Zune HD rumor mill: $249, 720p movies, 64GB model down the road?

It's obviously a bit hard to put too much faith in Zune HD rumors when even Steve Ballmer himself can't keep things straight, but someone claiming to be a Software Engineer at Microsoft (who has also dropped Zune HD tips in the past) has now spoken at some length with Neowin.net, and provided plenty of speculation fodder in the process. The biggest of those purported details is word that the Zune HD will run between $249 and $280 for the base 16GB model, and that Microsoft is also apparently considering a 64GB model for further on in the model year in addition to the planned 32GB model. Other tidbits include word that the Zune HD will boast full support for 720p movies though its HDMI out and that, as we had heard before, it's supposedly on track for a launch in early September.

[Via Electronista]

[DirtyVegas @ Jun 26th 2009 2:53PM]

64 gigs of Zune awesome-ness!

[iFargle @ Jun 26th 2009 3:04PM]

If there is a 64GB version down the road, then this will be my next PMP, no doubt. I can't wait!

[Shinigami @ Jun 26th 2009 3:10PM]

Perfect. Now I need to see it shipping outside of US.

[StoopidFlanders @ Jun 26th 2009 3:13PM]

64 GB and no lossless audio format support?

[PhotoFre@k @ Jun 26th 2009 3:21PM]

The price make the PSPgo a much better choice. Movie, music, game, internet, and all that. This is just an over priced "music" player. If only the rumor of HD radio is true then I don't see the point.

[Tiptup300 @ Jun 26th 2009 3:33PM]

Why hasn't been anything said about the old zunes, will they get a firmware update?

[Spartan_458 @ Jun 26th 2009 3:36PM]

@StoopidFlanders

Actually, it probably will have lossless audio support, even if it is just WMA Lossless. All previous Zunes have had support for it, so I can only assume that the HD will support it as well.



On another note, I'm really excited for the Zune HD, especially if there's a 64 GB version. I'd replace my Zune 80.

[birthday is 1990 @ Jun 26th 2009 4:03PM]

This is more powerful than the PSP Go and has better battery life.

[inteller @ Jun 26th 2009 4:22PM]

$249 for 16Gb?!?!?!? Can you say FAIL? I guess I'll wait to pick these up on Woot for $150.

[SDotCiRe @ Jun 26th 2009 4:27PM]

@inteller

No, the iTouch priced at $299.00 for the 16GB is a fail!

[jon @ Jun 26th 2009 4:28PM]

inteller

Yeah, the $299 Apple is charging for the 16GB touch certainly killed their market share.

But, you're right $50 less is a ripoff.

[snowglyder @ Jun 26th 2009 4:44PM]

@inteller

Especially since the iPod Touch will probably get bumped to 32/64GB at current (if not cheaper) prices.

At first glance of the title, I thought the 64GB would be $250, and I got all excited. At this rate, 64GB will probably be around $400, which will probably match iPod Touch, unless Apple pulls a fast one on pricing.

[Mark @ Jun 26th 2009 6:48PM]

Meh, the PSPGo with 16GB is FAR better value, better hardware, better games..

[Jamroc @ Jun 26th 2009 9:01PM]

of course its going to play better games, its a PSP -_-

[synn @ Jun 26th 2009 9:57PM]

@Shinigami: Neowin reports that the HD would be sold worldwide.

http://www.neowin.net/news/main/09/04/07/microsoft-confirms-zune-to-go-international-this-year

Can't wait to get mine!

[auricom @ Jun 26th 2009 11:37PM]

upon hearing the Zune news, gadget people everywhere yawn in unison.. yawnison!

[Danneh @ Jun 27th 2009 7:34AM]

I doubt the PSPGO will have as good sound quality. That's what I'm looking for in my next PMP. Yeah it'll play better games, but I already have a PSP for that. It's the sound quality I need. No point shelling out £100-£150 for headphones and a portable amp, then having a crap player.

Debating between the Sony X series, Cowon S9 or waiting until the Zune HD comes out. S9 seems to be winning so far for me.

[Kamaraderie @ Jun 26th 2009 2:55PM]

Not really a fan of that ladybug looking logo on the lower left side.

[Shadoblak @ Jun 26th 2009 2:59PM]

I think it's just a prototype marker

[Templarian @ Jun 26th 2009 3:00PM]

That's a developers mark I think, view the site to see other images http://www.zune.net/en-us/mp3players/zunehd/default.htm

[Kamaraderie @ Jun 26th 2009 3:04PM]

@Shadoblak, Templarian

Thanks. =]

[OneLove @ Jun 26th 2009 2:55PM]

I once worked in a rumour mill, we made widgets.

[itlnstln @ Jun 26th 2009 3:25PM]

Are you sure you didn't make rumors? I mean, they don't make loaf pans at a flour mill.

[Jayayess1190 @ Jun 26th 2009 2:56PM]

16GB will be mine!

[echoelman @ Jun 26th 2009 2:57PM]

I know this thing can't play (real) games, so it's unfair to compare this to the PSP Go!, but....

[Shinigami @ Jun 26th 2009 3:12PM]

Unreal? No idea about that, but Q3A runs fine.

[SewerShark @ Jun 26th 2009 3:54PM]

what is a REAL game for you?

[Dave @ Jun 26th 2009 6:50PM]

Really? I thought the new NVidia Tegra was supposed to be pretty decent.

[Jay Voorhees @ Jun 26th 2009 2:57PM]

What the hell is with these low storage numbers. there's absolutely no reason this should be any less than 80 giggity giggity especially if you're talking HD.

[kazbaeden @ Jun 26th 2009 3:00PM]

That's exactly it; we're not talking HDD, this is running on flash, which is much more expensive. If you want anything over 32 gig in flash you're going to be paying a hefty premium.

[iDavey @ Jun 26th 2009 3:00PM]

Because they use flash memory.
The spinning disk of HDD causes the capacitive screen to mess up

[ybd @ Jun 26th 2009 3:01PM]

Flash memory. Welcome to the year 2009.

[Mr. 14 @ Jun 26th 2009 3:05PM]

Here here! 32GB isn't enough for music (for me, anyways) let alone HD content as well.

[Lando Calrissian @ Jun 26th 2009 3:16PM]

@Mr. 14

Then don't buy it, problem solved.

[Jay Voorhees @ Jun 26th 2009 3:17PM]

Well then if internal storage more than 32 gig is inhibited by price then thow in an sd or micro sd expansion slot until internal memory can match library sizes.

[Fanfoot @ Jun 26th 2009 3:19PM]

Assuming these are actually 720p movies like on XBox 360, they'd be using around 5Mbps, or about 2.25 Gig per hour of video. So a 16GB model could only hold less than 7 hours of stuff, so 3 movies or 1 movie and a few TV shows. And that's without any music on it.

Personally I have something like 100GB of music. And podcasts. And TV shows. And movies. I'm using an iPod Classic because of that. I'll switch to Flash when we hit 100GB or so probably.

And lets not go all crazy with the pricing. I can buy 32GB Flash SD cards at retail for $67. A 64GB model shouldn't cost more than $150-$200 more than a 16GB model. Period. It doesn't have to cost $600. And that's with flash prices TODAY. At RETAIL.

[Invisiblemoose @ Jun 26th 2009 3:51PM]

@kazbaeden: He meant High Definition video -- it's in the name of the device.

[SDotCiRe @ Jun 26th 2009 4:24PM]

@iDavey
+1 For you because I never thought about the spinning HDD to cause problems with the capacitive screen.

@Fanfoot
+1 Agree, I love my Zune 80 and plan on upgrading, but I need atleast 32G and if there's a 64G priced within the stratosphere, I'll get that one! I feel like Microsoft should just have the 32G & 64G and price it at the same point of the iTouches that are 16G & 32G, respectfully, because you have to believe the iTouches are getting storage bumps later this year.

And can anyone tell me the different between SDHC cards and SSD? They're both flash, so is it the same?

[snowglyder @ Jun 26th 2009 6:42PM]

@ SDotCiRe

You'll never get an answer on this site by asking a legitimate question. You should phrase it like:

"SDHC is just as good as SSD, so why so expensive?"



Now wait...

[Mike10010100 @ Jun 26th 2009 8:20PM]

@iDavey

The capacitive screen used for mobile devices aren't projection capacitive screen. They are just regular capacitive, which isn't influenced by normal electromagnetic fields.

[Mr. 14 @ Jun 29th 2009 3:38AM]

@Lando Calrissian:

I won't; I'll be holding on to my Zune80 while I wait to see if it'll be Microsoft or Cowon to hit the 64GB barrier with either the ZuneHD or the Cowon S9, respectively.

[iDavey @ Jun 26th 2009 2:58PM]

I so cant wait.

My first American PMP

[Nick @ Jun 26th 2009 2:59PM]

i still dont get why they call this one the HD, because the other Zune 120 and 80 can output in 720p anyways..

[ybd @ Jun 26th 2009 3:02PM]

Because it will process and display 720p on the device itself, not only output it to external devices.

[letstakeawalk @ Jun 26th 2009 3:06PM]

There's also the HD radio that's built in.

[Nick @ Jun 26th 2009 3:07PM]

no....?

[Snowdog @ Jun 26th 2009 3:08PM]

Display 720p on the unit itself(YBD)? That would be quite a trick when the screen is only 480x272. Maybe you were confusing 720 with 270?

[Lando Calrissian @ Jun 26th 2009 3:13PM]

The 120 and 80 can output 480i and 480p (through the A/V Dock), not 720p. The Zune HD will NOT be able to playback 720p on the built-in 480x272 screen, but it WILL be able to output 720p video through a dock to an HDTV using HDMI.

[Nick @ Jun 26th 2009 3:18PM]

"video files stored on the Zune can be as large as 720x480 and played at full resolution through the composite-video output built into the Zune's headphone jack."
http://reviews.cnet.com/mp3-players/microsoft-zune-120gb-third/4505-6490_7-33259222.html?tag=mncol;lst
Microsoft Zune 120GB review

[jon @ Jun 26th 2009 3:25PM]

Nick

720x480= 480p

720p= 1280x720

The Zune HD is the first Zune to play HD.