Microsoft has now more or less given out every possible detail of its next-generation portable media player, the Zune HD. The really interesting part of this device is not the software or its competitiveness with the iPod Touch - no, it's the hardware inside it. This is the first mass-market NVIDIA Tegra-based device.
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Member since:
2008-06-30
I used to program Zunes for a bit, but we were restricted to simple 2D graphics so we didn't overload it. I predict that with these capabilities, the 3D subset of XNA will be supported on Zune HD. That's pretty cool.
I'm not a fan of media players in general because I don't listen to very much music, but this may convince me to buy one.
Member since:
2005-06-29
Member since:2005-07-06
Member since:2006-01-12
He probaply means it doesn't have standard usb input (in zune side). Well it's same with iPod and lot other player, not huge issue.
Also I was hoping WMP support but looks like you are stuck with Zune player, again not huge issue. Rather it than iTunes.
I'm bit more worried on international release. Microsoft drummed loudly about Zune coming to europe but unfortunatly it looks like EU bureaucracy is hindering effort. For ones I would hope EU would have centeralized administration of copyrights but no, all countries have own, it's shite.
Member since:2005-11-09
Member since:2006-07-14
No those are all huge issues for me.
I already have a brick of mp3 player from creative that had those same issues ( customer loading software, custom music player). I don't want to repeat that mistake again. I understand Apple gets away with it. I don't like them either. I would consider a zune, if it were not for those facts. I also know from talking with less technical frieds, that Apple's walled garden around ipod does cause them issues.
They'd like to be able to remove songs from it and onto their other computers or their friends (legality aside).
Member since:2005-11-09
Member since:2006-01-03
Who says it has no USB? I'd be very, very surprised if it did not charge and sync through USB. WiFi is OK, but do you know how long it takes to push 5GB through the airwaves? Well, it is VERY long (20 to 30 minutes). USB is way, way faster and it is the standard for charging nowadays.
As for the proprietary sync, I'm totally with you. No way I will spend a penny on a device that is forever tied to a single proprietary Windows and OSX program to work.
And while the specs are technically impressive, they are not much better than an iPod Touch, and in some areas they are worse (screen). And it comes laden with Windows CE, which stinks fetidly (at least in all of it's Windows Mobile editions). I think they will fail again.
Member since:2005-11-09
Member since:2009-05-19
Momentums have little to do here. Microsoft got focused on the technical side so much, that they forgot the "cool" factor at play. The whole thing looks and feels uncool.
Member since:2005-11-09
Member since:
2005-07-22
Unless Microsoft get off their fat backside and start selling it outside the US.
Then those of us in Europe (& elsewhere) can really see how it stands up against the iPod.
IMHO, the time of the dedicated music/video player is dimishing. Devices like the iPhone will in all likelyhood replace many of the current generation.
I'll stick with my Vosonic VP8360 though. It has CF support so I can upload to it all the pictures from my Digital Camera (D700).
Member since:
2008-06-12
Member since:
2005-11-13
Maybe i am spoiled with my Nokia XM 5800 having 640x360 but for this 'HD' device the resolution isn't all that impressive, 480x272 on a screen thats alot bigger than the nokia. It's even less than the iPhone has.
The Tegra chip on the other hand, especially the desktop version, is a breath of fresh air on the 3d/hd-video scene.
Edited 2009-08-14 11:59 UTC
Member since:2006-01-06
Member since:2005-06-30
Member since:2009-05-19
Edit: I'm talking of the OMAP3530/25!
Tegra looks like a very conservative practical thing. I personally wish to see some interesting developments from the Creative with zii.com
Member since:
2009-07-07
This is not entirely on topic, and I am not permitted to say much about this, but I have seen a forthcoming Samsung mobile phone playing 720p H.264 with HDMI output. And when I say "seen" I mean actually playing on a big ass plasma panel with a file I encoded. It probably uses an asic or new dsp instead of Tegra. Anyways, freakin' awesome to see these small devices doing some serious heavy lifting!
Edited 2009-08-14 18:02 UTC
