Zune 8 GB Digital Media Player (Black)
by Zune
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List Price: Our Price: $74.98 You Save: $124.02 (62%) Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Network Media Player See more product details |
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Customers in the UK,
Buy this product at amazon.co.uk
for British Pounds
Digital Cameras Photo Reviews of Zune 8 GB Digital Media Player (Black)
Customer Review: Testing the portable media waters again
Summary: 5 Stars
To be honest, when I got a Zune for Christmas, I wasn't too sure that I'd like it. I had an iPod before, but like almost everyone I know, it broke (non-mechanical failure, no less!) and simply wasn't worth repairing for $100+. As a result, I decided I'd just be fine without an mp3 player during my workouts and such.
When I first opened the Zune, I was pleasantly surprised at the very small size. It is comparable to my brother's older iPod Nano, but has a much larger screen. The menus worked well and the touch sensitive scrolling is very simple. The layout and operation are nice and easy, as expected for such a device.
After going through the installation process, I just highlighted all the artists in my music library and dragged them to sync. It takes a while to put 8 gigs of music on to one of these, but that's to be expected, obviously. I also tested out a video file just to see (I don't think I'll be keeping videos on this for the most part; I have too much music fighting for the space) and it looked great. The subtitles were small but legible. The radio works well - I didn't test the wireless stuff or the podcasts yet since I don't know anyone with a Zune.
The music quality is pretty much what you'd expect. MP3s sound the about the same no matter what the source is. The headphones are what makes the difference. The earbuds that come with the Zune are fine if you like that style, but they always seem to fall out of my ears when I move my head (the iPod ones did too), so I spent 10 bucks on a cheapo pair of Philips headphones that clip onto your ears at Wal-mart. If you've got problems with regular earbud headphones and aren't an audiophile, I'd recommend the simple, cheap, hook-on earbud-style headphones. I can hear my music and the world around me (if I want to) without a problem.
The only complaint I have with the Zune is the lack of cases/accessories, but hopefully more will come once they become popular. I've been hearing more and more positive reviews of the Zune and, I know a ton of people that are tired of their iPods breaking after only a year or so of casual use, so perhaps the iPod won't rule the world completely in the future. I'm definitely very pleased with mine and would gladly recommend it to anyone.
Customer Review: Terrific Product
Summary: 5 Stars
I purchased the black 8GB Zune and couldn't be happier. The 2nd generation Zune has everything I'm looking for in an PMP and more. The device is light, easy to operate, and loaded with functionality.
- Although my 1st generation Zune's software had a few installation quirks, the new Zune software installed perfectly. The installation time took a total of five minutes and worked without any problems.
-The Zune marketplace has been totally redone and has a slick new interface. Microsoft has added podcasts and music video downloads to the marketplace.
-The new touchpad is easy to use and actually fun to play with. There is still a 4-way directional pad, but it feels much sturdier than its predecessor's.
-Setting up wireless syncing with my laptop took less than a minute and works perfectly. I'm using a D-Link router with WEP and I didn't have to modify anything on my network, or enter my wireless key for this to work. I was pretty surprised by that.
-Although slower than tethering, wireless syncing is a great feature. I lose cables on occasion and like the fact that I'm no longer required to have one. If you're syncing 500 songs, this may not be very practical; but, if you're syncing an album, this is a convenient feature.
-Transferring songs between Zunes works flawlessly. You can send an entire album to a friend in a minute or so and it's as simple as hitting "send".
-Video looks surprising sharp on the Zune's screen. Although it's not very big, the image is crisp and very colorful. I wouldn't recommend watching Star Wars--or any full length movies--on the tiny screen, but video podcasts or an episode of Family Guy would be fine.
Overall, if you're looking for a PMP, you won't be disappointed with the Zune. It's light, well styled, easy to operate, and has features you won't find in other PMPs like wireless syncing/sharing, and a subscription music service with 3,000,000+ songs. When you combine the Zune with Zune Marketplace, it's a truly amazing product. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys music.
Customer Review: A great item... don t let Vista get in the way of enjoying it! Solution to potential problem included.
Summary: 5 Stars
If you re a Vista owner, there s a slight chance that the driver besides the software will refuse to install, preventing your Zune from being detected by your software it ll keep telling you to connect your Zune, when it already is .
I don t know exactly what causes this, but the a working solution I found online is to add Local Services to the Administrator user group in your Computer Management console.
The steps look like this:
1. Right-click My Computer
2. Click Manage
3. Click Local Users and Groups
4. Double click Groups
5. Open up the Administrators group
6. Click Add
7. Click Advance and the Find
8. Double click on the LOCAL SERVICE user to add it to the Admin group
A problem I encountered during this procedure is that this isn t even possible if you have Vista Basic or Vista Premium.
What you have to do in this case is go to your Command Prompt just type Command Prompt in your Start Search bar in order to launch it and type the following:
net localgroup Administrators Local Services /add
It should say that the user group was successfully added. Close the Command Prompt and reset or plug in your Zune in again. The driver should automatically install this time successfully and your Zune software should automatically OPEN and detect your Zune.
Now, this solves the Zune detecting problem for pretty much only those whose drivers fail to install upon the Zune being plugged in.
I hope this helps anyone who wants to enjoy a great Microsoft product which is ironically hampered by another Microsoft product.
The Zune itself is very easy to use and aesthetically pleasing in almost every aspect. It s extremely easy to navigate and scrolling up and down through your tracks is a matter of pure convenience.
I won t downrate because of the problems that arise with Vista, since the Zune itself didn t cause them.
Customer Review: How Can These Reviews Be Under 5 Stars????
Summary: 5 Stars
While going through DELL buying a new laptop, I was offered a huge discount for a 2nd Gen 8GB Zune. I thought about it and I only have one other MP3 player and thats for running / Working out. I've had other before it but they were eith to big / bulky, or not as user friendly really. So I went for it, granted I was familiar with Zune through my music share option through my Xbox 360.
Like the title heading says, I have no idea why the Zune has bad reviews period. Granted not every Zune is made exactly the same, sometimes theres deffects or issues with certain ones made....It just happens sometimes I guess. Well anyways I got my 8GB Zune and it's the best MP3 player I've ever had. Here's my reasons why.
1. The Zune: Extremely user friendly and comes with FM Radio, Quick List Option, easy pick menus, a awesome scroll feature, and a wireless feature.
2. What comes with the Zune: Of course the Zune, Sync Cord, Head Phones / Ear Buds, and a directions booklet.
3. Computer Software for your Zune: Granted it does take some time to download the software, but the site itself is huge and the amount of info and content would slow any download down alittle. Besides once it's done it's done, just have some patience.
4. Content: Weather your putting old music or new on your Zune, the album / song library is enormous. unless it's underground you can probably find it on the Zune album finder. Even if you can't find it if you have a pic you can place album art which lets you customize and edit your artists.
5. Wireless / Wireless Syncing: I've seen a few complaints on this but I have had zero issues with the wireless features, granted it's not like high speed internet, but it gets the job done. Atleast it has the feature and can do it.
All in all this is a great product and I've been hooked ever since getting it. I even recommend other Zune products like the FM Radio Transmitter for your car, or the Zune Alarm clock.
Customer Review: Move over iPod, Zune is in town
Summary: 5 Stars
First I'll say I've used an iPod for over years. It's a nice player but I always struggled with certain features. Its restrictive in what you can do with it and every time a new update for iTunes came down the pike, it would take me what seemed like hours to get everything working again.
Anyway ...
My wife wants an MP3 to use for exercise. It MUST have an FM radio because several TV's are available in her exercise studio and the audio is broadcast on low power FM frequencies.
After looking around I decide to try the Zune. I am nothing but impressed.
First of course it has the FM tuner and reception is pretty good. After installing the Zune Marketplace software I see why no instructions are packed with the unit. You simply do not need any. The interface and features of both the Zune player and software are very simple and intuitive. My wife has tried other MP3 players and was always calling me to try and figure out how to do this or that. Within 30 minutes, she had mastered the Zune and hasn't called me one time to explained something to her.
She loves the LCD screen and how easy it is to add and remove photos. She loves how easy it is to create play lists and add new music. I gave her the 8GB model and last I heard, she had almost 50 albums and 100 photos on it and it was barely half full.
Ripping music from CD's is extremely easy and they rip in standard MP3 format. Nothing proprietary, music you can play on any thing or burn to CD.
It has a infrared transmitter so you can trade songs with friends.
Finally, its wireless. Again, my wife can update her music and photos on her PC, simply turn on the Zune, it connects to our wireless home network and automatically updates.
To be honest, Zune is by far the BEST MP3 player I have yet to see.
iPod gets a lot of hype but it must be good marketing, its sure not about features and usability.