ZUNE HD 16 and 32 GB NOW AVAILABLE? ARE YOU SERIOUS?

 RickyJack wrote:

I've seen rumors of a 64GB Zune HD. That would most likely get me to open my wallet as long as I don't have to open it too far and I don't have to buy new sync cables, AC adapters, car battery chargers, etc. I guess I will have to spring for a new dock if I want HD video, though.

My wife is already having a fit about getting me a new Zune HD for my birthday... and I can see why!  Her reaction is probably the same with everyone else: "I'm not spending nearly $300.00 on a Zune HD and what if it doesn't meet your needs in the future!"

 

Sadly..., I had to agree with her.

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You humans are quite a fascinating species...

I am a bit disappointed too as I have a 80gb Zune now.  I only have it half full, but the HD will fill up quicker with HD videos on it.  Why couldn't they put an SD card slot into it so we could have that option to add storage?

 MaximusHQ wrote:

I am a bit disappointed too as I have a 80gb Zune now.  I only have it half full, but the HD will fill up quicker with HD videos on it.  Why couldn't they put an SD card slot into it so we could have that option to add storage?

Yep max capacity of 32 Gb sucks and is a HUGE downgrade for most of us. Also pretty stupid that the 16Gb only comes in black right now and the 32 GB only comes in silver.

MS is so close to giving an ipod beater why do they always mess it up wiith stupid decisions like this?

I have my original 30gb from 07. I plan on getting the 32gb version when it ships. Leftover school money will be available by then anyway.

As much as I love Zune I'm starting to rethink buying the ZuneHD because really all that I'm getting different from my Zune 120gb is a nice UI and touch interface. The browser to me is completely worthless...I have laptop with me 95% of the time why view the internet on a 3.3" screen when I can view it on a 17" screen? What my "main" concern is...is sound quality. The ZuneHD is going to sound similar to the Zune 120gb which I personally don't really like the sound of with my $300 Shure SE530's earphones. I may just get a Cowon S9 32gb because that is by far the best sounding portable device under the $400 mark. The Cowon S9 has a touch screen and accelorometer just like the ZuneHD and iPod Touch. But it has BBE sound enhancements and a very in depth EQ so you have full control of the sound. Also it has a AMOLED screen which is better than the OLED screen that ZuneHD has. *Sigh*.....the ZuneHD looks wonderful but my audiophileness is preventing me from getting it.....

Well, I'm glad that I'm not the only Zune supporter who said "WTF!?" when the minimal storage capacity was announced, today. Since I heard about the introduction of an HD Zune, I've been saving my pennies and had $300 saved to purchase one. Now, finding out what limited storage capacity it has, NO WAY!

Like Ricky Jack, I have n 80GB Zune and often wish I had a 120GB one. At least once a month I have to do "house-cleaning" on my Zune to find extra space for the podcasts, videos, photos....and MUSIC, that I download each day/week. Now that I store several seasons of favourite TV series on my Zune, my space has plummeted to less than 5GB available.

I guess I'll be holding onto that $300 smackers for a while, now. I appreciate the insight that many of you have provided as to just 'why' MS would start with such a low storage capacity on the HD. Hey, if it brings in more Lovers of Zune and the thrifty Zune Pass, then I'll wait for a large capacity HD. If they refuse to make one, guess I'll commit to the 120GB.

Have you considered working for MS? LOVE the idea of an independent storage card; I have it on my SONY e-book and love it. Oh, Microsoft...you're always a Bridesmaid and never a Bride, concerning MP3 players.  You break my little heart.

 MaximusHQ wrote:

I am a bit disappointed too as I have a 80gb Zune now.  I only have it half full, but the HD will fill up quicker with HD videos on it.  Why couldn't they put an SD card slot into it so we could have that option to add storage?

 IFuZe Io5I wrote:

As much as I love Zune I'm starting to rethink buying the ZuneHD because really all that I'm getting different from my Zune 120gb is a nice UI and touch interface. The browser to me is completely worthless...I have laptop with me 95% of the time why view the internet on a 3.3" screen when I can view it on a 17" screen? What my "main" concern is...is sound quality. The ZuneHD is going to sound similar to the Zune 120gb which I personally don't really like the sound of with my $300 Shure SE530's earphones. I may just get a Cowon S9 32gb because that is by far the best sounding portable device under the $400 mark. The Cowon S9 has a touch screen and accelorometer just like the ZuneHD and iPod Touch. But it has BBE sound enhancements and a very in depth EQ so you have full control of the sound. Also it has a AMOLED screen which is better than the OLED screen that ZuneHD has. *Sigh*.....the ZuneHD looks wonderful but my audiophileness is preventing me from getting it.....

 

IFuZe,

 

Like me, I have invested nearly $300.00 on a pair of headphones.  My personal music collection is compressed using WMA Lossless and whatever I download from Zune at 192k.  I would have loved for Zune to up the ante with at least 320k or more.

 

In any event, I checked the Cowon S9, and so far the specifications sound very impressive and it seems like a very good contender alongside the Zune HD and iPod/Touch.  This is something really worth considering.

 

I can always download MP3s from Amazon and be satisfied for the time being.  Maybe I should simply cancel my subscription and say the heck with Microsoft with their half-ass approach.  I can understand the rationale on Microsoft wanting to win over iPod/Touch users by introducing the 16 and 32 GB, but, mannnn – give me a freakin’ break!

 

As an audiophile, I have invested on Definitive Technology’s ProCinema ProMonitor60 L/C/R and subwoofer that are connected to my computer through a Yahmaha RX-V465 A/V receiver.  I’m contemplating getting the Auzen X-Fi Home Theater Soundcard.  So, money isn't a problem when it comes to the full blown HD experience.

 

My current computer system’s specs:

 

2 WD 1.0 TB @ RAID 0
RADEON HD 4890 Video Card w/ 1 GB of GDDR5
Thermaltake Spedo Case
Gigabyte MA790FXT-U5P MoBo
Plextor Blu-Ray Internal Player
6 GB RAM (DDR3)
Ultra X3 PSU (850) watts
AMD X4 Phenom II
HP w2558hc 25" High-Def. LCD

 

And this is only for my computer entertainment.  So, unlike what someone else said,  I do feel that I have all the right to feel like my intelligence has been insulted by Zune with their measly capacities. I’m glad users like you and I share the same taste and an discernment for superb sound quality.

 

This was Zune’s last chance to get it right and I think they’ve blown this opportunity.  Maybe I’m wrong, but I guess we’ll have to wait and see what will happen by the end of this year or in a few years from now.  Please understand I will give Zune/Microsoft their due credits when it's due and won't when they are not deserving.

 

 

 

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You humans are quite a fascinating species...

Like everyone else ... I want more. Unfortunately, we dont have that option and its not an MS issue, its a technology issue. If they went above 32GB they would have to charge more for the device. Maybe some of you would have paid for that. My guess is that market research said that not enough people would to make it work MS's efforts.

Despite the storage I believe MS had made up for this technology shortcoming by including marketplace streaming. This is not a permanent replacement for having an entire collection in your pocket, but if you want the device you may have to suffer through the storage. My guess is that a 64Gb or larger wont come for some time.

I understand your argument, but you're taking it way too personal. How are you feeling shafted? It's the limitation of technology (Flash vs HDD). So just because Microsoft didn't announce a 128GB SSD Zune HD for $499, you begin to bicker?

 IFuZe Io5I wrote:

As much as I love Zune I'm starting to rethink buying the ZuneHD because really all that I'm getting different from my Zune 120gb is a nice UI and touch interface. The browser to me is completely worthless...I have laptop with me 95% of the time why view the internet on a 3.3" screen when I can view it on a 17" screen? What my "main" concern is...is sound quality. The ZuneHD is going to sound similar to the Zune 120gb which I personally don't really like the sound of with my $300 Shure SE530's earphones. I may just get a Cowon S9 32gb because that is by far the best sounding portable device under the $400 mark. The Cowon S9 has a touch screen and accelorometer just like the ZuneHD and iPod Touch. But it has BBE sound enhancements and a very in depth EQ so you have full control of the sound. Also it has a AMOLED screen which is better than the OLED screen that ZuneHD has. *Sigh*.....the ZuneHD looks wonderful but my audiophileness is preventing me from getting it.....

I have a COWON D2 and it has a lot of problems that have not and never will be fixed such as constant database corruption.  I don't recommend Cowon anything.  They're a small outfit with too much on their table.  I never found the sound quality to be all that people make it to be.  In fact, I think even with messing with the equalizer and the sound enhancements it (to me anyway) doesn't sound as good as the Zune, and the Zune doesn't sound all that great to begin with.  I don't know what to tell you, I might go with an Ipod because of the millions of users and 'cause it's had much testing and work done to it.  Obviously the price is more though and you got many people that just simply say  "ipods sucks" but not tell you why.  They haven't givin' me a reason yet not to like it so an ipod might be the right choice for me.