Buying Music for Zune

So... I think I might get a ZuneHD soon. My problem is that after I got my laptop, I stopped buying and ripping music. Instead I went to www.grooveshark.com. Unfortunately, you can't download music from Grooveshark... so now I need a place to buy music. No, I wont pirate.

I hear that iTunes is no DRM free... but I'd like to make sure that's true. Can anyone confirm this more me?

If possible, though, I'd like to stay away from iTunes. Does anyone else know of an online store similar to iTunes that I could buy music off of (without a subscription). I noticed that the Zune had its own marketplace that I could use MS points on, but I couldn't navigate it very well on their website. Is it easier on the device itself? Or is there an app?

Basically... all I'm asking is for the easiest way to download music for the Zune without a subscription.

There is a free software application for your PC on the zune website.

http://www.zune.net/en-us/products/software/default.htm

The Zune marketplace is pretty nice, and the UI on that software is fantastic, but it's not as comprehensive as itunes when it comes to selection. It has most of what you'd typically look for... but not everything.

I think this is a much better alternative: http://www.vuze.com/

Just use the Zune marketplace, and maybe purchase the Zune pass.

I don't want the Zune pass, though. I don't want to be forced to pay a subscription to keep my music.

This Vuze thing looks interesting, though. Can I buy cards out of the store and redeem codes like with iTunes and the Zune Marketplace... or do I have to use credit?

CivBase wrote:
This Vuze thing looks interesting, though. Can I buy cards out of the store and redeem codes like with iTunes and the Zune Marketplace... or do I have to use credit?

Oh no, there's no credit card information needed. The content on Vuze is all free and paid for by advertising and volunteer donations and that sort of thing. I don't quite understand how it hasn't caught on much yet.

Is there a large selection? Viruses? Any sort of drawbacks?

Isnt Vuze a torrent program, just with a built in browser?

CivBase wrote:Is there a large selection? Viruses? Any sort of drawbacks?

Huge selection. Viruses are rare. Download speeds are a little inconsistent.

I think I'll just stick with the Zune marketplace, considering most of the selections are illegal to download.

I used to use Vuze, it was quite nice.

He was fucking with you, Vuze is a bittorrent application. A hundred times safer than limewire and no one has ever gotten busted with it. (not that anyone ever gets busted for piracy)