Today is a big day for Zune fanatics! First of all, the long-awaited Zune HD has been released today. In 16GB (black) and 32GB (platinum) configurations, the Zune HD with its new touch-screen control, HD radio, HD video capabilities and web browser (among many other new features) is now available for sale. With the new model comes other updates to the Zune system’s software and firmware, which are detailed below. Read on!
Category Archives: Audio/Video Hardware
J. Gordon Holt, R.I.P. (Stereophile Magazine founder)
Just got word this morning that J. Gordon Holt, founder of Stereophile Magazine, passed away at his home in Boulder, CO yesterday (July 20). Stereophile was one of the first “audiophile” magazines, and was launched by Holt in the 60s. While he hasn’t been associated with the magazine for years, he is still fondly remembered by the audiophile community. After Stereo Review and Audio, Stereophile was the first audiophile magazine I subscribed to, back in its smaller format. While I could never afford all of the megabuck equipment, the music reviews were often worth the price of the magazine alone. R.I.P, Mr. Holt!
Zune HD: The Next Generation of Zune
I’ve been reading a lot of buzz about the Zune HD online recently. Rather than the squared circle, navigation comes by way of a touchscreen. The screen itself is larger (actually “widescreen” dimensions of 16:9). In addition, the Zune HD will provide full integration with the Xbox 360, and also features a web browser that will work anywhere that WiFi is available.
Still no clue yet as to what suggested list pricing will be, and I also haven’t found out what type of storage will be on board. I’m hoping it’s still hard-drive based, as the flash-based models just don’t have the storage capacity that the drive-based models do. 120GB is a good bet, although 160GB was possible with the iPod, and Toshiba has a 240GB dual-platter drive that will fit in the same space as the 120GB drive (although it’s very pricey right now).
It all looks attractive right now. My only concerns are, first of all, what type of interface the Zune will have for entering text in the web browser. And second, I’m not that fond of touchscreen devices. My current Zune gets smudged enough in normal use; I can’t imagine what the HD will look like after a few hours in my greazy hands. And without a stylus (a la the Nintendo DS), touchscreens can sometimes be very vague to navigate. The browser is a nice attraction, but on the other hand, I may prefer something like a Blackberry that has an actual keyboard, and can be used away from WiFi locations.
We already know that any other player can’t top the industry leader in sales (for now, anyway), but there’s still plenty of innovation out there among competing brands. Those of us who like (and prefer) the Zune have a lot to look forward to with this new model.
Vintage Boombox and Ghetto Blaster Museum
I’ve found a great “time waster” for all of you electronics geeks out there: Pocket Calculator’s Vintage Boombox and Ghetto Blaster Museum. If you ever owned a boombox, this is one site that’ll have you waxing nostalgic over those stereo behemoths of the past. Today’s portables can’t compare to some of these classics. I even owned one of those: the Sony CFD-5, which was the first boombox with CD player (basically, the D-5 Discman guts in a full-featured AM/FM/Cassette boombox). The site features dozens of pictures and descriptions…great reading!
Zune Resets
I had a hiccup with the Zune yesterday. I was trying to find a way to organize my photos better, rather than burying them deep in the Zune photo menus. 
I discovered some registry hacks for WinXP to get the Zune to appear under My Computer…which worked, but my rearranged folders reverted to their original status once I synced the player again. Then, while trying to reorganize things with the Zune software, I ended up in a state where I could not get the new images to appear on the player. I did a couple of resets and managed to get them to appear…but again, deep in the photo menus. Still trying to find another way to organize these–I did it once, but heck if I remember how I did it.
Anyway, to reset a Zune, make sure the hold switch is not activated. Then, hold down both the “back” button and the top of the directional pad. Keep holding them until you see the Zune logo and the white progress bar.
If you’re in the mood to reload your whole player, there’s a method to clear all contents. Details here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926917 .