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Reviews: Flash Memory MP3 Players

Microsoft Zune 8GB Red

Built-in Capacity: 8GB • Screen Size (inches): 1.8 • Voice Recording: No • FM tuner: No • Video Support: Yes • Price When Reviewed: $180

Last updated
March 07, 2008

Reviewed by
Eric Dahl, PC World

Pros

Wireless syncing
Intuitive controls and interface

Cons

A bit bulky

Pricing:

TriStateCamera.com	$184.87
TigerDirect	$179.99
STAPLES	$179.99
See all

Top 10 MP3 Players (Flash-Based)

Top 5 MP3 Players (Hard Drive-Based)

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Review

Test Report

Pricing

User Reviews

Add Your Review

Pricing: Inexpensive: $180 (3/7/2007)

Performance: Good: 72

Features: Fair: 61

Design: Very Good: 82

Find out how these four scores, and their relative weights, combine to produce the PC World Rating.

Pricing

Inexpensive: $180

Performance

Good: 72

PC World Tests
Maximum Usable Output Level, Average (dBV)	-4.6
Total Harmonic Distortion and Noise, Average (%)	0.13
Signal-to-Noise Ratio, Average (dB)	80
Crosstalk, Average (dB)	-44
Frequency Response Deviation, Average (dB)	3.1

Features

Fair: 61

Capacity
Built-in Capacity	8GB
SD card	No
mini SD	No
micro SD	No
Memory Stick Micro	No
Compact Flash	No
Smart Media	No
xD Picture Card	No
Memory Stick	No

Battery
Replaceable Battery	No
Hours of Play (Per vendor)	24

Screen
Screen Size (inches)	1.8
Screen Resolution	320 by 240
ScreenType	Color

Size
Dimensions (inches)	1.6 by 0.3 by 3.6
Weight (oz.)	1.7

Connections
Line Out	No
Firewire	No
Headphone output	Yes
Microphone input	No
USB	Yes
Video Output	No
USB Host Adapter	No

Audio Formats
AAC	Yes
AIFF	No
Apple Lossless	No
ASF	No
Audible	No
FLAC	No
MP3	Yes
MPEG4	Yes
OGG	No
WAV	No
WMA	Yes
WMA Lossless	Yes
Voice Recording	No

Radio
FM tuner	No
FM Recording	No

Online Music Compatibility
Itunes	No
Rhapsody	No
Napster	No
Sony	No
Yahoo	No
Other	Zune Marketplace

Online Subscription Compatibility
Plays For Sure	No
Other	Zune Marketplace

Video Formats
Video Support	Yes
H 264	Yes
MPEG4	Yes
MPEG2	No
MPEG1	No
DivX4	No
DivX5	No
WMV	Yes
Motion JPEG	No
XviD	No
Other	DVR-MS

Photo Formats
JPG	Yes
BMP	No
PNG	No
GIF	No

Hardware List
USB cable	Yes
Firewire cable	No
Dock	No
AC Adapter	No
Case	No
Remote Control	No

Other
Included Hardware	AC Adapter, dock, case and remote control all sold seperately.
Included Software	Zune software

Warranty & Support
Labor Warranty (years)	One
Parts Warranty (years)	One
Weekday Support (hours)	16
Saturday Support (hours)	16
Sunday Support (hours)	16
Toll-Free Support	Yes

Reliability & Service
Summary of results for all of brand's products in this category	Microsoft's tepidly received Zune music player debuted in our Reliability and Service survey, receiving middle-of-the-road ratings in every MP3 category. An iPod killer? Probably not.

Reliability of brand's products in this category
Reports of product arriving with problems	Average
Reports of products with any significant problems	Average
Reports of problems that render a product unusable	Average
Buyers' rating of product's	Average
Overall satisfaction with reliability of brand's products in category	Average