Gizmodo
We asked, and you answered. After reading this, you'll be such an expert on the Zune, TV news programs will ask you on as a talking head. There's such a wide breadth of questions, which says to us everyone has their own concerns/uses for a portable music player. Here's everything you need to know about the Zune, in no particular order.
Q: If I send a regular MP3 without DRM to my friend, does the zune apply the "3 day 3 play" restriction anyway, or is my friend free to keep the song permanently?
A: Yes, the 3 day 3 play DRM is placed on every song, even if it's just a regular MP3.
Q: Does the Zune support Divx codec?
A: Nope, just WMV.
Q: How is the sound quality compared to the iPod?
A: Using both the included headphones and my Sennheiser 580s, I couldn't tell the difference. Maybe my ears are retarded.
If your question is featured today, you win! The prize? An answer to your question, by me. See them all after the jump.
Q: Does the Zune work with anyone else's "DRM'd" music or just microsoft? If no, will there be any way to make other paid-for music (like from napster) work?
A: No, it doesn't work with any other DRMed music shops. You could strip the DRM off of DRMed songs, then import those into Zune, but that's a grey area. And kind of a hassle.
Q: Is microsoft going to pay you back for zune to zune sharing?
A: Eventually. They're still working on it, so don't expect an announcement for a few months at least.
Q: Does the Zune support bookmarking (Must have for Audio Books).
A: No, you can't resume a song in the middle, even on audiobooks. And the Zune has no Audible support yet.
Q: Does the Zune have a mass storage mode? Can you drag and drop files onto it.
A: No. Thus, explaining why PlayStation 3s can't see it. Xbox 360s see it just fine, since they're kissin' cousins by Microsoft. No, you can't drag and drop files onto it because you can't see it in Windows Explorer. I don't see mass storage mode coming in a future update, but maybe Microsoft will get enough pressure to add it in.
Q: Does the Zune pause playback when the headphones are removed or external power is cut off?
A: Yes, if you remove the headphones the playback stops. Microsoft told me that if you remove the headphones after leaving the volume on super high, if you plug them in again the volume will revert to default settings. I couldn't' get this to work on my Zunes.
Q: Obviously the Zune has a bigger screen [compared to the iPod] but which screen is brighter? Sharper? Which one has better contrast?
A: Comparing the Zune against the 5G (I don't have a 5.5G, sorry), the Zune is brighter. However, the iPod looks sharper and has better contrast. They're both 320x240 resolution, so the Zune just blows up everything bigger. It looks nice, but not as sharp as the iPod.
Q: What, if any, integration with Xbox Live will there be, beyond simple connectivity to the Xbox 360?
A: None, as of right now. There may be WiFi connectivity later, but that'd require you to have a WiFi adapter for your Xbox 360 also.
Q: Will the Zune [be] used as a second "screen" as the PS3 and PSP are rumored to be used?
A: Most likely not. This generation Zune is just a music player. In the future, Microsoft may create a more game oriented Zune, but their KISS (keep it simple stupid) rationale would most likely prevent any 360 integration beyond just streaming media.
Q: Is the Zune capable of playing Windows Media Center recorded content?
A: Not at the moment, no, unless you re-encode those shows into WMV.
Q: Will the Live/.net accounts work with the zune? Will you have your own 'gamercard' like with xbox live?
A: Yes, the Live accounts will work with the Zune. You just have to log in with your same account, and you can use the same gamercard that you use on Xbox Live. You share the same Marketplace Points (money) between the two devices.
Q: Does the Zune work with the iPod cables, speakers, and adapters?
A: No. Zune's connector is smaller.
Q: Can you edit songs in the Zune [Software] including things such as album art, genre, album, artist etc?
A: Yes. You can edit all the metadata, and Zune will go out and fetch album art for you for ones you don't have.
Q: How long does the Zune take to Boot-Up?
A: About a second, second and a half.
Q: Some Mp3 players schuffle music oddly (clumps of tracks or not really random). Does the Zune?
A: Seemed pretty random to me.
Q: How does it handle playlists and directory structure?
A: Just normal "dumb" playlists instead of "smart" playlists. There's no directory structure.
Q: Will/Can the resolution be upgraded?
A: In the 2nd generation Zune? Probably.
Q: What if I want to just share two zunes between the same exact media library. Can I set up two owner relationships from the software, one to each zune?
A: Yes. Subscription songs ($15 a month) can be synced to two Zunes, whereas purchased songs can be synced to five Zunes. Your own songs should be able to be synced to as many as you want.
Q: Can you use a bands album art as a wallpaper theme?
A: You can use any picture as a wallpaper.
Q: Can the zune's landscape mode be used in either way, i mean can you set it so you can hold it with the conmtrols on the left side instead, for the lefties of the group.
A: Unfortunately not. Suck it lefties.
Q: Is the zune compatible to macs?
A: Nope.
Does the Zune charge with a USB cable like the ipod?
A: Yes, it charges while syncing with your PC.
Hows the durability?
A: Pretty scratch resistant. Definitely not fragile-feeling like the iPod.
Q: I have the 30GB video iPod, and purchased the PocketDok Line Out adapter because the audio was too distorted over the headphone jack. My friend has the Toshiba Gigabeat, but his sounds great - does the Zune benefit from this same Toshiba improvement?
A: I'd say so, since it's pretty much the same device.
Q: How's the video quality with the Zune? If you were to compare it to the iPod's video playback, which one would you say is better looking?
A: The Zune, because it's got a bigger screen—despite the fact that they're the same resolution.
Q: How are the default headphones? Are they worth it to keep or should I be making a headphone purchase day one?
A: Not bad, and you should try them out yourself to see if they're too big/small for your ear holes before you purchase new ones.
Q: If I manage to get myself a Zune over the Christmas holidays will the software work ok in Australia or will I be out of luck?
A: The software itself should work, but the store most likely will not.
Q: Does this mean the Zune will play my protected AAC files? (I hate music protection, but hey, sometimes you can only find that one song on iTunes) And on the flip side, will Zune not play all those random mp3s that I've moved here and there and everywhere? Particularly ones that I didn't pay for, even if it was a free download off of the artists website?
A: Protected AAC Files = No. Your own downloaded MP3 files = Yes.
Q: Does the Zune have gapless playback?
A: Nope, neither the Zune or the Zune Software has gapless playback.
Update: Cesar says there's gapless playback in the software. Either it's on all the time, or I'm blind, cause I can't find it in the options.
Q: Second, I am curious how the Zune handles albums that have an album artist that is different from the track artist. For example, on a DJ mix album, the DJ would be the album artist and the track producer would be the track artist.
A: Yes, there's a concept of "Album artist" and "artist" on there. So if you label it correctly, you can search/sort by either album artist or just artist. So to answer your question, yeah, it would work.
Q: Can the Zune record from your TV ?
A: Sorry, no can do.
Q: Do you know if there are any plans to make the Zune compatible with Macs?
A: Maybe someday (generation 2? 3?).
Q: The zune itself only supports a limited number of video codecs. Will the software automagically transcode the rest to wmv?
A: Yes, Zune software transcoded some of my podcasts that I downloaded via iTunes to WMV.
Q: The buttons! The back and play buttons on the Zune — are they actual buttons or are they like 3G iPod 'buttons' as they sorta look like?
A: They're actually buttons, and not touch-sensitive buttons. You gotta press them.
Q: Can you download pictures directly from your digital camera to the Zune? It would be great to not have to carry multiple SD cards on vacation.
A: It may be possible in the future to have an adapter that does that.
Q: While your testing out the Zune, have you seen or heard of support by the Zune for "Podcasts"?
A: Not in the software itself, but you can download podcasts manually and watch them on the Zune after importing/transcoding.
Q: XM? or general raido/ real-life recording?
A: No XM, just FM. And no FM recording.
Q: Does the zune come with the FM transmitter or do I have to fork out for a seperate device?
A: The FM in the Zune is just a FM receiver. You'll have to buy a transmitter separately.
Q: Hi, I see from some videos of the Zune interface that there seem to be different backgrounds for each function that you are using. Am I correct in thinking that the background for the start up screen is different from the background for the transfer screen and so on? If so, can you customize each background?
A: The background is the same for every screen, just faded/darkened when you're not on the main screen.
Whew. That was a lot of questions. If you still need to know more about the Zune, check out our Zune vs. iPod feature later today.
Comments
"Q: If I send a regular MP3 without DRM to my friend, does the zune apply the "3 day 3 play" restriction anyway, or is my friend free to keep the song permanently?
A: Yes, the 3 day 3 play DRM is placed on every song, even if it's just a regular MP3"
Doesn't this violate the DMCA? Aren't they violating the original copyright if they break the copyright of the original by imposing new terms on it? I'd love to see some owner of CreativeCommons protected tunes sue the ass off of Microsoft for violating the copyright. I hope the EFF is working on this already.
Very thorough, very interesting. I would love to buy anything OTHER than an iPod and have high hopes for the 2G Zune, when it arrives. Problem is that sales need to be high enough to guarantee there is a 2G Zune.
Things I want: NO RESTRICTIONS on "homebrewed" wifi-ed mp3s; sharper resolution; thinner unit and HIGHER CAPACITY (40gb at least).
Ok looking through all of this, why again is Gizmodo so impressed with this thing? It doesnt do anything either the iPod or the hundreds of other players does, and worse most of its "features" either dont work yet, or are rumored.
Is the battery user-replaceable?
what if an mp3 file has no album art?
Are there any contrast or brightness controls for the screen?
I must admit that there seems to be an awful lot of Zune coverage on Gizmodo - to the point that it warrants a comment.
All up, it sounds like an okay player hampered with typical Microsoft DRM, thus limiting it's appeal to the tech savvy. Nuff said I would have thought.
So, surely it doesn't warrant the at least 2 posts per page coverage it seems to be getting on Gizmodo? Sure, if I'm not interested I don't have to read it, but I'm sure if the Gizmodo contributors weren't busy writing Zune related things, perhaps we would get some more gadget coverage apart from the Zune?
Maybe I'm just being picky. Anyone else feel the same?
Eh - no more coverage on Zune than Wii or PS3 from over the weekend. It's a new tech toy! I'm glad the gang is rolling through and putting it through the paces.
Quick question - if anyone is monitoring this - since it's not a scroll wheel - does the D-Pad speed up movement through lists the longer you hold it down? One feature of the iPod that I truly love - especially when navigating huge libraries.
Thanks guys.
No I agree, people harp on the Apple coverage all the time, but now with the Zune it seems no one cares that there are more Zune article per day than Apple, nor does it seem that anything the Zune provides makes it worthy of the praise that its getting here.
Granted I am somewhat of a Apple Fanboy, but still the same I got annoyed at the sheer amount of Apple articles here too (if I wanted Apple news I would go to Macslash or other computer oriented blogs)
But the plethora of Zune articles and the number of people commenting on it as if its the second coming vs. the actual public reception (which is lukewarm at best, with just about every holiday study showing the iPod is still #1 with the Zune no where to be found) makes things start to get suspect.
"I would love to buy anything OTHER than an iPod" Why the hate? I'm no fanboy, but why knock something that just works, & works better than anything else out there... I guess It's similar to the reason why I hate Leonardo Dicaprio, & refused to see Titanic.
"On gapless and lossless: The Zune software will support WMA Lossless. Also, the default ripping format is WMA but you can also choose to rip music WMA Lossless which will increase both the sound quality and the file size. Ripping options are located in Options / Rip / More Options. Same goes for gapless playback - supported in the Zune software. On the device, no, but something we're looking into." - from zuneinsiders.com
robotstephe has it right. It's new, it's cool, and we're exploring it to see exactly where on the gadget ladder it falls.
D-Pad scrolling, yes, it speeds up as you hold it down, to the point where you're scrolling letters instead of song by song.
Brightness control: 3 settings.
Battery: Not easily user replaceable.
As for Zune interest, we got a boatload of questions (as you can see above), so people really do want to know about it. But our coverage is winding down soon, so good news for people who aren't that interested.
On gapless and lossless: The Zune software will support WMA Lossless. Also, the default ripping format is WMA but you can also choose to rip music WMA Lossless which will increase both the sound quality and the file size. Ripping options are located in Options / Rip / More Options. Same goes for gapless playback - supported in the Zune software. On the device, no, but something we're looking into.
I think it is funny that there are many questions where the answer should be "no," but Jason has instead said something to the effect of: "maybe in the future."
For example:
"Q: Can you download pictures directly from your digital camera to the Zune? It would be great to not have to carry multiple SD cards on vacation.
A: It may be possible in the future to have an adapter that does that."
I am a little disappointed in the Zune. So much hype for so long that produced something that is maybe competitive with or comparable to the iPod. In order to get people to switch from the iPod, Microsoft is going to have to come up with something that is a step above the iPod, not merely comparable to it. As of right now, there is nothing about the Zune that would motivate me to switch. I don't want to lay out hundreds of dollars for a slightly larger, but same resolution screen.
Jason,
Just a quick thanks for taking the time to answer all those questions. Great information, and much appreciated.
MS
So, does it apply DRM to all your music on your ZUNE, or all your music on your Hard Drive?
Does it take all my unprotected music and muck it up with DRM in the hopes I will share it with someone later?
Will the syncing software convert avi files to a supported file type.
Is there a way to flash the device to remove microsoft's software and install some sort of home-brewed one? I love the concept of a video/music player with wi-fi, but hate all the restrictions corporate america puts on it.
I'd gladly pay 250 for the hardware if only the software was open source.
IPOD works better then anything else out there? Maybe for you but not everyone, I for one don't want to be stuck with using ITunes to buy my music, also don't want to have to convert all my mp3s that I have massed to there shitty AAC format. Also hear a lot of complaints about the quality of the sound output on IPods, so I would say it does not work better then any other player out there!
I think given that the Giz is unapologetically a gadget-fetish site, I don't think the Zune (or Wii or PS3) coverage is terribly surprising or even unwanted - if I didn't obsess over gadgets that have no ostensible bearing on my life, I probably wouldn't read the site at all.
As for the Zune - while some aspects seem quite cool (the large screen, decent sound quality and that sweet 'it's black *and* blue' aesthetic) it doesn't seem like Microsoft got things right with this. The answer to the inevitable question - why should I get this instead of an iPod - is, ummm... well, I dunno'. None? For a company that seems to hate Sony, MS is doing a fantastic job replicating Sony's mistakes entering the DAP market - poor format support with a reliance on the proprietary, closed systems and poor marketing of what little benefits there are. Course, they have said they're in it for the long haul - it just sucks that parents looking for Christmas gifts are essentially going to be the ones funding MS's R&D.
Why doesn't Zune impose a 3 day / 3 view for pictures that are sent just like a song? I could very well send a copyrighted picture that I have to another Zune user which would contradict the purpose of the 3 day rule imposed on traded songs.
The lack of external hard drive use is dissapointing, but I'm sure that will be hacked in less than a month and there will be Zune 'utilities' out there to do just that.
I see myself plunking down the money for a Zune, not an iPod.
Why didn't they include an FM transmitter? It can share most of its hardware with the FM receiver so it really wouldn't cost much more to build or be any bigger. Its the damn consumerist ipod fan-boys that buy all the ridiculous accessories who are letting manufacturers know they can get away with this kind of thing.
No gapless playback? Why is this so hard? I had a Dell DJ 3 or 4 years back that had gapless playback, and the iPod just got it and the Zune apparently can't do it. Are the HDDs they're using in these things just so slow they need a whole second to locate the next song and begin playing it? What's the deal? And for that matter why does iTunes have to have to examine your library in order to activate gapless playback? I mean, just play one song right after the other. Most music tracks have a second of dead space before them, unless they aren't supposed to. So just start track 2 imediatly after track 1. Why is that so hard?
adamondi gets it exactly right:
"I think it is funny that there are many questions where the answer should be "no," but Jason has instead said something to the effect of: "maybe in the future." "
I think there's obviously desire for a geniune alternative to the ipod, but given the plethora of other similar/identical (iriver/gigabeat) mp3 players that just don't seem to have garnered as much coverage as the Zune.
Sure Microsoft entering the market is an important thing, but the Zune isn't (in it's current hardware/software configuration) really that amazing. I guess I just expected coverage with a more critical eye to what's missing from the 1G Zune.
Maybe I'm reading into it in the wrong way. Maybe, the balance on these articles seems a little towards Microsoft's/Zune's favour, when as other commenters have suggested the reviews across the board so far have been luke-warm.
Full disclosure: I own an ipod (and old 3G) and it's an okay mp3 player. Is the ipod the be-all-and end all? Of course not. But by the same token I don't want to read a gizmodo that's all ipod either.
@ TheDei0niz3r:
Just to clarify, the iPod accepts MP3, WAV, Audible, ALE, and AIFF formats, in addition to AAC, so you don't have to convert all your MP3s "to there shitty AAC format."
And I'll resist the urge to tell you that should have been a "their" instead of "there." Oops.
Since aseriesoftube was correcting TheDei0niz3r, I would like to follow up on this comment from our fine Giz poster.
TheDei0niz3r says,
"Also hear a lot of complaints about the quality of the sound output on IPods, so I would say it does not work better then any other player out there!"
While Gizmodo say (in question #3),
"Q: How is the sound quality compared to the iPod?
A: Using both the included headphones and my Sennheiser 580s, I couldn't tell the difference. Maybe my ears are retarded."
Who are you going to trust?
Wow, sounds pretty underwhelming. A possibly better than average PMP of sorts. With extra features (Wi-Fi) tacked on that could be made useful but aren't. The inability to mount it as a mass storage device cinches it--not a particularly great toy. I mean, why is this such a hard thing to do?
So basically, wait three years, then the Zune might be ok, but then the iPod will be better. The main thing that the iPod needs is betten scratch resistance, and better video quality. Like the videos you buy in the iTunes should be higher quality so you can play them on your computer full screen, but should have someway of playing on the iPod at its resolution using the same file, not a different one. I want to know if thats even possible? feel free to asnwer.
sdsdv10: That doesn't mean that other players don't sound better. The market is not solely iPod vs Zune.
What's the difference in a dumb playlist and a smart one? I can right click playlists, select Create Auto Playlist and create a playlist based on ratings, date last played, artists and a whole lot more options. Seems more like a smart playlist than a dumb one to me.
Thanks guys (both readers and editors) for the result of this insightful Q&A on the Zune, really helpful in making my mind up for and what to expect when I may potentially get one.
Will post my question when one comes to mind which haven't already been answered.
we forgot guys to adD these questions as well:
Q: Will the Zune cook in your kitchen and actually replace your own maid?
A: No. The Zune is not built to cook your own dinner.
Q: Is the Zune compatible with a toaster? Can I play my Zune and make a toast at the same time?
A: No. It is not compatible with a toaster. However, you can listen to the Zune and make your toast separately.
Q: Can Zune play in my bathroom? Can I plug it in my toilet paper holder?
A: No. Zune is not compatible with your toilet paper holder. Zune has a smaller hole in the back and is not supported like the Ipod.
Q: So what can Zune play? Can Zune play at all?
A: No. Zune is just a big brown brick, it just stands there and its not even used as a decoration. Sorry, don't buy it this Christmas season cuz it ain't looking good. You can, however, plug your earphones in it but you can't listen to it.
God I hope this actually gets posted.
I was wondering, anyone that has installed the zune software, did a trippy song called gen-mpegurl show up on your computers desktop?
It showed up on my laptop but not on my home pc.
Just for reference, I downloaded the software from the zune.net site.
To me, the Zune has huge potential, but it is a competitor with capabilities, but so highly restricted, it will never compete in its current form.
1) Get rid of the illegal practice of placing DRM on unDRM'd music during wireless transfer, which violates the DMCA by modifying the terms of license for that file. As a podcaster, I give no right for Microsoft to modify the terms of the license in my works.
2) Allow other forms of DRM, (IE: Plays For Sure), since MS already has a large base of users and business partners who have now been virtually abandoned. So much has been invested by those who have adopted the PFS tech, it is unbelievable to me that MS would be so unethical. Certainly, Microsoft is better than this, and can see what must be done.
Get these two things fixed, and I'll be your biggest proponent. Giving users choice has never hurt sales. Locking users down is a sure way to dwindle a customer base.
You can do better than this Microsoft!
You can use the "RAD Video Tools" to convert .mov files to AVI. Then you can convert the AVI to WMV in Windows Movie Maker. While they are not the greatest quality since you are doing all kinds of compression conversions, it gets them on your Zune. :)
Chris
Because the Zune only comes with a USB cable to charge with, for on-the-go purposes, is it possible to use the IPod's USB to wall charge adapter (the white box I'm sure you know of it...) to charge the Zune as well?
-Noah B.
Q: How many Giga bytes can a zune hold? More than an ipod?
How many gigabytes can it hold?
So if I am going to buy A Zune... will I be able to put video's on it that I bought from itunes? Same with music?? Or no?
So.. If I do buy a Zune will I be able to put videos that I bought off of itunes on my zune? Music?
dose it compare to the ipods capacity of the nano and is the price better as far as more for the money
I would buy a Zune if it had mass HD storage, no DRM, no 3 day limit, better resolution, and a FM Transmitter. But the way it is now it is a lame MP3 player that is for people with too much money that want to buy songs online. I have a 2 Terrabyte music library and would rather have a Sandisk Mp3 player over an Ipod or a Zune if they could get into the 40 GIG to 60 GIG range. I also think that the Zune needs more codec capabilities. Just my 5 cents. Get it right Microsoft and you will make more money. Gonna keep my cash in my pocket for now.
I am going to get a zune simply because its different. I am ready for a change after having an iPod for so long. The zune and iPod are exactly the same apart from the zune having and FM radio and WiFi and holding a few less formats. I see it more of a fashion icon war than that of two gadgets. Microsoft are keeping the new technology for later models so they get more cash rather than investing all there ideas on the first zune. Its like ipod they could have made the most recent iPod ages ago but they gradually upgrade them so they rake in more cash. The main draw for me is the fact i can wireless hook up my zune to my xbox360 and play the music through the new pioneer speakers i have just bought. So i think its just compatibility and looks. In my opinion get a brown zune. Who else will have one?
Alex