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Microsoft Zune
I have tested the Microsoft Zune MP3 player this past week at both Best Buy and Staples.
What I like most about this device is that it has easy to read controls and it appears to be
sturdy. It doesn’t seem that it will break into a million pieces if you accidentally drop it.
The Zune seems to perfectly fit into your hands, no matter what size they are. Just two
years ago, I considered buying a Zune MP3 player, but they weren’t that easy to operate
and they only gave limited product options. At that time, I purchased an iPod Classic and
have used it every day for the last two years. However, since then Microsoft has made
huge strides in the quality and the variety of Zune products.
One major limitation, though, is that the Zune is only compatible with PC software and
not Apple software. The iPod can be used with both. Just like the iPod, there are many
variations of the Zune ranging from the entry level (in various colors) to a touch device,
to a smaller device (similar to the iPod Nano). Microsoft and Apple are very competitive
and they offer many similar MP3 players. They controls are different, though. The
Zune’s controls seems more intuitive and easier to operate. It comes down to personal
preference. Apple has dominated the MP3 market for the last five years and Zune is a
latecomer, but a formidable competitor. As you read this review, keep in mind that the
iPod is a more functional multi-purpose device for music, video, and so much more. The
Zune is better for its FM tuner, music options through the $15 monthly Zune Pass, and
interface with PCs. The Zune focuses more on music and also connectivity with other
Zune users. For the purpose of this comparison we are comparing the iPod classic to the
Zune 120 (both black in color).
Convenience:
It is very easy to use, with symbols for forward, revere, play, pause and stop that are
standard to most technology. With 4GB flash memory the Zune allows up to 120 GB
capacity for up to 30,000 songs, 25,000 photos, or 375 hours of video. Microsoft says the
Zune’s battery lasts up to 30 hours of music and up to 5 hours of video on a single
charge. Although the batteries are very similar, the Zune’s battery less playing time
before you have to recharge. When CNET Labs tested the Zune 120, they got 32 hours
of audio playback with Wi-Fi off and 25 hours with Wi-Fi on. Video-only battery life test
results revealed 4.6 hours of playback with Wi-Fi off and 2.6 hours with Wi-Fi active. By
comparison, the Apple iPod Classic reached 39 hours of audio playback and 8.8 hours of
video under the same test conditions.
The Zune is portable and easy to charge in the car or at home. The Zune is also equipped
for the car, home system or on its own for extended indoor or outdoor activities. The
Zune also enables you to share music, games, videos and movie libraries. You can also
connect the Zune to your X-Box and play and store video games on it.
Zune offers an appealing music-discovery tool. When you click on an artist or album in
Mixview, a square appears in the center of the screen, surrounded by other squares that
are somehow related. These may be artists who influenced a performer or artists he or she
has influenced. You can also wirelessly stream full tracks if you opt into the $15 monthly
Zune Pass subscription, much like with iTunes. The Zune has become almost a cross
between music player and satellite radio. It offers wireless streaming, capturing from the
radio, channel subscriptions, and recommendations. If you’re a heavy music consumer
and you’re willing to pay $15 a month, it is worth considering. It offers a breadth of
music offerings, but some users feel that the depth of offerings could be expanded.
Through Wi-Fi you can also connect to nearby Zune users.
Performance:
It is 5.5 x 3.4 x 1.8 inches, weighing 12 ounces. The Zune has a 120GB hard drive that
stores data via a USB hard drive. The package includes the Zune 120 GB Zune video
MP3 player (black), earphones with three earpiece covers, Sync, and USB 2.0 cable.
Technical Capabilities:
Display
3.2-inch color LCD
320 x 240 pixels
Audio
Windows Media® Audio Standard[3] (WMA) (.wma): Up to 320 Kbps; constant bit rate
(CBR) and variable bit rate (VBR) up to 48 kHz sample rate. WMA Pro 2-channel up to
384 Kbps; CBR and VBR up to 48 kHz. WMA Lossless Advanced Audio Coding (AAC)
(.mp4, .m4a, .m4b, .mov): .m4a and .m4b files without Fair Play DRM up to 320 Kbps;
CBR and VBR up to 48 kHz. MP3 (.mp3): up to 320 Kbps; CBR and VBR up to 48 kHz.
Video
Windows Media Video (WMV) (.wmv): Main and Simple Profile, CBR or VBR, up to
3.0 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720
pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). Zune software will transcode HD WMV
files at device sync.
MPEG-4 (MP4/M4V) (.mp4) Part 2 video: Simple Profile up to 2.5 Mbps peak video bit
rate; 720pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to
25 frames per second). Zune software will transcode HD MPEG-4 files at device sync.
H.264 video Baseline profile up to 2.5 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels
up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). Zune
software will transcode HD H.264 files at device sync. DVR-MS: Zune software will
transcode at device sync.
Input and output
Dock connector and USB Cable
3.5-mm stereo headphone jack
Battery and power
Built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery
Playback time
Music playback time: Up to 30 hours when fully charged
Video playback time: Up to 5 hours when fully charged
Fast-charge time: about 2 hours (charges up to 90% of battery capacity)
Full-charge time: about 3 hours
Environmental requirements
Operating temperature: 32° to 95° F (0° to 35° C)
Nonoperating temperature: -4° to 113° F (-20° to 45° C)
Relative humidity: 5% to 95% noncondensing
Maximum operating altitude: 10,000 feet (3000 m)
Appearance:
Sleek and professional looking. It is functional and useful in a variety of situations.
Students, professionals, or anyone looking for a high quality MP3 device will find it to be
well designed, simple to operate, and ergonomically designed for highly functional use.
Adaptability:
Mac system requirements
Not Macintosh compatible
Windows system requirements
PC with USB 2.0 port
Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional with Service Pack 3 or
later
Price:
$200-300 dollars. Lowest prices found were $228 at www.walmart.com and $229 at
www.amazon.com. Amazon offers free shipping if you purchase from them rather than
one of their other retailers.
Weaknesses:
Not compatible with Apple iTunes and other Apple software.
Video capability not as extensive as the iPod.
Battery life is similar to the iPod, but in real life testing it doesn’t fare as well.
Ear buds not as high quality as previous Zune MP3 players.
Strengths:
Durable and well designed case that is more scratch resistant
Expanded usefulness of its Wi-Fi and social music-discovery features, added
support for games and audiobooks
Large 3.2-inch glass LCD
Friendly interface
Excellent navigation control
Fast battery charging
Audio- and video-podcast support
High quality FM radio
Wireless syncing with a PC
Superior audio quality
Built-in composite-video output.
Language:
Czech, Danish, Dutch, English, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Hungarian,
Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Simplified
Chinese, Spanish, Swedish, Traditional Chinese, and Turkish
Sources
www.about.com
www.amazon.com
www. bestbuy.com
www.circuitcity.com
www.epinions.com
www.newegg.com
www.walmart.com
Articles:
Baig, E. (2008, September 18). Microsoft Zune Makes Strides to catch iPod. USA
Today. Retrieved November 13, 2008 from EBSCOhost Database.
Pogue, D. (2008, September 17). A New Zune for Serious Music Fans. New York
Times. Retrieved November 13, 2008 from EBSCOhost Database.
Microsoft Zune 120GB (third generation, glossy black) http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-
players/microsoft-zune-120gb-third Retrieved 13 Nov. 2008.
