Curious...(MP3 related)

by Devin on Mar 3, 2008 4:06 PM PST Comment 40 comments

After about a month of research and several hours of review reading, I decided to buy a Zune 80 (with intention of getting a Zune pass)

Does anyone else have one? Like it? Hate it?

Roommate has an iPod and I can't stand the idea of Apple's lack of subscription service.

Further, if you don't own a Zune, what DO you have and how do you like it?

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Cowon D2

52 hours of music 10 hours of video, rechargeable internal battery, touchscreen, clear LCD screen, text reader, radio, calculator, radio recorder, voice recorder, barely the size of a business card, SD card slot, ridiculously loud volumes.

And yes, I recognize how large that photograph is. That's how much I like it.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 3, 2008 4:28 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

interface?

I've only ever used an ipod/itunes, but I'm incredibly intrigued by this thing. What do you use to keep your music and stuff organized?

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Mar 3, 2008 5:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

It has an ipod-esque menu.

if you touch the button on the bottom left. Clearly the ipod is the easiest way to shuffle between several songs, since the round wheel is a genius invention, but you can still skip very quickly through your music by pushing down and rubbing your finger quickly downwards, which rolls you down further on your list. It also has a touch screen up and down "button" (ie software button since the thing is touch screen) on the right side that, if you continue to press down, quickly scrolls through your music. Finally, if you're uncomfortable using that, the volume buttons act as up and down buttons if you prefer to click things.

Clicking on an album takes you to the songs, and so on. It has the standard artist, song, album engine as well.

Did that answer your question?

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 3, 2008 5:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not in the least

but that's probably because I used the word "interface" completely incorrectly, so it's my own fault. I was actually wondering about what software you use on your computer to store/sync your music to the Cowon.

Nice Guys Finish Third - Hopelessly lost, but makin' good time.

by pdb on Mar 3, 2008 6:03 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Ah, Ha!

It comes with free software from JetAudio. Pretty much a drag and drop. Neither friendly nor unfriendly, I suppose. It would be like grabbing the music from your computer.

I should add that it doesn't play DRM. Cowon supports stealing, I think.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 3, 2008 7:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

if they only had a 30 gig + model...

"You know, as that was coming out of my mouth, I knew that it was wrong."

by JI on Mar 3, 2008 5:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

True.

But the Cowon A2 (30gb - which has recently been taken off the market) is equally phenomenal, though not touch screen. It does allow you to record directly from the TV, however.

They made a Cowon A3 which is as good as the A2, except that they drastically cut battery life, which was a deal breaker for me.

Plus, because they use SD cards, in a way, it is an unlimited GB model.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 3, 2008 5:54 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

yeah

basically I recommend for the serious consumer to shop around, and not go ipod (although an ipod will get the job done). If you want something that will play movies there's Creative v: w, or the Archos player, the Zune 30 is a reasonable buy if money is an object since it sells for less than $200, and if you want to spend $200-300, there are a lot of decent options you should consider.

"You know, as that was coming out of my mouth, I knew that it was wrong."

by JI on Mar 3, 2008 5:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and it has a photo viewer as well.

A few more photos:

(I don't use that pointer, I use my finger)

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 3, 2008 6:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have a Zune 30

I like it because there's no touchpad (I hate fucking touchpads), easy to use, it's made of durable scratch resistant plastic, will stand up without a prop, and it has a big ass screen.

The downside is that it only plays wmv video, and the screen can't do nearly as many colors as say a Creative video player.

I could still go for dedicated off/on buttons, and dedicated volume control, but oh well.

"You know, as that was coming out of my mouth, I knew that it was wrong."

by JI on Mar 3, 2008 4:37 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Oh, and I used to own a Creative Zen Vision:M

"You know, as that was coming out of my mouth, I knew that it was wrong."

by JI on Mar 3, 2008 4:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

If you like a supscription service,

try the Inno and Rhapsody. I don't know about the service, but I love my Inno, and if I was into a service, it would be icing on the cake. I guess that the device could have more memory, but I only use it as a XM.

by Faux on Mar 3, 2008 5:01 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I guess I'm the lame-o with an IPod.

I didn't care about bells and whistles. I just wanted something to store my music so I could play it in my car. Mine is a Video one but I've never used it for it.

Refuse to progress!!

by Double06 on Mar 3, 2008 6:24 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

iRiver Clix

I really like the button-less interface. But I used it with Napster subscription service (not recommended). It was a pain in the ass.

by Don275 on Mar 3, 2008 6:45 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Came real close to getting a Clix...

And pairing it with Rhapsody, but the price turned me off.

And Rhapsody's software <<<< Zune Pass.

by Devin on Mar 3, 2008 7:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have a SanDisk Sansa e280 8 GB.

I love it. The battery life is fantastic, the screen is large for the size of the player, and it is very bright.

I reject your reality and substitute my own!

by Phildopip on Mar 3, 2008 6:48 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I have the oldest Zune

and it's alright. If you decide to charge it on something other than your computer for very long, your songs "run out" and you have to plug it back into the computer to listen to them again. That's kind of a pain. I do like the pretty menu and the play screen though.

One downside of the zune pass is that their library is somewhat limited, so you can find songs, but not download them. Overall though, I like it better than iTunes because I definitely am getting songs for less than a dollar per, and I don't make CDs (which you can't do).

by Last Fan Of Jose Lopez on Mar 3, 2008 8:17 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I emailed them....

And the folks running Zune claim that 97% of what is downloadable is available for subscription.

If true, that makes 2.91m songs available. Works for me.

by Devin on Mar 3, 2008 8:52 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

My brother has a Zune 30 with A Zune pass

And absolutely loves it. Even with him downloading tons of torrents, he doesn't mind paying a monthly fee for the added convenience of having any song just a couple seconds away.

by Robert on Mar 3, 2008 8:18 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I have an iPod

which is currently missing. I like it and am too resistant to change to switch.

by Mariner John on Mar 3, 2008 8:29 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I've a 5th Gen iPod, an iPod Nano, and an iPhone

Love them all. The iPhone is basically an 8GB iPod Touch. Love the interface. Couldn't imagine using anything else. Especially because I use eMusic (DRM free) for my subscription service. Other than that, I just buy CD's, rip them, and sell them back.

Wouldn't consider Zune but only because I hate Windows Media.

by ryanhealy on Mar 3, 2008 9:02 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Whatever you say...

Hippy.

by Devin on Mar 3, 2008 9:57 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

True.

After I wrote that I realized how [something] it sounded.

by ryanhealy on Mar 4, 2008 1:20 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

WMP >>> iTunes

by Robert on Mar 3, 2008 10:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

As long as it's WMP 10.

WMP 10>>> WMP 11

These pretzels....are making me thirsty!

by Goose on Mar 3, 2008 10:27 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I'm with you...

I have a 160 GB Ipod, and i love everything about it. While some other brands are intriguing (especially that Cowon at the top), theres no other player that can match the capacity. I dont need to have my full 12,000 (and growing every day) song library on me at all times, but I'd rather just throw it all on there instead of having to pick and choose.

As far as video goes... the biggest a screen is going to get on one of these is like 3 inches anyways, so its kind of like being the tallest midget (or winning the special olympics, or whatever)... who cares

by thenatural on Mar 3, 2008 10:20 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

The iPod is a solid piece of equipment.

It's rare that something so mainstream is actually one of the best.

Still, the Cowon appeal(s/ed) to me more. I'd buy the A2, also, if it was still available.

...and now I'm here

by Librocrat on Mar 4, 2008 12:27 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

A question

Why do you want the subscription service?
From the looks of things, that's a DRM deal, right?

Just curious here; I really, really, really don't want a subscription thing. I want to burn CDs. Your mileage quite obviously varies. So what's the deal? Lower marginal (per song) cost?

I dunno - I've got a creative zen V and one of them smart phones, so I just put MP3s on those things (generally just the phone these days, to be honest) and that's pretty good. I use eMusic. I don't want any iTunes crap, and I don't use Rhapsody. I don't have much use for major label stuff, so eMusic works quite well, and since they're mp3s, it doesn't soil my various devices with DRM. That's just me, and it sounds like you want pretty much none of what I want, so hey... Zune!

by marc w on Mar 3, 2008 10:43 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Well...

To me, "ownership" is not as important to me as being able to listen to what I what, when I want and without paying dearly for it. 50 albums on iTunes, at $10 a pop = nearly three years worth of subscription dues. In that time, I'm going to listen to a LOT more than 50 albums.

While I think eMusic is a cool service, I'll be the first one to admit there is plenty of music I like that is produced by the big 4 that isn't available there, thus is not a viable option.

by Devin on Mar 3, 2008 11:18 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

As long as 'when you want'

overlaps with when you have your mp3 device with you?

I'm sorry - I have a decent length commute, and the idea that I'd have to get some work around (no mp3 jack) to listen to music in the car would make me contemplate suicide. I'll pay whatever the bastards want (and thankfully eMusic is significantly less than iTunes, though the selection's less too). I just need to listen to cds, not just files on a computer or mp3 player. That's obviously not gonna work for subscription services, but if you don't NEED cds, then yeah... sounds like you're the man with the master plan.

Just thinking about driving to work w/o new download-filled CDs is making me all nervous and shit. I need some scotch. It's your fault, Devin.

by marc w on Mar 3, 2008 11:28 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I can't think of a situation

...where I wouldn't have my MP3 device with me. My vehicle has an AUX hookup, so I am good to go in the car. I can listen in class (God knows I'm not listening to the professor) and I have a hookup for it on my home sound system. I guess I'm SOL at work, but, given the interaction with people, I won't be listening anyway.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. Take it easy on the scotch or you'll be expected to contribute to the Hangover Remedies thread.

by Devin on Mar 4, 2008 12:02 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Oh I'm fine

I think that AUX jack in the car is huuuge. My next car's gonna have one, as well as the ability to play mp3 cds.

by marc w on Mar 4, 2008 8:26 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I have a Creative Zen 8GB

I'm really happy with it. Long battery life, the screen has great quality, SD card slot. Costs about $130 for the 8GB model, and they have 4GB, 16GB and 32GB models also.

by Jordan of Boise on Mar 3, 2008 11:07 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Speaking of iPods..

My laptop that had my iTunes with all of my music on it died the other week and had to be wiped and windows put back on it. So I've got my iPod with all of my music on it, but when I plug it in to the laptop I get told that it will wipe my iPod. Do any of you smart computer guys know how to get my laptop to suck the music back out of my iPod? I'd hate to rip 300+ CDs again.

by coolguyrob on Mar 3, 2008 11:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs