Ipod Vs. Zune, what's the difference and the best out on the market?

M

MegaDrive20XX

Segatron Genesis... call me the wizard.
I'm getting confused on what these things do, besides playing music. Since Mega is a senial and crazy old man apparently, can someone tell me what the differences or more so, the pro's and con's of owning one or the other?
 
Umm, how about the space each holds versus the price tag for it? Or which has the better warranty? Or which is more durable? Or which has better sound? I can keep going.
 
Both iPod and Zune have an 80GB for $250 I believe, so that ends the price argument. Which one is more durable shouldn't matter if you take care of your things, and sound is dependent on what headphones you have.
 
Some headphones aren't compatible with certain types of iPods.
 
Zunes can support WMAs, which take up about half the size of an MP3 file at the same bit rate. Microsoft also claims that the WMA has a higher sound quality, which is debatable, but most people wouldn't be able to differentiate the two. iPods do not support WMA files, so your $250 would go twice as far on a Zune. Zune also has an FM tuner so you can listen to the radio, if you like that sort of thing.
 
Joyling said:
Zunes can support WMAs, which take up about half the size of an MP3 file at the same bit rate. Microsoft also claims that the WMA has a higher sound quality, which is debatable, but most people wouldn't be able to differentiate the two. iPods do not support WMA files, so your $250 would go twice as far on a Zune. Zune also has an FM tuner so you can listen to the radio, if you like that sort of thing.
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So, Zune would be the best bet? If so, which model of the Zune is the best so far?

P.S. Does eet haz Cheezeburgr?
 
Joyling said:
Zunes can support WMAs, which take up about half the size of an MP3 file at the same bit rate. Microsoft also claims that the WMA has a higher sound quality, which is debatable, but most people wouldn't be able to differentiate the two. iPods do not support WMA files, so your $250 would go twice as far on a Zune. Zune also has an FM tuner so you can listen to the radio, if you like that sort of thing.
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But it does support AAC which is considered better than WMA's.

Don't make up your mind just yet. It all depends on how you use it. Will you be using it in the car as well? Do you have a lot of music? What format is your music already in? Do you plan on using better headphones than the stock ones, eventually? Does video matter much to you? Does the FM tuner matter to you?
 
@Creepin'...I think what matters the most is the music and videos. All the files I use are normally in WMA AAC and MP3 format. Yes I have alot of music. What does iTunes do? Listening to the radio? Eh sounds cool, but does it cost extra?

Yes I will use it in my car and on the go.
 
Alright since you're going to be using it in your car, the iPod is your better bet since there are literally TONS of car adapters for it. Even if you buy a new car stereo, it will most likely be "iPod compatible."

The only problem is that you have WMA's. Which format do you have the most?

Currently, the iPod comes in 80GB ($249) and 160GB ($349). While the Zune only comes in 4 ($129), 8 ($179) and 80GB ($249). The FM tuner does not cost extra.

They both support the same video formats (H.264, MPG4), except the Zune also supports WMV's. They also have equal screen resolutions, but the Zune is widescreen.

The Zune has better audio out from the headphone jack, but you won't tell the difference unless you use good headphones. So if you plan on buying nicer headphones down the line, then the Zune is your choice.

Both are supported by the Xbox 360 and PS3.

The iTunes store has a lot more content, but most of it is copy-protected. Whereas, the Zune store is DRM free. The iTunes store does carry DRM free content but not as much.

The Zune has WiFi capabilities so you can transfer media wirelessly.

Both 80GB models claim 30 hours of battery life (the 160GB iPod claims to be 40). The iPod claims to have 5 hours of video playback whereas the Zune is only 4. It also depends on what formats you're using. The bigger the files, the more battery you use.

On paper the Zune is better, but if you want a bigger HD and a crapload of accessories then the iPod is what you want. I believe that is it. Any more questions, just ask. :)

PS: if you don't mind hacking whichever one you get, then pretty much all the differences go away. It does void your warranty though and there is a chance of bricking it.
 
Accessories do really strongly cater to iPod. If your car stereo has an AUX input, you can just get a 3.5 male-male plug and that will work with pretty much any MP3 player you can buy, since it's a standard size headphone cable. You can get those for about $10 or'so. Car chargers are available for both Zune and iPod, they run about $20. If you don't have an AUX jack on your car stereo, FM tuners start at $20-ish.
 
Joyling said:
Accessories do really strongly cater to iPod. If your car stereo has an AUX input, you can just get a 3.5 male-male plug and that will work with pretty much any MP3 player you can buy, since it's a standard size headphone cable. You can get those for about $10 or'so. Car chargers are available for both Zune and iPod, they run about $20. If you don't have an AUX jack on your car stereo, FM tuners start at $20-ish.
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Very true. But some do actually come with iPod dock connectors as well, which allows full control of the iPod from the dash stereo. It all depends on how much you're willing to spend.
 
Joyling said:
Accessories do really strongly cater to iPod. If your car stereo has an AUX input, you can just get a 3.5 male-male plug and that will work with pretty much any MP3 player you can buy, since it's a standard size headphone cable. You can get those for about $10 or'so. Car chargers are available for both Zune and iPod, they run about $20. If you don't have an AUX jack on your car stereo, FM tuners start at $20-ish.
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Yes it does have an AUX Input now that you mention it.
 
So we are leaning towards an Ipod and not a Zune now? Kinda lost now...unless I understand what you're saying.

Files I use the most, probably MP3
 
What I have: 30GB Zune (Halo 3 edition)

For my car, I run it on the AUX jack. Battery life I don't worry about, since I rarely drive longer than 15 minutes in one direction. Some of the iPod car kits are really cool, the one I like best is called FM Cup, which is an iPod dock with built-in FM tuner. It's powered off the cig lighter so it powers your iPod as it's playing, plus unlike most of the other tuner/power solutions on the market it rests conveniently in your car's cup holder. It's like $50 but you don't have to worry about plugging/unplugging anything really, or where to set it while you're driving or it sliding around. When you get where you are going, grab your iPod off the dock, throw it in your pocket, and go. Get back in, dock it, and you're good to go. If you are leaning towards an iPod rather than a Zune, this is the power/tuner that I recommend.
 
MegaDrive20XX said:
So we are leaning towards an Ipod and not a Zune now? Kinda lost now...unless I understand what you're saying.

Files I use the most, probably MP3
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Actually, I wasn't really recommending one or the other. I broke it down so you could make that decision. Weigh the pro's and con's to see which one suits your needs. :)
 
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