What happend to the guy that used to be all pumped up about the brand and always had the good info? Last time I saw him he was on the HD segment that came pre loaded on the 360.

He moved to the Zune team.

Don't worry though, we still have one left ;)

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e1/Peter_Moore_at_Xbox_Cup_2006.jpg/200px-Peter_Moore_at_Xbox_Cup_2006.jpg


But J definitely had more glare :)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/19/J_Allard.jpg/180px-J_Allard.jpg

He moved to the Zune team.
My condolences to him.

My condolences to him.

Even the iPod was a turd when it launched. Give Zune its fair chance. Once Vista launches and becomes more widely deployed, there are a lot of interesting things MS could do on Zune, and J Allard is the kind of guy that has the vision to drive it forward.

Most likely they are working on the new xbox..and yes i like my zune...lol

I don't think that I will ever upgrade to Vista.... that OS looks terrible. I think it will actually put me over the edge to rid my last 2 PC's and change everything over to OSx (I already have 3 apple boxes in the house)

Even the iPod was a turd when it launched. Give Zune its fair chance. Once Vista launches and becomes more widely deployed, there are a lot of interesting things MS could do on Zune, and J Allard is the kind of guy that has the vision to drive it forward.

I don't get why a lot of people bash the Zune. I have owned a video iPod and now own a Zune and with the exception of podcasting being integrated into the software, the Zune seems to do everything the iPod did... Just with a 44% bigger screen. It doesn't bring anything new to the table, but it doesn't do things worse than Apple either.

In fact the worst I can say about it is that there is a lot of untapped potential in it. Wifi at this point is just for marketing...

I don't get why a lot of people bash the Zune.

Almost certainly because it's Microsoft. MSFT has to knock it out of the park and totally revolutionize an entire industry (which I've never seen) before a lot of people would grudgingly admit a new venture of their's was good. I assume they know this by now and have accepted that they play a long term game, put in time and effort into their product, and eventually a lot of them make it. Plus they OWN the OS market so they always find some leverage.

I previously owned an Archos 380 media player. Very big screen, but also very thick. Archos quality is bad, though, and it died shortly outside warranty. At the time, I bought a then-new Video iPod, and it works OK for audio; it's useless for portable video.

However, I used the Archos 97% for audio, so the portable video was no big loss to me. I'm not sure the Zune is big enough for video, either -- and it's a lot thicker than the iPod. To me, it adds bulk for no added value.

My ideal device would be an iPod-sized device, where the entire front is a wide-screen display with resolution on the order of 640x360; probably using touch-screen to navigate. I'm surprised Apple hasn't come out with that yet -- that's really what the original Video iPod should have been.

Oh, yeah, X-box forum. Hmm.
Does anyone actually use their X-box as a music center or media player? Seems kind of pointless to me.

I use my xbox to listen to music quite often, weather it be streaming it off my pc, or cd audio..

I have a nano now, but if I were in the market for a video thingy, I'd pick a zune over a video Ipod. IN fact I almost impulsively bought one for myself for xmas

the Zune seems to do everything the iPod did... Just with a 44% bigger screen. It doesn't bring anything new to the table, but it doesn't do things worse than Apple either...


not true. the zune does not/cannot play lossless music...

Oh, yeah, X-box forum. Hmm.
Does anyone actually use their X-box as a music center or media player? Seems kind of pointless to me.

I do - a modded Xbox with Xbox Media Center on it. By far and away the best non HTPC media option (although maybe it's better in that it doesn't have all the HTPC fun issues). Only issue is for native HD video - not enough horsepower for 720p and 1080i files although lower resolutions up to around 540p can be upscaled to HD.

For music, everything is on my server upstairs. I stream it down and then optical to the receiver and component to the display. It plays everything non-DRM'd. Could not be happier. One of the best additions to my home in 20 years.

Even the iPod was a turd when it launched. Give Zune its fair chance. Once Vista launches and becomes more widely deployed, there are a lot of interesting things MS could do on Zune, and J Allard is the kind of guy that has the vision to drive it forward.
It's not that the Zune is a turd, I like the hardware. It's the limitations and the choices that they made with Zune. The sharing for example. You can't share all songs. The fact that Universal gets a piece of each Zune. The fact that you can only sync you Zune so many times in a month to your Pc.

EDITED FOR CLARITY even though I mention this a couple of threads down, this is what i was told by a friend that owned a Zune and he synced it 6 times and it erased all of his songds.

It's not that the Zune is a turd, I like the hardware. It's the limitations and the choices that they made with Zune. The sharing for example. You can't share all songs. The fact that Universal gets a piece of each Zune. The fact that you can only sync you Zune so many times in a month to your Pc.

You have a limited number of syncs to your PC each month? It really irritates me when companies try to restrict the legal use of their products for paying customers.

It's not that the Zune is a turd, I like the hardware. It's the limitations and the choices that they made with Zune. The sharing for example. You can't share all songs. The fact that Universal gets a piece of each Zune. The fact that you can only sync you Zune so many times in a month to your Pc.

I have a Zune, and it is a turd in many ways. It has its quirks, but I didn't know that you only get so many syncs-to-pc a month. That is news to me, and something that does not make any sense whatsover. The other glaring omission is the lack of .wav playback, even though they playback lossless through WMA lossless. I guess they want to push their WMA lossless codec, but the results are less than pristine compared to what WAV files should sound like. The interface is less than free flowing, and rather restrictive. The inability to create on-the-fly playlists for video is baffling. The need to use a PC to delete an object on the Zune is stupid. To date, I rate the Creative Nomad Jukebox 3 (NJB3) as the most intuitive and versatile MP3 player interface.

The Zune has a lot of potential, but it is not there yet.

I also didnt know that we have a limited number of syncs/month???
Where did you see that?

I do - a modded Xbox with Xbox Media Center on it. By far and away the best non HTPC media option (although maybe it's better in that it doesn't have all the HTPC fun issues). Only issue is for native HD video - not enough horsepower for 720p and 1080i files although lower resolutions up to around 540p can be upscaled to HD.

For music, everything is on my server upstairs. I stream it down and then optical to the receiver and component to the display. It plays everything non-DRM'd. Could not be happier. One of the best additions to my home in 20 years.


So do I, the only thing lacking is the HD support. I even have a PC right next to it in the living room and I use the xbox primarily.

it's a nice piece of hardware actually, but the lack of lossless playback is an absolute dealbreaker for me (and others here on avs). hopefully they'll upgrade it with firmware. until then, its ipod all the way...

But J definitely had more glare :)
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/1/19/J_Allard.jpg/180px-J_Allard.jpg

I liked him better pre-makeover
http://www.geekonstun.com/images/jolly_j.jpg

I liked him better pre-makeover
http://www.geekonstun.com/images/jolly_j.jpg
No way! :eek: Laproscopic surgery FTW!

I also didnt know that we have a limited number of syncs/month???
Where did you see that?
A buddy of mine had one. He synced 6 times and it told him he reached his limit. He had the unlimited music plan for $15 a month or whatever.
It made all of his songs unplayable and he returned it the day he got the message.

If someone can shed some light on this I would appreciate it.

The other problem for me is a lack of podcast support.

Here's something on youtube to be sure and watch about the Zune, by Leo Laporte:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjaSxeDg3WY

It's not that the Zune is a turd, I like the hardware. It's the limitations and the choices that they made with Zune. The sharing for example. You can't share all songs. The fact that Universal gets a piece of each Zune. The fact that you can only sync you Zune so many times in a month to your Pc.

1. Limited sharing is better than no sharing - and considering the legal implications of sharing songs, I'd say the 3x3 rule is a pretty impressive stepping stone. I bet if Apple did it first, no one would complain. :rolleyes:

2. What does Universal getting a piece of each Zune have ANYTHING to do with us, the end user?

3. Limited sync number per month? Completely false. I must've synced my Zune at least once a day, every day, this past month. Don't spread false rumors if you can't confirm it.

For $15 a month (the cost of one CD) you can download an unlimited amount of songs from the Zune marketplace - but the catch is you can't listen to them if you're no longer subscribed. Still a pretty good deal if you ask me. And there's still the single song for $1 thing if you prefer... but I bet this is what happened to your friend - his trial subscription probably ran out.

1. Limited sharing is better than no sharing - and considering the legal implications of sharing songs, I'd say the 3x3 rule is a pretty impressive stepping stone. I bet if Apple did it first, no one would complain. :rolleyes:

2. What does Universal getting a piece of each Zune have ANYTHING to do with us, the end user?

3. Limited sync number per month? Completely false. I must've synced my Zune at least once a day, every day, this past month. Don't spread false rumors if you can't confirm it.

For $15 a month (the cost of one CD) you can download an unlimited amount of songs from the Zune marketplace - but the catch is you can't listen to them if you're no longer subscribed. Still a pretty good deal if you ask me. And there's still the single song for $1 thing if you prefer... but I bet this is what happened to your friend - his trial subscription probably ran out.

1. Why bring up apple? You can't prove that would be the case.
2. It's a HUGE deal. You really want to pay studios for hardware because they automatically assume songs are pirated?
3. I stated in my post that this is what a freind of mine had happen to him with the Zune and the $15 plan. If the trial ran out then maybe that is what happened but he claims he paid. I ASKED what the case on this was so I'm not spreading false rumors and frankly, I don't appreciate your tone.
Watch Leo Laporte's video on Youtube that I posted above.
btw my buddies xbox live name is amalone if you want to ask him why he returned it.

As long as my Zune plays audio as it should and plays video as it should, why does it matter that a small percentage of it goes to Universal? What does it have to do with me and my Zune? Why does it make the Zune less desirable? Feels like a nitpick to me.

You have a limited number of syncs to your PC each month? It really irritates me when companies try to restrict the legal use of their products for paying customers.

It has its quirks, but I didn't know that you only get so many syncs-to-pc a month. That is news to me, and something that does not make any sense whatsover.

I also didnt know that we have a limited number of syncs/month???
Where did you see that?

Not spreading false rumors?

People are asking directly related to my post about my friend's experience which I stated was the case.

As far as a nitpick, it's not nitpicking when the decision you make with your wallet affects the very nature of the industry.
If $5 of every 360 went to Osama Bin laden would you be ok with that?

They were asking related to your first post in which you directly stated that the Zune had a limited sync number. If someone was to read only a part of this thread, they would walk away with the wrong assumption that the Zune is crippled in its sync capabilities. But I see you edited your first post, so thanks.

And no, I wouldn't be happy with giving Osama $5. But Universal ain't Osama.

Every consumer product you buy affects the industry in some way. Every Xbox you buy affects the game industry, every candy you buy affects the food industry, etc. Really, seriously, not as big a deal as that Leo character makes it look.

A buddy of mine had one. He synced 6 times and it told him he reached his limit. He had the unlimited music plan for $15 a month or whatever.
It made all of his songs unplayable and he returned it the day he got the message.

If someone can shed some light on this I would appreciate it.

The other problem for me is a lack of podcast support.

I have the $15 a month plan and i never got that message ive sync like 4 times dont know about 6..it was at the begining...now all i do is one sync at the time and i get all i want..maybe someone that does more syncs can tell us.

They were asking related to your first post in which you directly stated that the Zune had a limited sync number. If someone was to read only a part of this thread, they would walk away with the wrong assumption that the Zune is crippled in its sync capabilities. But I see you edited your first post, so thanks.

And no, I wouldn't be happy with giving Osama $5. But Universal ain't Osama.

Every consumer product you buy affects the industry in some way. Every Xbox you buy affects the game industry, every candy you buy affects the food industry, etc. Really, seriously, not as big a deal as that Leo character makes it look.

Leo 'character'? I guess you aren't too familiar with Leo. I would put his insights at the top of my listen list and I'm not alone.
Sure, Universal aint Osama but I share no love for DRM and giving my money to the recording industry because they automatically asume I am going to do illegal things with their content. It's called voting with your wallet.
As far as Apple goes, I'm not too happy about some of their things either but the Zune is a much more inferior product from software to store.

I have the $15 a month plan and i never got that message ive sync like 4 times dont know about 6..it was at the begining...now all i do is one sync at the time and i get all i want..maybe someone that does more syncs can tell us.
That's all i am asking. Is this a fact or not? Is it a trial thing or not. My Zune friend says no.

I liked him better pre-makeover
http://www.geekonstun.com/images/jolly_j.jpg


You a guy or girl saying this? More to love I guess..

That's all i am asking. Is this a fact or not? Is it a trial thing or not. My Zune friend says no.

If you're subscribed, you can listen to your songs. If you're not, you can't.

As far as Apple goes, I'm not too happy about some of their things either but the Zune is a much more inferior product from software to store.

Are you saying this based on your own Zune, or from what your friend told you?

There's no way the Zune is a "much more inferior product". I've used both iTunes and the Zune software. Each software has its share of problems, sure. Neither has a really clear and distinct advantage. For example, the Zune software has random crashes here and there, and the marketplace has no videos. The iTunes syncing is not as intuitive as the Zune's - it took me and 2 other friends about 15 minutes trying to figure out how to get my friend's song onto his iPod. Etc, etc...

None of what Leo says is a direct comparison to the iPod - all he does is bash the features that the iPod DOESN'T have, which should make it even, not worse.

So tell me again why you say that the Zune is a "much more inferior product"?

In fact a lot of people will tell you that the Zune's audio quality is one of the best for an MP3 player, while the iPod in general has one of the worst. Not exactly "inferior" in my book.

The Zune is inferior from a software standpoint, excuse my poor grammar in my last post. I basically said previously that I thought the hardware is good.
From the Software to store meant my use of the Zune marketplace NOT the Zune device. I think the marketplace is inferior. It looks bland, is not as easy to use and does not have the content.
The Itunes store is sooooo much better.

As far as the Zune, from the little that I played with it, it seemed really good. I came very close to buying one when it first came out.

Anyway....It's obvious to me you are a hardcore Zune fan. I respect that you like the product but you are in a very tiny minority. You don't have to defend it so vigorously, it's not going to save it. If you want to discuss the product with me in a rational manner I'm all for it but from the way you are replyin and obviously quoting me I get the impression that you just want to be a d*ck because I disagree with you and if that's the case I'll pass.

it's a nice piece of hardware actually, but the lack of lossless playback is an absolute dealbreaker for me (and others here on avs). hopefully they'll upgrade it with firmware. until then, its ipod all the way...

I was not aware that it wasn't able to play lossless. This breaks the deal for me also. I won't get an Ipod, but now I won't be getting a Zune either. :(

I was not aware that it wasn't able to play lossless. This breaks the deal for me also. I won't get an Ipod, but now I won't be getting a Zune either. :(

Zune software lets you rip CDs using Windows Media Audiio Lossless format. I hope people stop this "Zune does not play lossless" propaganda. However, there is no support for other lossless formats like FLAC or AAC Lossless. It does not also playback WAV files.

Here's the way I see it from my own consumer standpoint. I am the consumer that matters and I almost bought a Zune because:
It looks great
$15 a month unlimited (this was a biggie for me)
Supports the point sys and the 360 in the future

I passed on Zune because:
The Marketplace is awful
No Podcasts (Huge deal breaker)
bad press/reviews fear of the unit failing and not being supported
MS abandoning playsforsure
$$$ going into music industries pockets from hardware because they assume I'm stealing
Does not work with media center.


Let's face it, Itunes/Ipod has really got it together, the hardware and the software work great. You even get THREE hardware choices. A vid ipod, a nano, and the shuffle. It's also on phones now and the upcoming iphone.

The Zune is inferior from a software standpoint, excuse my poor grammar in my last post. I basically said previously that I thought the hardware is good.
From the Software to store meant my use of the Zune marketplace NOT the Zune device. I think the marketplace is inferior. It looks bland, is not as easy to use and does not have the content.
The Itunes store is sooooo much better.

As far as the Zune, from the little that I played with it, it seemed really good. I came very close to buying one when it first came out.

Anyway....It's obvious to me you are a hardcore Zune fan. I respect that you like the product but you are in a very tiny minority. You don't have to defend it so vigorously, it's not going to save it. If you want to discuss the product with me in a rational manner I'm all for it but from the way you are replyin and obviously quoting me I get the impression that you just want to be a d*ck because I disagree with you and if that's the case I'll pass.

again just a discussion man you going on XBOX 360 (MS in general) rampage today? :rolleyes: :cool:

again just a discussion man you going on XBOX 360 (MS in general) rampage today? :rolleyes: :cool:

How is discussing the bad points of the Zune a 360/MS rampage ? :confused:
Not to mention my replies are not even directed at you they were at Suhnder.
I think you are using to much astroglide. :rolleyes: :eek: :p

How is discussing the bad points of the Zune a 360/MS rampage ? :confused:
Not to mention my replies are not even directed at you they were at Suhnder.
I think you are using to much astroglide. :rolleyes: :eek: :p

Give it a rest, will you?

Even the almighty iPod was a turd in its first generation - it did not even support Windows PCs [only macs] when it launched. They didn't launch off the bat with podcasts, and videos on iTMS. Give it some time for the Zune to make its destiny.

As much as I would have liked to see some competition to the iPod, the Zune is not it in this incarnation. But there are always upgrades and refinements coming down the lane. MS does not enter into any field to abandon it after a year or two. Zune is central to their integration with Vista, and the "Live anywhere" initiative when it launches later this year. Why do you think they built in Wi-Fi in there?

Be patient. You probably did well passing on the Zune in its present incarnation. But stop comparing it to the iPod at every turn. If you want to, compare it to the iPod in the form it launched in.

Give it a rest, will you?

Even the almighty iPod was a turd in its first generation - it did not even support Windows PCs [only macs] when it launched. They didn't launch off the bat with podcasts, and videos on iTMS. Give it some time for the Zune to make its destiny.

As much as I would have liked to see some competition to the iPod, the Zune is not it in this incarnation. But there are always upgrades and refinements coming down the lane. MS does not enter into any field to abandon it after a year or two. Zune is central to their integration with Vista, and the "Live anywhere" initiative when it launches later this year. Why do you think they built in Wi-Fi in there?

Be patient. You probably did well passing on the Zune in its present incarnation. But stop comparing it to the iPod at every turn. If you want to, compare it to the iPod in the form it launched in.

Give it a rest? :confused: This is a simple discussion.
If you are buying an MP3 type player TODAY why would ANYONE compare the Zune to a 1st generation Ipod? Should I compare cars of today to Model T fords?
That's idiotic. Did people compare the XBOX to Pong when it came out?

It's not as if I am 'not giving Zune a chance'. If it makes improvements to the store over time and other areas it will always have a 'chance'

Oh and as long as you mentioned it about Ipod not supporting PC, the Zune does not support mac. Another deal breaker for me but I guess I should accept it because of an MP3 player from 3 years ago. :rolleyes:

Still think MS making a deal with Universal to share in the Zune sales was a non-issue??

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/90c03168-b6ea-11db-8bc2-0000779e2340.html

"However, several record executives said on Wednesday they would take a tougher line on variable pricing when their iTunes contracts come up for renewal from this May, and may also push for some share of iPod revenues."
Emphasis mine.