Has anyone picked up the Zune yet? It might be on my XMas list based on everything I've read? Any feedback? I can't stand Itunes and I've got a huge collection of music in .mp3(192) from original cds. I'd never buy music that is DRM protected so the music store option is irrelevant to me. Is anyone using a decent software to save DVDs to Mpegs with lower resolution and stereo audio? Also does anyone know if the new Zune media player converts the files in anyway before transfer. I can hear double conversion like a screaching brakepad.

Here's some quick comparisons... Personally..after looking at the zune, I thought it to be pretty big for only a 30GB unit. I have a 60GB ipod and it's quite a bit thinner than the Zune. Although, the prices are comparable with the 30GB ipod and the Zune does have 3 great features over the ipod: WiFi transfer to another zune player (you can give someone your songs that they can listen to on their zune for up to 3 days); the FM tuner and a slightly larger screen for viewing videos.

Zune: 30GB $249.99
PC Interface Supported: Hi-Speed USB, Wi-Fi
Height: 4.4 in; Width: 2.4 in; Depth: 0.6 in; Weight: 5.6 oz
Supported Digital Photo Standards: JPEG
Supported Digital Audio Standards: MP3, WMA, AAC
Digital Video Standards: MV, MPEG-4 and H.264
Built-in Display: LCD - color Diagonal Size: 3" ; Resolution: 320 x 240
Battery - rechargeable - lithium ion; Run Time (Up To): 14 hour(s)
Battery Life Details: Video playback - up to 4 hour(s) ¦ Music Playback (wireless on) - up to 13 hour(s) ¦ Music playback (wireless off) - up to 14 hour(s) ¦ Pictures - up to 4 hour(s)
Additional Features: Built-in FM radio, upgradeable firmware, JPEG photo playback, USB 2.0 compatibility, MPEG-4 playback, WMV playback, H.264 playback

iPod 80GB $349/30GB $249
30 GB: Height: 4.1 in; Width: 2.4 in; Depth: 0.43 in; Weight: 4.8 oz
80 GB: Height: 4.1 in; Width: 2.4 in; Depth: 0.55 in; Weight: 5.5 oz
Audio formats supported: MP3, MP3 VBR, AAC, Protected AAC, Audible 2, 3 and 4, Apple Lossless, AIFF
Video Formats Supported: .m4v, .mp4, and .mov
Picture Formats: Jpeg (converted on sync)
Built in Display: 2.5" QVGA (320 x 240) LCD screen with white LED backlight;
Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery - Playback time (30GB model) Music: Up to 14 hours; Photo slideshow with music viewing time: Up to 4 hours; Video: Up to 3.5 (80GB model): Music: Up to 20 hours; Photo slideshow with music viewing time: Up to 6 hours; Video playback time: Up to 6.5 hours; Charging via USB or FireWire to computer system or power adapter (sold separately) Fast-charge time: about 2 hours (charges up to 80% of battery capacity) Full-charge time: about 4 hours

I have the iPod myself and wouldn't give the Zune the time of day, but that is just me. Then again, I use a PowerBook too and wouldn't give Windows the time of day either, so I am biased...:D

Audio formats supported: MP3, MP3 VBR, AAC, Protected AAC, Audible 2, 3 and 4, Apple Lossless, AIFF

I can hear a huge difference once a piece of music is converted to .mp3(128 ). I don't really hear it in 192. I have also used Musicmatch for many years since it allows very straightfoward and very good sounding mp3 conversion. I like the format and I've learned all of its ins and outs. As I understand it Itunes converts existing mp3s to aac once transfer to the Ipod starts. Can anyone confirm this? I have also heard first hand what happens when we take and double convert a file Original to mp3 to wma or aac and its some bad stuff. I don't consider myself an audiofile at all but I've got really sensitive hearing and the swirliness of the cymbals and the lack of presence in the mid range is gross to me and drives me nuts. Alot of what I listen to is modern poppy crap recordings anyway so we know the sound is already curved into a big ole near distortion level smily face. So that is why I really like the Zune option. It seems to have much better support for native mp3 files. I have approximately 60gigs of movies and 85 gigs of music. So I know I'll have to pick and choose. I really love the idea of an 80 gig Ipod and I like its overall size but I found the Zune to have a clearer smoother picture when side by side with an Ipod. The resolution is supposed to be the same so the Zune should be uglier. And also I don't really like the Itunes format and I really don't like quicktime. I know this question is only slightly related to our Es but I figured as much as we observe and communicate about our Hondas someone has to be just as outspoken about an mp3 player. PS thanks for the spec breakdown. :) I also don't think I'll use the Wifi in its current designated use. Three times in three days- That's not really sharing to me. I get the idea but I haven't even had one friend look sideways at a Zune yet. That'd be a pretty lonely sharing experience.

I have a 4GB Nano and all files are standard MP3 format (Lame encoded). Total files > 9,500 songs.

Regards,

I myself am excited about the Zune. (I've got about $150 of the $250 i need saved up.)
One thing about the WiFi, it will only transfur select songs. You can't sync any track.I'm not sure of the details.
I have a good collection of info about the Zune ->Here (http://www.google.com/reader/shared/10617679452896007732)<-
Click on any of the article titles to see them on the originating site.

->Here (http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/zune-qa-all-you-need-to-know-215057.php)<- Is a great "All You Need To Know" about the Zune article.

Though i am a big fan of Apple, but the iPod is so blah now days.

Has anyone picked up the Zune yet? It might be on my XMas list based on everything I've read? Any feedback? I can't stand Itunes and I've got a huge collection of music in .mp3(192) from original cds. I'd never buy music that is DRM protected so the music store option is irrelevant to me. Is anyone using a decent software to save DVDs to Mpegs with lower resolution and stereo audio? Also does anyone know if the new Zune media player converts the files in anyway before transfer. I can hear double conversion like a screaching brakepad.

i'll potentially answer your questions. i have a toshiba gigabeat S - the zune is essentially a rebadged toshiba, so it will probably act the same - i have to use windows media player for the most part, which is likely 99% the same as the zune's proprietary player. so #1, you'll still have to use their player, no drag and drop here. #2 (and you're not going to like it, maybe...) i dont rip dvd's (dont have a program) but i do have a personal video recorder on my pc to record TV shows. it records in WMV format, under 500kb - which is what the toshiba player requires. however, if i transfer the videos through windows media player, it still converts them. on the plus side, unlike music i can drag and drop video files - it says it might not be compatible, but they all transfer fine and play properly.

so, music will not be drag and drop, but video MAY be. thats just based on my toshiba gigabeat S series player. some other things you should know. the battery on my player is rated for 12 hours for music. i get 7-8 at the most. video is good at 2.5-3hrs. the zune has a larger screen though (2.4 inch vs. 3 inch) and also the wireless capability, so don't expect to get to their ratings (toshiba is notorious for overrating their batteries). also (and this was as much a problem with windows media player 11 as it was with the gigabeat). several times in the first week i had the player, it reformatted itself when connected to my pc - it hasn't done it now in a month or so, but in the back of my mind i'm dreading it - so don't expect the zune to be much better. it is toshiba first, with MS's name on it. all that being said, it is a great intuitive player which is why i decided to keep it (60gb version i just under $260 on amazon.com). good luck with your choice!

Here's an article that mirrors, for the most part, what I've been hearing about the Zune:

http://www.suntimes.com/technology/ihnatko/147048,CST-FIN-Andy23.article

One "fun fact" from the article: MS is paying Universal an undisclosed amount for each Zune sold (yes, for hardware, not music) because, according to Universal, anyone who has an mp3 player is automatically a pirate.

I've tried to be open minded about the Zune while it was in the planning stages, but I've read many reviews, and almost all of them are not positive. One of the most complete reviews I have read is from endgadget:

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/15/zune-review/

"The Zune is a player riddled with a lot of small issues -- death by a thousand cuts. Do we think any particular one is a deal breaker? Well, even given our nightmarish software issues, not really. Do we think they should have worked out the kinks and sat out this holiday season? Probably, yeah. Do we think there's potential for betterment of the platform and especially the player through software updates? Given enough time, absolutely. Would we recommend the product for purchase, like, right now? Not a chance."

Keep in mind that the people from engadget aren't the biggest ipod fans either. The wireless sharing is nice in theory, but mucked up in practice (three plays of a song from somebody eles's Zune, and poof! the song disappears, even if one of the times you played it was for only ten seconds).

The player itself is okay, but the software for the Zune looks pretty, pretty bad...

Another thing w/ the WiFi "sharing" - if you send a file to another user, even if it's a plain-jane .mp3 file (for instance, a podcast), it's encrypted with DRM - in violation of the license of many podcasts (heard about this on various TWiT podcasts).

.... As I understand it Itunes converts existing mp3s to aac once transfer to the Ipod starts. Can anyone confirm this? ...


while it is an option, it is not automatic nor necessary. all supported formats can co-exist and you can pick your default format (i use 192vbr on my ipods).

my impression is that the Zune is not ready for prime-time. if you want to pay a lot of money to be a beta-tester, fine. but i'd rather pay that much money for a "mature" product and plan to keep it for a few years (ipod).

Thanks for the great feedback to all as I ponder this item.
Is there really any other solution besides a little Archos or Zen that doesnt use Itunes that can store music and movies?

You could always get a PSP...Games, Movies and Music!

i had an archos gmini402 and sold it to get the toshiba gigabeat s 60gb. the archos was a swiss army knife - it could do just about everything. but, the menus, well, if you liked windows 3.1 then you'll make out ok - definitely the opposite of intuitive though. the gigabeat is very intuitive, and i happen to like tactile controls more than apple and their scroll wheel (that also ruled out a creative zen for me, although it accepts a wider range of music and video format) i chose the gigabeat for the following:

- 60gb for $255
- USB host so i can transfer photos on the go direct from my camera
- drag and drop WMV video for viewing and other files for storage/transfer
- 2.5-3 hours of video battery life.
- easy quick list, album art displayed, straight forward intuitive menu system
- audio/video output cables included with player


and in exchange live with:
- having to use windows media player 11 to transfer music to/from the player.
- 7-8 hours of music battery life (its either in the car or at work, so i can charge it on a regular basis in my case)
- making sure windows media player is set to not auto-sync - this will cause the player to reformat the hard-drive, and toshiba has never addressed this problem via firmware update (it hasn't happened in a month since i set WMP properly)
- poor aftermarket support - thank you ZUNE!
- microsoft dumping Playsforsure format in favor of the zune as well
- the zune getting some great support off the bat - a docking station for tv, stereo, remote control support and plenty of other stuff toshiba dropped the ball on - i'm sure at microsoft's command.
- the more i think about it i hate the zune!

i almost pulled the trigger on an ipod before deciding on the gigabeat S. i just couldn't justify the added expense of buying A/V cables, a photo dock for file transfer on the go, a 3rd party program for using the player (i hate itunes, having bought a few episodes of lost on it) and don't like their DRM (as much as i dont like the zune DRM! - playsforsure was alright). most of my collection is ripped from CDs anyways, but not being able to drag and drop at all with the ipod was the killer for me.

The zune is an ipod killer?? who cares, whats an Ipod never had one never will

I just ordered the zune, it was that or a psp and I hope I don't hate myself for picking the zune over the psp. I'm over 100gb of music and who knows how much video, could be over 100gb so even an 80gb Icrap won't hold all of my music. I don't hate apple I just don't want to have anything to do with them or the icrap

mac users right click here (www.rightclickhere.com) I crack me up

Hehe, I have 3 macs and 3 iPods that are mine. My girl has an iBook and an iPod. My mom has an iPod and a Powerbook. My dad just got one of the new shuffles. My nephew has an iPod. My brother has an iBook and an iPod and my uncle finally switched to a Powerbook earlier this year.

As bad as you seem to dislike Apple, i seem to be on the other side, lol...:D

Hehe, I have 3 macs and 3 iPods that are mine. My girl has an iBook and an iPod. My mom has an iPod and a Powerbook. My dad just got one of the new shuffles. My nephew has an iPod. My brother has an iBook and an iPod and my uncle finally switched to a Powerbook earlier this year.

As bad as you seem to dislike Apple, i seem to be on the other side, lol...:D

:)
Between my wife and I, we have a three macs at home (Intel iMac 20", dual G4, and a G4 PowerBook), and three ipods (nano, 40gb 3G ipod, and a 15gb iPod).

I can understand why people would want something other than an iPod for their MP3 player, but the Zune does not look desireable to me at all. I would much rather have a Sandisk Sansa or even Toshiba Gigabeat. The Zune looks like a sloppy cash grab by MS.....

You could always get a PSP...Games, Movies and Music!
I know I thought about that too but what about storage. I don't want to carry memory cards.

The zune is an ipod killer?? who cares, whats an Ipod never had one never will

I just ordered the zune, it was that or a psp and I hope I don't hate myself for picking the zune over the psp. I'm over 100gb of music and who knows how much video, could be over 100gb so even an 80gb Icrap won't hold all of my music. I don't hate apple I just don't want to have anything to do with them or the icrap

mac users right click here (www.rightclickhere.com) I crack me up


What software are you using for conversion to the lower res and stereo audio? I don't dislike Apple, on the contrary, I used to use all Mac but over the past 3 years I have invested far too much into my pc to go back and I really can't stand Quicktime. I mean I hate Quicktime as almost as much as I hate Adobe and I really hate Adobe Acrobat oh so much. But above all else I hate Act! the most- buggy crap. I have a lot of pent up anger twoards software but I do like Apple. I have always used and edited .mp3 and I really want to avoid aac format. I really like the idea of universiality (is that a new word?) and the mp3 format is universal although before anyone else says it I do believe that aac is becoming a standard almost as much.

I know I thought about that too but what about storage. I don't want to carry memory cards.
Yeah, that's the only problem...

AlumAnt good luck with the Zune. You'll have to keep us updated on how you like it.

It's so funny to me...whatever item is popular there are always those that HATE it. (yes, it's a free country and you are allowed to like/dislike things). I just think it's funny...

Windows = WinDoze; Microsoft = Microsucks/Microbucks
Apple/Mac used to be the underdog...now iPod = iCrap. in this instance Apple is not the underdog...they are the EVIL empire and Microsoft is the underdog with the Zune player.... :-o Whoever thought that would happen...

ahhhh...ain't commercialism grand! :rolleyes:

I don't like apple but i'm not a... microsoft fanboi, the zune purchase which was paid for by my mother in-law will be the first dollar that I have contributed to the Bill Gates charity fund. Out of 4 computers in this two and a half person household the wifes laptop is the only think running anything microsoft.

RyanB-E * I don't have it yet, it's in the mail. And won't get it until christmas. So I don't know what I will be using

No secret I'm both an Apple and an iPod fan...so the best I can wish you is "good luck" with your Zune community...assuming such a thing will ever come to pass...!

I still have about 20 days before I get mine but I'm already a member at two Zune communities. As soon as someone gets linux to run the Zune it will be able to access wireless internet. And many zune naysayers are going to flip flop and say they always liked the Zune!

I have never been an early adopter, actually I usually wait until the inital price is cut in half (more than a year) then jump in. This is most aparent by looking at my best computer, still a mobile athlon 2800. But I thought I would take a chance on the Zune and get in at version 1, usually easier to mod, example psp.

http://www.zuneboards.com/

http://www.zunescene.com/

I got my Zune early

RyanB-E------

I'm using windows media encoder to convert avi mpg to wmv

for dvd straight to wmv I'll try cucusoft