[Nick]

New personal media player has issues, comes with nasty surprise

Consumer Reports First Look: Microsoft Zune

Among digital media players, the iPod is king, with more than 75 percent of the market. If you're looking to buy a player, Microsoft hopes you'll consider its new model, for which we've completed preliminary testing. Here's our initial take:

Like iPod, the Zune has an exclusive, seamless relationship with a music-management program (Zune) and integrated online music store (Zune Marketplace) that resembles iPod's and Apple's iTunes program and iTunes Store. But that control over the entire "ecology" of the player can have its downsides. Several are already clear regarding the Zune:

R.I.P. WMA? The Zune comes with a nasty surprise for customers of Napster, MusicMatch, Wal-Mart, and other online stores who bought copy-protected songs in the Windows Media Audio (WMA) format. Despite a shared heritage with WMA, Zune won't play those songs. Nor will it work with Windows Media Player

Full CR review @ http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/...tal-media-player-11-06/overview/1106_zune.htm

 

[Nick]

"Zune won't play those (WMA) songs. Nor will it work with Windows Media Player"

What the Hell were they thinking, anyway? Zune engineers may be technically proficient, but they appear to know very little about human nature.

 

[Cholly]

Call it greed. Microsoft is joining Apple in making it a requirement that you use their proprietary format. Fortunately, there are tons of other (MP#) players available.

 

[Steve Mehs]

Call it greed. Microsoft is joining Apple in making it a requirement that you use their proprietary format. Fortunately, there are tons of other (MP#) players available.

I have an iPod and not one of my music files uses a proprietary format, all DRM free MP3s.

 

[DblD_Indy]

I have an iPod and not one of my music files uses a proprietary format, all DRM free MP3s.

Ah, bootleg? Sweet! Get him boys! LOL!

Go in the middle! Creative Zen Vision!

 

[redfiver]

Ah, bootleg? Sweet! Get him boys! LOL!

Go in the middle! Creative Zen Vision!

You don't have to bootleg music to get it DRM free. You can just buy the CD, just not through the iTunes store.

 

[DonLandis]

Leo LaPorte did a review on Twits on the Zune Might have been Daily Gizwiz.

There is also a rather silly system MS is putting in place to buy content for the Zune. Cost of the Zune content is 99 cents USD but you buy Zune points in 79 increments in blocks of $5 minimum or something bizarre like that. I saw right throughj that as it is a way of billing far more $ than they sell and over the long haul will it equal out.

Leo basically said the hardware is good but everything else about it is bad.

wifi connection only works to transfer Zune to another Zune. etc.

I think they guessed it would be about as popular as the Microsoft sound card.

 

[Kevin Dupuy]

Leo LaPorte did a review on Twits on the Zune Might have been Daily Gizwiz.

There is also a rather silly system MS is putting in place to buy content for the Zune. Cost of the Zune content is 99 cents USD but you buy Zune points in 79 increments in blocks of $5 minimum or something bizarre like that. I saw right throughj that as it is a way of billing far more $ than they sell and over the long haul will it equal out.

Leo basically said the hardware is good but everything else about it is bad.

wifi connection only works to transfer Zune to another Zune. etc.

I think they guessed it would be about as popular as the Microsoft sound card.

Yeah, I listened to that episode.
"And you will sell hundreds of these things!"

 

[MN Wild Fan]

Is it possible to get programming from the 622 on to my Zune?

 

[Steve Mehs]

You don't have to bootleg music to get it DRM free. You can just buy the CD, just not through the iTunes store.

Or buy from iTunes, burn to CD and re-rip. That's what I id with the 1 song I purchased in my life.

 

[Neil Derryberry]

apple just plain has the interface nailed.. everything else seems clunky to me. As far as device construction the ipod reins supreme there too.

 

[Cholly]

apple just plain has the interface nailed.. everything else seems clunky to me. As far as device construction the ipod reins supreme there too.

Just wait until the battery dies. You may not love your iPod then.

 

[Neil Derryberry]

Just wait until the battery dies. You may not love your iPod then.

Been there.. I had a 3rd generation ipod that had battery issues. $20 and about 10 minutes had it fixed.. batteries plus stores carry the replacement battery and case tools.

I have an ipod video now.. no idea what a battery change on this one might be like.

 

[cawgijoe]

I don't normally do this with companies.....but I'm done with Apple after trying to get my daughter's Nano replaced after it died in six months time.

To make a long story short....the Nano died...would not turn on. Went to the website....searched for a long time trying to resolve the problem there....no luck....was told to go the the Apple store......went in......told my story to a salesperson.....was told that I would have to see a "Genious" and I would have to make an appointment......long lines with people with problems. Made the appointment for an hour later.....wandered the mall.....came back.....had to wait an extra half hour.......they finally checked it out.......told me that since Apple had put free engraving (my daughter's name) on the back of the Nano......I purchased this on-line, I would have to send it back to Apple. Go to the website they said! I said I had already been with no luck, could they please call Apple.....they did reluctantly and I was told to call them on Monday during business hours and they would take care of me.

I called Monday.....gave them my story.......they said fine.....send it back along with $38 for shipping. I said "why.....your product is defective and the warranty is for a year". They said, no....it's a little over six months old which means shipping is no longer provided. I said fine.....I'll take the least expensive shipping. They said, no, sorry......that's the only shipping we have.

After elevating this to two managers with no luck, I hung up.....went back to the store after calling them to make another appointment to see another Genious and got a new one at the store minus the engraving. I took the Nano to a local engraver and paid them $20 for the engraving.

Poor customer service = no more Apple for me.

The Genious at the Apple store said..."you know there are other and better alternatives out there.....iRiver....Sandisk.....amybe even the Zune".

 

[Richard King]

I just got this guy: http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/shop/_templates/item_main_Rio.asp?model=306 for $85 to my door (thanks Woot.com). It arrived yesterday and so far so good. I have no idea how it compares to an IPod or a Zune as this is my first self contained music device. Any comments on this item? In compariing prices, it doesn't look bad to me for 6Gigs of storage. Of course it won't display pictures like an Ipod.

 

[ibglowin]

It broke twice in one year. It was great while it worked. Just wasn't well made and I was very gentle with it. The iPod came out right after that and I have never been more happier. Hopefully you will have better luck with yours.

I just got this guy: http://www.digitalnetworksna.com/shop/_templates/item_main_Rio.asp?model=306 for $85 to my door (thanks Woot.com). It arrived yesterday and so far so good. I have no idea how it compares to an IPod or a Zune as this is my first self contained music device. Any comments on this item? In compariing prices, it doesn't look bad to me for 6Gigs of storage. Of course it won't display pictures like an Ipod.

 

[Richard King]

I have heard of the scroll wheel breaking, I suspect this is what happened to yours? If that happens to me I can at least take the thing apart and remove the 6Gig hard drive and use it in my camera (maybe). So far I like it. I hope it lasts a while.

 

[ibglowin]

No, this was the original 64MB Rio. I think I paid $150 for it and then paid another $50 for another 64MB chip taking it up to a whopping 128MB!

It just died sudenly one day, after 6 months of light use, wouldn't boot up. Sent it in and got a replacement/refurbished unit. It worked about 3-4 months and died as well and it was now out of the 1 year parts warranty.

I have been 100% iPod since and very happy. Still have an original 5GB unit that works perfect and even holds a charge pretty well. I have a Nano as well as a 60GB Video iPod that I use daily in my car and at the gym for workout.

 

[Richard King]

My Rio did two self reboots yesterday while driving around town. This would have been in the space of about an hour. I hope this isn't typical.

 

[djlong]

I was on the fence but if I get one, it'll be an iPod. More and more cars are coming out with iPod cables or something similar to control your MP3 player from the head unit. It'd be real nice to hit the "Next" or "Pause" button on the head unit instead of fumbling for the player. In every store there are multitudes of iPod-connector gadgets. Everything from video screens to alarm clocks and I don't see the same thing for the Zune.

The iTunes-only thing doesn't apply to me since all my music is pure MP3.

Your mileage may vary.