zune hd can now be preordered - Page 2

Yea... you guys have to remember that this is Microsoft. They only care about the mass consumer and the last time I checked the mass consumer doesn't know what lossless codecs are.

There's possibly something wrong with the way my WMP is ripping the tracks to WMA lossless. I've done A/B testing comparing WMA lossless to what I rip CD's to normally, WAV, and I find an astonishing difference.


Like you were saying, it seems weird they could call it "lossless" if I could hear a difference between it and WAV. I think WMP just has issues.

i understand that some people are disappointed by the lack of FLAC support, but even if they don't want to use WMA Lossless, can't they use WAV instead? I'm pretty sure every player, Ipod inlcluded, supports that.

WAV not supported. WMA Lossless or give your money to other company.

microsoft is trying to get app devs from the iphone to port their apps to Zune HD...spending all sorts of money to make it happen...dunno if it will or not though.

If this thread is a joke? there is no detail information on the new model, no price, no specification. Who know if it support FLAC? it is the basic requirement for the customers.

Dude, the specs are out - and your wrong. The Zune HD, no Zune for that matter, has or will support FLAC.

Microsoft has finally released the technical specifications for the Zune HD. We've got details on dimensions, included accessories, battery life, and format support.
By Emil Protalinski | Last updated August 13, 2009 5:37 PM CT

Microsoft has finally posted the technical specifications of the Zune HD on the Microsoft Store. The device's dimensions are 52.7 mm x 102.1 mm x 8.9 mm (w x h x d), with a weight of 2.6 ounces (74 grams). The Zune HD will ship with the following accessories: headphones, Zune Sync Cable, and three pairs of foam earpiece covers. Battery life is cited as up to 24 hours (wireless off) for music and up to four hours for video, but this seemed a little toward the low-end. We e-mailed Microsoft and got back much better numbers: up to 33 hours (wireless off) for music and up to 8.5 hours for video (charge time is three hours when connected to a PC and two hours with A/C adapter), with the following footnote:

Battery life was tested by Zune in August 2009 using preproduction hardware and device software. Battery tests are conducted with specific Zune units. Actual results may vary. Audio content used was WMA 128 Kbps. Video content used was 320x240 WMV9 500 Kbps total bit rate. Batteries have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually hold less charge. Battery life and the number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. See

Battery FAQ | Zune.net - User's Guide for more information. If you're interested in the corrected spec sheet, you can download it here: Zune HD Device Specs (PDF). In terms of formats that will be supported, here are the details:

Audio Support: Windows Media Audio Standard (WMA) (.wma): Up to 384 Kbps; constant bit rate (CBR) and variable bit rate (VBR) up to 48-kHz sample rate. WMA Pro 2-channel up to 768 Kbps; CBR and VBR up to 48-kHz.
WMA Lossless: 2 channel up to 768 kbps and 48 kHz.
Advanced Audio Coding (AAC-LC) (.mp4, .m4a, .m4b ) - .m4a and .m4b files without FairPlay DRM up to 320 Kbps; CBR and VBR up to 48-kHz.
MP3 (.mp3) - Up to 320 Kbps; CBR and VBR up to 48-kHz.

Picture Support: JPEG - (.jpg)

Video Support: Windows Media Video (WMV) (.wmv) - Main and Simple Profile, CBR or VBR, up to 10.0 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). Advanced Profile up to L2, 1280x720 up to 30 frames per second, CBR or VBR, up to 14.0 Mbps peak video bitrate. Zune software will transcode HD WMV files above stated capabilities at device sync.
MPEG-4 (MP4/M4V) (.mp4) Part 2 video - Simple Profile up to 4.0 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). Zune software will transcode HD MPEG-4 files at device sync.
H.264 video - Baseline Profile + bframes, up to 10 Mbps peak video bit rate; 720 pixels x 480 pixels up to 30 frames per second (or 720 pixels x 576 pixels up to 25 frames per second). 1280x720 up to 30 frames per second, up to Level 3.1 and 14.0 Mbps peak video bitrate. Zune software will transcode HD WMV files above stated capabilities at device sync.
DVR-MS4 - Zune software will transcode at time of sync.

In April 2009 we learned that the next generation of the Zune would be an international release. Microsoft officially described the Zune HD in May 2009 as a multitouch device with a 16:9 OLED screen, Web browser, HD radio support, and full support for 720p video though its HDMI out port. In June 2009, Redmond confirmed that the device would be powered by the Nvidia Tegra.
Two days ago, the flash-based Zunes (Zune 4, Zune 8, and Zune 16) disappeared from the Zune Store and Zune Originals, though they're still on Zune.net. Microsoft hasn't yet disclosed their fate, but we'll know soon enough if they're getting the axe, or if they'll return with some small hardware update. Earlier today, Microsoft announced that preorders were being taken from Amazon.com, Best Buy, Wal-mart, and the Microsoft Store, and that the device would start shipping on September 15. The company also finally confirmed that the 16GB version will be priced at $220 and the 32GB will go for $290.


Source: Zune HD specs reveal battery life estimates, format support - Ars Technica

PS: These specs get revised every day or so, so enjoy.

Well I am probably going to get this, just don't know what color to chose yet.