Zune 120 GB Video MP3 Player (Black)
by Zune
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Our Price: $449.99 Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days Buy Used: from $189.00 (click here) Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
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Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Zune 120 GB Video MP3 Player (Black)
Customer Review: Great MP3 player, but...
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought my Zune 120 a few months ago in December, but I didn't want to write a review until I had used it a lot and gotten used to its interface. I've used my Zune quite a bit these past four months. I can say that this MP3 player is really great.
A lot of people complain about the lack of an EQ on the MP3 player and the software, but the quality is great so I honestly don't care; other people might.
It's pretty tough. I've dropped it pretty hard several times (on the sidewalk, kitchen tile, bathroom (I prefer to listen to music while I do my business)), and apart from some microscopic chips of paint on the backside there are no dents or even noticeable scratches. However, it does get a lot of fingerprints and becomes slightly greasy from the oil on your hands after a while, but it isn't anything a cloth for cleaning glasses can't fix.
The interface is very intuitive. After about an hour, I had learned its every function. It's pretty easy.
A minor complain I have with the Zune 120 is the battery life. It doesn't come close to the 30 hours of battery life that Microsoft advertises, or however long they say it lasts. But I mean, seriously, who listens to music for 30 straight hours? So, it's not even that big of a deal for me.
The biggest complain I have with the Zune 120 isn't even with the MP3 player. It's the syncing software. It is insufferable at times. Between struggling to properly tag songs for the Zune Social, improperly displaying graphics, and lacking a simple eject button (you have to eject the Zune from the Start Taskbar or close the program), I've had my share of frustrating moments with the software. The fact that the MP3 player can only be used with the Zune software doesn't help. I hope Microsoft comes out with a better version of the software soon.
But apart from the sub-par software and the mediocre battery life, the Zune 120 is definitely worth buying. I had 3 iPods before I bought my Zune, and they gave me way more problems than the Zune, although I must admit the excellent iTunes surely made up for the iPod's deficiencies. But if you're tired of Apple and are looking for something unique, you can't go wrong with the Zune 120.
Customer Review: I'm pleased
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had my Zune 120 for over a month now, and I have to say I'm quite pleased. I really like the touchpad interface - much more than the IPod click-wheel. Also, the touchpad works as a regular push-button interface, so I can just hold the bottom part of the pad to go down the list of songs, and click the center to select.
I'm not super in love with the playlist interface - I haven't found how to remove a single song from the playlist, or to just add a single song. If I add one song, it goes on to play the rest of the album, or the next song alphabetically, or the next song by the artist, depending on how I navigated to the song in the first place. It's not been too much of a bother, and I would be surprised if it's anything other than my own ignorance to blame...
but on that subject, Zune doesn't offer a whole lot in the way of introducing you to how to use it. It's pretty much "here's where the buttons are, here's how to sync, figure the rest out." The internet helps, but I would have appreciated more straight-up introduction to the interface. It was a while before I realized you could hold the center button to open up addition options (playlist, favorite, etc).
I've been pretty negative in this review so far, but I don't want to create the wrong impression: I really like my Zune. I carry it all over. The sound quality is great, and the video quality surprised me how great it was. I've watched entire movies on it. Recharging times are as quick as they say they are - I've only had to intentionally charge it once (after several hours of video). 20-30 minutes a day charging in the car while I drive makes up for all my other use, which sometimes includes playing it all night while I sleep.
For me, also, the wireless syncing is a huge benefit. To be able to sync up the new album I just downloaded without bothering with sync cables... it's nice. Lastly, Zune also comes with an FM receiver, so I can get radio, too. It's nice to have the option.
Oh, and I've invested a couple bucks to buy better earphones (my small earholes never fit the regular earbuds (if you have that problem, spend $20 and buy a SkullCandy set. Very nice).
Customer Review: Great Radio; now I don't have to carry around TWO Zunes!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have the 80 GB Zunes -- well, actually several because I separate my classical music collection from my popular music -- and because I don't like to compress down which can have a negative impact on sound quality of the music
I can't speak to all the supposed bells and whistles associated with the Zune (i.e. WIFI access, playing movies etc). Maybe I'm just old but I don't really care about youtube videos and really -- can't see watching movies on anything smaller than a computer screen. If I'm not near a TV, then I'll read or knit but I have to have my music! I do have to say that I have used the radio at work and it works well to get my local NPR station so that is a big bonus!!
I'm traveling again and in this post 911 era, need my music to keep me chilled out in the airport and in cubicles. I preferred the aesthetics of the 1st Zune -- the matt finish better than the newer "Piano finish" shiny finger-print album viewer of the new interface but since I put this in a leather case, I can live with the new "look".
I'm not into downloading music off the web. I take my CDs and copy them with the highest possible bit rate as possible for the best sound quality. I don't really care about the extra storage required for this since my alternative is hauling a CD Walkman and a bunch of CDs around with me (everything's relative). With the 30GB Brown selling for [....], I can carry two -- one with my classical music library and one with my "normal" music.
I have top of the line Shure ear buds and the combination produced outstanding sound quality -- not to mention being able to be in my own little bubble by blocking outside noise. The interface is very simple to use. I had no problems with the software installation (I'm using Windows XP) or syncing.
In summary, I really like it and it is a "mind saver" while you are flying on noisy cramped claustrophobic regional airplanes. I also like the fact that I can get my NPR fix at work without yet another gadget living there (my company doesn't allow streaming audio through our computers). I highly recommend this product.
NCJAR
Customer Review: ~ Not Perfect, but still Amazing! ~
Summary: 5 Stars
I have owned the newest Zune 30 gig, and now the Zune 120 Gig. I absolutely loved my 30 gig...though I almost filled it quickly. The only problem was that I fell and broke the screen leaving it functional but only for music...and unfortunately it died on me after a while but I think that was my fault.
So now the Zune 120!!! Yes as several people have said the casing isn't as amazing...and the premium earphones that used to come with the older Zune aren't included in this package.
However, the screen is larger, the touch circle/square is awesome, the games are great, the photo and video quality are displayed beautifully and with a simple AV cable from a video camera you can connect it to your TV and have slide shows or watch movies directly from the Zune.
Also the wifi is amazing, especially cool when playing games like poker with other people, and when connecting to the marketplace to sample music.
What I love the most about the zune however is it's customization. You can change the background and stuff like that...but what I am talking about are the "games" you can upload to your zune.
There are a large list of programs that individuals are writing for the zune and microsoft even provides the program for you to write your own programs if you want. This is what I love the most about the zune because people are always creating new programs.
I have the bible, pacman, tetriz, a flashlight app, contacts, messenger (though it's a lot of work), alarm clock app...there are all kinds of things and they're free since they are written by fellow zune lovers!!! Apples likes to charge you for everything...and you can't get a book reader or the bible on the standard Apple video (at least not that I'm aware of)
In the end for the money...the zune is the better option. I prefer the software to Itunes as well...the media player and marketplace with music video and podcast downloads is pretty massive and the software looks and feels lighter...it can do pretty much anything you need it to without being complex.
Buy the zune and you won't regret it.
Customer Review: A few details that you might want to know
Summary: 5 Stars
There are already many different reviews about the Zune, describing in detail all that it can do. I would just like to point out a few things about the product that I haven't seen mentioned before.
First, let me just say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my Zune. It is easier to use than any other mp3 that I have ever owned. I whole-heartedly give it 5 stars, but there are a few points that I think that you should know about it.
1. The Zune is not compatable with Windows Media Player. The Zune is only supported by its own software that you download from the zune.net website. The Zune software is very easy to navigate and is very user friendly, but not being able to use it in conjunction with Media Player is a drawback. That doesn't mean that you need to take the time to move all of your files manually to the new software platform, it does that automatically.
2. My last mp3 player was a Sansa, and while the Zune is far superiour to the Sansa series of players, there is one thing that I greatly liked about the Sansa. You could access it directly from MyComputer and just drag-and-drop your files in to the player. MyComputer does not recognize the player, so again the only way to access it is through the provided Zune software.
3. Any editing that you want to do to the contents of your player must be done directly through, you guessed it, the Zune software. This includes deleting files from your player!
4. If you want to rip DVDs to your Zune you have to go out and find a specialized software to do it. Just type "DVD to Zune" in google and you will get a good list of them. I picked up the Avex software, and it works pretty well, although I have had trouble with some DVDs that have an "animated" type root menu screen. But expect to pay about $30 dollars for whatever one you pick up. Is it worth it? I think so. And the Zune definitely has the space for it.
Despite these little inconveniences I would recommend picking up a Zune in a heartbeat. I've never owned an Ipod (Apple Hater!) so I can't say how much better the Zune is, but still you will not find a better mp3 player out there.