Zune 80 GB Digital Media Player (Black)
by Zune
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List Price: Our Price: $135.00 You Save: $114.00 (46%) Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days 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 80 GB Digital Media Player (Black)
Customer Review: The Zune is a great choice
Summary: 5 Stars
The Zune is a great choice for an Mp3 player, I own the 8GB and have owned a 30GB. If you want a quality player with great support (like new firmware updates, great 1st party accessories, etc.), great features (like an FM radio, wi-fi for syncing and sending songs, video on a very large screen, podcasts, etc.) and great software with a great way to get music (subscription service or buying music in DRM or non-DRM forms), then you should get a Zune. I've had it since the 13th of last month, and it's been nearly a month with it, and I really like it. The wireless sync seems like a gimmick to some people, but I use it all of the time, because I have it next to my bed at night, docked and plugged into my speakers at night, and when I pause the music, after one minute , it automatically syncs with my PC, so I get any newly downloaded content, podcasts (which automatically download), videos, pictures and more while I'm sleeping. It will even convert and sync my TV episodes for me, so I can wake up and watch my favorite TV shows while I'm on my way out to school. It performs well, It's much more durable than an Ipod (doesn't scratch as easily) because it has a glass screen, a matte finish on the front and a brushed-aluminum back, so it doesn't scratch. The controls are very easy to use, and they are quicker to do than other players (such as the ipod). The quircle is both a touch-sensitive D-pad, but also is a normal D-pad, so the touch can be disabled, something no player can really do right now. The two main buttons are easy to push, this time being a little raised, an improvement to the 30gb model, where the buttons are not raised. The only annoyance with the 80GB Zune is the hold switch is a little deeper than normal, so it's not the easiest thing to disable, but then again, isn't that better for your battery life, seeing as it will never unlock itself? The headphones it comes with are great, they get very good Bass, and they are made of a very cool material, similar to a rope for climbing. They are easy to store, too, because the left 'bud magnetically connects to the right 'bud.
The Zune gives you all of this, and for the same price as many competitors (such as the Ipod). There are not any major problems with the product, and it's a good value, so what's not to love? If you want to see my un-boxing video, go to this URL-http://youtube.com/watch?v=7jzzx_4StC4
Customer Review: Tough little machine
Summary: 5 Stars
So I'm not going to go into the grueling details here because there are 312 other reviews and most of them probably did so already. Instead, I'll give you the quick and easy version.
I had another MP3 player based on the older removable flash storage technology, and I thought it was time to upgrade. I wanted something with enough storage to hold movies and photos and music because I frequently take trans-Pacific flights for work and get super-bored.
I considered the iPod so I began talking to all my co-workers, but so many had problems with theirs including easily-scratched screens, drive failures after fairly minor mishaps, and not one person showed any fondness for iTunes.
So my wife got me the Zune 80 as a present. I've used it now for 4 month and here's my take on it:
The GOOD: Big storage, gigantic screen, wifi for syncing and sending music to other users, the Zune-pad is awesome (works like a clickable mousepad), and the Zune marketplace is nice. It's tough enough too... before I got an arm band, I went running on a treadmill and accidentally pulled the Zune off the shelf when I hit the earphone cord with my hand. It was in a leather case at the time but I thought, that's it, I've destroyed it... but nope! It pauses when the earphone jack is pulled out, so I hit play and it went right on trucking. The Zune will soon have XNA-based games available for it. The glass screen is HUGE compared to the iPod classic, and the list goes on.
The BAD: Accessories are only starting to trickle out in any number. Unlike the iPod, which has been out for years now, the Zune 80 doesn't have 30 docks, 45 arm bands and 172,000 other accessories. But it's getting there. There's no equalizer but the music is more high-fidelity than the iPod plays.
The UGLY: Like the Model T, you can get the Zune 80 in any color you want... as long as it's black. Yes, there's a red one from Valentine's day, but they're rare and that's that. More colors soon? Maybe.
Bottom line: I'm really, really pleased with this device. Two coworkers have replaced their iPods with the Zune 80 (and I send them my music they'd never listen to, like Lamb of God and Megadeth LOL!). Thinking of getting the Zune 8 for my wife. It's smaller and flash-based, but just as user-friendly.
Customer Review: Worth buying if you luv music
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought this at hunting it down, mind you I do not own a Ipod i did not want to get one, too many out there decided to purchase this one. This is an upgrade from a person who has the Dell digitaljukebox which is still in pristine condition [lack of usage] and I wanted to upgrade myself.
1st comes in small brown box and I was like where is the charger, but the player charges through USB, nice. Its slim and sturdy looking screen size is nice and the colour on the screen comes in good. The wheel senses your finger tips and you can scroll. You call also just press the button[wheel] and it works that way as well. Though you can not used with gloves on.
2. The software downloads onto your comp, which advise do that 1st than sync you player because it will say found new hardware. Download time I say about 15min mind you this is on LAN so if you dont have that or somight be a little longer. MY OS is XP and it was quite good no problems like Ive read on others
3. ONce i syncd in player in you instruct the zune program which is broker down to music,video,paylist etc..where to pull your music,photos etc from. you save on the setting and everytime you put something in those files without even have to manually go through the file copy motions it finds it and put new info on player
4. I was downloading songs from various...and I have to say I was impress usually on my other player I know ancient I would have to say sync player or manually do in order to get the new songs/etc..as soon as the file is download Zune picks it up and puts on your player..nice
5. though I will say there were some quirky stuff just once the album covers were not matching the artist when first downloaded and if it does not have a cover seems to copy other cover and puts on. ex..I have some Sting songs and the album cover was dup 3x for the Cure songs that did not have..it shows that way on your comp but when I went to play on the Zune does not have it like that so very minor. I have not used the earphones that come with it looks nice for I have a nice pair of V-MOda I like to rock.
All in im am pleased with the outcome thus far. Ive upgrade myself and did not have any of the problems that others were commenting on. I think this is a great player and worth the price..+ a hard to find commodity
Customer Review: 80GB Zune is great
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had 2 ipods in the last year. My first was a 2GB and the 2nd was a 4GB and I realized it still wasn't enough room for my music, podcasts, and a few audiobooks. I kept having to remove music in order to load the other stuff. The battery on the 2GB is shot and I now have to always leave it connected to power in order to use it. I use the 4GB for walking.
So, I took the big leap and ordered a refurbished Zune. There were no earbuds with the refurbished unit nor CD for software. I called Microsoft Zune help and they unbelievably sent me the earplugs within 10 days at no charge! That impressed me!
I found that downloading the software from the Zune website was a little tricky and took a while but it worked fine. I still haven't figured out the best way to turn the unit off. It seems like it is the same way as the Ipod where you depress the bottom of the round clicker until it shuts down but seems sticky. I have to admit, it is also sticky on the ipods.
When I downloaded the software, it automatically imported the songs that I had ripped from my CD's into iTunes into the Zune which was great! However, it does not import those songs that I had purchased through iTunes. When I talked to the help person at Zune, she gave me a link that over rides this so I can also bring that music in but I haven't tried that yet.
I love the fact that it has a FM radio option AND that you can very easily select a song that is playing that wirelessly syncs up with your computer and loads the song into your cart. I have really not used the wireless option yet as I just leave the USB cord in the back of the computer and connect to the ZUNE when recharging so I don't really have a need at this point for wireless.
I do think it is a little easier to use as it has it's own BACK button. The videos from podcasts play very well on the larger screen. I can even dock the Zune to my Altec using the adapter they provide and hear the exercise podcast and watch it while doing my exercises. Seems easier than connecting to the TV set.
All in all, I love it and will not be returning to ipods. I am getting much more bang for my buck and am not tied to the proprietary stuff from Apple where I don't really own the music I buy.
Customer Review: Durable, High Quality, and Great Sound!
Summary: 5 Stars
The Zune 80gb aka the Zune 2. I could gab for days about the features and specs, but the majority of die hard junkies have already doen their facts prior to its November release.
I got the Zune in November. The sound quality is top notch, so good that an Equalizer isn't even included! The headphones make for a dynamic listening experience as they are modified directly in our ear headphones, as appose to the the standard junk ear bud headphones. If you don't hear a sound difference you obviously don't have them in right. The Zune supports high bit rates but no FLAC (Free Audio Loseless Codec). Which really isn't a concern who'd want that much memory to be tossed away?
The Zune features not so much a revolutionary panel as the iPods click wheel, but a safe alternative. The squircle, this little addition enables touch sensitive option on the button below the screen or standard press.
The software is very subjective some adore the looks, and others mutilated by the mp3 file naming issues. Keep in mind many sources online and programs can fix this. The problem is Zune brings files back to their original state, meaning if you have a song that was originally not tagged properly, welcome it back.
I lost my Zune yesterday, being extremely paranoid over my loss I hunted it down, I've truly grown partial to it. I located it outside in the snow this after noon. It was covered in thick layers of ice and even after thawing processes finished it worked fully functional! The screen is an amazing screen at that, large holds great potential for videos and pictures and is nearly indestructible. Little feats like wi-fi aren't so great but are welcomed. I Highly reccamend the Zune 80gb for the price, quality, options, art and music enthusiast, consistent stability in high use, and storage size.
Being a Apple iPod fan for numerous years, I decided not to convert I'm not biased i just want my music (don't we all?), but to enable an broader opening. My iPod was dubbed unrepairable, so after losing 7,500 songs and going onto my third iPod i simply wanted something more durable. iPods are still great try out the Zune or iPod if you'd like a great MP3 player, just remember the choice is yours not just our reviews.