Considering Zune HD, Have Qs

[Reverse62]

I am considering getting the Zune HD (switching from a 60GB iPod (5th Gen)). I know next to nothing about the Zune and its software and its online store. I'd like to find out if the Zune HD would be a good fit for me.

Here's how I use my iPod:
- I have a central location with MP3 files of all my CDs (remember those) that iTunes uses as the source of my iPod's music. This folder is not changed in any way by iTunes or any other app; exception is when I buy a new CD I rip it into this folder.
- I download a bunch of (audio and video) podcasts every day, I usually keep the last ten of every podcast I subscribe to
- Mostly listen to all of this when working out (from the iPod), or when working on my PC (from iTunes)
- I rarely buy music online

Things I'd like to have on my iPod:
- wifi
- web browser with flash and silverlight support (hulu, netflix, etc)
- radio (regular FM to receive the TV channels at the gym)
- ability to update my iPod away from my pc (this is for podcasts mostly)

Anyone care to give a verdict?

Thanks for your help.

[Creative Zune]

the zune software is very simple to use IMO....

all you have to do is add that music folder to the "monitored folder" section in the zune software and evrytime you add a cd rip or a music file the software will auto add it to your collection (and it downloads the album art and meta data info(this is optional tho.

but the best thing about the zune software is that there are many ways to make/manage your playlists

for ex i have a playlist called new muzik and evry time a add a new album or songs the software auto adds it to the playlist and after four days the song gets deleted off the playlist but is still on the device

here my advice to you download the software and start setting up your music,pictures,podcast,videos etc and due to this you will get more familiar with the software and settings

[J2800]

The ZuneHD is going to meet 3/4 of your criteria right at release. Plus, it is expected that Microsoft will add flash support sooner than later. If you want to wait and buy one when the price drops (if it does) and flash support comes in box, go ahead. I see the ZuneHD as a good fit for you.

[Reverse62]

OK. Downloaded the Zune software. Wow, looks very slick in comparison to iTunes!

However, it also seems to lack some things I am used to doing in iTunes:
- how do tell it to download album art (for multiple albums)? Right now, it only has very few album covers downloaded, and there are even more misses than in iTunes...
- podcast support seems flaky: podcasts I subscribed to yesterday, show up non-subscribed today; however, there are several downloaded episodes... Am I missing something?
- When I play a podcast, the 'progress' bar is tiny, making it hard to jump ahead to a particular time on the timeline?

I do like the interface of it, miles ahead of iTunes (and hopefully also faster when the device is connected).

[Dilpickle1]

well, more than likely, the zune software wont be anything like it is now when the zuneHD and the 4.0 update is released

[J2800]

Meh. Should be mostly the same, most changes in Marketplace though.

[Reverse62]

Originally Posted by creative zune

the zune software is very simple to use IMO....

all you have to do is add that music folder to the "monitored folder" section in the zune software and evrytime you add a cd rip or a music file the software will auto add it to your collection (and it downloads the album art and meta data info(this is optional tho.

but the best thing about the zune software is that there are many ways to make/manage your playlists

for ex i have a playlist called new muzik and evry time a add a new album or songs the software auto adds it to the playlist and after four days the song gets deleted off the playlist but is still on the device

here my advice to you download the software and start setting up your music,pictures,podcast,videos etc and due to this you will get more familiar with the software and settings

Have worked with the Zune software for a while now. Pretty slick, but has some problems.

Biggest for me (since I listen to a lot of podcasts) is that you can't make a playlists for podcasts! WTF? Podcast are made for playlists - only the new podcasts for today; the last 4 podcasts of every subscription, etc.
Very weird. Makes me question if anyone on the Zune team even uses the thing? Not for podcasts that's for sure.

Other than that, like the software mostly. Still don't understand if I can control the album art downloads in any way. Player is nice. Not a big improvement over iTunes functionally, but definitely looks a lot better.