Microsoft Zune 30 White (30 GB) Digital Media Player

I loved the Ipod which I had for a long time, but that was until the Zune came out. The only draw back off the bat for the Zune is the lack of accessories. But in do time, that will change. By now, we all know the basics of the Zune: it's a 30GB MP3 player with a photo- and video-friendly 3-inch (4:3) screen, and it costs $249.99. It runs on a customized version of Portable Media Center software (Windows CE-based) and features the same intuitive twist-navigation like players such as the Toshiba Gigabeat S. But there are many differences both in mind and body that differentiate the Zune from any other MP3 player, which I'll share in a moment. To the chagrin of many Windows Media fans, the device is not backward compatible with WMA-DRM9 (Zune utilizes WMA-DRM9.1), so tracks purchased from stores such as Napster or Urge will not work. Subscription tracks from those services won't work either. In other words, Zune is not a PlaysForSure platform. Instead, it operates within its own software and store, which are not connected to Windows Media Player at all (in fact, you don't even need WMP to sync and manage your Zune).

What is inside the box: the Zune packaging is minimal, but has everything you need to get started. You actually lift the Zune out of the box by pulling on its brown ribbon, and the bundled earphones and rubbery USB cable are nowhere to be seen until you realize the flaps adjacent to the Zune lift open. In addition, you'll get a suede case, a software CD, some guides, and a sticker in the package. While we'd love to see more--such as an AC adaptor (You can buy in circuit city as a home kit for $99.99)the introductory Zune experience is well done. It's a durable device that will withstand scratches, bumps, and bruises, though the primary seam of the device looks as if it might burst open after a hard fall. The body is minimal with no buttons on the sides, only a hold switch and an earphone jack on top and a proprietary USB/accessories port on the bottom. The screen and main controller are surrounded by a thin, metallic inlay, while the three control buttons are dead simple (the small dedicated back and play/pause buttons are flush with the body). The back of the device features a circular dip and it mirrors the d-pad up front. This is supposed to give you a better feel for the d-pad especially as it's used with two hands in landscape mode. There is no kickstand as seen on some PVPs, but you can always get an optional case with a built-in method for propping up the Zune.

The screen is big and bright and automatically switched to landscape mode when viewing photos and videos. And when you are viewing in landscape, all of the buttons automatically changed direction, too. (Meaning up and down becomes left and right.) It would be nice to have some built-in support for left-handed people, but alas, there is none. The ability to send songs wirelessly to friends with Zunes is very quick (about 15 seconds per song). It would be nice to be able to keep the songs for longer that 3 days/3 plays. The sound quality of the Zune is very good when using the headphones that come with the device. I'm running out of characters, so I will sum it up by saying, that the Zune is a great start for Microsoft and could only get better in the near future with experience. Overall, I wish the Zune took more advantage of its wifi features (which apparently will be updated soon), but the device is very well-made, easy to use and fun.

Microsoft's Zune is my first digital media player and I am glad to say that I am quite pleased with it's features. I was well aware of Apple's line of MP3/media players but I opted for the Zune for it's wireless capabilities and ease of use with MS products (Windows + Xbox 360). It was easy to setup and the Zune software is fairly easy to use. The battery life is around a good 12-14 hours if you're listening to MP3's, around 3-5 hours if you're watching videos.

The unit itself is fairly light, but the dimensions are kinda bulky if you want to exercise with it. The interface is really simple and you can access music/pictures/video within a few clicks. It does a good job of sorting everything out automatically, but you can rearrange inside the Zune software. Charging the unit is just a simple matter of plugging in the Zune via USB cable, although you can purchase an AC charger kit/DC car charger seperately.

My only gripes with the unit is when I used it the very first day, songs would cutout for a split second and resume playing at regular intervals. After I decharged the unit completely and recharged it however, the problem went away. Also, it can be kinda hard to find Podcasts and non-music related material if you have alot of music stored on the unit. Also, the Zune software doesn't support my Operating System, which is Windows XP Pro 64-bit Edition. All-in-all, I feel that the Zune can hold it's own against other top of the line players. If you're looking for a 30GB media player that has wireless capabilites, FM tuner, decent battery life, and an easy to use interface, then I would reccommend getting the Zune.

-PRO's: Can share songs wirelessly, FM Tuner, easy to use, stream media to XBox 360, decent battery life, bright screen, good software.

-CON's: Experienced first time use poor audio quality, too bulky to run with, protective sleeve/case it comes with is rather useless, no AC charger unit bundled with product, software does not work with Windows XP Pro 64-bit edition

What I like:
30GB hard drive, built-in FM tuner, 3.0-inch screen (50% larger than the 5G iPod), and 802.11 wireless. It will also come in three colors, black, brown and white.
With the ability to share songs with frinds via WiFi, The Zune supports communities like xBox Live and MySpace. Initially, any song sent to a friend will only be playable for 3x in 3 days, but we all know that will be hacked.

Are these specs better than the iPod G5? I'll let you decide. I know there may be Apple haters out there who want anything but an iPod or nano, and Microsoft will get their share, but an iPod killer? I mean come on! Seriously, do they think a brown mp3 player will catch on. Maybe, for me to poop on!

PROS: The Microsoft Zune has very good playback performance of audio, video, and photos; intuitive and colorful interface; good FM radio with RDS; works well with Zune Marketplace software; integrated wireless allows sharing of songs (limited) and photos; many accessories available at launch.

CONS: The Microsoft Zune is not backward compatible with WMA-DRM9; weak native video support (cannot play protected content) and no video offerings from Zune Marketplace; cannot be used as a hard drive (and no UMS support); proprietary USB; cannot use Wi-Fi to sync, stream, or purchase content; minimal bundled accessories; no podcast directory; maximum capacity is 30GB; larger overall size than the iPod video.

For all the tech specs, click on 'More Information' above.

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You HAVE to buy this! The Microsoft Zune has very good playback performance of audio, video, and photos; intuitive and colorful interface; good FM radio with RDS; works well with Zune Marketplace software; integrated wireless allows sharing of songs (limited) and photos; many accessories available at launch.

Microsoft's Zune has been the talk of the town since it's release during last year's holiday season yet the context of the "talking" has been both good and bad. We've read mixed reviews with some loving the Zune and some hating it. Understandably this must be quite confusing for consumers, so today we at BFR hope to leave you with a review that you can truly use to base your opinion of the Zune on. Everyone has been looking for the silver bullet "iPod killing" mp3 player to come out but one must ask are we all being just a bit silly to have such expectations? The iPod has been a success that all device-making tech companies can only dream about having. The player dominates the market and thanks to key first-mover advantages like establishing an online music store to accompany the booming iPod, the player will continue to do so for years to come. For anyone to think it's possible for a company to come to market with a product so innovative that it instantly gobbles up even half of the iPod's market share is ridiculous. For one the iPod is a house hold name product. Everyone know's what it is and more than likely knows someone that has one (or two). Another reason, which is equally is big, is that most iPod owners have purchased some form of music off the iTunes music store and thanks in part to DRM, all of that music instantly goes down the drain if someone were to change from their iPod to different device.

The reasons as to why it's impossible for another player to instantly steal the market from the iPod go on and on. What it will take for another product to capture a piece of the market is that it will have to be a solid product, it will have to have a solid marketing campaign to build brand awareness, it will have to come with a solid music store experience to load the device with music, and it will of course have to come a very competitive price. Basically what it comes down to is giving consumers a good enough reason to change from their iPod and while at the same time leaving behind their current iTunes music collection investment. This is not going to be an easy task by any means but Microsoft is giving it their first shot with their Zune. Read on to see if the Zune presents a good enough case for you to consider it in your future purchasing decisions.

Below are the specifications from the Zune website. We will confirm the numbers listed below regarding battery life for audio and video.

Size and Weight

* 4.4 in. x 2.4 in. x 0.6 in. (h x w x d)
* Weight: 5.6 ounces

Battery

* Music, up to 14 hours (wireless off), up to 13 hours (wireless on); pictures, up to 4 hours; video, up to 4 hours
* Charge Time: 3 hours; 2 hours to 90%

Display

* Size: 3.0 inches
* Orientation: Vertical and Horizontal
* Resolution: 320 x 240 pixels

Audio

* Windows Media® Audio Standard (.wma): Up to 320 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate
* MP3 (.mp3): Up to 320 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate
* AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .m4b, .mov): Up to 320 Kbps, Low Complexity (LC), up to 48-kHz sample rate

Pictures

* JPEG (.jpg): All resolutions (desktop software will automatically convert to 640x480 at sync time)

Video

* Windows Media Video (.wmv): Main Profile, CBR or VBR, up to 1.5 Mbps peak video bitrate, 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames per sec., with Windows Media Audio up to 192 Kbps, 44.1 kHz, stereo audio; Simple Profile, CBR, up to 736 Kbps video bitrate, 320 x 240 pixels, 30 frames per sec.,