Zune HD v4.5 firmware 'coming soon,' adds SmartDJ, new codecs, and Marketplace access via AV dock (update: video!)
By Ross Miller 
posted March 29th 2010 7:26PM
posted March 29th 2010 7:26PM
Update: Now with a video demonstration, after the break.
It's been an exciting few months for Zune. We launched the Zune HD device last September which has been receiving press and consumer praise for its OLED screen, HD Radio, HD video out and key music discovery features, which become even more powerful with a Zune Pass subscription. We also expanded the Zune service to additional platforms. We brought Zune video to Xbox LIVE in November, giving consumers access to instant on 1080p HD with 5.1 surround sound and the ability to buy content once and play it on the TV through Xbox LIVE, on the PC through the Zune software and on the go on a Zune device. We also announced last month that Zune will be an integrated feature on Windows Phone 7 Series and we're looking forward to sharing more details about the Zune experience on Windows Phones in the coming weeks and months.
Earlier this year, we also shared that we'll be introducing a Zune HD firmware update this spring. We're excited to be bringing even more features and functionality to Zune users through this update, and wanted to share some additional details around what will be introduced.
- Smart DJ on Zune HD: Zune has always been committed to helping people discover new music. We added "Smart DJ" to the Zune software last fall and now we're bringing this popular music discovery feature to the Zune HD device. Smart DJ on Zune HD will let you create an instant playlist mix whenever the inspiration strikes direct from your device. Just choose a song or artist from your collection or from the Zune Marketplace catalog and press the Smart DJ icon to build a new mix based on your selection. If you have a Zune Pass music subscription it will pull music from your existing collection and the Zune Marketplace catalog to create the mix. If you don't have a Zune Pass subscription you can still use Smart DJ to build a playlist from the collection on your device.
- Picks on Zune HD: Picks is another popular music recommendation feature in the Zune software which we're extending to the Zune HD device. The Picks algorithm analyzes what you listen to and compares that to millions of other Zune users to make personalized recommendations. With this update, you'll be able to access these automatic recommendations directly on the Zune HD device as well as on your PC.
- Browse and Stream Music from Zune Marketplace on your TV: Using the Zune HD A/V dock, you can connect your Zune HD to your TV to play your favorite videos and music from your device on the big screen. With this software update, you'll also be able to browse and stream music from Zune Marketplace directly on your TV to find and listen to your favorite music from the comfort of your couch. You can browse New Releases, check out recommendations from your Picks page, search for a specific song or artist, or even create a new Smart DJ playlist on your big screen – a great way to make an instant soundtrack for your next party.
- Expanded Video Codec Support: With expanded support to include MPEG-4 Part 2 Advanced Simple Profile (ASP), which includes Xvid and AVI support, you'll be able to immediately enjoy a broader range of video content natively on Zune HD – no transcoding required.
The update will be offered as a free download in the next few weeks, and we'll be sure to let you know when it's available. In the meantime, we wanted to share an image of the Smart DJ feature on the Zune HD device which is attached here; All a user needs to do is press the Smart DJ icon on the far right of the screen to build a new mix based on their favorite music.
Earlier this year, we also shared that we'll be introducing a Zune HD firmware update this spring. We're excited to be bringing even more features and functionality to Zune users through this update, and wanted to share some additional details around what will be introduced.
- Smart DJ on Zune HD: Zune has always been committed to helping people discover new music. We added "Smart DJ" to the Zune software last fall and now we're bringing this popular music discovery feature to the Zune HD device. Smart DJ on Zune HD will let you create an instant playlist mix whenever the inspiration strikes direct from your device. Just choose a song or artist from your collection or from the Zune Marketplace catalog and press the Smart DJ icon to build a new mix based on your selection. If you have a Zune Pass music subscription it will pull music from your existing collection and the Zune Marketplace catalog to create the mix. If you don't have a Zune Pass subscription you can still use Smart DJ to build a playlist from the collection on your device.
- Picks on Zune HD: Picks is another popular music recommendation feature in the Zune software which we're extending to the Zune HD device. The Picks algorithm analyzes what you listen to and compares that to millions of other Zune users to make personalized recommendations. With this update, you'll be able to access these automatic recommendations directly on the Zune HD device as well as on your PC.
- Browse and Stream Music from Zune Marketplace on your TV: Using the Zune HD A/V dock, you can connect your Zune HD to your TV to play your favorite videos and music from your device on the big screen. With this software update, you'll also be able to browse and stream music from Zune Marketplace directly on your TV to find and listen to your favorite music from the comfort of your couch. You can browse New Releases, check out recommendations from your Picks page, search for a specific song or artist, or even create a new Smart DJ playlist on your big screen – a great way to make an instant soundtrack for your next party.
- Expanded Video Codec Support: With expanded support to include MPEG-4 Part 2 Advanced Simple Profile (ASP), which includes Xvid and AVI support, you'll be able to immediately enjoy a broader range of video content natively on Zune HD – no transcoding required.
The update will be offered as a free download in the next few weeks, and we'll be sure to let you know when it's available. In the meantime, we wanted to share an image of the Smart DJ feature on the Zune HD device which is attached here; All a user needs to do is press the Smart DJ icon on the far right of the screen to build a new mix based on their favorite music.
about "binging" time
zin--I mean, Bing!
EVO 4G SOLD!.. oops.. this isnt even a smartphone
@Pedobear
He should have just said, "To hell with Mac support. Their market share is a rounding error. 6% market share isn't worth Microsoft's effort." OK.
@N900 Bazinga!
Apps while docked!! Now THAT would be impressive. Although I look forward to SmartDJ, marketplace via dock seems kinda pointless.
Whatever, at least we're getting something.
@Pedobear They need to bring XNA 4 to Zunes.
@MosesusedaniPad
I would NEVER hook a Zune up to my Mac. Never.
@think before you react
the zune would over power the mac causing the mac to go...
WHAT THE "BING" JUST HAPPENED
@Digero
SHELDON COOPER!!!!
awesome!
@tmandpea Engadget, no. I know you didn't just say "we're hear to assure you". That would be sad.
@crazacool
hahaha I was thinking the same thing! shameful..
yay :) now i will be able to play my divx movies on my zune
@unknown714 That's the only actual feature I'm waiting on a handheld for a while now. Even if I could buy movies on iTunes (and I can't), I wouldn't because judging by the amount of movies I watch, I would spend my entire salary on them alone. So torrenting them might be digital theft but I do have a clean conscience since I buy on DVD those that I really appreciate. To support the industry... And it takes me a shitload of time to convert those for my iPhone. If this becomes a reality, I'm buying a zune HD. Thank you Microsoft!
i love the zune HD and all its "glory" but they really shoulda added volume control buttons on the side.
@theehokage
Done: http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/18/windows-phone-7-series-the-complete-guide/
@jubby2000 I said THE ZUNE not a phone. there's a difference one has a monthly fee of at least $70 the other doesn't.
@theehokage It's really not that big of a deal. If you're too lazy to push a button then touch the screen, then get a voice activated volume control.
@theehokage
i agree but it's to the point that while i'm jogging with mine that i just click the side button and swipe down on the screen and i'm golden. (accidently discovered that little trick one time lol)
@zaboomafoo1212
Since when did the idea of products working for me get reversed? If I want an Mp3 player with volume buttons I'll get one. If this product doesn't do it I'll get one of their competitors.
Looks good. I'm just waiting for that Zune HD 64 to come out and I may convert over from my weak 16gb iPod nano. oh btw microsoft, ogg vorbis/flac support would be a plus!
@ryankage
what i'd give for some flac. and with 64gb, it'd be viable.
@Wildman
yeah same here, lol but i discovered that trick while showing off the device to someone else.. ;)
@theehokage Pro tip, you don't have to look at the screen to change the volume, just slide your finger across the screen to change the volume.
@Omen That even works with changing songs, and EVEN when it goes into blank-screen-that-still-responds-but-is-pretty-annoying mode.
@theehokage
This is not something that can be done via software update since there is only one button on the side. They would have to put out new hardware to add a volume toggle button.
I agree it should have been included since sometimes you want to raise or lower the volume without looking at the device. At least we know it will definitely be included when the Zune phones come out.
@theehokage I just got a set of headphones with volume control on them. Easier than a rocker and isn't redundant.
@BigJayDogg3
Hardware volume controls seem ridiculously high on your priority list. Where do things like UI usability and DAC quality rank in all this?
@theehokage Tru dat. From the limited time I've played with it, the 'options' rocker doesn't make a lot of sense.
Also, I do NOT understand their reasoning for ignoring the European/Asian(?) markets.
@theehokage
Personally I'd prefer a remote on the headphones.
Yay, but I still want better internet connectivity.
@ApocNarok
Agreed. I still can't connect to any of the Wifi on my campus because the Zune browser doesn't support multiple tabs (for the unsecure guest login) nor enterprise WEP connection (for the secure login).
It's ridiculous that basic functionality like this is superseded by things like that stupid Facebook app.
@wogziwogzi Its ridiculous that these things were not here at launch.
@wogziwogzi
same god damn problem. How annoying that I can't even connect to the school network when thats most of the time I would consider using the internet on it. Give me support for tabs or just get the damned school network to work for me already =(
Apple.
Banana.
@N900 Pear
...crap, now I wanna watch iCarly
@ashleythehottiest
Cupcake, Donut, Eclair, Froyo, Gingerbread...:D
Mac.
@ashleythehottiest sucks....
Like you....
@ReaperBoy Agreed :D
@ashleythehottiest
nope
@N900 +1
I have a zune 80, and as much as I like it, there a several things that I wish it had...
1) Crossfader
2) Ability to create automatic playlists from the device (such as songs with 5, 4, 3 stars, songs most listened to, songs least listened to...)
3) Ability to show lyrics along with the songs.
4) give the option to view music in any order you want. Ex. I only have the option of searching by genre then album, instead of genre then artist.
There are others, but those are my main gripes.
@thaprinze
if you had a zune, you'd know it doesnt do "5, 4, 3 stars, songs."
sounds like someone's passively aggressively promoting their ipod. kinda like how mormons like to tell you about jesus
@sinai
Agreed. I'll take the love/like system over the 5/4/3/2/1 star system any day.
Um he isn't lying.
@ashleythehottiest
and you're not even a good troll.