Zune 30 GB Digital Media Player (Black)

So I have had my zune for a while now, and I really like it, even though I was never able to put videos on it, because they have to be a certain type. I have the software on my computer - and well I had to remove it when my computer was restored because of a virus. Afterwards, I had an updated Zune, but the software was old. Now I can't put any new music on it because Microsoft's "support" page won't help me at all. I tried downloading updates for it but it always fails. It says I don't have a license, when obviously I do, since I bought the product, have a username on zune.net, and the product is registered. Overall, just make sure you never update your Zune, or you never have to delete the software.

Have two first gen 30 gig Zunes (one is mine that I have had since the Zune was first introduced, the other is my daughter's that I got for her two years ago). Excellent players, and with current upgrades....are even that much better. Have never had a problem w/ either of the devices, and they get a complete workout. I use mine to exercise, at work, on the road, plus mounted to my helmet when I offroad/trail ride. Same w/ my daughter's except hers is probably used harder (and she rides offroad/trails too....). Have always kept the software updated on both, and they are getting better with age thanks to the excellent evolution of the firmware!

My wife has a second gen 8gb, and is used just as hard, with the same excellent results.

Having just started to using the video capability of the device, it makes trips a lot more tolerable, as we can download cartoons and educational programs/dvds for our son which he would rather watch and use than watching the dvd player in our suv.

Anyone not sure about the Zune....I was in the same boat when Microsoft first released the 30gb Zune several years ago, and I haven't regretted it since. So much so that I have bought two more, and am currently looking to purchase the new 120 gig version for myself.

Thanks Microsoft for the excellent product!

A ridiculous amount of props to Microsoft for continually updating these first generation Zunes. New firmware and software updates make this device better and better as time goes on. New features are being added constantly. New Zune 3.0 software is infinitely better than iTunes. I couldn't be happier with my decision to get a Zune over an iPod.

I bought my zune 30gb used for $75 and I had no idea how to use it. It is my first multimedia player and I've never owned anything before this. I had problems at first getting the zune device to be reconized by the software, so I looked for some help on the internet and a website said that the front USB ports on a computer are generally weaker than the ports that are located in the back on the motherboard itself. So i connected the zune to one of the USB ports on the back of the computer. Since then, no problems. It's easy to sync songs, and it's easy to edit mp3 tags so you can organize the music the way you want to. The video and audio tracks sound great! My mp3's are all encoded at 192kbits-256kbits, so everything is high quality. I throw on my Bose Tri-port headphones and I'm set! Everything on it works great: 2,125 MP3's (no wma, or acc), 8 videos, 10 pictures, 2 games. and I've only used 13.11GB, leaving me with another 14.68GB to fill it up with!

So I've had the Zune for about a year now and I've liked it alot. It can stand up to my craziness on a bike(including my crashes witch have broken two ipods) and can withstand a drop and not have to be restarted unlike some other players. It also plays movies well and I enjoy watching them on it(though after I got my PSP it went second to that for movies). It plays all my music and I've never had a problem even with some of the DRMed music I had. The only problems I really have is the crappy software and the non-external hard-drive link-up, for it forces the software(though I will say the software has gotten alot better over the year). So atm the Zune would still be my top choice for player(though I dont think I would pay 200 for what I payed 100 for but i wouldnt pay 200 for a mp3 player anyway).

So quick summary of Pros and Cons
Pros = Can play most DRMed Music, Good size screen for movies, Picture Aulbum, and Durability
Cons = Can't be hosted Externally, and the software still needs work(but it is getting better)
Other notes = I've never had a problem with connection to my computer even when I ran Vista and the program worked just fine then. Now that its popular it costs twice as much new as when I bought it, I'm glad I got mine when I did since I would hate spending 200$ on this.