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[Wizard]

Don't forget the new software comes out tomorrow!

Games, WiFi purchases, audiobook support, buy from FM (and more) all in a free update!

Check out this great sneakpeek: http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/90574/0/1/6

[1badredram]

I can't wait. I really liked SOME of the changes made in 2.5, and it sounds like 3.0 will bring back some of the removed functionality and then some. The access point database should be cool and buying content without a PC should be handy at work where I don't have the software installed but have an access point. Microsoft is really going the extra mile by bringing new functionality to previous generations, certain other companies could learn from this .

[Wizard]

It's out now...

Direct download: http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=7313338

Or just launch the Zune app and go to Settings-->General-->Check for updates.

UPDATE: I just got an error trying to install... *sigh*

Can't install

Zune doesn't support your current operating system. Supported operating systems:

Windows Vista
Windows XP 32-bit with Service Pack 2
Windows Media Center 2005 with Update 2

UPDATE 2:

Looks like the 64-bit version isn't out yet... maybe that will fix my issue.

[Wizard]

Here's a screen shot of my first error:

http://www.danrigsby.com/blog/index.php/20...er-2008-64-bit/

[Wizard]

OK... I got Zune 3.0 installed and working on my 64-bit Windows Server 2008 system.

Steps:

1.) Download zunesetuppkg-x64.exe from here
2.) Extract files by running 'zunesetuppkg-x64.exe' with a '/x' argument (though I use WinRAR)
3.) Go into the 'packages' subdirectory and launch 'Zune-x64.msi' directly to install

[1badredram]

Overall I'd give the new software a 8/10 and the new firmware a 7/10. The software implements a number is new features that are cool like mix view and brought back old features like manual sync. I would still like to see a better duplicate finder and better tag editing support.

The firmware has a lot of cool new features, but I can't overlook two glaring issues that make me want to pull my hair out. On the plus side, the wireless marketplace features and clock are great (I know the clock sounds retarded, but you really miss it when it's not there). I'd also like to see better codec support in the software. I don't care if transcoding is required, I just want my avi, mkv, and ogm files to show up in my library without any hacks. As I mentioned though, there are two simple yet glaring problems with the new firmware for me:

First, the lack of MANUAL SSID entry pisses me off to no end. The argument is that broadcasting your SSID is no less secure than not doing so (against a real hacker). That's not the point; the point is that I don't control every access point I'd like to use. At work for example, the SSID is not broadcast and never will be. I can't argue for doing so simply to allow me access to the marketplace over wireless.

Second, the damn multi-disk album support is STILL not fixed. While the Zune software allows you to set disk numbers in your metadata and properly sorts your tracks in your library and during playback, the device does not. So my multi-disk albums get synced out of order (eg. 1-1,2-1,1-2,2-2 disk,track). I can create separate albums for each disk or use absolute track numbers, but that's not the point. The point is that the PC Software works great while the firmware completely ignores the disk numbers. I've been pissed about this for a while and the fact that it's still broken just makes it worse. I guess I'll just hope for Firmware 3.1 sooner than later.

This post has been edited by 1badredram: Sep 16 2008, 07:04 PM

[Wizard]

Yeah it would be nice if you could use the Zune software on the Windows side to configure all the settings of the Zune as well. In your case perhaps even pickup all your wireless network configuration settings and export them to your Zune.

At work for example, the SSID is not broadcast and never will be.

You need to tell them to get a clue. But that's not the point.

I totally agree on the multi-disc album issue but as I almost always listen to my music by artist or genre on random it doesn't really matter to me. Though if you have somebody from Microsoft call I will back your story.

[Wizard]

OK... actually I think you can setup your wireless network without broadcasting your SSID.

1.) In your Zune software go to Settings-->Device-->Wireless Sync
2.) Click 'Show Advanced Settings' and enter your SSID and configure the rest of the settings
3.) Buy me a beer

From what I can tell your Zune will/can also use this information for the Marketplace.

Check this out for more useless info: http://www.zune.net/en-us/support/usersgui...irelesssync.htm

For the more visually aligned:
 zunewirelesssetup.jpg ( 31.4K ) Number of downloads: 38

[Wizard]

Oh and did anybody notice the "Touch:On/Off" option (grayed out) in Texas Hold'Em?

[1badredram]

OK... actually I think you can setup your wireless network without broadcasting your SSID.

1.) In your Zune software go to Settings-->Device-->Wireless Sync
2.) Click 'Show Advanced Settings' and enter your SSID and configure the rest of the settings
3.) Buy me a beer

From what I can tell your Zune will/can also use this information for the Marketplace.

Check this out for more useless info: http://www.zune.net/en-us/support/usersgui...irelesssync.htm

For the more visually aligned:
 zunewirelesssetup.jpg ( 31.4K ) Number of downloads: 38

I wish this were the case. Even though my wireless sync is setup and works great, the Zune device ALWAYS scans for available networks when you enter the marketplace. This seems completely retarded to me. It would still be pretty useless at work though since I'd have to change my wireless settings every time I change locations. Their firmware team should be smacked for something so stupid.