Zune HD v4.5 firmware now available

It seems a handful in the Twitterverse have already discovered, but in case you're among those not in the know, so to speak, Microsoft has rolled out firmware 4.5 for the Zune HD. To recap, that includes Smart DJ mix, personalized recommendations, Marketplace support for TV, and expanded video codec support, a number of those features you can see in our hands-on piece (video embedded after the break). As usual, the update runs via the Zune desktop software, so plug in and enjoy!

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Kloc Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:26PM]

Sweet, but I don't have a ZUNE.

[crapNstuff Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:31PM]

@Kloc The one day I leave mine at home...

[RyanWhit123 Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:33PM]

@Kloc could this day get any better???
microsoft event, apple event, now this!

[werty1432k Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:34PM]

@Kloc They are pretty sweet devices though. Good industrial design and a pretty cool OS.

[tjdrodgers Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:56PM]

Does anybody have information about supported bit rates for the Xvid codec?

[Velorium Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:30PM]

@Kloc Well, then get one.

[Kloc Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:32PM]

@Velorium I'm just going to wait for Windows Phone 7 no point to have two devices when I can have my Zune and phone all in one.

[defaultuser1 Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:53PM]

@Kloc Microsoft, where are the goddamn apps!? A beautiful screen and awesome hardware is completely wasted without quality apps.

[meking87 Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:54PM]

@cwalters74
I'd wait on the HD 64. Rumor has it that they'll be releasing an HD2 around the same time as their phone. It's basically a WP7 without the phone and texting, just like the iTouch is to the iPhone.

[Steve2000 Posted Apr 5th 2010 3:33PM]

@Kloc Lol Zune.

[winbsodos Posted Apr 5th 2010 9:28PM]

@Kloc Ewwwww, this Zune thing is still around? I guess MS won't give up until they force Zune down everyone's throat.................

[Nitesh Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:27PM]

Dear Zune HD people, I wanted to love you, I really did, but since you don't love Canada (or any country outside the States) I cannot love you.


Sincerely, your would-be lover.

[eko2 Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:44PM]

@Nitesh they lost me at Windows Phone 7

[bolezhinkov Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:56PM]

@eko2

thats convenient actually, because there used to be more after the windows phone 7 part . . . thankfully we don't have to have our attention kept any longer though.

WP7 looks awesome, clearly bred from zune land, but awesome all the same.

as far as the HD having little Canadian love; it sucks. Canadians are huge content consumers and the providers here know it. we have silly bandwidth caps, long contracts and high monthly costs. so why don't the manufacturers take advantage of that and give us some sweet hardware to rack up higher bills!!

[Derbeste Posted Apr 5th 2010 4:11PM]

@Nitesh Are you a top or a bottom?

[Unrecognised Posted Apr 5th 2010 7:44PM]

@Nitesh I live in the UK and still went ahead and got one. I can't enjoy the Zune pass, but I do love the device.

But I wouldn't say never to the Zune HD. I just updated mine, and the don't disconnect screen had warnings in English, Spanish AND French. I'm aware Spanish and occasionally English are big languages in the USA, but French? Could this be a sign of potential love for their Canadian brothers?

[Tiptup300 Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:28PM]

It's nice to know that Microsoft has totally abandoned me. I don't want a touchscreen, but I was told that Microsoft would continue to support the older Zunes.

[rakeshin Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:38PM]

@Tiptup300
+1
unfortunately.. there is no update for our zunes today.

[Alex Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:30PM]

Mmmmmmmm XviD...

[The Advanced Kind Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:38PM]

@Alex

yummy!

[Jerome36 Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:31PM]

A little earlier I plugged my Zune HD in to charge it, and just thought I'd see if there was any update. Low and behold there was! Unfortunately I haven't had any time to try it out, but I'm looking forward to after work.

[Leroysboy Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:32PM]

For the tens of dozens are going to be so excited, I know I would. Lol, I'm playing I played wit it over the weekend it's aiiiiiiiight.

[Professor Hubert J Farnsworth Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:06PM]

Shut up.

[msg256 Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:35PM]

seen. downloaded. already flooded my Zune with Xvid movies. Awesome.

what are the odds they'll release some more apps soon for this update? =D pretty please?

[Joshs Red Pants Posted Apr 5th 2010 3:35PM]

@msg256

Oh man, I would kill for xvid on my Zune 80...

[DariaMorgendorffer Posted Apr 6th 2010 5:57AM]

@msg256

it took them forever to release this one update, so I wouldn't be this optimistic

[LeeBongSmith Posted Apr 9th 2010 3:27AM]

@msg256
Just want a calendar and email app. That's all. I don't need pooping or boob apps. Just calendar and email. Please...

[Fanman Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:36PM]

Yay! And, unlike certain other manufacturers, free! :)

[jjasper123 Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:39PM]

woohoo! Thanks MS!

[SetThemStraight Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:40PM]

Today is a good day for Technology and Gadget Lovers :)

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:42PM]

That's funny "so how about mac support?" "uhm..."
"so how about international support?" "uhm..."

Gotta hand it to Microsoft.

[DoctarPeppar Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:00PM]

@Ike Turner
How come the guy in the video didn't say that though :P
That's the point hehe.

[Kevo Mac Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:44PM]

Can we get Smart DJ for Windows Media Center?

[jveteran Posted Apr 5th 2010 11:24PM]

@Kevo Mac more like when will Microsoft make Zune software take over Windows Media Center

[xunker Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:45PM]

Note to Apple:

When the interface on the Zune makes the iPhone/iPod Touch look dated, it's time to up your game a little. It's like losing a swim meet to the Nation Aquaphobic Swimming Team

[aronhi Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:52PM]

Will the zune HD apps be the same for the windows phone 7 apps?

[iamlilysdad Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:21PM]

@aronhi no. Different XNA versions for developers. 3.2 for zune HD vs 4.0 for wp7.

[willowtwf Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:21PM]

@aronhi
no. Zune HD (as it currently exists) will not support anything from WP7. Zune HD version 2 will support those apps.

[KIrish18 Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:53PM]

Updating mine as I write this. :)
Now more apps is all we need for this thing.

[furquanatique Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:54PM]

Animations of scrolling through albums and closing apps are definitely much smoother. Thumbnails load even faster when scrolling through the pictures menu. Just a few improvements I noticed.

[Dirtball Rotten Posted Apr 5th 2010 1:56PM]

this update is huge. being able to access the marketplace on my tv with my av dock is a big win. and smart dj on the road is a big win.

there is nothing wrong with this update

[joebob Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:01PM]

@Dirtball Rotten Well I guess you don't use an enterprise network to use the marketplace.

[joebob Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:00PM]

Still no WPA2 enterprise network support for college networks :(

I mean what the hell is the point of zune pass and smart dj without an internet connection for your target audience (college students)?

I mean I like the Zune HD but whenever somebody at college asks me about the device I still have to say that an iPod is better than this device if only for the fact that the bloody iPod can use the network to do cool things.

[pur Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:02PM]

@joebob
That is a big disappointment. :(

[Openwave Posted Apr 6th 2010 2:11AM]

@joebob I'm a college student and I've enjoyed my Zune very much. Am I missing something? =o

[Quikboy Posted Apr 6th 2010 2:47AM]

@joebob : What makes you so sure the target audience is "college students"? I don't remember any particular advertisements or product demos demonstrated specifically towards the college crowd. I do remember how whatever ads or marketing they have done, was to appeal towards any person from any demographic to highlight the sleek, solid hardware and the core media experience. I don't think college students are the only demographic that would appreciate those qualities.

[JaredTheGeek Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:02PM]

Wish they restored Ad Hoc connections so I could tether this with my phone.

[Krazie Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:03PM]

Sweeeetttt, I'm thinking of getting a 64GB Zune HD...

[JBphoto Posted Apr 5th 2010 2:06PM]

I have a 3rd gen iPod Touch.. love it for the apps, hate the experience on the native apps and UI.

The Zune HD actually looks like you experience your music instead of just listening to it.
Perhaps a second device?
Gadget nerd...

[Very Powerfull Codfish Posted Apr 5th 2010 3:56PM]

@JBphoto
If you're really into music, I would recommend one for you. I don't really play much games, so that doesn't matter as much to me. But as a music lover, I think you might get something out of the experience. It feels "liberating" compared to other players.