i think microsoft said they were making a 100gb zune (on a display at sears), could have been hallucinating though...i got a black zune, and with 4 ipods in the house, it is definitely everybodies favorite, i have not owned an ipod so alot of the gripes some people have dont bother me. i like the zune, i just wish it could sync wireless, i dont care if i can connect to other zunes, mine is full already i doubt i have to demo anybody elses collection, and i also dont need it to share files with an xbox 360 wireless, i'd rather just sync it wireless to the pc...
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Zune
- Thread starter ray4389
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I'm sure the wireless sync will come soon enough in a new firmware update. They have wireless sync on PocketPC's, so they might as well make it for the Zune. I'm sure they'll realize soon enough. They have real-world testers and people that go out to the stores dressed as plain clothes people asking other people what they think of their product so they can improve on it.
I just got mine in today from Amazon.com.
So far I love the player, does everything I want. Now for the bad part.
I hate the Zune software, it is such a piece of shit. I try to "sync" music and it fails. What kind of shit is that? Looks like they spent more time designing the player and getting everything right with it and just threw the software together in a day.
So far I love the player, does everything I want. Now for the bad part.
I hate the Zune software, it is such a piece of shit. I try to "sync" music and it fails. What kind of shit is that? Looks like they spent more time designing the player and getting everything right with it and just threw the software together in a day.
enelson125
Limp Gawd
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Somehow I haven't had any trouble with the zune software, everything transfers quickly and even converting the videos is pretty quick.
I think XP x64 is whats giving me so much grief. Im gunna install the Zune onto a computer running regular XP and see what happens. There is a particular album that refuses to copy over and I'll see if it works on the other machine.
Kinda silly of Microsoft to add support for their XP variants except XP x64 and Server 2003.
Kinda silly of Microsoft to add support for their XP variants except XP x64 and Server 2003.
XP64 might be silly, but 2K3? It's a server OS, why release software for use with that OS and a portable media device? Yes, I know a lot of people look at it from the "Workstation 2003" perspective (I'm one of them), but really, you can't fault Microsoft for treating their own server OS as... well... a server OS.
Vista doesn't use the 2K3 codebase, you're thinking about XP64 because that OS is based on 2K3 code. Vista is a new beast in almost every way, even though it might look like XP/2K3 on the surface in many respects.
But, again my point holds: 2K3 is a server OS, it's not meant for day to day stuff, not like XP/XP64 is/would be. Just because you can run some if not all multimedia apps on it doesn't mean it's supposed to be done, so of course Microsoft isn't necessarily going to support such things or release software that is designed specifically for said OS.
Compatibility mode might get around the inability to run some software; I've used that in the past to install XP video drivers on 2K3 because the installer executable simply would not run without Compatibility mode.
But, again my point holds: 2K3 is a server OS, it's not meant for day to day stuff, not like XP/XP64 is/would be. Just because you can run some if not all multimedia apps on it doesn't mean it's supposed to be done, so of course Microsoft isn't necessarily going to support such things or release software that is designed specifically for said OS.
Compatibility mode might get around the inability to run some software; I've used that in the past to install XP video drivers on 2K3 because the installer executable simply would not run without Compatibility mode.
Windows XP64 came out before windows 2003, much like Vista x64 is comming out before the server brand (maybe windows 2007 server). Windows 2003 was the last windows kernel made before vista devlopment, and much of the kernel security and stability features in 2003 are the basis for vista. Vista is not a completely different beast at all. Also, XP64 is way different than Windows 2003. XP64's handling of 32-bit apps is non native. It uses a cheap emulation trick calld WoW64. Microsoft documents a significant performance hit when running 32bit apps under win 64. Windows 2003 x64 on the other hand will run 32 bit apps natively. The difference is price, a win 2003 license is many times more expensive (i bought one). Anyways, this is a pretty stupid debate about x64 in a zune thread. But whatever OS people are using, MS should be the first ones to be able to make something compatible with it... I think that's pretty obvious and they have no reason not to make everyone happy if they can.
bbz_Ghost said:
I just got everything figured out. I'll copy/paste the post I made on another forum. 
Update-
Lately I was having problems getting some of my music to sync up with the Zune. This music was not riddled with DRM so that was not the problem. The problem originated with the Zune software not supporting XP x64. This caused the software to not function properly. Even though the Zune software would load up, there was issues getting some media to sync (copy) onto the Zune.
Originally when I inserted the Zune CD into my computer running XP x64 it popped up an error screen (the one with the lesbians) and said the software was not compatible. So I did some searching and found a way to get the software installed. This required a second computer running regular Windows XP. After installing the Zune software on a second computer which was on the same network. You share the Zune directory and copy it over to your Windows XP x64 computer. After the Zune software was transferred over you then had to run a special registry entry so the software would load up. So after all of that was taken care of I still had issues. Thank You Windows XP x64, your days are now numbered because I'll be reformatting this week and going back to regular XP until I make a switch to Vista. Whats even more messed up is Microsoft issued a Zune software update just recently and they included support for all their XP variants except Windows XP x64 and Windows Server 2003 (which is basically Windows x64 without all the server shit).
Thanks Microsoft!
Moral of the story, don't use XP x64. When Vista also comes out I'm staying away from 64-bit.
Update-
Lately I was having problems getting some of my music to sync up with the Zune. This music was not riddled with DRM so that was not the problem. The problem originated with the Zune software not supporting XP x64. This caused the software to not function properly. Even though the Zune software would load up, there was issues getting some media to sync (copy) onto the Zune.
Originally when I inserted the Zune CD into my computer running XP x64 it popped up an error screen (the one with the lesbians) and said the software was not compatible. So I did some searching and found a way to get the software installed. This required a second computer running regular Windows XP. After installing the Zune software on a second computer which was on the same network. You share the Zune directory and copy it over to your Windows XP x64 computer. After the Zune software was transferred over you then had to run a special registry entry so the software would load up. So after all of that was taken care of I still had issues. Thank You Windows XP x64, your days are now numbered because I'll be reformatting this week and going back to regular XP until I make a switch to Vista. Whats even more messed up is Microsoft issued a Zune software update just recently and they included support for all their XP variants except Windows XP x64 and Windows Server 2003 (which is basically Windows x64 without all the server shit).
Thanks Microsoft!
Moral of the story, don't use XP x64. When Vista also comes out I'm staying away from 64-bit.
Like I said before, 2K3 is a server OS, it's not meant for workstation-like applications, meaning your multimedia software for the Zune, so don't blame Microsoft for pulling support.
If the DON'T pull the support, then all those people that use 2K3 in a "workstation"-like mode will be calling and trying to get Microsoft support for the stuff that doesn't work which just forces Microsoft to laugh and you and say the same thing I did: "It's a server OS, it's not meant for day to day desktop use, and we will not provide support for <xxx> software which is meant for workstations or consumer PCs."
It's not Microsoft's fault people are doing stuff with 2K3 they should not be doing but it's certainly within their right to say, "You're doing what? With a server OS? <click>"
As for the XP x64 thing, that's a given. It's a dead OS at this point. Microsoft will continue to support it for the time being and a few more years, but the focus now as far as 64 bit computing goes is towards Vista 64 bit versions, which work very nicely. I have 100% hardware support for the Gateway Core 2 Duo laptop I bought recently.
The Zune will see full 32 and 64 bit Vista support on January 30th, possibly a few days before that. Vista isn't out in general release yet, so that means "Wait, be patient, it'll happen, but not yet."
Oh, and for the record, both Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional x64 64 bit Edition went RTM on the same date: March 23, 2003, although XP x64 Edition didn't actually become a retail product until months later - Windows Server 2003 was a retail product on April 24, 2003. Those OSes are based on the same kernel and codebase, sooo...
Vista 64 bit versions work just fine, and hardware compatibility will not be an issue come January 30th when it's available in general release. You might have some issues right now as of today, but 30 days from now, we'll see 64 bit support appear almost out of thin air for almost every hardware device made since 2004.
If the DON'T pull the support, then all those people that use 2K3 in a "workstation"-like mode will be calling and trying to get Microsoft support for the stuff that doesn't work which just forces Microsoft to laugh and you and say the same thing I did: "It's a server OS, it's not meant for day to day desktop use, and we will not provide support for <xxx> software which is meant for workstations or consumer PCs."
It's not Microsoft's fault people are doing stuff with 2K3 they should not be doing but it's certainly within their right to say, "You're doing what? With a server OS? <click>"
As for the XP x64 thing, that's a given. It's a dead OS at this point. Microsoft will continue to support it for the time being and a few more years, but the focus now as far as 64 bit computing goes is towards Vista 64 bit versions, which work very nicely. I have 100% hardware support for the Gateway Core 2 Duo laptop I bought recently.
The Zune will see full 32 and 64 bit Vista support on January 30th, possibly a few days before that. Vista isn't out in general release yet, so that means "Wait, be patient, it'll happen, but not yet."
Oh, and for the record, both Windows Server 2003 and Windows XP Professional x64 64 bit Edition went RTM on the same date: March 23, 2003, although XP x64 Edition didn't actually become a retail product until months later - Windows Server 2003 was a retail product on April 24, 2003. Those OSes are based on the same kernel and codebase, sooo...
Vista 64 bit versions work just fine, and hardware compatibility will not be an issue come January 30th when it's available in general release. You might have some issues right now as of today, but 30 days from now, we'll see 64 bit support appear almost out of thin air for almost every hardware device made since 2004.
InCogneato
[H]ard|Gawd
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Played with Zune at the store and I love it. I'm not in the market for a portable audio/video player but when I am the brown Zune will surely be mine <33333333 Awesome piece of hardware and I can only imagine the great things that will happen with the firmware updates. I hope Microsoft succeeds in giving Apple some heavy competition with this one, and I think they will, they put out a quality product and they deserve it.
D
Deleted member 119758
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As a surprise Christmas present, I got a Zune from my brother. Incidentally, one of the same presents I got for him - go figure.
Anyway, although I wouldn't call the software interface "intuitive," I don't think it's particularly confusing either. I had some major problems getting my whole library synced up, but it turns out I was doing it the hard way. I dragged and dropped all of my files into the "sync" section on the Zune interface, pressed "Start Sync" and my whole library was there on the Zune.
I find the audio quality excellent and overall the unit is easy to use.
After helping set up a friend's Ipod video, I think the Zune was a bit easier to use and on the same headphones, I liked the Zune audio output just a bit better. It didn't sound as thin.
Anyway, not the official opinion of [H] Consumer, just another bloke on the boards giving his personal accounting.
Anyway, although I wouldn't call the software interface "intuitive," I don't think it's particularly confusing either. I had some major problems getting my whole library synced up, but it turns out I was doing it the hard way. I dragged and dropped all of my files into the "sync" section on the Zune interface, pressed "Start Sync" and my whole library was there on the Zune.
I find the audio quality excellent and overall the unit is easy to use.
After helping set up a friend's Ipod video, I think the Zune was a bit easier to use and on the same headphones, I liked the Zune audio output just a bit better. It didn't sound as thin.
Anyway, not the official opinion of [H] Consumer, just another bloke on the boards giving his personal accounting.
Ah, I missed that post. Guess the PM he sent me will have to stay close to my heart. Kids, I tell ya... gotta love 'em.
Anyway, Jason:
What do you think of the video quality on the Zune as compared to any of the video iPods? I've yet to see one in action. Was at Best Buy on Christmas Eve but wasn't about to beat my way through all the kids and grandmas and college pukes to get a firsthand look at 'em, I can wait.
But I'm curious what your opinion is/was on the video quality. So far most every review I've read online and people's opinions say it's much better than any current iPod - but then again, with MacWorld almost upon us, I wonder if now's the time Apple finally drops the widescreen/touchscreen iPod on us all... we'll find out soon enough.
Anyway, Jason:
What do you think of the video quality on the Zune as compared to any of the video iPods? I've yet to see one in action. Was at Best Buy on Christmas Eve but wasn't about to beat my way through all the kids and grandmas and college pukes to get a firsthand look at 'em, I can wait.
But I'm curious what your opinion is/was on the video quality. So far most every review I've read online and people's opinions say it's much better than any current iPod - but then again, with MacWorld almost upon us, I wonder if now's the time Apple finally drops the widescreen/touchscreen iPod on us all... we'll find out soon enough.
D
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bbz_Ghost said:
Well, for one thing, it looks like the screen on the Zune is about twice the size of the Ipod. You can also view videos in widescreen on the Zune. Those are two major advantages for an old fart whose vision is starting to fade
.As far as quality, I have to admit that I haven't spent nearly as long viewing clips on the Ipod as on the Zune. I really love the quality on the Zune, though, and I didn't feel like I had to hold it 6 inches away from my face like I had to on the Ipod. I've been very impressed. No compression artifacts that I could see.
Spetsnaz Op
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MrE said:
the ipod stores MP3's as "hidden files with weird numbers and stuff" and has NO FM support or voice recording and a tiny screen and you are whining about how the zune doesn't have a...a...."calander"???? LOL
enelson125
Limp Gawd
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dR.Jester said:
The Zune software does convert videos for you but I'm not sure of the formats it supports. I know it can do MP4.
Does anyone know of a good way to rip video for use on the Zune? If tried one of those Zune-specific dvd rippers but it was awful and every dvd I ripped had out of sync audio. Am I better off using AutoGK/GordianKnot and doing it on my own?
Lets see...I like the way the Zune looks and it looks durable as hell...which is good since I work at an airport and things get banged to hell. I like how a piece of dust will not take a zune down like it does an iPod. What can I say? I hate scratches on shiny things. and my iPod is scratched to hell by sitting in a case....but then my iPod I have docks for it and stuff like that. And I like the podcasting support iTunes has that Zune seems to lack....and I listen to a lot of podcasts....though what i may do is get a zune for portable listening and keep my iPod for the docks and stuff....yeah a complicated mess but it would be nice if one player did it all. And MS needs to tie in the Zune with WMP....
I received a 30GB IPod for Christmas and kept it about 1 week before exchanging it for a Zune. My initial impression comparing the two is that the sound is better with the Zune. I listen to mostly DJ sets and the bass is perfect. The IPod's bass was tinny and using the bass booster EQ setting made everything muddy. I'm using V-Moda Vibes.
stabilep said:
YES YES YES. i dont understand why you can sync non-microsoft devices to WMP and buy downloadable songs for them in WMP but you cant use the Zune with WMP, instead you have to use it's clone, the zune software, which i dont hate but i already use windows media player so much its a shame i have to open up seperate software to sync my library to my zune...
enelson125
Limp Gawd
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matt fury said:
I don't know why you'd rather not have an FM tuner, I think it's a great addition and something the ipod has been missing for quite a while (not like it'd be that hard to include). Voice recording I don't really care though.
But if anyone is complaining because the Zune doesn't have organizer functionality, they need to get their head out of their ass and buy a PDA. Why the hell would you want organizer programs on something without a keyboard?
The FM radio costs both money and space. And as others have said, the precise reason I'm using an mp3 player is to get away from the radio. Now, if said radio was actually useable to connect to, say, a car stereo, then it would be a bonus.
Now, I'm not one of these calendar-on-iPod people, but I can see where it has a use. Most calendar entries are added on computers and viewed on PDAs, so the lack of a keyboard is not a big deal. And why carry another whole device if you can get by with the included calendar on the iPod?
Now, I'm not one of these calendar-on-iPod people, but I can see where it has a use. Most calendar entries are added on computers and viewed on PDAs, so the lack of a keyboard is not a big deal. And why carry another whole device if you can get by with the included calendar on the iPod?
palindrome
Limp Gawd
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I have found myself to be using the fm tuner alot more than i thought. Especially in the mornings, so i can hear the radio people talk, or to hear the patriots games. As for the calanders etc...i use my cell phone for those things. I always have my cell phone with me, so i'm not adding a new device.
i'd say an FM tuner, no matter how much you think you wont use it, is better on an mp3 player than a damn calendar. maybe i'm too old school where my calendar is on the wall still. i'm sure most of us have cell-phones with all that jazz too, so why have it yet another device? contacts, calendar, stupid games, all thats in my phone. FM tuner...on my zune, even if it is wasted space, its better utilized than that other stuff...
Since ppl don't have PDA's and have an easier time syncing their contacts/calendar along with their music at the same time. They don't wanna take the time to do it all on their phone I guess.
Since ppl got bored and want to play some games while their sitting there waiting for something....once again...you could prolly use your phone.
Since ppl started jogging with MP3 players. HD based don't work too well obviously.
Solution? Buy a Smartphone with a large SD card lol
Since ppl got bored and want to play some games while their sitting there waiting for something....once again...you could prolly use your phone.
Since ppl started jogging with MP3 players. HD based don't work too well obviously.
Solution? Buy a Smartphone with a large SD card lol
SLiGuy said:
Games, Organizer, etc. suck on the iPod. I have used it a lot and it just plain sucks. The clickwheel is HORRIBLE to play games with.
As far as the FM Tuner, it goes along with music. These are music devices. Some of us still like to catch the news or the morning show (KQ92 Morning Show!).
And to say it adds to the price??? The zune is 30gb 249.99...ipod is 30gb 249.99
So really iPod is ripping you off then as the Organizer and Games are just software where as the FM Tuner is hardware.
Lets not forget that iPod charges $50 for the radio addon and you have to have it hanging off the device!!!!
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=1807F4C3&nplm=MA070G/B
And finally, the FM Tuner cannot be an FM Transmitter as they are two VERY different devices. Its not like Wifi that is send/receive by design....
As far as the FM Tuner, it goes along with music. These are music devices. Some of us still like to catch the news or the morning show (KQ92 Morning Show!).
And to say it adds to the price??? The zune is 30gb 249.99...ipod is 30gb 249.99
So really iPod is ripping you off then as the Organizer and Games are just software where as the FM Tuner is hardware.
Lets not forget that iPod charges $50 for the radio addon and you have to have it hanging off the device!!!!
http://store.apple.com/1-800-MY-APPLE/WebObjects/AppleStore.woa/wa/RSLID?mco=1807F4C3&nplm=MA070G/B
And finally, the FM Tuner cannot be an FM Transmitter as they are two VERY different devices. Its not like Wifi that is send/receive by design....
A friend sent me this yesterday, sorry it was already posted in the pages before, Im lazy.
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/how-to-bypass-the-zunes-wifi-sharing-drm-217042.php
http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/how-to-bypass-the-zunes-wifi-sharing-drm-217042.php
I got my Zune this last Sunday. Its pretty darn cool for the most part. With some 3rd party software I ripped a few dvd's for viewing on there, looks pretty damn good! It was hassle free.. but pretty slow process for the encoding. However.. I did it on my old machine (amd 2400) and it took about 2 hours or so I guess to encode the dvd. Im sure my gaming machine would do better.. but.. its for fuggin gaming!
The Radio feature..well.. it SUCKS. I dont know if its me.. or the area that I live in.. but I so far have been unable to get ANY radio station to come in on it. I hear some static of stations. Outdoors.. indoors.. doesnt matter. I even tried the Livermore local radio station that comes in clear on just about anything... and still.. nothing. I tried extending my arm out holding the zune in all directions just to make sure the "antenna" was extended. Maybe my zune is bad? Im not sure if you can record radio on it or not. Id have to be able to get a station first. Maybe I need to take a trip into SF and hump a radio tower to see if it works any better.
The organization of songs and what not can be annoying at times. I guess some of my mp3 tags arent all up to snuff.. but damn.. I just wish it would keep things together as I put them on there.. instead of splitting the things up into what seems to be random albums. Some tags ive checked to find out why it took 1 song out of the 15 or so in an album and made it a new "album" only to see that the album tag is the same as the rest. It seems the only way to really get any organization is using play lists.
One thing I do like about the zune software is that it looks for album art if I didnt have any to begin with. Thats great.. because I have a ton of cd's that I ripped before the ol' torrent days, that I never had any art for.
The "equalizer" leaves much to be desired. It just has the basic "rock, pop, classical" type settings.. I wish I had a little more control. Hell the mp3 player on my Palm has more control than this.
One last thing..for now. The battery life. Im not sure if the meter is accurate.. or not..but it seems to drop to 3/4 battery life within about 20-30 min of use. But it wont move from there for at least another hour. Just listening to music. Movies.. well.. that seems to drain it a lot faster of course. I felt I might get 3 hours of movies in before it died. I havent used it enough yet to get an idea how long it would last just doing music. For the record I have turned the backlight timer down to 15secs to preserve some more power. Might lower it some more.. but sometimes its just kinda cool seeing the album art there.
The Radio feature..well.. it SUCKS. I dont know if its me.. or the area that I live in.. but I so far have been unable to get ANY radio station to come in on it. I hear some static of stations. Outdoors.. indoors.. doesnt matter. I even tried the Livermore local radio station that comes in clear on just about anything... and still.. nothing. I tried extending my arm out holding the zune in all directions just to make sure the "antenna" was extended. Maybe my zune is bad? Im not sure if you can record radio on it or not. Id have to be able to get a station first. Maybe I need to take a trip into SF and hump a radio tower to see if it works any better.
The organization of songs and what not can be annoying at times. I guess some of my mp3 tags arent all up to snuff.. but damn.. I just wish it would keep things together as I put them on there.. instead of splitting the things up into what seems to be random albums. Some tags ive checked to find out why it took 1 song out of the 15 or so in an album and made it a new "album" only to see that the album tag is the same as the rest. It seems the only way to really get any organization is using play lists.
One thing I do like about the zune software is that it looks for album art if I didnt have any to begin with. Thats great.. because I have a ton of cd's that I ripped before the ol' torrent days, that I never had any art for.
The "equalizer" leaves much to be desired. It just has the basic "rock, pop, classical" type settings.. I wish I had a little more control. Hell the mp3 player on my Palm has more control than this.
One last thing..for now. The battery life. Im not sure if the meter is accurate.. or not..but it seems to drop to 3/4 battery life within about 20-30 min of use. But it wont move from there for at least another hour. Just listening to music. Movies.. well.. that seems to drain it a lot faster of course. I felt I might get 3 hours of movies in before it died. I havent used it enough yet to get an idea how long it would last just doing music. For the record I have turned the backlight timer down to 15secs to preserve some more power. Might lower it some more.. but sometimes its just kinda cool seeing the album art there.
It could be your headphones are not very good as an antenna. I believe the zune like many other portable devices uses the headphones as the FM antenna.
As far as the battery meter, dont know for sure but many devices batt meters suck (my ipod seems to always be at half way down and drops there after about 45 min of use, yet it will go for HOURS more and still sit at 1/2.
As far as the battery meter, dont know for sure but many devices batt meters suck (my ipod seems to always be at half way down and drops there after about 45 min of use, yet it will go for HOURS more and still sit at 1/2.
Im using the headphones that came with the thing still no love. And yea.. it certainly uses the headphones.. the static changes when I move it
One last thing I have to add.. its REALLY annoying I cant just drag files from a DVD burned with mp3's on it to the Zune. It seems to require me to copy them to the HD first, then sync them. So basically I HAVE to keep the crap on my hd so it can sync it to the zune.
still no love. And yea.. it certainly uses the headphones.. the static changes when I move it One last thing I have to add.. its REALLY annoying I cant just drag files from a DVD burned with mp3's on it to the Zune. It seems to require me to copy them to the HD first, then sync them. So basically I HAVE to keep the crap on my hd so it can sync it to the zune.