, restart, plug in your zune, synch it, update and your ready to roll...

Using the zune marketplace is almost exactly like using windows media player... simple to some and annoying for others :P

it takes maybe 40 seconds to synch 50 songs from your pc to your zune.. i synched maybe 25gigs in less than 10 minutes... wasnt really paying attention...



Overall Score... 9.25 out of 10

Very well worth it if you do not want a Ipod

I will update later with some pictures, review of some accessories and a review of movies after you encode them and try to watch them.. how simple is it? dunno yet :P

I know i dont give good reviews and write-ups, which is why i useually leave it for other people to do other than me.. but i couldnt resist...

if you have any questions or want me to test something lemme know and ill get it done and post about it. or ill try to at least :)

DONT ASK FOR A DROP TEST!!! LOL I DONT REALLY WANT TO BE THE ONE TO TEST THAT OUT!

[Fr3@k3r]

reserved for pics..

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/spikedzombies/S4300014-1.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/spikedzombies/S4300015-1.jpg
http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/spikedzombies/S4300017.jpg

[jivetrky]

I really hope this thing does well. I've never been a major iPod fan, but this thing looks sweet.

I've been reading all the articles on it here and there and I HATE all the comments ppl are posting saying that they hope it does out just because it's an MS product and etc. And that the iPod is so much better, yadda yadda. Anyway.... When I can afford a good MP3 player I think I'll probably go Zune. And I'd definitely pick it over an iPod. I've seen my friend's video iPod, it didn't thrill me.

I have a question about the Zune, can you transfer files to it without the Zune software? Like, does it get recognized as a drive? Or does it require the software ala iTunes?

EDIT: one more question, is the scroll wheel responsive? Like does it click, or is it dead and lifeless like the iPod?

[Fr3@k3r]

I really hope this thing does well. I've never been a major iPod fan, but this thing looks sweet.

I've been reading all the articles on it here and there and I HATE all the comments ppl are posting saying that they hope it does out just because it's an MS product and etc. And that the iPod is so much better, yadda yadda. Anyway.... When I can afford a good MP3 player I think I'll probably go Zune. And I'd definitely pick it over an iPod. I've seen my friend's video iPod, it didn't thrill me.

yeah this has a very nice quality difference over the ipod video imho

I have a question about the Zune, can you transfer files to it without the Zune software? Like, does it get recognized as a drive? Or does it require the software ala iTunes?

dunno havent really had the chance to test that... but from what i see it recognizes it inside the zune software only...

EDIT: one more question, is the scroll wheel responsive? Like does it click, or is it dead and lifeless like the iPod?

its not a scroll wheel.. its a very very nice d-pad :)

[jivetrky]

Ahhhhhh D-pad......sweet. I like the sounds of that


If you can, lemme know about the software dependency! Thanks and congrats!


Would be sweet if they have a black Friday deal on these things or some other cool deal before Christmas!

[warlock110]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/spikedzombies/S4300017.jpg

WOOOT LOOK AT THAT!!!! SO NICE!!!!



PS: i wasn't refering to the zune

[Fr3@k3r]

Ahhhhhh D-pad......sweet. I like the sounds of that

yeah because it makes it so that it WONT do anything without actually pushing it :P

If you can, lemme know about the software dependency! Thanks and congrats!

ill try my best

Would be sweet if they have a black Friday deal on these things or some other cool deal before Christmas!

i really highly doubt that you will see it less than $239 and thats at walmart.





WOOOT LOOK AT THAT!!!! SO NICE!!!!

PS: i wasn't refering to the zune

SUREEEEEE you were warlock :P

[Stoner51]

I've been looking at mp3 players for a while. my kids have ipods, but I have songs on my computer that are drm wma. Do you know if the zune will play them. I got these through my charter music subsciption so they are legal. The website says to make sure the player is play for source compatable. The creative sen apparrently works. these are the main two I am looking at. not trying to threadjack just want a little first hand exp. before I shell out 250. Call me stupid but I like microsoft.

[Fr3@k3r]

I've been looking at mp3 players for a while. my kids have ipods, but I have songs on my computer that are drm wma. Do you know if the zune will play them. I got these through my charter music subsciption so they are legal. The website says to make sure the player is play for source compatable. The creative sen apparrently works. these are the main two I am looking at. not trying to threadjack just want a little first hand exp. before I shell out 250. Call me stupid but I like microsoft.


I dont know that one stoner, i dont have and drm on my computer to test..

[jivetrky]

Isn't wma a microsoft thing? Surely they support their own Codec?

[Fr3@k3r]

Isn't wma a microsoft thing? Surely they support their own Codec?

yes it is, and its most definitely supported... im just not sure if they drm thats on those songs is supported...

[Stoner51]

yea what he said. Not sure about the DRM. but I feel pretty sure it is.

[schnikies79]

DRM'ed WMA files may and may not work, the Zune doesn't support PlayForSure. Offically the zune will only play drm'ed wma files from URGE and it's been said that it simply won't play wma's from other sources, such as napster.

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20060915/122608.shtml

[Fr3@k3r]

DRM'ed WMA files may and may not work, the Zune doesn't support PlayForSure. Offically the zune will only play drm'ed wma files from URGE and it's been said that it simply won't play wma's from other sources, such as napster.

http://www.techdirt.com/articles/20060915/122608.shtml

thanks for helping him :)

[muddocktor]

I read this morning that PlayForSure DRM files will not play on the Zune. And that there is some kind of compatibility problem between Zune and Vista too and won't work with a computer running Windows Vista. AFAIK, the only DRM files the Zune will play are from the Zune marketplace (or whatever Microsoft calls the damn store for Zune files).

I am curious as to how the Zune compares to the Creative Zen Vision M, myself. I don't want an iPod video precisely because the only DRM infected files it will play come exclusively from iTunes, which Microsoft seems to be trying to model the Zune's choices on too. :rolleyes: I was ready to push the buy button on either the Zen Vision M or the Zune yesterday, but now I'm going to do some more research first.

[Fr3@k3r]

I read this morning that PlayForSure DRM files will not play on the Zune. And that there is some kind of compatibility problem between Zune and Vista too and won't work with a computer running Windows Vista. AFAIK, the only DRM files the Zune will play are from the Zune marketplace (or whatever Microsoft calls the damn store for Zune files).

I am curious as to how the Zune compares to the Creative Zen Vision M, myself. I don't want an iPod video precisely because the only DRM infected files it will play come exclusively from iTunes, which Microsoft seems to be trying to model the Zune's choices on too. :rolleyes: I was ready to push the buy button on either the Zen Vision M or the Zune yesterday, but now I'm going to do some more research first.
well theres a way around the drm of itunes, as for the legality of it i have no clue. but someone was talkin bout it on another site yesterday...

compared to the Vision M, quality is 100x better IMHO and picture is also. i pulled the trigger on the zune because its something i know i can trust.

Vista should be running with zune after its official release from MS, since its not in full release MS doesnt have really any obligation to make zune market place work with vista. still...

[hitbyaprkedcar7]

I wonder if this works with napster playforsure. It worked for my iriver, and i have a subscription.

[jivetrky]

I thought muddocktor just said it wouldn't work with PlayForSure?

[Fr3@k3r]

yeah thats correct jive... from what he said.

[hitbyaprkedcar7]

I thought muddocktor just said it wouldn't work with PlayForSure?


Ahhh i hadnt refreshed the page since last night so i didnt see that post.

My bad :)

[Rockafella134]

Nice review!!!

I have a quick question though. Will I be able to transfer all of my songs from my hard drive and cd's to Zune? I don't really understand DRM and all that stuff. Thanks!

[jivetrky]

So, Fr3@k3r, after having the Zune for a week now, is there anything you could add or change with your review?

[hitbyaprkedcar7]

Since theres already a review thread started, ill add a few of my own comments :)

The build quality on this thing is great. It feels like a solid peice of hardware. The coating on it is sort of like a clear ish material that has a matte feeling to it, and underneath it you can see the actual shell for the zune. The clear finish material is what adds the extra mm's onto the zune, but i think its well worth it. It doesnt scratch nearly as easy as the ipod does (iv already knicked it a few times and no scratches! *knock on wood*) but at the same time it has a soft feeling in your hand. The edge also gives off a different tint when it hits the light right, which looks really neat. Youll have to hold/see it in person to know what im talking about.

Next, the most obvious thing is the giant screen. What can i say, its absolutly beautiful. Hi quality movies look amazing on it as do high quality pictures. Very bright (can change the brightness as well) and very vibrant colors. Cant complain about that at all (have some screen protectors on the way!) And i absolutly love how it turns landscape for widescreen!

Next, the controls. Very simple, and very easy to get used to. Learned it right off the bat, there mostly common sense controls. Very quick to adapt from potrait to landscape

Next, the UI. I love it. I love the picture background, it fades smoothly, very responsive, only complaints i have are i wish it had a choice to "View All Songs" by the artist, instead of breaking it into albums, and whatever songs arnt asigned an album gets left in the root.

Music > Artsts > Sublime > *View All Songs* --- is what i wish

instead, it gives you

Music > Artists > Sublime > Greatist Hits Album*, 40z to Freedom Song* Riot Song* > (Then songs in the greatist hits album)

Ill post a screenshot up of it tomorow when i get my camera

Same goes with the photos. You can view photos by folder or date (seperates them into months) But no option to View All Photos.

My only complaints about the UI

Sound Quality is great even with the lower quality headphones. Deeper bass, a full treble, cant complain in this area at all. Even comes with a few preset equalizers. Only wish you could make your own equalizers like you could on my iRiver

FM Radio - is great! It displays the station name, and the current song playing! Or, whatever there broadcasting out over that data thing. I know one of the stations aroudn me displays ad's advertising one of there talkshows "Free Beer and Hotwings - 105.7 The HAWK" So now when i hear a song on the radio and have no idea what it is, i just glance at it and i can write it down :)

Now, the software. This needs a little help with. Font is SMALL. and i mean SMALL. If your anything smaller than 1280*1024 , it gets hard to read. Its very simple with synching stuff, but trying to get to options (which we all love) is a pain. Try to import one peice of media, *phew*, it needs work, but it will be updated in the future. Gets the job done.

As for the wifi, i am sure it will be updated in the near future to give us plenty of goodys *crosses fingers*STREAMING MEDIA FTW!!!!*crosses fingers*

All my friends love it and say they like it better than there ipods :) I refuse to purchase an ipod :)

[hitbyaprkedcar7]

Nice review!!!

I have a quick question though. Will I be able to transfer all of my songs from my hard drive and cd's to Zune? I don't really understand DRM and all that stuff. Thanks!


Depends where you got them from. If you ripped them all off of your CD's, then yes you can synch them right onto your zune. If you downloaded them illegally, then yes, you can synch them right onto your zune. If you downloaded with and bought them with napster or itunes, then no, you wont be able to get them onto your zune as the zune doesnt support those DRM Licenses. DRM (Digital Rights Management) is added to songs that you purchase legally from an online store that attaches a license to it that you need to play them. You pay for the license, and you pay to transfer that license onto your computer and zune.

[jivetrky]

hitbyaprkedcar7: can you answer my question about the software dependency? Can you just plug it in to the USB and it works like an external drive, or do you HAVE to use the software?

[Fr3@k3r]

hitbyaprkedcar7: can you answer my question about the software dependency? Can you just plug it in to the USB and it works like an external drive, or do you HAVE to use the software?

you need the software, it will not show up under any other circumstances.

but i doubt it will stay this long.. because i can just see someone hacking it :)

[jivetrky]

you need the software, it will not show up under any other circumstances.

but i doubt it will stay this long.. because i can just see someone hacking it :)


I'll have to wait until that happens :)

[Wicked Klown]

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a54/spikedzombies/S4300017.jpg


Nice review. My question is, who is the redhead?

[Fr3@k3r]

Nice review. My question is, who is the redhead?
her name is Alicia Witt, and she played the lead role in the 90's movie URBAN LEGENDS..

http://imdb.com/title/tt0146336/ <--- movie

http://imdb.com/name/nm0001860/ <--- bio

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n192/hawkwhirlwind/alicia-witt-1024x768-17410.jpg <--- 1024 of the picture.

[hitbyaprkedcar7]

I <3 redheads :)

As for the drive, it should be included with a firmware update in the future. Hopefuly.

I know with my iriver, if you held down the enter button while plugging it in the USB, it acted as an external USB drive, which was very very usefull for copying and backing up my music database since it organized it all for me into folders :)

[jivetrky]

I just want to be able to put my MP3's and Video's on the Zune without having to use the software.

[Fr3@k3r]

I just want to be able to put my MP3's and Video's on the Zune without having to use the software.

your gonna have to wait a little longer :)

[hitbyaprkedcar7]

your gonna have to wait a little longer :)

No your not :)

http://www.ocforums.com/showthread.php?p=4807583#post4807583

[jivetrky]

Awesome!

But you still cannot just add your media files to the Zune as an external drive, right? That's what I'm looking/waiting for.

But at least it's a start! :)

[hitbyaprkedcar7]

Yeah im pretty sure you can, just drag and drop.

Edit: Actualy, you cant add, but you can delete.

You can try this method

Tutorial 2: How to add files and folders
Step 1.

Complete steps 1-6 of the PC Registry Mod above.
Step 2.

Connect the Zune to your PC and launch the PC software.


Step 3.

Press the "Start Sync" button in the PC software. This temporarily allows files and folders to be added to the Zune during sync. Drag and drop files into the Zune, avoid placing files on the root of the Zune file structure.


So you can drag and drop, as long as the zune software is synching something. So if you make a dummy wmv that takes a while to synch, you can drag and drop.

Hmmm... Its getting there.

[jivetrky]

So there must be some sort of lock that the software unlocks....so I'd hope it's a matter of time.

But I would want to be completely free of the software, that's why I'm interested in this. (The main reason I'd never buy an iPOD is the iTunes dependancy.)

[Fr3@k3r]

thx for the tutorial hit. ;)