Most helpful client reviews
2095 of 2143 humans found the following review helpful.
The 3rd generation's a charm
By E. Yasi
Between me and my husband we've owned more MP3 players over the years than I may count, including Sansas, iRivers, iPods (classic & touch), the Ibiza Rhapsody, etc. But, the last few years I've settled down to one line of players. Why? Because I was happy to discover how well-designed and fun to use the underappreciated (and widely mocked) Zunes are.
I'll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are taking into account an upgrade, and people attempting to determine amongst a Zune and an iPod. (There are other players worth giving careful consideration to out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you sufficient data to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)
Zune and iPod: Most humans compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and astoundingly little and light it is, I consider it to be a rather distinguishable hybrid that combines calibers of both the Touch and the Nano. It's very colorful and lovely OLED screen is more or less littler than the touch screen, but the player itself feels rather a bit littler and lighter. It weighs regarding 2/3 as much, and is noticeably littler in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.
Points of comparison:
- Brighter OLED screen with more bright color and better contrast
OLED screens may wash out in direct sunlight more than others, but in almost any other circumstance they are without doubt or question preferable, and have a marvelous eye-catching picture that needs to be seen to be appreciated. The screen has slighly lower solution than the iPod Touch, but is also somewhat smaller, so in the end video looks a little less pixellated when viewed closely, and very vivid.
- HD Radio
If you live within the reception area of a good deal of HD radio stations this may be a breathtakingly nice feature. For me it's not so much the more or less better sound quality as it is the further and added streams of content that make this fun. For example, if you tune into an FM station, then it's playing what you here, and if you don't like it too bad. With an HD station, you may tune in and it will be shown with up to three signals to chose from labeled HD1, HD2, and HD3. HD1 may have whatsoever is playing on the FM version, HD2 may be news, and HD3 might be numerous substitute music w/ a dissimilar theme. For example one of our oldies station in the Boston area broadcasts a love-song themed selection on HD3. One caveat: if you don't have a strong sufficient signal, these HD versions may cut in and out, making them discouraging and hindering to listen to. But, when the signal is strong sufficient it's very enjoyable.
- 720p video output by way of (an over-priced) dock. When transferring video content to the Zune you may specify if it must be sized appropriately for playback on the Zune or TV, so if you do plan to just watch on your Zune you won't have the video taking up huge amounts of storage.
- Zune Pass subscription service
This is my bestloved feature that will keep me using a Zune until it's pried from my my desperate grasp. For $15 a month I get 10 DRM-free MP3 songs to keep, and unlimited access to millions of songs. As long as you would have purchased at least 10 songs anyways that means you're paying only $5 for that access. It's better than Pandora, Slacker, LastFM or other services because you may listen to full CDs, specify playlists and tracks in the precise order you want, AND may either stream this music or store it on your Zune to listen to later, even if out of wifi range. Lots of humans present subscription services as something you do INSTEAD of owning music, but at this cheap a price there's no reason you can't use this as a supplement to whatsoever purchases you make. It's not either/or, it's a wondrous "AND", exceptionally if you're the type who likes to explore and receive pleasure from a wide range of music.
Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a outstanding start, but it is presently hampered by the disability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will more or less negate this vantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a huge plus in Zune Pass' favor.
- Wireless sync
In addition to wireless net access, you may sync your Zune to your PC wirelessly, which may be rather commodious on occasion. The new Zune HD seems to have better wireless reception than my prior Zunes.
- Smart DJ
Rhapsody basi extrapolated a playlist construction service with it is 'Channels' feature, and Apple followed with it is 'Genius' feature. The idea is that you specify a song or artist, and the service will manufacture a playlist of similar music of both intimate and new artists for you to enjoy. The prior Zunes had a 'Channel' feature too, but I found it missing out in sophistication and accuracy. The 4.0 Zune Marketplace upgrade (the Zune equivalent of iTunes) now has a 'Smart DJ' feature that is a much bettered version of the old Channels. I actually find it very utile now, and what's even better is that if you have Zune Pass you may specify whether it ought to pull music exclusive from your collection, from the Zune Pass selection, or from a combining of both. It's marvelously flexible and lots of fun.
- Web Browsing
The new Zune browser is astoundingly good, but not as good as the iPod's. It works well, but isn't as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you now and again plan on using the web browser that's not an issue, but if you're planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod's more prominent screen and better browser may be important.
- App Store
Hands down, Apple's app store wins by a mile. It's a big selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, in particular in the realm of games, but I'm not sure I'd want to bet on the future if this aspect is indispensable to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.
- Zune Marketplace and iTunes
This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and a great deal of cool features like 'Mixview' that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users affiliated to what you're listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of "neighbors" will come into view, permitting you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune "Social" is likewise outstanding fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and getting friends with them. You then may listen to a playlist devised based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you may prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.
- UI
The HD's UI was a bold move that remunerated off. It may look cluttered and overly busy in screenshots, but to see it in action is to be grateful for the design. It isn't always obvious, and the provided documentation is sparse, but a little experimentation will show you a UI with a large total of flexibility, like a menu of favorites, newly added music, and a user-definable set of shortcuts to your bestloved playlists, artists, HD Radio stations, etc. One quibble: it takes one too a lot of clicks and touches to fetch up the now playing screen after the display has 'gone to sleep' while you're listening to it. Other than that, the UI is delightful.
- Summary
The Zune concentrates on being a Portable Media Player. Not a web browser. Not a game machine. Maybe in the future it'll do even better in those areas, but for now it's a fantastic way to coordinate and listen to your music and videos, and is without peer in that regard. The iPod's intensities are it is web browsing and apps. If those sound more compelling, perchance it is your best choice.
If you're still on the fence: grab your bestloved earphones, head down to a Best Buy and ask to plug them into a Zune then an iPod and see which one sounds better to you, and which interface makes you smile more. Then you'll recognise which is right for you.
- Current Zune Owners
(See, I didn't forget you!) I think owners of any of the older flash players will be delighted at the upgrade, as long as cash isn't an issue. Don't hesitate. Those who value the higher capacity of the 80gb or a 120gb will have a tougher choice. If you can't afford both, then you'll have to weigh the capacity to be competent to have all (or at least most) of your music stored on the device vs the HD radio, better display, and sleeker than a seal UI. As I said before, this new Zune is astoundingly little and light, and you must find one to get a feel for in person too, because then you may genuinely evaluate how compelling those new features are to you. Oh, and don't forget it has an Equalizer if that matters!
Keep in mind: Microsoft has made it clear that the HD line is the future. They were outstanding with regards to giving new features to the older models in the past, but we're seeing a clear signal with the 4.0 Marketplace. Most of the cool new stuff is only going to the new kid on the block, and I think that will carry on to be the case. They won't cut you out entirely, but if they're going to concentrate on making the HD succeed, then I suspect that is where most if not all of their future focus and effort will go.
Sorry for the huge review, but I'm actually loving the new Zune, and hope this, as well as the splendid reviews numerous other people have written, will aid you determine if it's the right choice for you.
841 of 896 people found the following review helpful.
Zune HD Video Review
By enders4you
Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2MCY118RZQL1H Here is a simple video on the features and what the Zune HD player may do . . .
536 of 577 persons found the following review helpful.
Has come a long way since the "brick" Zune
By T. Nield
Zune was the laughing stock a couple of years ago when Microsoft freed the "brick" 1st-gen Zune. A joke went around with regards to Microsoft's pathetic try to enter the "iPod market." So a year passed, and Zune remained a joke in the buyer electronics world and had to endure the jeers and torment of the Apple crowd. When the 2nd Gen Zunes came out, the Zune brand tardily started to see redemption. The Zune 80gb was deemed the original decent challenger to the iPod, but the brand was still in recovery from it is hazing.
But for the initial time, Microsoft has produced a Zune player that may at last use the words "downright sexy" to describe it. The Zune brand effigy is building up speedily with the release of the Zune HD, XBOX Live integration, and much-needed marketing.
With the rapid rise of the iPod Touch and iPhone, it's no surprise Microsoft came up with a touchscreen portable media player of it is own. However, this is not a copy of the iPod touch at all. Sure the Zune HD features a touchscreen, accelerometer, app support, a strong web browser and other features that made the iPod Touch so popular.
However, the Zune HD has what the iPod Touch lacks, such as...
-ZunePass (Download all the music you want for $15/month, keep 10 songs per month DRM-Free)
-720p HDMI output
-An aesthetically nice software (Zune 4.0 interface is very pretty to look at, not a dull spreadsheet like iTunes)
-An aesthetically nice device OS (Artist pictures and data float around while playing a song, it's cool)
-OLED screen (brighter, more vibrant than LCD)
-Free HD radio
-Radio "tagging" (If you like a song you listen on the radio, "tag" it to add it to your cart for download)
-A feature called "Smart DJ" that functions identically to the online radio service "Pandora" but has no limitations on skips and allows you to rate/download songs you like. Requires a ZunePass though.
-XBOX Live integration
-An progressed nVidia Tegra Chip (A couple of graphically-intense 3D games are coming out this fall, like Burnout: Ferrari Edition)
-On-demand music (play music online with your Zune HD, don't need to download it to your hard drive)
Again, the Zune HD is just merely amazing. With the Nvidia Tegra chip and highly competent processor, the potential for this device is endless. The Zune HD is supposed to be a portable gaming platform to compete head-to-head with the Nintendo DS and PSP brands. I'm excessively affected emotionally to see Burnout: Ferrari Edition on it this fall. I'm also looking forward to see more apps as well.
Could this device take significant market percentage from Apple's iPod Touch? With the right marketing to increase public knowingness of this product, yes it unquestionably can. Every big monopolizing entity like Kmart, GM, and even Apple will dominate a market exclusively for a lot of amount of time of time. However, times alter and something better always comes along. Is this Zune HD the better substitute to the iPod? With galore more releases in the app store and updates, it without doubt or question will be. The question is will Apple change and copy the Zune's features including the Zune Pass? I don't know, we'll see. The Zune Pass will without doubt or question become the new general of digital music services and the $1-per-song marketplace model will not be competitory much longer.
***UPDATE***
I've been getting a lot of remarks on my review saying that the Zune's HD radio does not recompense for the lack of online radio services found on the iPod Touch (such as Pandora). I believe I already said in my review that with galore more app development the Zune HD will be a strong challenger to the iPod Touch. However, who in the world needs Pandora if you have a Zune Pass? Your Zune will learn your musical tastes and give you recommendations. You may download/stream all the music you want without limits. But if you like Pandora, I suggest playing with the Zune's "Smart DJ". It will construct a streaming playlist of songs based on your overall musical tastes or play distinctively based on a sure artist.
I likewise forgot to add the Zune HD does not have an external speaker. If that's a super-important feature to you, the iPod Touch may suit you for now. However you may always get headphone couplers or battery-powered mini-speakers to remedy this.
***UPDATE***
The new apps on the Zune freed this fall include a heap of aweinspiring 3D games. They look just as good (if not better) than what you would find on a PSP or Nintendo DS. Among these games are Van's Sk8, Burnout: Ferrari Edition, Audiosurf Tilt, and some others. Twitter has been freed as well and Facebook must follow soon. I have no complaints in regards to the Zune after owning it for a few months. I'm convinced the Zune brand provides the best music experience service ever created.
***UPDATE*** October 2010
It's been a year since I purchased the Zune HD. I will never look back at buying another mp3 player. I also ran into in tech blogs that the Zune HD2 is coming. It will have the Windows Phone 7 OS without the phone features (iPod Touch equivalent to the Windows Phones), which means that it will work with all the apps formulated by third party programmers. The Windows Phone 7 OS is plainly the OS on the Zune HD, but intensified for more productivity and third party development. It's a strong mobile OS that has an unexampled amount of flow and integration among all the apps. Microsoft claims there is no need for a copy and paste function because the OS is smart sufficient to figure out what task you will want to do with the selective information on the screen.
I've been getting a lot of questions in regards to sound quality. The sound quality is splendid and is surely superior to the iPod's which is reputed to have poor sound processing hardware (It's all in the exterior design and syndication that brings it is success). Of course, actually compulsive audiophiles might be happier with the Creative X-Fi portable player but 99% of us wouldn't listen the difference.
There are now 40 free apps in the marketplace. Although it is no iTunes App Store, they are quality apps and the games are a lot of fun peculiarly when I'm waiting in a lobby. The Zune HD2 is where third-party development will take place though, and hopefully that will fetch a lot of apps to the table.
See all 1078 client reviews...
Recent Comments