***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

[TheMatrix31]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

What program are you guys using to convert videos into Zune-able formats? Also, which format compresses the videos into smallest possible size?

[eXperiment63]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

SUPER encoder by erightsoft.

They have a zune option in the conversion drop down.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

SUPER encoder by erightsoft.

They have a zune option in the conversion drop down.

eXperim, is this program free?

[Pared]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

http://www.zunescene.com/comparison/

After reading this you can tell these shmucks are bias. Pre-loaded virus?

Anyway, looking forward to some real impressions. It only seems like a few of you have it so if you ever get a chance to post your take on it I'd gladly read it.

[eXperiment63]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

eXperim, is this program free?

Yes it is.

http://www.zunescene.com/comparison/

After reading this you can tell these shmucks are bias. Pre-loaded virus?

Anyway, looking forward to some real impressions. It only seems like a few of you have it so if you ever get a chance to post your take on it I'd gladly read it.

Except if you ever paid attention... They do come loaded with a virus. That virus is real, it's a spybot, and Apple loads it on all iPods. It isn't some crash your pc virus. But they do load their iPods with spybots.

[Pared]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

Except if you ever paid attention... They do come loaded with a virus. That virus is real, it's a spybot, and Apple loads it on all iPods. It isn't some crash your pc virus. But they do load their iPods with spybots.

Ok, and now you're being ridiculous. I've owned every single iPod model since the 3rd Generation (aside from the shuffle) and I haven't experienced it.

Why even put that in a comparison? Are they trying to be cute?

If you honestly think it's something that is intentionally there you're kidding yourself and making yourself look foolish in the process. It's such a minute thing that it's not even really worth mentioning.

[eXperiment63]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

NO... it does exist. Just like Sony installs spybots when you install their software to use minidisc players.

Just like how some of those cd companie sstarted putting spybots in their music players on their cds if you used them in the computer's drive.

----

Stating something that has PLENTIFUL evidence of existing does not exist, that is you being ridiculous.

And yes, they were trying to be cute. It's a zune fansite, what the hell do you expect? lol

All that being said. Penny for penny the Zune smashes the iPod in features.

EDIT:

Hell, Apple even acknowledges that it exists. "Less than 1% of all video iPods were shipped with it."

http://www.apple.com/support/windowsvirus/

Do you honestly believe their 1% estimate?

[Pared]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

It's funny you posted the same exact link they have on their site. Why do you think I even brought it up? You've just fed into their bias stupidity.

Either way, do you have the device? Post your impressions.

If not, quit posting your useless banter.

...and Apple loads it on all iPods.

I'd like to see impressions from those that actually have the system.

Thanks.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

http://www.zunescene.com/comparison/

After reading this you can tell these shmucks are bias. Pre-loaded virus?

Anyway, looking forward to some real impressions. It only seems like a few of you have it so if you ever get a chance to post your take on it I'd gladly read it.

I'll be posting something here within the next few days, I want to play around with the player a bit more......but here are some initial impressions.

So far I'm liking it and only thing that I don't like is that there is no EQ, but if your connecting it to a receiver or car stereo.....then no EQ isn't really needed since those 2 components have EQ's in them to take care of the sound. Another thing that bothers me a little bit still is that they really need to up the resolution on the Zune's with next release....with the screen growing from 3 inches to 3.2 inches, it will help a lot.

The software is really nice, much better than Zune 1 software. I agree with aholbert that importing your songs in iTunes and then using the Zune software to manage your files might be the best way. I'm going to be checking out a few tagging programs tonight, so I might be able to bypass using itunes. Initial impressions of the new Zune software when compared to itunes, it is much cleaner looking and doesn't have that database feel to it like itunes or even Zune 1 software.

I really like the Classic, but I think that I'll just be moving on to the Zune 2 now. I'll be ebaying the Classic sometime this week. I always thought IMO (again this is my opinion) that MS has had better hardware when it comes to the Zune. The original Zune was based off of the Toshiba Gigabeat S design and components, this line was engineered by MS, so we will see if they hold up as well.

I have loaded a few images on here and my images on my PC are in high res using an 8 MP camera which I haven't reduced their size. When I loaded those pictures on the Classic, for some reason it doesn't reduce their size when transferring over to fit the screen so I get a bunch of black images. Now with the Zune, I tried the same thing, and they converted over fitting the screen without a problem. Not too sure if I was doing something wrong with the Classic, which I probably could have been.

I like the Firmware update on the new Zune, and even though initially there isn't a cover flow like on the iPod/itunes, there is a cover flow when you enter the artist name which is cool. I love cover flow, but it slowed down my iPod due to all the covers and sometimes the pics wouldn't catch up to the covers in time as I was scrolling. LOL! Now you can do cover flow on top of the screen, plus it shows all the track listing for each album as you cover flow.

I'll take pics of this also when I do my review. I hope this is helpful for everyone looking into the Zune 2 or those that are just curious.

Yes it is.

Except if you ever paid attention... They do come loaded with a virus. That virus is real, it's a spybot, and Apple loads it on all iPods. It isn't some crash your pc virus. But they do load their iPods with spybots.

What's with the hostility man? Some people may not know about the spybot software.

Ok, and now you're being ridiculous. I've owned every single iPod model since the 3rd Generation (aside from the shuffle) and I haven't experienced it.

Why even put that in a comparison? Are they trying to be cute?

If you honestly think it's something that is intentionally there you're kidding yourself and making yourself look foolish in the process. It's such a minute thing that it's not even really worth mentioning.

I just hope this thread doesn't turn into WWIII.

[Pared]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

I'll be posting something here within the next few days, I want to play around with the player a bit more......but here are some initial impressions.

So far I'm liking it and only thing that I don't like is that there is no EQ, but if your connecting it to a receiver or car stereo.....then no EQ isn't really needed since those 2 components have EQ's in them to take care of the sound. Another thing that bothers me a little bit still is that they really need to up the resolution on the Zune's with next release....with the screen growing from 3 inches to 3.2 inches, it will help a lot.

The software is really nice, much better than Zune 1 software. I agree with aholbert that importing your songs in iTunes and then using the Zune software to manage your files might be the best way. I'm going to be checking out a few tagging programs tonight, so I might be able to bypass using itunes. Initial impressions of the new Zune software when compared to itunes, it is much cleaner looking and doesn't have that database feel to it like itunes or even Zune 1 software.

I really like the Classic, but I think that I'll just be moving on to the Zune 2 now. I'll be ebaying the Classic sometime this week. I always thought IMO (again this is my opinion) that MS has had better hardware when it comes to the Zune. The original Zune was based off of the Toshiba Gigabeat S design and components, this line was engineered by MS, so we will see if they hold up as well.

I have loaded a few images on here and my images on my PC are in high res using an 8 MP camera which I haven't reduced their size. When I loaded those pictures on the Classic, for some reason it doesn't reduce their size when transferring over to fit the screen so I get a bunch of black images. Now with the Zune, I tried the same thing, and they converted over fitting the screen without a problem. Not too sure if I was doing something wrong with the Classic, which I probably could have been.

I like the Firmware update on the new Zune, and even though initially there isn't a cover flow like on the iPod/itunes, there is a cover flow when you enter the artist name which is cool. I love cover flow, but it slowed down my iPod due to all the covers and sometimes the pics wouldn't catch up to the covers in time as I was scrolling. LOL! Now you can do cover flow on top of the screen, plus it shows all the track listing for each album as you cover flow.

I'll take pics of this also when I do my review. I hope this is helpful for everyone looking into the Zune 2 or those that are just curious.

Much appreciated.

Do you have a car adapter for it? I currently use an old Nano to listen to in the car but this "Sync" initiative has me intrigued. Have you tried wireless sync at all?

[CaptainZombie]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

Much appreciated.

Do you have a car adapter for it? I currently use an old Nano to listen to in the car but this "Sync" initiative has me intrigued. Have you tried wireless sync at all?

I have a new stereo that I bought earlier in the year that has an iPod hookup built-in (which is a cable running to my glove comp.) + I also have an A/V jack in the front of the stereo where I hookup the Zune to. I didn't buy any of the car accessories, though one thing I'm trying to find is a damn case for this thing. What gets me mad with things like the PSP, iPod, Zune, etc. is that the designs for these things have been determined for months, can't they release something so we can buy not to mess these up.

Wireless Sync and Battery Life testing is next on my list to check out.

[Pared]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

Cool, let me know about Wireless sync and how well it works. It really has me intrigued.

[mudtiger]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

I have a zune30 and got wireless sync working last week. For me, it's a nice addition, but I'll probably never use it. I don't transfer a lot of music between pc and zune or edit play lists a lot. When I do want to do those things, I can just connect to the pc with the cable and be done with it much quicker. If you moved a lot of music back and forth or really really hated using the cable to connect then you might get some use out of wireless sync.

2 very good free tagging programs - Mp3tag and Mediamonkey. With either you can select the folder that has the album and do an auto tag from amazon or free db and it does a great job with tags and album art. Then just make sure you have the zune software set to only update missing info, not overwrite all info.

[aholbert32]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

I agree with Jigsaw. I took my Classic back to Costco last week and I'm loving the Zune 80 hardware. The TV out resolution is much better than the Classic imo and it works with 360 unlike the classic (For some reason, you cant play playlists or by genre on the 360 but hopefully that will change with the December live update). The glass screen makes it so that I dont have to immediately buy a screen protector or invisible shield for the zune. Imo, the 80 is the best hard drive based mp3 player out. The Ipod touch is the best player out there but the 80 is damn good.

Now I hate the software but thats another issue.

[CaptainZombie]

Re: ***Zune 2 4/8/30/80gb Discussion***

I have a zune30 and got wireless sync working last week. For me, it's a nice addition, but I'll probably never use it. I don't transfer a lot of music between pc and zune or edit play lists a lot. When I do want to do those things, I can just connect to the pc with the cable and be done with it much quicker. If you moved a lot of music back and forth or really really hated using the cable to connect then you might get some use out of wireless sync.

2 very good free tagging programs - Mp3tag and Mediamonkey. With either you can select the folder that has the album and do an auto tag from amazon or free db and it does a great job with tags and album art. Then just make sure you have the zune software set to only update missing info, not overwrite all info.

Ok, does the tagging programs copy images from amazon or do you save the cover art to your HDD and then import?