The Zune HD….

Marty_J

….has been released today in the US.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/8256482.stm

Anyone hoping for a UK release, or planning on buying one on holiday?

penrhyn

No thanks, having enough fun with my new 5th Gen iPod Nano. Mmmmmmm shiny:j

jmc160

I've had a 2nd Gen Zune 8GB for coming up to a year now, and I love it. I also think the Zune software is much better than iTunes.

I will definitely be getting a Zune HD, it's just a case of whether I wait until it's released over here (hoping it will be!) or ask a friend nicely next time they're off to the States, like I did with my current one.

Marty_J

penrhyn wrote: »

No thanks, having enough fun with my new 5th Gen iPod Nano. Mmmmmmm shiny:j

How do you find its video camera?

I saw some videos on YouTube, and it was surprisingly good. Not as good as my Flip Ultra HD obviously (or any dedicated video camera really), but definitely "good enough".

jmc160 wrote: »

I've had a 2nd Gen Zune 8GB for coming up to a year now, and I love it. I also think the Zune software is much better than iTunes.

The Zune software is quite nice, I agree. I like iTunes just fine (and don't understand all the iTunes hate from certain quarters), though it's getting a bit stale. Apple can only continue to bolt features onto it for so long. A complete rewrite from the ground up would be nice.

Apple have rewritten the iTunes Store, which now renders using WebKit, so maybe they'll go that way with the whole app.

I will definitely be getting a Zune HD, it's just a case of whether I wait until it's released over here (hoping it will be!) or ask a friend nicely next time they're off to the States, like I did with my current one.

A worldwide launch would be better for you. Then I assume its "HD Radio" (what digital radio is called in the states) would work; it's not compatible with DAB.

penrhyn

The camera is pretty basic VGA, the results are fine on the nano screen, have not uploaded any back to the PC as yet though.
It manages to focus down to a couple of inches or so and is fairly sensitive.
It has no pause so if you stop and start again you have two clips.
When you turn it it on you get an opening stargate shield effect which is cool.
The FM radio is sensitive and displays radio text. Its also compatable with my Nissan Connect radio. Beware thought they have reversed the dock connector and the jack socket so it needs a different iPod dock adapter from the 4th gen.

sweetstudent

Nothing can shift my away from my 1st iPhone!

[Deleted User]

Yeah, I'll probably get one when they get an official UK launch. Until then, I'll be more than happy with my 120GB Zune.

superscaper

Marty_J wrote: »

A worldwide launch would be better for you. Then I assume its "HD Radio" (what digital radio is called in the states) would work; it's not compatible with DAB.

Is it full 1080p radio though.

jmc160

Marty_J wrote: »

The Zune software is quite nice, I agree. I like iTunes just fine (and don't understand all the iTunes hate from certain quarters), though it's getting a bit stale. Apple can only continue to bolt features onto it for so long. A complete rewrite from the ground up would be nice.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against iTunes in particular, I used it with a couple different gen iPods before I got the Zune. I just find the Zune software a lot more usable for my needs. Since I started using MP3 players (my 1st was an iPod 20GB), I've always done the initial setup with a kind of bulk import of all my favourite tracks. In the roughly 3 years I used iTunes for this and with all the time I spent on it, I never got my music collection all organised how I wanted it with all the artwork and in the right genres, groups etc. When I switched to Zune, I had everything sorted within 3 hours and it's continues to be that easy.

Marty_J wrote: »

A worldwide launch would be better for you. Then I assume its "HD Radio" (what digital radio is called in the states) would work; it's not compatible with DAB.

Agreed, There are certain functions on the Zune that can't be used over here, for example it has the ability to tag tracks played on the radio for purchase and download when you get home, but as the Zune Marketplace is not yet available over here, this can't be used. I also don't think the radio picks up the track/artist info in the same way over here. I'd love to have a fully functional one as would be the case with a UK launch, but I'm happy enough with my current US one that I'd get one anyway

Bowling_4_Gold

Lovin' the OLED Screen... now it's just a waiting game 'till I can afford it lol

Marty_J

Bowling_4_Gold wrote: »

Lovin' the OLED Screen

It has some disadvantages though; apparently it's very washed out in sunlight at all but the brightest setting.