|
The bad news is that the Zune software that you need to use is seriously flawed, and has been since it came out. Not a big deal, some have said (obviously they don't play music on laptops in places where there is no free wireless connection). If that song is on your Zune, you need to plug in to your computer, start the Zune software, and let the software check for rights before it'll play.Also, I've downloaded songs from Zune and from Amazon that don't even get synced to the Zune, even though I've specifically told the Zune software to sync them. A look on the Zune message boards will tell you--the software rots. Additionally, Zune's marketplace (where you buy songs, or rent them) songs come with such finicky proprietary restrictions that many times when I'm even just playing the songs on my computer while working, I need to be signed into Zune so that my usage rights work.
Microsoft makes both the WMP and the Zune. But no other music I've ever bought from places like Amazon or Walmart Online need to check for usage rights (thankfully). As someone on a board said about this software: The 30G Zune software doesn't provide a clock on the Zune. The software tells me it can't find the music to sync, EVEN THOUGH IT CAN PLAY IT WHEN I USE THE ZUNE PLAYER ON MY COMPUTER. What can you say about software for an MP3 player that can't even get that right.Great machine. WMP is an easy-to-use, interactive sync program and B). Other than the fact that it looks like it came out of the Soviet Union, the screen display is second to none, the sound is terrific, and the controls are very easy to use.So that's the good news.
I've had my Zune for almost 3 years now and have had continual problems with it--and I'm not the only person. If Microsoft would only give users the option to use WMP as well as the Zune software for syncing, making playlists, etc., this would be a truly great piece of machinery. Until then, unless you have enourmous patience and love to fiddle with software and file usage rights, steer clear of the Zune. If Microsoft can get over itself and make this optionally compatible with WMP, then the techie geeks can enjoy the Zune for all the jerry-rigging you have to do to get the software to work, and those of us who don't want to spend days and weeks renaming our songs and checking for usage rights and locating songs on our hard drive will enjoy it to. The Zune has almost everything you'd want in a media player. It isn't compatible with Windows Media Player, which makes no sense since A). every time I play the song.
When I tried to install the software to my computer, I found out that Zune does not support Windows XP Pro 64 bit systems (any xp 64 bit systems or window servers).Seems Microsoft does support the Windows Vista 64 systems. I just received this media player. Its somewhat funny that Microsoft products is not supported by their own operating systems.Now I have to return the item which is a waste of time since I waited for deleivery, now have to re-ship the product and maybe get a refund with in the next 30 days, if I dont run into any problems with the seller.
The Zune is an awesome machine.nice large screen, built in FM Radio and the ease to load songs onto is amazing. I really enjoy everything about my Zune.
The return service worked well and we got another one around the next Christmas. We will go with a Creative or some other brand. My daughter got one for Christmas, and the touch pad quit responding after 5 months, we returned it after letting it sit around for a long time. The screen on that one quick lighting up in June of the next year.
So I give the zune a 3 out of 5. It is large, cumbersome and non user friendly. The downside of this device is it's software. From what I have read there is a chip in the zune that blocks all other software access except it's own zune software. The actuall Zune is a very cool device. It is stable and has a number of options that someone like me with a basic understanding of MP3's really enjoys. As of yet, no one has hacked any software that can make the zune compatable with other easier to use software like WMP.
|
