Microsoft Zune 30GB Digital Media Player
Key Features: Up to 7,500 songs, Up to 25,000 pictures, Up to 100 hrs. of video, Wireless sharing, Bright 3-inch display, Built-in FM tuner and more

The Microsoft Zune Player is a digital media player from Microsoft, their answer to the Apple iPod. Circuit City has the Microsoft Zune Player for $249.99, and you can buy it from them online. If you’re going to buy the Microsoft Zune Player as a gift for someone this holiday season, then make sure that you get the following Microsoft Zune Player accessories, as you’ll need a car charger, and some other accessories that we list below.

Do not forget to buy Microsoft Zune Car Charger:

We love the Microsoft Zune Player Guide:

You may need a cable for the Microsoft Zune:

Monster Cable ZU-MCONMINI-7 StereoLink(tm) Car Designed for Zune(tm)

Microsoft Zune Preloaded content
The first generation of the Zune will include some pre-loaded content. As of November 2006, the following will be preloaded.

Microsoft Zune Audio tracks
Band of Horses, “Wicked Gil” (Sub Pop)
Bitter:Sweet, “The Mating Game” (Quango Music Group)
CSS, “Alala (Microsoft edit)” (Sub Pop)
Darkel, “At The End of The Sky (edit)” (Astralwerks)
Every Move A Picture, “Signs of Life” (V2 Records)
Small Sins, “Stay” (Astralwerks)
The Adored, “Tell Me Tell Me” (V2 Records)
The Rakes, “Open Book” (V2 Records)
The Thermals, “A Pillar of Salt” (Sub Pop)

Microsoft Zune Music videos
30 Seconds to Mars, “The Kill” (Virgin Records)
BT, “1.618” (DTS Entertainment)
Chad VanGaalen, “Red Hot Drops” (Sub Pop)
Coldcut featuring Roots Manuva, “True Skool” (Ninja Tune)
CSS, “Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death From Above” (Sub Pop)
Fruit Bats, “Live: The Wind That Blew My Heart Away” (Sub Pop)
Grandaddy, “Elevate Myself” (V2 Records)
Hot Chip, “Over and Over” (Astralwerks)
Kraak & Smaak featuring Dez., “Keep Me Home” (Quango Music Group)
Kinski, “Live: The Snowy Parts of Scandinavia” (Sub Pop)
Paul Oakenfold featuring Brittany Murphy, “Faster Kill Pussycat” (Perfecto Records)
Serena-Maneesh, “Drain Cosmetics” (Playlouderecordings)

Microsoft Zune Short films
5boro: “A New York Skateboarding Minute” (Skateboarding)
Radical Films: “Kranked — Progression” (Mountain Biking)
TGRTV The North Face (Skiing/Snowboarding)

Microsoft Zune Images
Variety of images to personalize a Zune device, including 12 classic rock posters from Art of Modern Rock, 8 pictures of Records and DJs, and 9 pictures of Records.

Microsoft Zune Specifications
Size comparison between the 5th-generation iPod and the Microsoft Zune. The Zune’s screen is 44% larger than the iPod’s, but displays the same number of pixels.4.4 × 2.4 × 0.58-inch (11.2 × 6.1 × 1.4 cm)
5.6 ounces (158.8 grams)
802.11b/g built-in Wi-Fi
30 GB hard drive
3-inch QVGA LCD screen, with a resolution of 320×240; comparison with iPod
Radio Data System enabled FM receiver
Supports all unprotected MP3, WMA, WMV, JPEG and AAC
Up to 14 hours battery life when playing music, 4 hours playing video or viewing pictures, with Wi-Fi off
Charge Time: 3 hours; 2 hours to 90%
With Wi-Fi turned on, up to 13 hours battery life when playing music (optimal conditions)

Hardware
CPU: Freescale i.MX31L processor; ARM Core, FPU (SCIMX31LVKM5 / 3L38W / CTAU0629)
RAM: 64 MBytes x32 Mobile SDR DRAM / 133 MHz / 90 mA (K4M51323PC-DG75)
Flash: 2 MBytes NOR flash, 3.3V, 1Mx16 Boot block (PH28F160C3TD)
FS456LF: PC to TV video scan converter (Macrovision 7)
Audio: Stereo CODEC with speaker driver / 0.9 W power out (WM8978G)
FM Tuner: Silicon Labs Si4701 single-chip radio tuner (4701A15)
TV out: Focus (FS456)
USB: USB2.0 Philips (ISP1504)
bus switch: Low voltage octal FET bus switch (CL245 / SN74CBTLV3245A)
ATA driver (?): 8-bit bus transceiver/driver (P003 / 620A5)
WiFi: RF/BB/MAC 802.11g WiFi (KeyStream) module (KS3021 / KS7010)
Power manager: Freescale MC13783
Battery: Li-Ion battery 3.7 V / 800 mAh (G71C0006Z110)
Hard Disk: Toshiba 30 GB hard disk, 1.8″ (MK3008GAL)

The initial Zune device comes equipped with a 30 GB hard drive, built-in FM tuner with Radio Data System, 3.0-inch screen, and Wi-Fi networking. For audio, Zune supports MP3, WMA and AAC. The only supported video codec is Microsoft’s own WMV movie format.[1]. Preloaded music, videos, and images are included as well.

One of the features that Microsoft has been pushing as a key differentiator is its Zune-to-Zune Wi-Fi feature. They have enabled the limited sharing of songs, recordings, playlists and pictures with others. Tracks received from another person can be played for up to three days or three plays, whichever comes first, after which it expire unless purchased or downloaded via the Zune Marketplace online. Recipients cannot re-send music or audio files that they have received via the sharing feature. Not all songs are eligible for sharing — record companies can flag songs from the Zune Marketplace as “non-distributable”.

As part of an effort to build a closed, end-to-end ecosystem, Zune uses a new digital rights management system to protect content which is incompatible with other DRM systems including Microsoft PlaysForSure. This ecosystem includes a PC client called the Zune Software and an online store called the Zune Marketplace. Zune does not support audio-books downloaded from Audible.com

The Zune is able to connect to the Xbox 360, which gives users the ability to stream music, videos, and pictures via USB.

J Allard, who oversaw the creation of the Xbox 360, has also overseen the creation of the Zune.

Features
Ability to send photos, and some music files (not all music files may be shared) from Zune-to-Zune via WiFi. Sharable music files can be played only a maximum of three times, and expire after three days whether they are played or not. Recipients cannot re-send music that they have received via the sharing feature. Photo files may be shared without restrictions. [2] [3]
Ability to flag tracks received from Zune-to-Zune transfer, a tool used so that a shared song may be purchased from the Zune Marketplace after it has expired.
Ability to play videos and view pictures

Updatable firmware
“ZuneTags”, a field changeable username/profile visible to others who wirelessly scan the area for fellow Zune users.

The wallpaper on the Zune can be changed to any user-specified image.
The Zune will play standard podcast files, which are usually available in unprotected MP3 or AAC format. However, the Zune software lacks full podcast support, such as a directory and automatic downloading via RSS feeds. A Zune team member has stated that in the future “We’ll ship podcasting, and we’ll call it “Podcasting” when we do.”

The player software will automatically convert audio and video in a format not supported by the Zune into a format that is. (e.g. a video with a resolution of 720×540 will be converted to a resolution of 320×240 if necessary).

Able to show other Zunes nearby what you are listening to or doing through advanced settings.
Support for Zune Digital Rights Management (DRM) (incompatible with Microsoft’s PlaysForSure, Apple’s iTunes FairPlay, RealNetworks’ Helix, Audible.com audio books, and other DRM schemes)
Able to add songs to a quick playlist without reconnecting to the Zune software
Built-in FM radio, capable of showing song information on supported FM stations

Here’s more information about the Microsoft Zune player from the one of Microsoft’s press releases:

Marking the next big milestone for its Connected Entertainment vision, Microsoft Corp. today unveiled details of the first products to be released under its Zune™ brand. Designed around the principles of sharing, discovery and community, Zune will create new ways for consumers to connect and share entertainment experiences. The Zune experience centers around connection — connection to your library, connection to friends, connection to community and connection to other devices.

“The digital music entertainment revolution is just beginning,” said J Allard, vice president, design and development, at Microsoft, who is leading the charge for building the family of Zune products. “With Zune, we are not simply delivering a portable device, we are introducing a new platform that helps bring artists closer to their audiences and helps people find new music and develop new social connections.”

The Zune Experience
Available this holiday season in the United States, Zune includes a 30GB digital media player, the Zune Marketplace music service and a foundation for an online community that will enable music fans to discover new music. The Zune device features wireless technology, a built-in FM tuner and a bright, 3-inch screen that allows users to not only show off music, pictures and video, but also to customize the experience with personal pictures or themes to truly make the device their own. Zune comes in three colors: black, brown and white.

Every Zune device creates an opportunity for connection. Wireless Zune-to-Zune sharing lets consumers spontaneously share full-length sample tracks of select songs, homemade recordings, playlists or pictures with friends between Zune devices. Listen to the full track of any song you receive up to three times over three days. If you like a song you hear and want to buy it, you can flag it right on your device and easily purchase it from the Zune Marketplace.

Zune makes it easy to find music you love — whether it’s songs in your existing library or new music from the Zune Marketplace. Easily import your existing music, pictures and videos in many popular formats and browse millions of songs on Zune Marketplace, where you can choose to purchase tracks individually or to buy a Zune Pass subscription to download as many songs as you want for a flat fee.

To get started with great music and videos out of the box, every Zune device is preloaded with content from record labels such as DTS, EMI Music’s Astralwerks Records and Virgin Records, Ninja Tune, Playlouderecordings, Quango Music Group, Sub Pop Records, and V2/Artemis Records.

Zune Accessories
To enhance the Zune experience, three accessory packs help Zune users enjoy their music where they want to, at home or on the road. The packs and the individual accessories, all designed exclusively for Zune, will be available at launch:

• The Zune Car Pack includes everything needed to hit the road with a Zune device, such as the built-in FM transmitter with AutoSeek and the Zune Car Charger.

• The Zune Home A/V Pack enhances your experience in the home through five products that integrate Zune with the TV and music speakers: Zune AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Sync Cable, Zune AC Adapter and the Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock.

• Zune Travel Pack is a set of five products designed to keep friends and family entertained on the road: Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and the Zune AC Adapter.

Providing consumers with additional options to customize and personalize their Zune experience, Microsoft is also working with leading accessory manufacturers Altec Lansing, Belkin Corp., Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO), Dual Electronics, Griffin Technology, Harman Kardon and JBL, Integrated Mobile Electronics, Jamo International, Klipsch Audio Technologies, Logitech, Monster Cable Products Inc., Speck, Targus Group International Inc. and VAF Research.

More about the Microsoft Zune Player:
Microsoft Zune Player at ZuneDoggle
Microsoft Zune Player at Zunebrand
Microsoft Zune Player at Blogspot
Microsoft Zune Player at Zunehomes
Microsoft Zune Player at Myzips
Microsoft Zune Player at Engadget
Microsoft Zune Player at Bulletron
Microsoft Zune Player at Audioholics
Microsoft Zune Player at MobileWhack
Microsoft Zune Player at Adglobe
Microsoft Zune Player at Comtechnews
Microsoft Zune Player at DVD Ripper at Blogspot