Audio Podcasts
Episode 006 Revisiting our cautionary tale and favorite podcasts
11/12/2008 02:39 PM
A
return to my cautionary tale. This morning,
immediately after booting, our Vista tower began
repeatedly sounding the USB connect / disconnect
alarm. This time I immediately synched the Zune and
the sounds stopped. I know I had properly synched and
closed the Zune client software before shutting down
the PC. This has to be a Zune client bug and one I
hope is addressed soon. It would truly be maddening
if I did not have access to the Zune, as in left at
the office or being used by another employee, and
were forced to watch as my machine constantly stops
to search for a Zune player.
We are happy to announce ZuneNetNewsAudio is now listed in the Zune Market Place catalogue but it is not obvious when searching for it. You may find all our listed podcasts by searching for iNetSynch podcasts. Synch is spelled s y n c h.
In this episode we would like to mention a few of our favorite podcasts that are listed in the market place. On the Zune centric side our list is topped by the Zunited Zune Podcast. This is a must have for those interested in a peek into Zune happenings. The podcast is well produced and the WEB site excellent.
Next on our list is Windows Weekly with Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott. Paul usually offers up interesting behind the scenes insight into the Magical Mystery (or is that Misty) world that is Microsoft. The tips and software recommendations are almost always helpful. Sometimes the patter between Leo and Paul slides off point, requiring a quick fast forward on my Zune, but the show is a must have for those interested in the inner workings of Windows and Microsoft.
Third is our own Windows2ApplesVideoNews animated podcast. We use this Netcast as a platform to push the envelope a bit and many interested in news and feedback on the big two as well as those with interests in PC based animation may find it worth adding to their podcast list.
Finally, we recommend two shows with a focus on education encased in very entertaining formats. As a long time fan of the Dirty Jobs television series, I look forward to the short but sweet reconstituted snippets of the TV series packed into the Dirty Jobs Video Podcast. Be cautioned that some of the older shows listed as video are actually MP3 audio shows.
The last but certainly not least on our list is the TEDTalks Video podcast. These podcasts offer up videos of the Technology Entertainment and Design conference presentations providing wonderful thought provoking insights by some of the world’s brightest thinkers and doers.
We are happy to announce ZuneNetNewsAudio is now listed in the Zune Market Place catalogue but it is not obvious when searching for it. You may find all our listed podcasts by searching for iNetSynch podcasts. Synch is spelled s y n c h.
In this episode we would like to mention a few of our favorite podcasts that are listed in the market place. On the Zune centric side our list is topped by the Zunited Zune Podcast. This is a must have for those interested in a peek into Zune happenings. The podcast is well produced and the WEB site excellent.
Next on our list is Windows Weekly with Leo Laporte and Paul Thurrott. Paul usually offers up interesting behind the scenes insight into the Magical Mystery (or is that Misty) world that is Microsoft. The tips and software recommendations are almost always helpful. Sometimes the patter between Leo and Paul slides off point, requiring a quick fast forward on my Zune, but the show is a must have for those interested in the inner workings of Windows and Microsoft.
Third is our own Windows2ApplesVideoNews animated podcast. We use this Netcast as a platform to push the envelope a bit and many interested in news and feedback on the big two as well as those with interests in PC based animation may find it worth adding to their podcast list.
Finally, we recommend two shows with a focus on education encased in very entertaining formats. As a long time fan of the Dirty Jobs television series, I look forward to the short but sweet reconstituted snippets of the TV series packed into the Dirty Jobs Video Podcast. Be cautioned that some of the older shows listed as video are actually MP3 audio shows.
The last but certainly not least on our list is the TEDTalks Video podcast. These podcasts offer up videos of the Technology Entertainment and Design conference presentations providing wonderful thought provoking insights by some of the world’s brightest thinkers and doers.
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Episode 5 The Trouble With Zunes
11/07/2008 11:57 AM
When the generation 3
Zune firmware, client and Marketplace were released
Devin Leonard issued a posting on the Fortune Web
claiming to have insight into what he refers to as
The Trouble With Zunes. His article is instructive in
the statistics that define Microsoft's penetration in
the portable player market as well as the
subscription music space.
The numbers are not encouraging. He sites data from Piper Jaffray estimating the Zune has a 3 % share of the player market and only 15 % of the subscription music market. Rhapsody supposedly owns a 45% majority share of the rent as you go market place.
One of the reasons sited for the Zunes’ poor showing is they offers no compelling reason for iPod customers to switch or for the undecided to chose the Zune over competing devices. As someone with hands on experience with many different portable media players, I find the Zune a compelling alternative and yet missing several features and services that are crucial to gaining market share.
We add blue tooth support to our generation four wish list. The Ibiza Rhapsody player supports both WiFi access to our Rhapsody account as well as bluetooth support for wireless earphones and speakers. Recently we began using the Ibiza with an inexpensive Insignia bluetooth headset and are quickly becoming spoiled by the freedom it offers.The obvious advantage to bluetooth listening is the elimination of the wires that far too often get entangled or caught on something leading to the player being yanked out of hand or holster and testing its resistance to trauma as it falls to the floor.
We underestimated the impact bluetooth would have and find ourselves using the Ibiza for music and podcasts more and more. The Zune still has the advantage of functioning as a portable video recorder and ironically one of the better players for listening to audio books but has taken a back seat to our Ibiza when on the road.
We are preparing a full comparison between the Zune and Ibiza on the ZuneNetNews web site. Even though the Zune now leads the Ibiza in important hardware and software features the Rhapsody subscription service continues to offer a far richer catalogue of music than we find in the Zune Market Place. We hope the Zune team working to close this gap as well as offer a working means to add new podcast series to the netcast directory.
The numbers are not encouraging. He sites data from Piper Jaffray estimating the Zune has a 3 % share of the player market and only 15 % of the subscription music market. Rhapsody supposedly owns a 45% majority share of the rent as you go market place.
One of the reasons sited for the Zunes’ poor showing is they offers no compelling reason for iPod customers to switch or for the undecided to chose the Zune over competing devices. As someone with hands on experience with many different portable media players, I find the Zune a compelling alternative and yet missing several features and services that are crucial to gaining market share.
We add blue tooth support to our generation four wish list. The Ibiza Rhapsody player supports both WiFi access to our Rhapsody account as well as bluetooth support for wireless earphones and speakers. Recently we began using the Ibiza with an inexpensive Insignia bluetooth headset and are quickly becoming spoiled by the freedom it offers.The obvious advantage to bluetooth listening is the elimination of the wires that far too often get entangled or caught on something leading to the player being yanked out of hand or holster and testing its resistance to trauma as it falls to the floor.
We underestimated the impact bluetooth would have and find ourselves using the Ibiza for music and podcasts more and more. The Zune still has the advantage of functioning as a portable video recorder and ironically one of the better players for listening to audio books but has taken a back seat to our Ibiza when on the road.
We are preparing a full comparison between the Zune and Ibiza on the ZuneNetNews web site. Even though the Zune now leads the Ibiza in important hardware and software features the Rhapsody subscription service continues to offer a far richer catalogue of music than we find in the Zune Market Place. We hope the Zune team working to close this gap as well as offer a working means to add new podcast series to the netcast directory.
Video Issues and Audio / Video Pack
10/23/2008 11:11 AM
Episode
4
In episode three of the Zune net news podcast we added to our generation four wish list. The list is now posted on the Zune net news web site. We’ve also added a frequently asked question and solution web page focused on documenting common issues and solutions often provided by Zune users and forum contributors. The intent is to offer a compendium of fixes as well as resolving problems still in need of input from the Microsoft development and support team.
One of the issues that we find most aggravating, primarily because it is so mysterious, is the inability to play some of the video podcast files that appear to be correctly encoded and often produced by podcasters with videos that do play successfully. When attempting to play these files, we get an error message on our 80 and 120 Zune players indicating that and an “ item is missing or can not be played". A quick search of the Zune Net forum and independent web sites indicates this is a fairly common problem and affects not only the playback of video but more frequently audio files. The work around suggested by Microsoft may go as far as requiring that you completely erase the content of your player and reinstall the firmware operating system and then re-synch all of your content.
As documented on the ZNN website the file that first caused us to realize this could be an issue was episode 5 of the Zune Luv podcast. Strangely, episode 4, also a video podcast, downloaded and played perfectly. A fellow Zune, user using an upgraded 30 GB Zune, was able to view both video episodes without issue. We are requesting our listeners forward via e-mail listings of video podcasts that generate an error message when synched to their Zune player. Please contact us by emailing your comments to znnadmin@zunenetnew.com.
One of the reasons we find the Zune so attractive is the availability of the home audio / video pack which allows the Zune 30, 80 and 120 players to stream stored video and audio to Home Entertainment Centers. Although the interface is shipped with component video cables supporting enhanced resolution displays, we find the standard composite option provides a very good picture. Not only can we view video podcast and movies synced with our Zune but, when using our Media Center PC with cable television input and tuner, we can also record television and synch with our Zune. The Zune essentially becomes a portable video recorder. The A / V interface comes with a simple yet intuitive wireless remote control. The only issue we take with the Zune remote control is its diminutive size. We’re constantly reminding our self to remember to put the controlled next to the base hoping we can keep from losing it.
We are happy to announce that the zunenetnews audio podcast can now be found in the iTunes library. Unfortunately, Microsoft has yet to include it in the marketplace podcast catalog. We have submitted many podcasts over the years to iTunes and all have been quickly processed usually being added to the directory within 3 to 5 days. This has not been our experience with the Zune Marketplace and hope that Microsoft is focusing on improving the channel through which podcasts can be added. The Zune marketplace will become so much more valuable if we can rely upon it to have a content catalog equal to or superior to that found on iTunes.
Please forward your comments and suggestions for future podcast as well as desired Zune Net News web features.
In episode three of the Zune net news podcast we added to our generation four wish list. The list is now posted on the Zune net news web site. We’ve also added a frequently asked question and solution web page focused on documenting common issues and solutions often provided by Zune users and forum contributors. The intent is to offer a compendium of fixes as well as resolving problems still in need of input from the Microsoft development and support team.
One of the issues that we find most aggravating, primarily because it is so mysterious, is the inability to play some of the video podcast files that appear to be correctly encoded and often produced by podcasters with videos that do play successfully. When attempting to play these files, we get an error message on our 80 and 120 Zune players indicating that and an “ item is missing or can not be played". A quick search of the Zune Net forum and independent web sites indicates this is a fairly common problem and affects not only the playback of video but more frequently audio files. The work around suggested by Microsoft may go as far as requiring that you completely erase the content of your player and reinstall the firmware operating system and then re-synch all of your content.
As documented on the ZNN website the file that first caused us to realize this could be an issue was episode 5 of the Zune Luv podcast. Strangely, episode 4, also a video podcast, downloaded and played perfectly. A fellow Zune, user using an upgraded 30 GB Zune, was able to view both video episodes without issue. We are requesting our listeners forward via e-mail listings of video podcasts that generate an error message when synched to their Zune player. Please contact us by emailing your comments to znnadmin@zunenetnew.com.
One of the reasons we find the Zune so attractive is the availability of the home audio / video pack which allows the Zune 30, 80 and 120 players to stream stored video and audio to Home Entertainment Centers. Although the interface is shipped with component video cables supporting enhanced resolution displays, we find the standard composite option provides a very good picture. Not only can we view video podcast and movies synced with our Zune but, when using our Media Center PC with cable television input and tuner, we can also record television and synch with our Zune. The Zune essentially becomes a portable video recorder. The A / V interface comes with a simple yet intuitive wireless remote control. The only issue we take with the Zune remote control is its diminutive size. We’re constantly reminding our self to remember to put the controlled next to the base hoping we can keep from losing it.
We are happy to announce that the zunenetnews audio podcast can now be found in the iTunes library. Unfortunately, Microsoft has yet to include it in the marketplace podcast catalog. We have submitted many podcasts over the years to iTunes and all have been quickly processed usually being added to the directory within 3 to 5 days. This has not been our experience with the Zune Marketplace and hope that Microsoft is focusing on improving the channel through which podcasts can be added. The Zune marketplace will become so much more valuable if we can rely upon it to have a content catalog equal to or superior to that found on iTunes.
Please forward your comments and suggestions for future podcast as well as desired Zune Net News web features.
Episode 3 More Wish List and a Cautionary Tale
10/20/2008 02:29 PM
Audio
Episode 3
In our second podcast we listed a few of the items from the top of our Zune wish list. We add to that today by including wireless access to the Audible library, wireless access to Zune Social comments and a flash based browser. Microsoft could press far ahead of its competitors and take the baton as portable media player developers by expanding its wireless access to the Audible books store. The browser adds on would be playing catch up. If flash enabled a Zune phone could jump ahead of the pack.
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, recently suggested the Zune player firmware may begin showing up in other portable devices with Windows Mobile phones the most exciting target. While this would seem a natural progression for Microsoft, they now have Google on their heels with the release of the G1 Google Android phone. The G1 is getting good press and has the enviable advantage of being open source. Well designed hardware coupled with a developer friendly operating system and unrestrained access to marketing your wares to G1 users has the making of a winner.
Microsoft has a history of encouraging third party developers by offering the necessary tools and access to operating system innards and may, if it shows a coordinated follow through, be able to offer a Zune based Smart Phone that will pull the entrepreneurial talent needed to compete with Android and future open source competitors. Let’s hope Microsoft has a nice fat rabbit ready to pull from the hat as the G1 steam rolls ahead.
We close this podcast with a cautionary tale. Recently, I spent a full day trouble shooting our main Vista machine. When turned on I noted it was making the connect / disconnect sound heard when plugging and un-plugging USB devices. I suspected the often fussy D-Link USB interface used connect our phone to Skype and after almost 12 straight hours trying everything thing I could think of and researching the net I was on the verge of re-installing Vista.
As my eyes were glazing over I realized I had unplugged my Zune the evening before without shutting down the Zune Software 1st and as you may be anticipating once I synched the Zune the constant connect / disconnect sounds and pause in the cursor stopped! We have not tried to replicate this problem and can’t be absolutely sure the problem was caused by the Zune software but suggest that any Zune users confronted by this issue try re-synching their Zune before pulling hair.
In our second podcast we listed a few of the items from the top of our Zune wish list. We add to that today by including wireless access to the Audible library, wireless access to Zune Social comments and a flash based browser. Microsoft could press far ahead of its competitors and take the baton as portable media player developers by expanding its wireless access to the Audible books store. The browser adds on would be playing catch up. If flash enabled a Zune phone could jump ahead of the pack.
Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft, recently suggested the Zune player firmware may begin showing up in other portable devices with Windows Mobile phones the most exciting target. While this would seem a natural progression for Microsoft, they now have Google on their heels with the release of the G1 Google Android phone. The G1 is getting good press and has the enviable advantage of being open source. Well designed hardware coupled with a developer friendly operating system and unrestrained access to marketing your wares to G1 users has the making of a winner.
Microsoft has a history of encouraging third party developers by offering the necessary tools and access to operating system innards and may, if it shows a coordinated follow through, be able to offer a Zune based Smart Phone that will pull the entrepreneurial talent needed to compete with Android and future open source competitors. Let’s hope Microsoft has a nice fat rabbit ready to pull from the hat as the G1 steam rolls ahead.
We close this podcast with a cautionary tale. Recently, I spent a full day trouble shooting our main Vista machine. When turned on I noted it was making the connect / disconnect sound heard when plugging and un-plugging USB devices. I suspected the often fussy D-Link USB interface used connect our phone to Skype and after almost 12 straight hours trying everything thing I could think of and researching the net I was on the verge of re-installing Vista.
As my eyes were glazing over I realized I had unplugged my Zune the evening before without shutting down the Zune Software 1st and as you may be anticipating once I synched the Zune the constant connect / disconnect sounds and pause in the cursor stopped! We have not tried to replicate this problem and can’t be absolutely sure the problem was caused by the Zune software but suggest that any Zune users confronted by this issue try re-synching their Zune before pulling hair.
ZuneNetNews
10/14/2008 04:57 PM
Welcome
to episode two, of the zune net news
podcast. This
is October 14, 2008. Our Zune Wish List!
As mentioned in our first episode and posting, Microsoft has addressed many of the early Zune short comings and now has the software, hardware, and service infrastructure to capture a headline grabbing share of the portable media player market. The Zune strengths are quality construction, excellent video and audio, well designed user interface, enhanced wireless access, subscription music model, significant resources of the 800 pound Gorilla that is Microsoft, and encouragement by the music and film industries to give Apple a bit of a run for its money.
On the down side are relatively limited offerings in the Zune Market Place, poor market recognition, lagging promotional campaign and a nagging need to take full advantage of the wireless technology that has the potential to set the Zune apart from competitors.
We have many MP3 players with which to compare the Zune. In order of preference are the Ibiza 30 gig Rhapsody, 5th generation 30 gig hard drive iPod and Zen 4 gig flash player. We have a hand full of other players each with something to recommend them but no longer used often enough to make useful comparisons. The Ibiza is a relatively obscure player manufactured by Haier, principally known for products such as air conditioners and heavy kitchen appliances. The Ibiza allows wireless access to Rhapsody music accounts as well as podcasts. Unlike the Zune, the Ibiza can update podcasts without the need to make a hardwire connection and a more productive means of creating custom music play lists.
There always seems to be a flip side to all advantages. Haier offers a podcast directory from which to search and add new audio podcast but no easy way to add podcasts not listed. Although the Ibiza maybe used to play back video files transferred via USB connection to your PC, it does not support video podcasts. The Ibiza almost looks like and industrial grade prototype but is built like a Sherman tank. The controls are exceptionally intuitive and easy to use. For example: even when the control lock is set, you can still change volume using a large and protected control bar on the side of the device.
We fervently hope the Zune team is looking at all competing devices and willing to borrow good ideas when not protected by our out of control patent system.
Even though we are very fond of the Ibiza Rhapsody, the excellent video and support of video podcasts albeit, via, hardwired connection, coupled, with the option to dock the Zune with television or audio media center has moved us away from the Ibiza and perhaps more importantly, for Microsoft, toward the Zune Market place. One of the unsung perks of the Zune is the availability of a quality interface to HD television replete with an easy to use remote control. Even though our large screen digital TV is connected to a liquid cooled Sony tower PC with XP Media Center and TV tuner, we often find it easier to simply walk our Zunes over to the Zune Audio Video cradle and watch podcasts or use the external speakers to listen to our music.
At the top of our generation 4 Zune wish list is the ability to wirelessly access podcasts as well as PC and Home Server media files. Adding, and more importantly promoting these features, would give customers a very compelling reason to drool when spying Zunes behind the locked glass display cases at their retailer.
The second item is an improved means of creating and adding songs to play lists as they are streamed to the Zune from the Market Place. The Ibiza design team has implemented a simple, yet very powerful pop up menu allowing streamed Rhapsody tunes to be downloaded, purchased or added to the playlist of your choice.
Third on our list is a more responsive means to add podcasts to the Zune Market Place. The Market Place needs to become a one stop shop. At present, we all too often have to use iTunes to locate podcasts,or other media and manually add them to our player.
This is by no means our complete list, but a few of most desired enhancements. The Zune is well on its way to becoming the player of choice for more and more consumers. Perhaps a fitting last wish for episode II is that Microsoft more aggressively promote the Zune and take advantage of the momentum gained with generation three.
Thank you for downloading and listening. Please subscribe and remember, change is forever with us, and tomorrow, tomorrow a new adventure!
As mentioned in our first episode and posting, Microsoft has addressed many of the early Zune short comings and now has the software, hardware, and service infrastructure to capture a headline grabbing share of the portable media player market. The Zune strengths are quality construction, excellent video and audio, well designed user interface, enhanced wireless access, subscription music model, significant resources of the 800 pound Gorilla that is Microsoft, and encouragement by the music and film industries to give Apple a bit of a run for its money.
On the down side are relatively limited offerings in the Zune Market Place, poor market recognition, lagging promotional campaign and a nagging need to take full advantage of the wireless technology that has the potential to set the Zune apart from competitors.
We have many MP3 players with which to compare the Zune. In order of preference are the Ibiza 30 gig Rhapsody, 5th generation 30 gig hard drive iPod and Zen 4 gig flash player. We have a hand full of other players each with something to recommend them but no longer used often enough to make useful comparisons. The Ibiza is a relatively obscure player manufactured by Haier, principally known for products such as air conditioners and heavy kitchen appliances. The Ibiza allows wireless access to Rhapsody music accounts as well as podcasts. Unlike the Zune, the Ibiza can update podcasts without the need to make a hardwire connection and a more productive means of creating custom music play lists.
There always seems to be a flip side to all advantages. Haier offers a podcast directory from which to search and add new audio podcast but no easy way to add podcasts not listed. Although the Ibiza maybe used to play back video files transferred via USB connection to your PC, it does not support video podcasts. The Ibiza almost looks like and industrial grade prototype but is built like a Sherman tank. The controls are exceptionally intuitive and easy to use. For example: even when the control lock is set, you can still change volume using a large and protected control bar on the side of the device.
We fervently hope the Zune team is looking at all competing devices and willing to borrow good ideas when not protected by our out of control patent system.
Even though we are very fond of the Ibiza Rhapsody, the excellent video and support of video podcasts albeit, via, hardwired connection, coupled, with the option to dock the Zune with television or audio media center has moved us away from the Ibiza and perhaps more importantly, for Microsoft, toward the Zune Market place. One of the unsung perks of the Zune is the availability of a quality interface to HD television replete with an easy to use remote control. Even though our large screen digital TV is connected to a liquid cooled Sony tower PC with XP Media Center and TV tuner, we often find it easier to simply walk our Zunes over to the Zune Audio Video cradle and watch podcasts or use the external speakers to listen to our music.
At the top of our generation 4 Zune wish list is the ability to wirelessly access podcasts as well as PC and Home Server media files. Adding, and more importantly promoting these features, would give customers a very compelling reason to drool when spying Zunes behind the locked glass display cases at their retailer.
The second item is an improved means of creating and adding songs to play lists as they are streamed to the Zune from the Market Place. The Ibiza design team has implemented a simple, yet very powerful pop up menu allowing streamed Rhapsody tunes to be downloaded, purchased or added to the playlist of your choice.
Third on our list is a more responsive means to add podcasts to the Zune Market Place. The Market Place needs to become a one stop shop. At present, we all too often have to use iTunes to locate podcasts,or other media and manually add them to our player.
This is by no means our complete list, but a few of most desired enhancements. The Zune is well on its way to becoming the player of choice for more and more consumers. Perhaps a fitting last wish for episode II is that Microsoft more aggressively promote the Zune and take advantage of the momentum gained with generation three.
Thank you for downloading and listening. Please subscribe and remember, change is forever with us, and tomorrow, tomorrow a new adventure!