Zune 8 GB Digital Media Player (Black)
by Zune
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Our Price: $82.00
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Category: Network Media Player
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Digital Photo Product Details
Manufacturer: ZuneBrand: Zune
Edition: Electronics
Format: CD
Release Date: 2007-11-13
Platform: Windows
Model: HVA-00001
Color: Black
Publisher: Zune
Studio: Zune
Music Label: Zune
Product features:
- IMPORTANT: Allow your Zune to charge for 30 minutes then disconnect and reconnect the cable to turn on the player
- Listen to your favorite FM radio stations and click to tag the songs you like for later purchase when you sync your device with your PC
- Download millions of tracks, whole albums, or playlists with the Zune Pass subscription service
- Connect to your home wireless network and remotely sync your Zune device with your PC collection from your dock, AC adapter, or speaker dock accessory
- 8 GB capacity for up to 2,000 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 25 hours of video
- 1.8-inch color LCD with 320 x 240 pixel display resolution
- Ultimate Ears MetroFi 220 Noise Isolating Earphones
- Music Power 0900-70 Solo USB AC Charger
- Music Power 0900-72 Encore Dual Port USB AC Charger with Rechargeable Extended Battery
- Powerline By Original Power 0900-79 12-Volt DC Dual Socket Splitter with USB Charging Port
- Zune HD Sync Dock
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Zune 8 GB Digital Media Player (Black)
Customer Review: Major Upgrade
Summary: 5 Stars
I am a technologist and musician, and love both with a passion...I love this techology and being able to take it with me. Now I own a Zune 8. This review is more about how I think MSFT should improve the Zune and gain some market share over iPod, which IMO is overrated.
A little background first: Christmas 2006 I bought my teen girls 80GB iPODS. These replaced Creative 20GB Sleek's which were just not very good, especially the clunky cable design and poor battery life. The iPods are good and lots of folks keep buying them but I am not a fan of being forced to use iTunes.
My first personal MP3 player was Creative Zen 1gb for exercising - sound quality actually better than either Zune or iPOd but the interface is tiny, and the unit eats AAA batteries. This year I decided to step up in capacity first with a Sansa Clip 4Gb. But it was hard to read the display and the menus were confusing and fiddly, and it was buggy, so I sent it back.
In the mindset of "you get what you pay for" I finally just decided it was worth the extra bucks to go with the leaders, being either Apple or MSFT. I really like the design of the Zune over iPods, especially in the 4 and 8GB offerings. So I ordered this Zune 8GB from Amazon (the price beat all, to boot). It arrived in just a few days, the order being fullfilled in typical Amazon expediance.
Zune Pros: great form factor and build quality. Menus are well thought out and easy to navigate. Don't have to use iTunes...IMO iTunes is a pest... Zune sound quality, compared to my teen's iPods, is superior. Also, the FM radio is a huge deal for me and I'm baffled as to why Apple avoids including this in iPods.
Con's: the removal of an equalizer and a proprietary cable instead of mini USB (Sansa Fuze now offers this but I think they have other issues i.e. their interface is awkward, quality suspect)
Thoughts on Zune:
Lack of equalizer - I'm not sure this is a big deal as the sound is pretty good and I have not missed it. I have experimented alot with the iPod equalizer and I never found it to help much. However, I think MSFT is making a mistake here just because people expect it to be there.
Proprietary cable interface - only hurts, IMO does not help build market share. Sansa Fuze offers standard USB. Is Zune just copying iPod to have a proprietary cable? what's up with that...I say to heck with the marketing guys - give us standards where it makes sense and proprietize in areas where it does not hurt the consumer. Let the essence of the product - the user interface, build quality, reliability and performance - speak for itself.
Build quality: very good. I turned away from buying more Creative and Sansa products after experiencing first hand, and also reading about persistent quality issues. Comparitively, the ZUNE has been trouble free after several weeks. The unit feels good in the hand. Come to think of it I have always had good luck with MSFT electronic gear - even my xBox and xBox 360 work just fine.
Battery life: The battery life so far has not been great BUT this is likely the way I use it....I hardly ever use the ear buds as I prefer to run it through AUX jacks into car, home and even my home studio mixer, where I run the volume at like 15, 16 etc way higher than most folks using ear buds so batt life may suffer. But running the sound from the 3.5mm headphone jack into an AUX jack is likely way less efficient than if it were via the main Zune port - my guess being I would get a stronger signal and would not have to crank it to get the signal to overcome lack of preamplification going into the AUX jacks.
UI: Compared to the iPod, although I like the wheel on the iPod, the Zune is easy to flip through to find songs. The user interface is well thought out compared to Sansa and Creative products. I would say iPod and Zune are both well design interfaces and it comes down to what you get used to.
Accessories: I see a sea of iPod junk,,I mean, accessories,,, when I walk into a store or browse Amazon and alot less for Zune. This likely hurts Zune market share and so it chicken vs egg etc. I think MSFT needs to get on top of this and drive OEMS to build more accessories i.e. a Bose system for Zune with a Zune port (instead of just the AUX jack). Or just go with standard USB for goodness sake. In fact, I think MSFT should pander to technologists like myself and even audiophiles - offer things I take for granted in my home studio i.e. fast USB 2.0 interfaces, higher sound resolutions that appeal to audiophiles etc....just me 2 cents. Apple does not do this and I think Microsoft could win market share by educating folks about better sound quality and features that differentiate Zune from iPod (right, right, going off topic I know but just a little grist for the mill).
RAP: I look forward to two things - 80GB of flash memory instead of delicate hard drive techology; and the ability to control Zune from my car and home stereo - not just in a Ford via Synch...hmmm...does Synch even let me control my Zune?
Bottom line: Zune is a superior player that deserves way more credit and attention. Maybe version 3 will take the cake.
Description of Zune 8 GB Digital Media Player (Black)
The slim 8 GB Zune device is good to go with plenty of room for your favorite music, pictures, and video. It comes complete with a built-in FM tuner and buy-from-FM capabilities, wireless sync, Zune-to-Zune wireless sharing, video playback and more, so you get all that Zune power in one tight little package. It holds up to 2,000 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 25 hours of video.This slim 8 GB Zune device is good to go with plenty of room for your favorite music, pictures, and video. It comes complete with a built-in FM tuner and buy-from-FM capabilities, wireless sync, Zune-to-Zune wireless sharing, video playback, and more--so you get all that Zune power in one tight little package. It holds up to 2,000 songs, 25,000 pictures, or 25 hours of video. Watch a demo on Zune.
 Every Zune device lets you listen to your favorite FM radio stations and tag songs for later purchase. |
 Download millions of tracks, whole albums, or playlists with the Zune Pass subscriptions service. |
 Remotely sync your Zune device with your PC collection. |
 The Zune Marketplace offers millions of songs, albums, TV shows, audio/video podcasts, and more. |
 A full family of accessories is compatible with all Zune devices. |
Buy from FM
Click to buy from the built-in FM radio. Every Zune device lets you listen to your favorite FM radio stations and click to tag the songs you like for later purchase when you sync your device with your PC.1
Zune Pass
With the Zune Pass subscription service, you'll get millions of tracks for the price of one CD. Download tracks, whole albums, or playlists. Explore new music or rediscover old favorites--then sync them to your Zune. Extend your subscription online or by purchasing a Zune Pass card. Or, if you like, purchase songs or albums individually.2
Wireless Sync
Remotely sync with your PC. Connect to your home wireless network and remotely sync your Zune device with your PC collection from your dock, AC adapter, or speaker dock accessory.3
Device to Cloud
Your Zune player can access thousands of wireless hotspots around the country. Automatically update your collection, browse Zune Marketplace, refresh your Channels, exchange favorites with friends, or buy songs you've tagged from your FM radio. Take advantage of a Zune Pass and access the music you love where you want, at no extra cost.
Wireless Sharing
Music is in the air with Zune wireless sharing. Send your favorite songs, albums, playlists, pictures, and even audio podcasts freely between any Zune devices. Listen to the full track of any song you receive up to three times and pass them along to other friends. If you want to buy a song, click to tag it and have your Zune find it later when you sync with your PC.4
Channels
Like your very own radio stations, Zune Channels are custom programming stations that deliver personalized playlists to your Zune from a variety of sources you select, such as music experts, celebrities, or top radio stations. Channels you subscribe to automatically update whenever you're connected--to your PC, home network, or even selected wireless hotspots. When you subscribe to Zune Pass, you get an unlimited Zune Channels experience.
Games
Zune players now come with a selection of fun free games. Choose music from your collection to create your own personal game soundtrack. Connect and compete wirelessly with other nearby Zune users.
Video/TV Shows
Choose from a growing selection of TV shows now available on the Zune Marketplace video store, and take your favorite episodes or whole seasons with you wherever you go. Use your Zune device to watch popular shows like The Office, South Park, Heroes, and 30 Rock from NBC; shows from Comedy Central; Adult Swim from the Cartoon Network; and countless other shows from other major networks.6 Also, if you're recording TV shows or movies with Windows Media Center in Windows Vista, you can import and sync them to your device. Load up your favorite videos, and hit the road.5
Zune Social
Discover, share, and connect with the Zune Social, a free online community that lets you share your musical tastes with friends and millions others. Customize your Zune Card and Zune profile page with your favorite music and pictures. Then connect and share Zune Cards, music, and messages with friends and other members of the community.
Zune Marketplace
Fulfill your entertainment desires at Zune Marketplace. Millions of songs, albums, TV shows, audio/video podcasts, and more are available--plus, your online store is always open and only a mouse click away. Download or subscription? It's up to you. Buy individual songs and albums, or an unlimited Zune Pass music subscription2.
Audiobooks
Let your Zune read to you while you can't. Listen to everything from your favorite novels to the latest bestseller. Now you can transfer your existing audiobook files from sites like Audible.com to your Zune device and enjoy them whenever you want.
Xbox 360 Compatibility
Ever wish you could play games to the sound of your favorite tunes? Now you can. Connect your Zune device to your Xbox 360 console and play your favorite songs while you game on Xbox 360 and Xbox LIVE. You can share content from your Zune collection to an Xbox 360 console on a home network and play your media through the Xbox Dashboard.
Accessories
Traveling, working late, or working out? Whatever you're up to, your Zune will be right there with you. Make sure you have the best accessories to keep up with your lifestyle.
- Zune AC Adapter: Fast recharge wherever there's an outlet
- Zune Car Pack: Ride with Zune as it charges while playing in your car
- Zune Home AV Pack: Hook up your Zune to any home stereo and control it via remote
- Zune Premium Earphones: noise-isolating design that delivers superior sound quality and comfort
- Zune Cable Pack: Provides every cable you need to stay connected
- Zune Dock Pack: Nonstop your tunes while you charge your Zune
- Zune Leather Case: Protects your Zune with style
Legal Disclaimers:
1. Buy from FM feature available with stations broadcasting RDS and RT Plus data
2. Zune Pass is a monthly music subscription service; some songs are not available via Zune Pass. Available Zune Pass content may vary over time.
3. Wireless sync feature requires access to a home wireless network
4. Zune to Zune wireless sharing may not be available for all songs in your music collection and works only between Zune devices within wireless range of each other. Recipients may play full-length sample tracks up to three times.
5. Requires a PC running Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate and an integrated or external TV tuner.
6. Available content may vary over time.
What's in the Box?
Zune 8 GB Digital Media Player (Black), earphones with three earpiece covers, Sync cable
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