Microsoft Zune MP3 Player with 80GB* Hard Drive - Red

...

Microsoft Zune MP3 Player with 80GB* Hard Drive - Red

...

case for protection and none too soon-wife dropped it first time she held it. No damage, period. I use it on a daily bike commute and when doing yardwork. So, far, excellent overall performance. I liked it so much, I decided to buy my younger daughter a 8GB (pink) Zune rather than an iPod nano because I was able to get twice the drive space for less than the price of the nano, and got the radio. (Older daughter has 30GB iPod Video so we're familiar with both products.) Same software combination allows storing movies on 8GB unit (though the small screen makes me wonder whether watching movies on it makes sense--10 year old daughter says it is, but I couldn't do it!). Anyway, 8GB unit has 3 Harry Potter films on it and music, and just barely half filled. Also, the sync feature between the 80GB and the 8GB unit worked flawlessly, though of limited use since synced items are playable only 3 times. Wireless syncing with library also functions well, but makes sense only for minor updates. Turning off wireless option helps to save battery, so it's a trade off.

Only caveat at this point is that video encoding produces a file that is rendered a bit dark, too dark for viewing in a well lit room or outside during daylight. Does not really affect B&W video files (even film noire pics like Big Sleep for instance).

Strongly recommended.

Microsoft Zune MP3 Player with 80GB* Hard Drive - Red

...

case for protection and none too soon-wife dropped it first time she held it. No damage, period. I use it on a daily bike commute and when doing yardwork. So, far, excellent overall performance. I liked it so much, I decided to buy my younger daughter a 8GB (pink) Zune rather than an iPod nano because I was able to get twice the drive space for less than the price of the nano, and got the radio. (Older daughter has 30GB iPod Video so we're familiar with both products.) Same software combination allows storing movies on 8GB unit (though the small screen makes me wonder whether watching movies on it makes sense--10 year old daughter says it is, but I couldn't do it!). Anyway, 8GB unit has 3 Harry Potter films on it and music, and just barely half filled. Also, the sync feature between the 80GB and the 8GB unit worked flawlessly, though of limited use since synced items are playable only 3 times. Wireless syncing with library also functions well, but makes sense only for minor updates. Turning off wireless option helps to save battery, so it's a trade off.



Only caveat at this point is that video encoding produces a file that is rendered a bit dark, too dark for viewing in a well lit room or outside during daylight. Does not really affect B&W video files (even film noire pics like Big Sleep for instance).



Strongly recommended.