Zune HD rumor mill: $249, 720p movies, 64GB model down the road?
By Donald Melanson 
posted June 26th 2009 2:49PM
posted June 26th 2009 2:49PM
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]
[Via Electronista]
When stereo bluetooth gets added, maybe I'll pick one up. Until then, I'll probably keep my Zune 80, unless some other PMP comes out that tops this.
I want one bad. really BAD! But with tegra in there. I need more space then 16-32gb 100 or more and i will be happy.
Really excited though!
Im kinda surprised they are fragmenting their devices with the zune service launching on xbox360 which will be 1080p. They must have crazy amounts of storage if they can keep 480p,720p and 1080p files of each movie.
what i want to know is where and when the hell is the uk supported lauch coming i want a ZUNE Not a ipod ,COME ON MS !
Wow that is way too much. MS needs to launch the 16 gig for $199 or less if they want any chance of getting a foothold in this market.
Now, if Microsoft could turn this device into a smart phone...
Wow, I never knew people could complain so much. This has the capability to output HD video and you're complaining about it. Really?
Hard drives don't work with capacitive, so stop asking about hard drives ( have fun when it hits the ground and crashes ).
As for you buying flash memory for 70 bucks/32gb congratulations. There is a thing called markup. The 3g S costs 700 w/o a contract and yet it costs apple 180 to build. The higher quality memory is 100/32gb for class 6 but regardless, every company is out to make money. They're not interested in passing 100% of the savings onto you. It costs a whopping 15 dollars more to upgrade the 3g S 16gb to 32GB yet apple charges 100 dollars. This is all pretty standard.
As for the complete idiots asking why they don't have 128GB versions out, it's because it would be around 600-700 for a consumer to buy one. No one, including yourself, would buy one. Not to mention you'd need 4 slots to have 4x32gb ram. If microsoft did do this you'd wonder why they don't have a TB version ( Yes, someone actually asked for this in the thread ). Compare the Zune HD to the ipod touch and be done with it.
This is the internet, the land where enough just isn't enough.
People will complain with semi-anonymity until the internet shuts down.
The Zune could have 200GB of storage and someone will still complain.
If YOU like it, get it.
I sincerely doubt they'll retail an OLED SSD multi-touch (right?) device for the same as last years model. I'm sure they'll take a page out of Sony's book (http://www.engadget.com/2009/06/25/sony-exec-admits-certain-premium-associated-with-pspgo/).
I'm betting that it will be 300 bucks minimum, and probably 350 (although that would be pushing it). Either way, my 300 bucks are ready to be exchanged.
So 64GB later on in the year or next year. So that means an even longer wait for the flipping thing.
It's true that 16GB at that price is a little low for storage, especially HD content, but I think it's still worth it, being a Zune. It's amazing how underrated the Zune line has been.
all they need now is MSC mode
Why would a handheld media player need 720p output?
I can understand having 720p content in the store, but transmission to a TV sounds like a job for an XBox, not a Zune.
Waht is the point of playing HD content if the hard drive is only 16gigs? Hell, my music collection is 45gigs, M$ is going to have to try harder. Damn thing is too small anyway, put a 120gig in that sucker! I was looking forward to this but not anymore, anything less than 60 gigs is a dealbreaker. Hope it's just bullshit...
with that tegra chip in there i would have liked to see an 800x480 display as the 480x272 resolution is the same as all the other pmps out there.
PUT A 480P DISPLAY IN IT AND I WILL PAY YOU $300! thats what i say.
I wonder if this OLED screen used new technology to make it more viewable in daylight. A friend of mine had a Nokia N85 with an OLED screen and while he loved the vibrant colors and improved viewing angle, he absolutely hated using the phone outdoors due to not being able to anything on the screen.
More about Nokia's OLED screen on the N85: http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/features/item/The_Nokia_N85_and_OLED_screens_Not_perhaps_the_Holy_Grail.php
I've owned perhaps 5-6 different Nokia phones and now have an iPhone and i must say i was very impressed in the beginning as i could type messages even when in broad daylight when the sun is shining straight at my phone. This could be a reason why Apple themselves haven't implemented OLED into the iPhone/iPod line. I for one prefer a bright and viewable screen to better battery life.
I'm still pretty sure the OLED screens on mobile devices have evolved since the N85 and the Zune HD will most likely have the latest and greatest implementation. If only you could get the best of both worlds, great battery life, richers colors and contrast AND viewablilty in daylight... then we would have a real winner.
I need to replace my old 30GB ipod which is kind of burden to me nowadays. I can't delete anything from the ipod itself, i can't transfer music and movies freely (conversion of files is a must), and worse case the touch pad already gone bad.
I love the fact that Tegra will be behind the HD, but I'll keep my 120. I need the hard drive space.
64GBx2=128GB definitely. I'll upgrade immediately.
Forgive my ignorance, but what exactly is HD radio?
Just do a video comparison with the IPod Touch before you buy a Zune HD.
Honestly, what really is there to compare to? I'm being serious.
I've seen some inside specs on this and it's pretty nice. The only downside is that the DRM is so restrictive, you aren't allowed to view anything larger than a postage stamp unless you are a direct relative of Bill Gates.
Still using that same picture huh.
Looks fine.
oh stop complaining ya pansys. no device is perfect. and if i recall, the touch was priced the exact same with the exact same ammount of storage. Ya, ya, this one supports HD and that may not be enough, but oh well. suck it up. tough nuggets man. thats why we have capitlaism. so you can choose what you wanna buy. besides, this is a pretty solid device (for MS andyways) there are a lot more positives than negative in my opinion.
awesome rumor..cant wait
If that is $250 for 32GB, then without a doubt I'm buying this MP3 player. I'd think about waiting for the 64GB if it will be released within 6 months of 32GB release, and for about $50 to $75 more, but I'd expect that its going to be at least a full $100 more than the 32GB.
If they don't have a 64GB model available right out of the gate I'd be surprised, as it's pretty much a foregone conclusion that the 64GB iPod Touch G3 will be be available in September. Also, $250-$280 for the 16GB is way too much when the 32GB Touch will be dropping to $300. ZuneHD honestly seems like a great unit, but they are going to have to do much better on price to compete with the fact that they don't have the App Store.
I would definitely need a 64 version. I hope they come out with one because I will not even waste my time with a 32 gb version.
Really... Everyone really should do their homework on the Microsoft BS of a Straight Copy/Paste idea Apple already succeeded at. So, let Me try to point everyone in right direction without sounding biased, and Feel Free to Rank me Low. Zune HD is boasting 720p HD video when in the very webpage, http://www.zune.net/en-us/mp3players/zunehd/default.htm it says videos are Not HD resolution and it requires an HDTV and an Zune HD & AV Dock in order to play HD videos, so it's not as special as you think it is. Otherwise it's downscaled to fit that sad excuse of a screen. Now the specs, First I say Redmond, If you're gonna Totally try to beat out the Touch, Get the specs right. Zune HD is offering a 3.3 inch-screen that's 480x272, Apple's Touch is 3.5 with 480x320. I'm a little disappointed Redmond, if you're gonna Copy/Paste Again, Do it right. So I end with you can Try to watch HD videos on that sad Microsoft attempt to beat out Apple, and Maybe, Just Maybe if you Believe hard enough, you may just get it, but remember it's Microsoft, I would put as much faith as Apple coming out with a $349 64-GB Touch. It isn't gonna happen.
The Touch has a 480 x 320 resolution and is 3" x 2", or 3.5" diagonally. The HD has 480 x 272 resolution and is 2.874" x 1.654" or 3.3 inches diagonally.
So doing the math, the Touch has 480 dots in 3" for 160dpi. The HD has 480 dots in 2.874" for 167dpi.
Trolls who can't do math aren't very good trolls.
Also, love the irony of using "copy/paste" and "Touch" in the same post. How long did it take to get basic functionality again?