A Tale of Two Zunes: the Zune 30 and Zune 80

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKLybcCwaV0' target='_blank'>http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKLybcCwaV0</a><br /><br /></div>Ok, so sometime tomorrow you'll have the new Zune software, and you'll have updated your Zune 30 to the new Zune software. But you might be wondering, does the new <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/zunethoughts-20/detail/B000WG6XW6/105-2042127-0890824" target="_blank">Zune 80</a> [affiliate] offer any improvements over your Zune 30 (other than hard drive size of course). What's the performance like on the Zune 30 with the new firmware - is it as snappy as the Zune 80? This video should answer all your questions.<br /><br /><embed width="425" height="355" wmode="transparent" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/ZKLybcCwaV0&amp;rel=1"></embed> <br /><br />I don't really have any bloopers in my videos, although I did make some verbal flubs, but if you listen closely to the start of this video, you can hear me let out a big sigh. I think I'd be working on these video reviews for three hours straight, and I was starting to get a little tired. The things I do for you Zune lovers! ;-)

[hack30]

I noticed in one of your videos you had the first Zune Dock and the second Zune Dock side by side. How does the Zune 80 fit into the the first generation Zune dock?

Thank!

[Jason Dunn]

How does the Zune 80 fit into the the first generation Zune dock?

It doesn't - only the Zune 30 fits into the original Zune dock. The new Zune dock, which I got in the Zune A/V pack (I'll review that later), has three plastic dock adaptors that you swap out depending on what Zune you're going to connect. Most people don't have three different Zunes like I do, so it's not as much of a hassle as you might think. :D

[hack30]

Shoot! I've got two of the first gen docks and was considering getting the 80gb model. But to have to get new docks.....that's just silly. I thought it was going to be backwards compatible.

Thanks for the info!

[Rocco Augusto]

Very nice job Jason! I'm excited for tomorrow! :)

[dscellen]

I assume the new Zune software works with the Zune 30 as well?

[Jason Dunn]

But to have to get new docks.....that's just silly. I thought it was going to be backwards compatible.

Yeah, I hear you. I think it was probably a compromise they made to make the Zune 80 thinner - the connection plug is near the front of the bottom, whereas the old Zune it's in the middle.

[Jason Dunn]

I assume the new Zune software works with the Zune 30 as well?

Yup, you bet. When you dock your Zune 30 it will update the firmware to 2.1. Check out my video here:

http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/23466/

[MarxMarvelous]

How much did you have loaded on the Zune 30? Would you say that a lot of the hiccups (spinning wait cursor for a few secs) have been fixed?

Thanks!

[Jason Dunn]

How much did you have loaded on the Zune 30? Would you say that a lot of the hiccups (spinning wait cursor for a few secs) have been fixed?

I had about 10 GB of music, around 800 photos, and maybe 5 GB of video. Everything seemed quite snappy, and I didn't notice any slowdowns. I've honestly been playing with the new hardware more though, so I haven't had a lot of hands-on time with the old Zune...the new hardware is just so sexy. :D

[MarxMarvelous]

I've honestly been playing with the new hardware more though, so I haven't had a lot of hands-on time with the old Zune...the new hardware is just so sexy. :D

Thanks... guess I'll find out tomorrow for sure. Can't blame you for prioritizing the new HW. :D

[Rocco Augusto]

the new hardware is just so sexy. :D

Then why don't you marry it! :mad: (just kidding!)

I'm trying to convince my fiance why it is a good idea to buy me the new Zune 80 for Christmas... so far she isn't buying it :( (no pun intended)

[tbird]

Thanks for the info! It answered all of my questions.

[Scarpad]

So I can forget docking an 80 into the Altec Lansing M604 then, that sucks.

[Jason Dunn]

So I can forget docking an 80 into the Altec Lansing M604 then, that sucks.

Yup, they have a new version coming out (the Altec Lansing speaker dock). Unless maybe they were to release an adaptor or something...?

[rensul]

Hey Jason - thanks for all these videos. I'm pretty excited about upgrading my current Zune (mine and my kids!) It was fantastic getting all this info ahead of time!!!

Rensul

[Jason Dunn]

Hey Jason - thanks for all these videos. I'm pretty excited about upgrading my current Zune

Glad you enjoyed it, and glad to see you make your first post. I hope you'll make Zune Thoughts your Zune home. :)

[hawsdog]

It doesn't - only the Zune 30 fits into the original Zune dock.

Does the new Zune 80 completely not work with the old dock, or does it just not fit perfectly. Amazon is selling the new zune 80 and telling people (me) to buy the old A/V pack at the same time. If it really doesn't work, this seems like it could be a really big deal for Amazon - it certainly is starting to upset me. :mad:

[Jason Dunn]

Does the new Zune 80 completely not work with the old dock, or does it just not fit perfectly.

I tried to connect the Zune 80 to the old Zune dock, and it didn't fit in easily - and I'm not going to risk damaging the connector by jamming it in there. I've asked Cesar Menendez on the Zune team if it's compatible or not - I suspect the answer is no, but I'll make a front-page news post about it when I find out one way or another.