Zune For Dummies [Paperback]

Brian Johnson (Author), Duncan Mackenzie (Author), Chute (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0470120452 | ISBN-13: 978-0470120453 | Publication Date: July 10, 2007 | Edition: 1

Let Microsoft insiders Brian Johnson and Duncan Mackenzie introduce you to Zune, the exciting new portable media player that plays both audio and video. They explain the numerous entertaining possibilities of Zune, such as transferring a music collection to your Zune, purchasing new music, connecting with friends who share similar taste in music via ZuneLive!, and hooking Zune to your Xbox 360. Additional fun features covered include watching video on Zune, subscribing to podcasts, creating content to share with others, and a preview of upcoming Zune models.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Get the scoop on Zune from insiders

Get in the Zune zone, tune in, turn on, watch, listen, and share

With Zune, you have a portable entertainment unit that fits into your pocket and lets you take your music (500 hours of it), photos, and videos with you everywhere. This friendly guide walks you through everything from installing the software and basic operation to browsing Zune Marketplace with more than two million tracks and connecting with fellow Zuners.

• Transfer and manage your music collection

• Import and watch videos

• Create content to share

• Connect to FM radio, your stereo, TV, or Xbox 360

• Use the built-in Wi-Fi features

• Take advantage of Zune Marketplace

About the Author

Brian Johnson is a product manager for Microsoft. He’s the author of a number of technology books including (with Duncan) Xbox 360 For Dummies. You can find out more about Brian by visiting his blog at http://bufferoverrun.net.

Duncan Mackenzie is a software developer at Microsoft working on several Web video sites, including http://on10.net and http://channel9.msdn.com. When he isn’t working or writing, he spends most of his time with his wife and two kids, and when they are asleep he fires up the Xbox 360. At any given moment you may find him online playing Viva Piñata, Oblivion or Halo 3. He has a habit of watching TV show episodes on his Zune, including “Star Trek: Enterprise” and “Avatar: The Last Airbender”. You can contact Duncan through his Web site, www.duncanmackenzie.net.

Harvey Chute is owner and editor of Zunerama.com, an online resource center for Zune owners. He moderates Zunerama’s user boards, oversees the site’s technical support section, conducts photo reviews of Zune players and accessories, and writes the site’s daily Zune blog. A project manager and software developer for a national systems integration and consulting company, Harvey has authored over fifty internal technical documents, white papers, and consulting deliverables. His interests include software development, gadgets, music, photography, woodworking, running, snowboarding, and enjoying life with his wife and three daughters.

Product Details

• Paperback: 408 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 1 edition (July 10, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470120452
• ISBN-13: 978-0470120453
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.5 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (21 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #603,443 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

I'm currently a Startup Evangelist with Microsoft. I work with software and web development startups in the Eastern US. I live in Orlando, Florida with my wife Kathy and our three kids. You can follow me on twitter at http://twitter.com/brianjo and my Facebook page is http://facebook.com/brianjo.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Has it all, March 11, 2008

By 

Brian J. Daly "Radar65" (Enfield, CT USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zune For Dummies (Paperback)

This book has it all. I had bought the pocket guide in store at Barnes & Noble as they didn't have a copy of Dummies. The pocket guide was mostly technical and did not tell you how to do much of anything. The Zune for Dummies book gets into everything you need to know in order to actually enjoy using your device. Specifics that were helpfull was video conversion, preferred settings, and links to many websites for downloadable content.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars You don't need this book, January 16, 2009

By 

Sara J. Blankenship "dallas cowgirl" (Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Zune For Dummies (Paperback)

I bought this book because when I bought my zune, I was shocked that it did not include instructions other than how to download the software from the internet, and how to charge it.

Little did I know that Microsoft was going to send me FREE information by e-mail about my zune.

Also this book was written for version 1.0. We are now using 3.1 version software, so a lot of things have changed.

Don't buy this book because you are confused about your device, it is outdated and you will receive free help soon. Once you play with your zune for a couple weeks, you will have figured it out anyway.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good but not great, February 13, 2008

By 

B. Woods (Russellville, Ar USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Zune For Dummies (Paperback)

I purchased this book for my 57 year old wife after she recieved a Zune 8GB player as a Christmas gift. The book has helped her understand the players capabilities to some extent, but it was written for the ealier Zune versions. She does like having the book as a reference, as opposed to sorting thru different screens of an on-line manual. Having the book and another experienced user to consult seems to be key for her.
Overall, the book was worth the expense.