Zune Features
Zune 80 Features and Technical Specifications
| Attribute | Microsoft Zune Features |
| Front View |  |
| Image Gallery |
Zune Gallery |
| Videos | Engadget YouTube |
| Official Webpage | Zune.net |
| Reference info | Wikipedia |
| First Available | 2006-11-14 |
| Warranty | 1 year, limited. Details |
| Supported PC OS | Windows XP with Service Pack 2 (Home, Professional, Tablet PC, Media Center Edition 2005) or Windows Vista (all editions) |
| Dimensions | Size: 61.1 mm x 108.2 mm x 12.9 mm (w x h x d) |
| Weight | 4.5 ounces (128 grams) |
| Build materials | Plastic structure with a translucent rubber coating (scratch-resistant) |
| Capacity (+ amount available to user) | 80gb |
| MSRP | $250 |
| Street Price (11-2006) | $250 Check Price |
| Included accessories | Earphones, Proprietary USB Cable, Pouch, Install CD |
| Attribute | Microsoft Zune |
| Available Colors | Black |
| Audio Playback | MP3, AAC, WMA, Protected WMA (from Zune Marketplace) |
| Gapless Audio Playback (tested with LAME encoded MP3) |
No, but gaps are typically less then a half second |
| Adjustable Playback speed | No |
| Supports OGG Vorbis, FLAC, or AC3 (for movies) | No |
| Supports Podcasts | Yes |
| Supports music subscription services | Yes, one - Zune Pass, $15 per month |
| Supports online music stores | Yes, one - Zune Marketplace |
| Supports online video stores | Yes, one - Zune Marketplace |
| Device pre-loaded with audio and video samples | Yes |
| Video Playback | WMV Main Profile (1.5Mbps peak bitrate) or WMV Simple Profile (736Kbps peak bitrate), each at a maximum of 320×240 pixels and 30fps, with WMA audio (stereo) at 192kbps max |
| Video Settings | None |
| Video containers | .WMV |
| Video Out to TV | Yes, with optional AV cable accessory, NTSC and PAL |
| Image Support | JPEG, maximum 640×480 pixel resolution. Other image formats and resolutions are converted via software when importing to device. |
| Image viewing features | Zoom in and pan around inside the full size image |
| Slideshow with Music | Yes, including a simple fade transition |
| Slideshow Settings | Time per slide (3-30 seconds), Shuffle on/off |
| Album Art display during playback | Yes. Large image displayed next to track info, using more than 3/4 of the screen space |
| Audio file details available through the GUI |
Track number, Title, Artist, Album, Track length (time) |
| Video file details available through the GUI |
File name, File date, Video length (time), description |
| Image file details available through the GUI |
None |
| Controls | Hold switch, 5-way thumb-pad, Back button, Play-Pause button |
| Backlit Controls, Buttons | No |
| Dedicated Volume Controls | No |
| Headphone Power Output | 30 mW per channel (estimated) |
| Volume Steppings | 20 |
| Volume Limiter | No |
| Screen | 3.2 inch TFT LCD, 320×240 pixels |
| Useful Viewing Angles | Horizontal: +/- 160 degrees Vertical: +/- 160 degrees |
| Readable in sunlight? | Yes |
| Screen orientation | Portait for navigating the GUI and listeing to music, Landscape for videos and pictures |
| Display Settings | Brightness |
| USB Standard | USB 2.0 High Speed |
| Hardware Interface | Proprietary Dock Connector |
| Built-in speaker | No |
| Hardware Reset | Yes, by holding the Back button and the center Select button on the thumbpad |
| Battery | Internal, Lithium-ion, 3.7 V, 800mAh, Non-removeable |
| Maximum Playback Time, MP3 audio at 128kbs |
14 hours |
| Maximum Playback Time, video | 4 hours |
| Mass Storage Complient (aka UMS) | No |
| Import media to device via MTP | Yes, requires WinXP or MTP drivers for other OS |
| PC Software interface required to add media to device |
Zune software |
| Power Charging | via USB (or optional AC adapter, not included) |
| Remote control | Optional wireless remote, no LCD |
| WiFi | Yes, 802.11 b/g transceiver. Function limited to transferring tracks and images to other Zune players. No web browser, online music store, email clients, etc |
| Direct player to player media transfers | Yes, audio and images only, one at a time, via WiFi. Can broadcast songs and photos to other Zunes within range. |
| Transfer media from device back to PC (any) | Yes, requires Zune software, using a function called Reverse Sync |
| Games | Yes, we now have Zune games |
| Customizable Main Menu | No |
| Customizable Wallpaper | Yes, set any image as the background used throughout the GUI |
| Customizable Themes (GUI) | Yes, 3 preset themes |
| EQ | EQ Presets only, 7 |
| DSP modes | None |
| Media rating system | 1-5 stars for Music |
| Voice Recording | No |
| FM Radio | Yes, including RDS data, autoscan, save presets |
| Radio Record | No |
| Clock | No |
| Alarm Clock | No |
| Sleep Timer | No |
| Languages | English. No language selection through GUI |
| Audio Organization | Catagorical lists (Artists, Albums, Tracks, Genre) based on metadata tags from each audio file. Stored in a database on the device. Updated by Zune software when tracks are added or removed from device |
| Image Organization | Create image albums using Zune software. Pages full of image thumbnails are displayed when an album is selected on the device |
| Video Organization | Movies, Music Videos, All Videos. Zune software assigns which group a video goes in. Not user-selectable, however 3rd party apps like TigoTago can be used to edit metadata in the video files so that they can be listed in a particular catagory |
| File-folder tree based media navigation through the GUI |
No |
| Text Search for media in device library via GUI |
No |
| Manage physical organization of media on device’s hard drive via files and folders in Windows Explorer |
No, Zune software handles physical organization of media files as they are imported to device |
| Delete media from within the GUI | No |
| Play Modes | Repeat, Shuffle |
| On-the-fly Playlisting (audio) | Yes, Add single tracks or track list from any Artist, Album, or Genre. One playlist called Quick List. |
| On-the-fly Playlisting (video) | No |
| Nested Playlisting | No |
| Smart Playlists | Yes (created in Zune software and maintained by Zune software) |
| Bookmarking | No |
| Auto-bookmarking | Yes, Videos only |
| Alternative Firmware | No |
| Animated GUI | Yes, very similar to Microsofts’s Media Center application for WinXP |
| DAC | Wolfson Microelectronics WM8978G |
| CPU | Freescale MCIMX31LVKN5 |
| Official AC Adapter Input/Power Output (optimum power for charging) |
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| Fan Site, Forums | ZuneMAX |
| Reviews | First 6 |
Zune 30 Features and Technical Specifications
| Max. Storage Capacity: | 30 GB |
Top features of Microsoft’s Zune portable media player
On November 14, 2006, Microsoft launched its own portable media player dubbed as Zune in the US market. It rivaled existing handheld media players including the Apple’s market-leading iPod, Creative and Sansa. It may have failed to reach great sales than other launches, but the support from Microsoft and the future of Zune are great.
Here are the top features of Zune that you would surely go after:
Larger Display – The Zune system has 3” screen QVGA LCD display that can show over 65,000 colors. It is 44% larger than iPod and has a 320 x 240 screen resolution. Its refresh rate is higher than typical televisions which eliminates the classic performance of existing LCD-type MP3 players of having a jaggy and digitized video playback. Its doubled pixel density results a clearer and more realistic screen suitable for image, music videos, and even movies. The larger screen of Zune and cutting-edge hardware components shifts the device’s performance from being a mini television to a mini HDTV.
User Interface – The Zune interface layout is designed to be minimalist. It is very easy to use even to non-techie people and first time users. You almost do not need to read the users manual unless you want more detailed instructions about the design specifications of the system, how to use the system and navigate through menus.
The controls of Zune system include the circular controller with five buttons arranged in a circle enabling “two dimensional” menu screen navigation. This works in the almost similar manner as iPod’s clickwheel except that the center button can be pressed straight in.
Since Zune’s launch, each system casing is packaged in any of three different player colors: white, black and brown. However, there were also limited editions: pink, orange and red players that were given complimentarily to Microsoft’s “Zune masters” marketing staff, Zune development and engineering teams. Few copies of the limited edition (specifically, 100 pink and 100 orange Zunes) were inserted into Zune boxes along with the certificate of authenticity and sold randomly to the US market. Red-colored player editions were put up in an auction in Los Angeles one month before Zune’s official launch.
Wi-Fi Capabilities – The groundbreaking wireless capabilities of Zune make a great difference from existing portable media players. Zune users can share user profiles, pictures, audio and music files, and video files to other Zune device within 30 feet radius (though there were unofficial reports that it can still transmit files up to 50 feet). In addition, the wireless functionality of Zune enables Microsoft to set up “filling stations” on collaborating business establishments – where Zune players can access and engage transaction in the Zune Marketplace, Zune’s official online music store. All shared files, however, are subject to proprietary digital rights management (DRM).
TV-out – Zune players that were sold during the launch date are TV-out ready. By updating Zune’s firmware through its client application, the Zune Software, and with audio-video cables, you can easily view your Zune screen in your television and enhance it with your audio system.
XBox 360 integration – With Zune’s USB port, media files (pictures, music, and video files) can be streamed for television viewing via Microsoft’s Xbox 360.
FM Receiver – The FM receiver of Zune devices are enabled with Radio Data System that can show information by supporting radio stations. It can receive radio frequencies from U.S., Japanese and European ranges.
Zune Processor
The Zune uses a Freescale iMX31L processor which “implements high-performance audio functions suited to high-end applications, such as smartphones and UMTS handsets” according to their websites. Read more about the Zune processor here
Zune WiFi capability
Zune Users will be able to share music between two or more units via Wi-Fi using Zune to Zune service. The WiFi is limited to sharing features as part of the Zune community. A user will be able to loan a song to another user for a limited time. The idea being using the Zune to introduce friends and family to new music. First generation players will most likely not have the capabilities to download or buy music online via wifi channels. We expect there are security issues.
Zune WiFi lets you spontaneously share selected full-length sample tracks of your favorite songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends wirelessly, device to device.1 You can listen to any song you receive up to three times in three days. And if you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device to easily find it later. The Zune-to-Zune sharing feature may not be available for all songs on your device, and works only between Zune devices within wireless range of each other. This feature allows recipients to play full-length sample tracks up to three times in three days. Recipients cannot resend music that they have received via the sharing feature.
Personalized Zune
Zune is easy to use and easy to love. You can choose one of three base colors, each combined with a distinctive double-shot finish created by the overlay of one color on another. The player also can easily be customized with your favorite pictures.
Zune FM tuner
With the built-in FM tuner you can listen to local FM radio stations or tune in to programming while you’re at your local health club, for example. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song currently playing on selected frequencies. With the built-in FM tuner you can listen to local FM radio stations or tune in to programming while you’re at your local health club, for example. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song currently playing on selected frequencies.
Zune Capacity
Zune comes with a 30GB hard drive. The hard drive will not be a solid state device as some have speculated as capacity and cost are a factor. The 30GB Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video.2 You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while you’re listening. Watching video in landscape mode gets the most out of the vivid display.
Zune Media
Zune can play both audio and video and there should be no doubt that WMV and WMA will be supported. As posted here the Zune will come pre loaded with audio and video content which confirms that Zune will be a music video player. Zune software can import audio files in unprotected WMA, MP3, AAC; photos in JPEG; and videos in WMV, MPEG-4, H.264.
Zune Interface
The basic menu navigation is the standard hierarchal method popularized by the iPod, but with white text on black and fewer design elements. There are a few flashy elements, however, like a gradient highlight bar that fades in and out, and the option for user-customizable wallpaper. Scrolling is enhanced by a WM5-style overlay (pictured) that lets you know what letter you’re at on the list, but that wheel is only for looks: it’s a mere four-way button which allows you to push up and down to scroll.
Here is a video of the Zune interface in sharing mode.
Zune and PlaysForSure
The service and device will not be PlaysForSure compliant, meaning you will not be able to use your Zune player with Napster or Vongo, for example. This will be an entirely new system. Microsoft will continue to support and develop for their PlaysForSure initiative, but all things PlaysForSure are handled by two entirely separate division that will not have any crossover.
Zune Live and Zune MarketPlace
Zune players will of course work with the new Microsoft Music service at Zune MarketPlace. Downloads or a subscription? It’s your choice. A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace. The Zune music store will offer music downloads on a cost per song fee and also be offering a subscription basis access to the Zune MarketPlace called Zune Pass. The Zune community service is called Zune Live and will incorporate Microsofts vision for a community of music fans very similar to what they have now with the Xbox Live. You can browse the huge selection of music designed to work seamlessly with your Zune in the Zune Marketplace. When you find new music that you love, it’s simple to buy it and sync it on your player. The Zune Marketplace works with the Microsoft® Points program so you can purchase music online without a credit card.
Here is a copy of the Zune Fact Sheet with more details.
Zune
Fact Sheet
September 2006
Name: Zune™
Manufacturer: Microsoft Corp.
Category: Digital media player
Colors: Three choices: black, white or brown
Product
Overview:
Zune starts with a 30GB digital media player and adds a twist. You can wirelessly share selected full-length sample tracks, playlists, pictures or your home-grown tracks directly from Zune to Zune.1 You can listen to the full-length songs that you receive up to three times in three days, flag the ones you like and easily buy them the next time you sync up. You can discover new music in the Zune Marketplace, and show off your favorite pictures and videos on the big, bright screen. Zune has all that and a built in FM tuner, too. Let your inner DJ run wild.
Features:
Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing. Zune lets you spontaneously share selected full-length sample tracks of your favorite songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends wirelessly, device to device.1 You can listen to any song you receive up to three times in three days. And if you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device to easily find it later.
• Your own personalized Zune. Zune is easy to use and easy to love. You can choose one of three base colors, each combined with a distinctive double-shot finish created by the overlay of one color on another. The player also can easily be customized with your favorite pictures.
• Large color screen. Zune comes with a bright 3-inch LCD video screen that works in portrait or landscape mode. Your music, video and pictures never looked better.
• 30GB player. Zune stores up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or 100 hours of video.2 You can make playlists on the go and watch a slide show while you’re listening. Watching video in landscape mode gets the most out of the vivid display.
• Zune Pass. Downloads or a subscription? It’s your choice. A Zune Pass subscription gives you “all you can eat” access to discover and explore the Zune Marketplace.
• Built-in FM tuner. With the built-in FM tuner you can listen to local FM radio stations or tune in to programming while you’re at your local health club, for example. Advanced tuning capabilities allow you to see the name of the song currently playing on selected frequencies.3
Accessories:
You can choose from a full line of accessories to outfit your Zune. Three Zune Accessory Packs provide complete solutions for Zune in your car, in your home or while you travel. Individual accessories are also available.
Additional
Information:
Online music store. You can browse the huge selection of music designed to work seamlessly with your Zune in the Zune Marketplace. When you find new music that you love, it’s simple to buy it and sync it on your player. The Zune Marketplace works with the Microsoft® Points program so you can purchase music online without a credit card.
• Import your music. Zune software can automatically import your existing music, pictures and videos from iTunes and Windows Media® Player in a variety of formats, including your existing playlists and song ratings, as permitted by the online service from which it was purchased.4
• It only gets better. As Zune evolves, your device can be easily updated. The Zune software on your PC5 will let you know when updates are available for download. And with built-in wireless capability in each player, the future is filled with possibilities.5
The information contained in this fact sheet relates to a pre-release product that may be substantially modified before its first commercial release. Accordingly, the information may not accurately describe or reflect the product when it is first commercially released. This fact sheet is provided for informational purposes only, and Microsoft makes no warranties, express or implied, with respect to the fact sheet or the information contained in it. Dates are subject to change without notice.
1 The Zune-to-Zune sharing feature may not be available for all songs on your device, and works only between Zune devices within wireless range of each other. This feature allows recipients to play full-length sample tracks up to three times in three days. Recipients cannot resend music that they have received via the sharing feature.
2 Music estimates are based on 128KBps WMA files, with length of four minutes each. Pictures transferred to Zune will be optimized for Zune screen size. Video estimates are based on 500KBps WMV files with 128KBps WMA audio tracks.
3 To display station name and song information, stations must broadcast a Radio Broadcast Data Standards (RBDS) signal. Availability may vary.
4 Zune software can import audio files in unprotected WMA, MP3, AAC; photos in JPEG; and videos in WMV, MPEG-4, H.264.
5 Requires a PC running Windows® XP with Service Pack 2 and high-speed Internet connectivity.
6 Dates and functionality of updates are not specified at this time. Microsoft makes no guarantees, express or implied, about the features contained in future Zune updates.
Microsoft, Zune, Windows Media and Windows are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and/or other countries.
The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.
Top forum posts in the Zune Features Board:
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