Anyone have a Zune?

greedo · **24th October 2007, 09:50 PM**

I'm thinking of buying a Zune (the 30GB, not the new version) and would like to know if anyone can confirm what codecs the latest firmware can play.

Can original model Zunes now play FLAC with the latest firmware?

drewhiggins · **24th October 2007, 10:46 PM**

I wish they could play FLAC.

Audio

MP3
Zune Marketplace (Protected and DRM free)
AAC (M4A. M4B. MOV. Mp4)
WMA
WMA lossless

Video

WMV
MPEG-4 (not currently natively supported by Zune 30)
H.264 (not currently natively supported by Zune 30)

Picture

JPEG

greedo · **25th October 2007, 12:48 AM**

Is that the most recent firmware? I've read that it can now play dvr-ms and, vaguely, "other codecs".

drewhiggins · **25th October 2007, 12:54 AM**

The second generation of Zunes will add:

support for DVR-MS files
I don't think MCE2005 works with it, only VMCE, but I could be wrong

No firmware update, a whole new one. And the only place in Australia I've seen is eBay or mWave.com.au.

They're not out in Australia yet and no date on when that may be. Sorry, not the 30GB version!

dgaust · **25th October 2007, 01:02 AM**

How well have those things gone for Microsoft

drewhiggins · **25th October 2007, 01:04 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by dgaust

How well have those things gone for Microsoft

About as well as Windows Me. Seriously Greedo, get yourself a Creative Zen or something better and save yourself the grief of this.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/11/13/i...e-zune-sucked/

ryan93 · **25th October 2007, 01:09 AM**

Y not wait and get the second generation, hav u guys seen them? y would u buy an ipod classic when u could get one of them, i meen its no were near as good as the touch but its not meant to compete with it, if u compare it directly to the ipod classic the zune 2nd gen is defenitly better, im gettin me one when it comes out in america.

Ryan

greedo · **25th October 2007, 02:51 AM**

Three reasons for not getting the new Zune version:

1) price (30GB are going for a little over US$100). After selling my current player it's a cheap upgrade.
2) The 30GB firmware is upgradable to have the same features as the new 80GB Zune (from Gizmodo: "Not only is the old 30GB getting the new Wi-Fi syncing, it's getting the updated sharing features, the new codecs, the podcasts, and the new Windows Media Center TV on the go.")

3) 80GB is not available in brown.

I already have an iRiver H10 (20GB), which is great (with Rockbox firmware), but I've heard a lot of good stuff about the Zune.

I've heard that the connectivity problems in that linked article have been fixed (article is a year old).

MagpieMDP · **25th October 2007, 12:40 PM**

I picked up a 30Gb Zune when I was in the States last month. I was planning on waiting for the new one, but 30 Gb is enough for me (for now). And as greedo mentions, the new firmware will be available in November to upgrade the "classic" 30Gb model with the capabilities of the new one. With all the MS bashing that goes on, I would have to say hats off for that one.

The only gotcha is to ensure you have a Windows Live ID (e.g. Hotmail account) that has your location listed as United States. When you connect for updates it checks your locale, and if thinks you are in Oz it locks you out.

So far, I am very happy with it. Will be even better when it can play DVR-MS files with the new firmware. Of course, once I start loading TV shows I will wish I had waitied for the 80Gb!!

Mike