Zune or iPod?

[jperryss]

I don't get why DRM is such a big deal. The music tracks are at a high bitrate already, and if you burn and rip them on rewritable CDs at a high bit rate they sound exactly the same. (No, that's not that big a deal if you're not constantly buying music online.)

Because DRM sucks. You paid for the song, it should be yours to do with it as you please.

And burning and re-ripping to MP3 absolutely destroys the sound quality, unless it was Lossless in the first place.

[Triton]

if i could get a same capacity ipod brand new for what i paid for my zune i would probably do that just because as mediocre as it is, itunes is FAR superior to the zune crapware. other than the glaring faults in the zune software and a few minor interface issues on the player i really do like my zune 30 a lot tho, and it feels sturdier than ipods i have used. i also would love to get an ipod touch (in my opinion if it was a little bigger it would be a great internet tablet/mobile media thing) but the pricetag is way above what i would pay, i paid half as much for my laptop! i could get an EEEpc for less than the 16gb touch for cryin out loud!

[cowsgoquack101]

Jones, you've got to remember that there are cheaper alternatives out there. I still use my 4th gen iPod 20gb no video, but it does have podcasting support and better audio quality than the newer iPods due (no cracking and popping when no sound is being played).

For the Zune VS. iPod, I'd go with a classis zune for $100 on the internet somewhere. But if you're going to do some really physical and break the hard drive then go with the flash memory. But the Zune is cheaper, the interface is better (my opinion because it's not generic white), FM, and video for less.

[CronoTriggerfan]

For those of you who disagree with my opinion on iTunes, thanks for the opposition. A wide variety of viewpoints are a good thing for someone when they're deciding on something, those were just my personal experiences with the software so far. In all honesty, I envy you who have better luck with it! The fact that I'm running Vista may also have something to do with the compatibility issues, I'm not sure though.

And jones, if these are your primary goals, and you're also concerned with the best "bang for your buck", I say the best audio player on the market period is not made by Apple or Microsoft, but Creative. The Creative Zen Vision M is absolutely the best PMP I've ever had. The software options are broad, the interface on the device is excellent, and though it only comes in 60 gig max, they run a lot cheaper if you can find a deal online. Sound and video quality are also top-notch.

Also, since you're working out with it, do you really want a bulky harddrive-based player with you, especially seeing as they're far more volatile than, say, flash? I work out a few times a week, and even the Touch feels quite big to me when running, it is constantly jostling around in my pocket. There are some nice high-capacity flash players out there, like the 16/32 gig Zen. Don't know if it's anything that would interest you, but options are always nice.

If your ultimate decision is iPod Classic or Zune, though, get a Zune. Apple makes good stuff, but to me, the classic just feels very limited. The ZunePad thingy is a lot nicer than the clickwheel as an interface, and the large screen is also a plus.

[jdmlight]

In my experience, iTunes pisses all over the Zune software. The Zune's program feels like the radioactive spawn of IE 7 and Media Player 11. The store is also a bit more intuitive to use, and I haven't seen any Zune gift cards in the stores, while iTunes gift cards are everywhere. (If you don't want to tie a credit card to the system.)

I'll add a +1 to the iPod side. The Zune would be a possibility if the software didn't suck so bad...

The ability to buy a giftcard at a local store and use that to pay for your music is fantastic. It's how I've gotten around the whole you-have-to-have-a-credit-card thing...which is a definite plus. (it also makes for a nice gift, who doesn't like music?)

Plus, the Zune hardware isn't that great. The Zune feels like a cheap device when I hold it in my hands.

You shouldn't have a problem with an iPod Classic scratching - the front face has been iPod-mini-ified (aka not scratchable) and the screen now has a piece of glass over it instead of a piece of plastic (a la iPhone).

If you're worried about scratches or damage to an iPod (and why wouldn't you be? you just dropped a considerable amount of cash on one), cases are ridiculously easy to find.

Take a look at Apple's refurbished site. (store.apple.com, it's on the bottom left of the page) You can save yourself some money by buying a refurbished iPod. My opinion on refurbished Apple stuff is this: you're basically buying a product that has been tested already and is pretty much guaranteed to work. My first iPod (b&w 4th generation 20gb) was refurbished and is still going strong after 2.5 years. My MacBook Pro (which I'm typing this reply on now) is also refurbished and I have had no problems with it yet (although I've only owned it for about two weeks).

It's $209 for an 80gb Classic, so you'd have a savings of $40.

[vskid]

The Creative Zen Vision M is absolutely the best PMP I've ever had. The software options are broad, the interface on the device is excellent, and though it only comes in 60 gig max, they run a lot cheaper if you can find a deal online. Sound and video quality are also top-notch.

I really considering one of those, pretty much a ipod video/classic that doesn't need itunes. Not to mention the price.
Check out AnyThingButIpod for other media player options.

[Sparkfist]

As far as fitness and MP3 players are concerned, it's best to go with a flash-based player. For that go with the iPod Nano or iPod Touch.

I own a 2nd Generation Nano, and it's really nice. Good sound quality, 24 hours playback, and even though it's 2GB that's a good amount of room. A friend of mine bought a 3rd gen, and so she has 8GB, with the ability to watch videos.

If you are planning on doing all you workouts on machines, no real jogging, you can go with a hard drive based player. And for that iPod is good. I have a 5th gen iPod Video and it's nice, save for the scratch on the screen (my fault). Don't expect much video playback, as video eats battery life like a hungry vampire, I think I get only 4 hours. But for simply music, it's perfectly fine, something like 10+ hours.

[samus]

i have one of them thar 30gig zunes. not the touch pad one, the old brick one. it gets scuffed up really easily, and the zune software really sucks. i mean, it syncs and does everything it's supposed to do. you just can't change the tags on songs to sort them out. so what i'm left with is a huge list of "unknown artist" songs that i have no freaking clue what they are until i go through every single one.

the only good thing the software is for is looking pretty. it has a rather attractive interface. oh, and it also syncs really fast. that's pretty nice. i put a few star wars movies on mine. good video quality with a reasonably sized screen.

also, can't run the software on wine or vmware. well, i've heard of people figuring it out, but i spent around 3 hours trying to figure it out one day considering buying a zen vision m and taking the zune back.. but just gave up and partitioned the hdd so i could run the software.

that's my 2 cents.

[jones]

the only good thing the software is for is looking pretty. it has a rather attractive interface. oh, and it also syncs really fast. that's pretty nice. i put a few star wars movies on mine. good video quality with a reasonably sized screen.

Well Star Wars will make anything look good!

Seriously though... The video looks pretty good then? That is a definite plus. The video isn't a dealbreaker for me, but would definitely be nice to have.

The "unknown artist" thing isn't a big deal for me. Pretty much everything I'm going to listen to on it is from CDs which so far (about 30 albums) have all pulled down their information properly (with the exception of the aforementioned The Downward Spiral album having the wrong release year). I can definitely see where that would be annoying though if one has to deal with the "unknown artist" nonsense...

I've been playing around with the Zune software for a few days now and I *gulp* like it so far... It is simple and seems to work. I am MS fanboy after all, so I guess it is my duty to like it. Seriously though, I am liking it so far. Then again I never really had a problem with iTunes either. They both seem to meet my needs...

@CTF Do you known any *ugh* brick and mortar stores that sell the Creative Zen Vision:M? I checked BB's website and they don't carry Creative due to it not meeting there MP3 player criteria (Lame!) and CC's website doesn't have a listing for it either (although they do carry some Creative products). I am very big on going into a store and being able to "kick the tires" so to speak prior to buying most anything (old fashioned I know, but then again that seems to be my curse). I read about it a bit online and it definitely sounds intriguing. I'd like to check it out if possible.

As far as hard drive vs. flash goes. I'm not too concerned. The sort of exercise I plan on doing isn't the sort where there should be a lot of "shock" type activity. It will mainly be riding my bike, or working out on machines at the fitness center. I don't plan on doing any jogging in other words. If I end up doing that I could buy a 1GB iPod shuffle for $50 to take care of that need. Not a big concern, but thanks for bringing it up. Definitely a thing to look out for.

It seems like, no matter what I get, I will be happy with it. All the players mentioned seem to have definite strengths and weaknesses. One thing with the iPod I've noticed online is the reliability issue.

Have you guys had any issues with yours?

Some people I've noticed have been through 3 or 4 video iPods due to a number of issues. It seems like the iPod is the Xbox 360 of MP3 players!

[Black Six]

It seems like, no matter what I get, I will be happy with it. All the players mentioned seem to have definite strengths and weaknesses. One thing with the iPod I've noticed online is the reliability issue.

Have you guys had any issues with yours?

Some people I've noticed have been through 3 or 4 video iPods due to a number of issues. It seems like the iPod is the Xbox 360 of MP3 players!

I've never had a problem with any of my iPods and can't think of anyone I know that has, with one exception. They had a hard drive based iPod and ran a lot and it died eventually. But you already know about those risks. I think as long as you take care of it (get a case, don't drop it, don't subject it to extreme heat or cold, etc) you'll be fine with whatever MP3 player you get.

[Jongamer]

Supposedly they just released an updated Zune Software today, might wanna check that out, my friend who has the Touchpad Zune told me today about it, but he is not always 100% reliable.

I don't have a Zune so I don't plan on using it, at least not yet.

Probably gonna get a phat Zune for my Bday, just because I don't need allot of bells and whistles and plus its 30GBs and is WAY cheap for that much storage.

[jones]

I've never had a problem with any of my iPods and can't think of anyone I know that has, with one exception. They had a hard drive based iPod and ran a lot and it died eventually. But you already know about those risks. I think as long as you take care of it (get a case, don't drop it, don't subject it to extreme heat or cold, etc) you'll be fine with whatever MP3 player you get.

Cool. That's good to know. I never had a problem with my Nano, but then again I never used it much. I kinda figured some of the stuff online was probably a little blown out of proportion (the whole people only talk about stuff when it doesn't work theory in practice).

Supposedly they just released an updated Zune Software today, might wanna check that out, my friend who has the Touchpad Zune told me today about it, but he is not always 100% reliable.

I don't have a Zune so I don't plan on using it, at least not yet.

Probably gonna get a phat Zune for my Bday, just because I don't need allot of bells and whistles and plus its 30GBs and is WAY cheap for that much storage.

Thanks for the tip. There was an update for the Zune software today. I've downloaded it but haven't messed with it much. It seems like the track you are listening to shows up in a color that corresponds to the chosen theme now. It may have been that way before and I just didn't notice. LOL

I have never actually held a Zune yet. If I stumble across some place that has the 30GB on display I'll have to investigate since it seems you can find them for around $100 online. Quite the value!

[CronoTriggerfan]

Well jones, the only place I can see still carrying it in a store would be a Circuit City somewhere. It's not on their site anymore, but I know my friend bought one there last year for about $200. You should check out the Vision W, though, as they're only $230.

I talked to someone today about this, and though he's never owned an iPod, he used to have a Zen Vision M and now owns a Zune 30. He complains about the software for it like everyone else, and he also says the Creative software was extremely nice in that it was very easy to sync, edit ID3 tags, etc. He's got the white Zune 30, and he also said that it gets scuffed quite easily, though I don't know how well he treats it.

[Dr. KillGood]

You should get one of those cheap MP3 players that use SDHC cards.

32GB card is like $100 I think, and the player is like $50.

If you have more then 32GB's of music, thats just crazy.

[Sparkfist]

You should get one of those cheap MP3 players that use SDHC cards.

32GB card is like $100 I think, and the player is like $50.

If you have more then 32GB's of music, thats just crazy.

Jones is trying to avoid those players. He's narrowed his choices down to iPod or Zune, I don't think he'll just change his mind and go with some cheap-o SD MP3 player.