12-15-2006, 02:45 PM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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Are You A Sucker for Zune Pass?
"Last month the Zune was released, and now the way I listen to music has changed radically again. Music makes me really happy, and I’m listening to more of it and I’m discovering new types of music too. I do like the Zune better than the iPod, but that’s not the point of this post or really the reason that I’m listening to new music. Every Zune comes with a free 14 day free trial of Zune’s subscription music service - that's what changed everything. I may never buy another CD. I’ll warn you, if you try it you may get hooked just like I did."
Much like Terry Gold, I love music and I love discovering new artists, so I wasn't the least bit surprised to find that I was able to relate to his love for Zune Pass - an all-you-can-eat music service (similar to URGE et al.) that the iPod/iTunes ecosystem lacks. For the cost to own roughly one album per month, you gain access to many, and that's a hard deal to beat. As "rented" music (good for as long as the subscription is active), the DRM isn't overly restrictive; while tunes cannot be burned, or synced to more than two devices, they can be played back on three computers and even the Xbox 360 (either via the Zune software or the Zune player). That's a reasonable amount of playback rights for most people. This new door to music is one edge that the Zune has over the iPod, and is even the reason that some people have chosen a Zune over an iPod this Christmas. Are you in that boat?
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12-15-2006, 03:38 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,053
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Availability of subscription music is my #1 needed feature in an MP3 player.
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12-15-2006, 04:06 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 10
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I haven't tried the Zune Pass yet, because I don't have a Zune yet, but from the sounds of it, it seems like a pretty decent and affordable means to get music.
Is it true that you can eat all you want with the 14 day Zune Pass that comes with the Zune?
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12-15-2006, 04:13 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 57
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lime
Is it true that you can eat all you want with the 14 day Zune Pass that comes with the Zune?
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Yes, you can.
The Zune is my first real MP3 player. I had a couple of small (256MB) players I got for free. I have those to my kids as I was just using my PPC for music.
Our family doesn't own very many CD's and I am not a fan of "sharing" music. The subscription plan is a great deal for us. I have downloaded about 2,000 songs in the past week. Just last night I downloaded a dozen or so Christmas albums.
I'm getting my son a Zune for Christmas. The subscription service was a big reason for choosing Zune, even though it is more that I wanted to spend for the hardware. He can download all the music he wants. I do wish Zune would allow you to sync to more that two Zune devices. When they come out with a flash player, I could see getting one or two of those for my other kids and my wife.
Rob
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12-15-2006, 04:35 PM
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Developer & Designer, News Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 12,959
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lime
Is it true that you can eat all you want with the 14 day Zune Pass that comes with the Zune?
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Actually, there are a few albums / individual tunes which aren't available with Zune Pass, but they're part of a very small minority. In 99.9% of all cases, you really can eat all that you want.
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12-15-2006, 08:08 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 81
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lime
I haven't tried the Zune Pass yet, because I don't have a Zune...
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You can download the Zune software ( www.zune.net) install it and sign up for Zune Pass without having a Zune. You can play music on up to 3 machines.
Before i bought a Zune I install the software and subscribed first. I wanted to see if I liked the service and the software before buying the player.
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12-15-2006, 08:12 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 81
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Even if you prefer CDs, and buy lots of them, Zune Pass can save you money. Already I listened to several albums I was going to buy but after hearing them I decided I didn't like them enough. Conversely, I have discovered a lot of new stuff. I think I spend most of my time hunting down things I never knew about.
I have very broad eclectic tastes: classical, house, world, rock, pop, electronic, jazz, etc. So for me its great to dig into all kinds of stuff. I am disappointed that the classical section is so limited. They have big names, like Yo Yo Ma, but generally its very bad for classical. Thankfully in my case I have a massive classical CD collection so I don't need the Pass for that.
Also I have large parties with a variety of guests and I like to play music that my quests will enjoy or to fit the party's theme. I have one PC connected to the whole-house audio system. So to be able to download a bunch of songs to be played once for a party is great too.
Bottom line, I'm going to continue with the Zune Pass.
(Warning: If you remove a machine from your Zune subscriber list you can not add it back on for 30 days.)
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12-15-2006, 11:15 PM
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Neophyte
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 7
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The subscription service model works great for me. It is unbelievable.
If someone does a trial for a subscription service, it sells itself. Just have a friend try it and pull up the Rolling Stones or Pink Floyd or U2 page in URGE or Zune Pass, for example, and have them download that band's ENTIRE CATALOG in an evening and see their reaction. Right click on an album cover and select download - it couldn't be easier.
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12-15-2006, 11:50 PM
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Contributing Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,097
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Lime
Is it true that you can eat all you want with the 14 day Zune Pass that comes with the Zune?
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Sure, if you can get it to work. I tried to activate my 14-day Zune Pass last night and it told me the code was invalid. 
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12-15-2006, 11:57 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 81
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Damion Chaplin
Sure, if you can get it to work. I tried to activate my 14-day Zune Pass last night and it told me the code was invalid. |
Did you notice if your Zune's box was opened before you got it? Perhaps someone copied down the number and used it before you did.
I recommend calling the Zune folks and explaining the problem. 1-877-GET-ZUNE (438-9863). I found them to be very helpful.
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