Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.
I think that was it, it wasn't anything I was super interested in, or made me think that AAC was bad or something, I just remember it not being "transparent" or whatever at lower than 320kbit/s. I never really looked into it much, because I never heard about iTunes going better than crap 128, and I only get 320kbps MP3 or sometimes FLAC

Understand now. Just be aware, even if you play a track on 5.1 system, it will still be a stereo track. So, the minimum requirement would be 128 kbps. Which I would really consider a minimum. But 256, which is what you get most of the times now on iTunes Store, will be more than enough for 99.9% of all cases :)

So, I'm outta here again. Just wanted to get some facts straight about MP3 / AAC / bitrates and quality. Of course this is all not really related to Zune, and I have never had a Zune in my hands so far, I have nothing more to say. ;)
 
I've used both and the zune software is a much better media manager. The whole experience is just better.

That said, there is no way it's going to make it onto the Mac in it's current form. The Zune software is .NET based with a SQL Server lite backend, that's a huge port.

If you read between the lines from the tweet and the announcement, Mac users are getting a basic syncing tool, not the full Zune software experience. At least not initially.
 
Huh? You are equating more channels with better audio fidelity?

No no no, simply that the higher the bitrate of lossy audio formats, the better the end result when encoded to 5.1.

Also, 256 or 320 are 2 channel files, so well, sound only coming out of two speakers on your surround system may make you want to pull your hair out, but it's really irrelevant to the bit rate of the file.

I don't think you'll be able to find any true 5.1 music that isn't something that was made for a movie. CDs are recorded in stereo, and everything we have is from CDs still. You want the best audio when going 5.1, and usually if it is something I will listen to a lot or I really love or whatever, I go lossless
 
Understand now. Just be aware, even if you play a track on 5.1 system, it will still be a stereo track. So, the minimum requirement would be 128 kbps. Which I would really consider a minimum. But 256, which is what you get most of the times now on iTunes Store, will be more than enough for 99.9% of all cases :)

Yeah I defiantly know about it being stereo (as I replied to someone else just now) Really it was 128kbps vs 320kbps, and I really can hear the difference. I don't think I have any 256AAC tracks, but maybe I'll try one out that I already own in 320 or FLAC now :D, and thanks for the input.
 
That's great news!

Cool, so all the Microsoft MacBU employees who are force, err, encouraged to use a WinMo7 Phone will be able to sync their phones to the Macs...eventually.

That's so nice. :D
 
Why exactly do you single my post out instead of the one line zingers against Microsoft or the Zune?

As far as software goes, iTunes gets the job done. I have a shuffle, and adding music to it is a breeze and it is great at keeping the software up to date and everything. The problem is, the look of iTunes is just so plain and uninspired to me that when I put some music up on my computer to play at lets say a party or something, it is just a list of songs. Zune on the other hand, has great album art presentations when you leave it alone, kind of like a screen saver. If you're navigating it, you can do it in a few different ways. You can do it in a list mode similar to iTunes, but with better cover art presentations and better looking format, text, etc. You can also navigate in a different way from which is a really cool kind of virtual way. This is all hard to explain in text, but you can probably get a feel with videos or screen shots if you find some.

Lastly as some have pointed out, iTunes doesn't run very well on PC. My PC can handle it so it doesn't really lag it, but my old laptop had a lot of trouble with iTunes. Looking at it right now, Zune is using about 7% less CPU and I have it in the virtual play mode. iTunes runs without issue on OS-X usually, but there isn't any comparison on CPU usage obviously.

My post count is so low because this is the first topic I've posted in. I frequent Macrumors, but until now didn't really have anything to add in the comments and usually there isn't any reason for me to read them. I assumed the Zune would get some harsh treatment, this is a spot for Apple product news, so I wanted to add my 2 cents as someone who at least has a lot of experience with iTunes and Zune software, and with the first gen Zune.

The reason I singled you out was because of ridiculous posts of yours including this one especially.

Let's cover a few things; First, who cares if iTunes isn't as "pretty" as the Zune software especially if it gets the job done as you so pointed out? That's the same argument PC lovers say about Macs, "why buy a Mac just because it's prettier when my ugly cheap PC gets the job done?"

Secondly, I can tell first hand that you don't use iTunes to it's full potential because Coverflow is an excellent way to display cover art at any party, it's quite visually appealing. Funny how you said it was just a "list of songs" that you get on iTunes. :rolleyes:

Thirdly, did you really expect iTunes for the PC to run super smooth as it does on the Mac? Of course not, it's a port, however what Apple does do right for the PC crowd is make the exact same version of iTunes complete with all the functionality of the Mac version (unlike MS Office for Mac that misses feature set and we are PAYING for that) and buddy you're not paying for iTunes period so stop the complaining. You can use iTunes with or without an iDevice so please spare me the possible upcoming rebuttal that you were forced to use iTunes because you bought an iPod. My question is why did you buy an iPod Shuffle when you could've gotten the mini Zune player since you say they are so great?

Lastly, if I had a nickel for every time a new registrant showed up and wreaks havoc on the Mac forum or starts spewing how great the competition is over anything Apple makes, I'd have SJ's wealth. Those same people (just like you) go on and defend themselves saying they've been reading Macrumors for a long time have been interested in Apple products and just decided to finally register and they are not here to troll. Yeah right, BS.:rolleyes:

One more thing, if the Zune and it's software is so great then why is not successful at all in the Windows world of users? Why are Windows users ignoring the Zune and it's marketplace in favor of the iPod? If the iPod was not as great as the Zune and iTunes was far worse than the Zune Marketplace then it stands to reason that the Windows world would've bought into the Zune and ditched Apple right? Well, it ain't happening so don't come here and flame a Mac forum for bashing the Zune and it's marketplace, go ask the Windows community why they prefer to buy into Apple instead?
 
One more thing, if the Zune and it's software is so great then why is not successful at all in the Windows world of users? Why are Windows users ignoring the Zune and it's marketplace in favor of the iPod? If the iPod was not as great as the Zune and iTunes was far worse than the Zune Marketplace then it stands to reason that the Windows world would've bought into the Zune and ditched Apple right? Well, it ain't happening so don't come here and flame a Mac forum for bashing the Zune and it's marketplace, go ask the Windows community why they prefer to buy into Apple instead?

I tend to think that a lot of the reasons for this is based on Microsoft's inability (until now) to do an international launch. The Zune has the problem that it's neither competing in a global market, nor is it able to command the same sort of ecosystem as the iPod does because it isn't a global product.
 
The Zune HD is in my opinion, a lot better than the iPod,

You probably know the saying: opinions are like arseholes, every person has one :D.
Anyway, I posted a link a few pages above, it's anandtech's review for the iPod Touch and there are independent benchmarks there comparing iPT, iPhone 4 and Zune HD sound quality. The Zune HD is lagging behind, big time, which does not mean that the sound is "bad", of course, but that, technically, Apple has done the better job by far in providing customers a level of excellence in sound quality.
So you may want to elaborate on what is it that you find "a lot better" in the Zune over the iPod.
 
I tend to think that a lot of the reasons for this is based on Microsoft's inability (until now) to do an international launch. The Zune has the problem that it's neither competing in a global market, nor is it able to command the same sort of ecosystem as the iPod does because it isn't a global product.

Then again, why would a huge multinational company like Microsoft not be able to internationally launch a product?
 
Just like Macs.

Ah, another new registrant here to wreak havoc on the Mac forum. Could you please give your bosses phone number at Microsoft so I can get hired there, they must pay people well to come here and register and say spew venom on Mac forums. ;)
 
This is a good idea, actually. In Canada, you can't buy an iPhone without lining up every morning in hopes that the store has received a shipment that day. Most people don't have that kind of time.

So, if you need a phone, can't buy an iPhone, what do you do? Go without a phone? Or try the competition?

I think the answer is obvious. Though I didn't realize there were still supply issues in Canada.
 
In all seriousness, if this news is true and the final product is good then it means that I would actively consider a Windows Phone 7 device. I have no real loyalty to Apple except that I absolutely refuse to work on a Windows PC so whatever devices I buy must play well with a Mac. This typically means that only Apple's own devices are considered but if Microsoft delivers the goods then I'd be perfectly happy to consider a Windows Phone 7 device if it measures up well to the likes of the iPhone and Android.

+1

I'm in the same boat.
 
Ah, another new registrant here to wreak havoc on the Mac forum. Could you please give your bosses phone number at Microsoft so I can get hired there, they must pay people well to come here and register and say spew venom on Mac forums. ;)

Oh you're so clever and is full of insightful comments! ;)
 
you can be forgiven for asking "Uh...whats a Zoon(sic)?" Ive gone to first, community college for 2 years and now am in University of WA and have not seen a one-or anyone who had heard of them. An I live in frikken Seattle-10 miles from Microsoft

I think like their DOA "iPhone killer" the KIN and soon to be DOA Windows 7 phone, the KINdred
the Zune is on life support and I think this is a move to make it more universal before it dies off.
But why eat canned Macaroni and 'cheeze product' from Microsoft when you can eat fillet of Salmon from Apple?
 
you can be forgiven for asking "Uh...whats a Zoon(sic)?" Ive gone to first, community college for 2 years and now am in University of WA and have not seen a one-or anyone who had heard of them. An I live in frikken Seattle-10 miles from Microsoft

I think like their DOA "iPhone killer" the KIN and soon to be DOA Windows 7 phone, the KINdred
the Zune is on life support and I think this is a move to make it more universal before it dies off.
But why eat canned Macaroni and 'cheeze product' from Microsoft when you can eat fillet of Salmon from Apple?

Cause, as many have said, Zune software is superior to iTunes, and Zune pass is superior to iTunes store.
 
I would agree...

try the zune software.

I hate to break it to the haters/morons, but the Zune software is completely fantastic and is miles ahead of iTunes in terms of presentation and ease of use. Combined with the Zune pass and you have a serious platform. I use an iPhone 4 but use the Zune HD as a pmp and MAN is it awesome. Best thing MS does IMO. In fact, being on OSX primarily, Zune is the only thing I miss not having. IF this is true, I consider it huge news. Goodbye iTunes if that is the case. No ifs, ands or buts.
 
Wirelessly posted (Mozilla/5.0 (Linux; U; Android 2.1-update1; en-gb; Dell Streak Build/ERE27) AppleWebKit/530.17 (KHTML, like Gecko) Version/4.0 Mobile Safari/530.17)

After reading about how good the Zune software is on the pc, I thought I'd give it a try and I was quite impressed! I didn't like the fact I couldn't scrobble my plays to last.fm tho.

It'll be interesting to see how it turns out on the Mac.
 
It's a computer that intelligent people use, the rest of the world uses a Windows PC. :p

intelligent people? quite the opposite, the Mac users i have to support at work are dumb as a rock, good thing their machines only are setup to do 1 or 2 things or i would have to visit them hourly.

i personally find Mac users the most computer ignorant people on the face of the planet, they have no clue about modern technology or how anything computer related works at all.
 
I hate to break it to the haters/morons, but the Zune software is completely fantastic and is miles ahead of iTunes in terms of presentation and ease of use. Combined with the Zune pass and you have a serious platform.

Agreed. I love the Zune Pass and the Zune interface. I wish that Apple would offer a music subscription too.
 
You could drive an elephant through the wording of that 'announcement': "Mac users would be able to 'use' Zune on the mac", "will make a public beta available of a 'tool' that allows Windows Phone 7"...

It sounds like it is a grudgingly difficult recognition that Apple has eaten Balmer's lunch. I doubt that many people will want to use a Windows phone on the Mac. I tried years ago with a Treo that I had and couldn't ever get it to work right.
 
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.