Zune HD packs a big processing punch

Updated at 12:45 a.m. PDT

Microsoft's Zune HD will use one of the most powerful chips to go into a portable media player yet: Nvidia's multicore Tegra processor.

Nvidia's Tegra chip integrates multiple processor cores

(Credit: Nvidia)

Tegra packs two processor cores based on intellectual property from U.K.-based chip designer ARM. One is the main processor--based on the ARM11 core--which runs the operating system. Tegra's defining feature, however, is an additional Nvidia GeForce graphics chip.

"Nvidia brings powerful graphics to the portable media player. This is a unique capability," said Jeff Orr, senior analyst for mobile content at ABI Research.

In total, Tegra integrates eight independent processors, according to Michael Rayfield, general manager of Nvidia's mobile business unit. "We accelerate Flash, we have HD video, we do acceleration of rendering of Web pages on the GPU," Rayfield said Wednesday in a conference call, referring to the graphics processing unit. "The Zune HD will be an amazing showcase of what Tegra is capable of doing."

Its processing prowess notwithstanding, Tegra's design flies in the face of the hot, heat-sink-clad Nvidia graphics processors that power the fastest gaming rigs today. Tegra uses less than 0.5 watts of power, an attribute the chip inherits from its power-stingy ARM parentage. This trickle of power consumption is a tiny fraction of Nvidia's bread-and-butter desktop GeForce processors that are often rated well over 100 watts.

The Zune HD comes with a 3.3-inch, 16:9 OLED (480x272 resolution) screen. And also includes an HD (high-definition) Radio, HD (720p) video out, Wi-Fi, a Web browser (with tap-to-zoom technology), built-in accelerometer, and touchscreen QWERTY keyboard.

Audio codec technology has been developed by PortalPlayer, which Nvidia acquired in 2006.

Zune HD will also include a full-screen Internet browser optimized for multitouch functionality.

CNET Reviews applauded the Zune HD:. "This thing was worth the wait, folks...The Zune finally has the power to make good on the promise of delivering one of the richest music experiences on a portable device."

The Zune HD is the first of many Tegra-based devices to come. "There's about 50 devices in design right now with Tegra," Rayfield said. They range from media players to smartphones to smartbooks to Web pads. Smartphones based on the Tegra are due toward the end of the year.

"The next generation should be better. Current Tegra chips use the ARM11MP processor, next gen will use the faster Cortex-A9. Other IP in the chip is Nvidia's," said Tom R. Halfhill a senior analyst for Microprocessor Report.

[BeauGiles]

No OSX support still? Sorry, but I'll be sticking with my iPhone.

[Super2online]

Obviously there is no need for OSX suppost to accomplish these awesome features: Check the video!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_WPdg6zUeE

[tektaktyks]

there is no need for osx.(period)

[lazycat202]

OXS support? forget it! I'll buy a Zune for my wife. Sorry! No Ipod Touch.

[dougmcnerd]

@lazycat202

I guess you don't like her very much. ;-)

[myles taylor]

I agree. With the Apple market share growing, Microsoft is cutting out a huge market here. Then there is the halo effect. What better way to win people back from the Mac side (not that I see it happening much) than to get them to buy a great music player. Microsoft is basically telling everyone who has a Mac to buy an iPod.

[dysonl]

Who cares about OSX?

@myles taylor: The great great majority of iPod owners are Windows users. Mac is NOT a huge market share -- it's just a myth. MS is wise in focusing on 80% of the market; they can consider the 10% Mac market a few years down the road.

[Thranx]

10% is far to generous. They've been growing, but they've got a ways to go before they hit 10%.

http://w3schools.com/browsers/browsers_os.asp

[dukeoconnor]

Does any of you actually know what share of the US consumer market Windows has?

[sonorguy]

Actually, Apple's worldwide marketshare (measured by a sample of ~190 million total computers accessing the web) for computers is vastly overblown. Net Applications just pegged Apple at less than 5% of OS usage, with MS over 93%). Apple also only has 2% of smartphone share. Much of this, however, is because Apple cannot gain any traction in the foreign markets. In order for Apple to have 10% of the OS market, it would have to account for somewhere between 25%-50% of OS sales in America, which just isn't true.

[Seaspray0]

@dukeoconnor. When companies report sales, it's worldwide sales. If you wish to consider marketshare, you should consider worldwide since it best reflects what companies are doing for sales.

[6stringluke]

" This thing was worth the wait, folks. Mind you, it's not going to crush the iPod Touch--a product that for all intents and purposes is more mobile computer than media player--but it's safe to say that the Zune finally has the power to make good on the promise of delivering one of the richest music experiences on a portable device."

This is the whole quote from the linked review. The "mobile computer" comment was about the Ipod Touch, not the Zune HD.

[mbrookec]

Thanks for pointing this out. Correction made. --Brooke Crothers

[Splashes]

Just curious -- what about apps? Without apps the ZuneHD is a competitor to regular iPods (nano, classic), not the iPod touch or iPhone. I'm not knocking it -- the ZuneHD sounds like a decent piece of hardware. But Apple's "classic" iPods are a declining portion of their business; Apple would prefer to sell an iPod Touch or iPhone to an iPod buyer, and that's exactly what is happening -- they're cannibalizing themselves. So now Microsoft is in the same old catch-22: they won't sell many Zunes without apps, but developers won't develop for a small market.

[TinyIoda]

this is entirely speculation but..

i think with the release of mobile 7 + windows 7 (confirmed to have an app store coming) and now the zune + xbox software coming together..... there will be a release of one store to rule them all... the new OS's look promising and standard enough to bring together the windows on every device (Live Anywhere)

or maybe im dreaming.. who knows

[Super2online]

@Tinyloda, I think we are traveling down the same line of thinking. A consolidation of marketplaces behind solid hardware and software releases would be a very potent jugernaut to overcome.

[Splashes]

Oh yeah -- considering this is billed as the ZuneHD, the screen size and pixel dimensions are underwhelming (480x272, 3.3 inch -- compared to the iPod Touch's 480x320, 3.5 inch). Not that the Zune's screen isn't nice, it's just that it doesn't seem to justify the HD moniker, given that the HD output won't be used nearly as much as the built-in screen.

I'd like to know the relationship of the screen size to the 720p output. Is video stored at 480x272 and upscaled to 720p for the output? Or is video stored at 720p and downscaled for the Zune's screen?

[James7777777]

HD as in HD radio.

[tektaktyks]

good point/question

[hafenbrack]

they have said that it will store the 720p file and downscale to fit the smaller screen on the device itself. The ZuneHD does deserve the monicker HD!

[CCCCnetttt]

Since 480x320 is a 4:3 aspect ratio, there are black bars top and bottom when viewing 16:9 formatted content. So, when watching widescreen shows and TV, the iPod will also be using just 480x272 pixels.

The 480x320 is an advantage for other viewing (browsing, photos, games, etc.). I assume MS made a decision to go with the smaller screen to keep the price of the OLED reasonable and the size of the device smaller. I can't say I agree or disagree but the reviews about the OLED screen have been great and I don't see that as a significant downside.

Zune HD: Yes a bit deceptive but a full HD screen would be a waste of money at that size. I don't knock them completely because it can be justified by the 720P output support, HD radio, and the screen aspect ratio is the same associated with HD televisions.

As others have said, MS indicates the files are true 720P and downscaled for the Zune's screen.

I'd like to know if I can put my own 720P content (family movies) on the device. Also if HD TV I record on windows media center will be transferable? Does it have HDCP(?)?

[tektaktyks]

thats gonna require some storage space

[Hep Cat]

"Audio codec technology has been developed by PortalPlayer, which Nvidia acquired in 2006."

The first four generations of iPods used PortalPlayer chips - they've always designed dual core ARM processors with interface logic. Now they've merged it with a video chip as part of NVIDIA.

Am I missing the point? How does this compare to other chipsets/iPod touch? There's no context.

[AppleSuxLeo]

TEGRA FTW !

[rwm72]

I don't get how it can be called HD. Is it actual 720p? Is it upscaled 720p? If it's upscaled, what is the upscaling quality? There's a lot of equipment out there that upscales very poorly. If it can handle genuine 720p, then why is the screen such a low resolution?! Why bother using a nice new OLED screen and calling it HD if the screen is just processing 480p. Maybe I am missing something.

I am no expert (clearly) but it seems like a wasted opportunity, to at least claim one up on the ipod touch in a couple of areas. I am sure MS will market the hell out of the "HD" but really is it just going to be marketing BS from MS.
Other than showcasing NVIDIA's Tegra (which 50 other devices will have very soon) I don't see any innovation, just imitation. Shame. It looks like they have just applied a big blob of polish to the brick. That's like putting lipstick on a pig :o)

[sjgibb]

I think the whole HD thing is around two points... it can output 720p to your tv via an optional docking station, also it can tune into HD radio (or as it is called in the UK: digital radio or DAB). It's really not that complicated.

I am guessing if apps aren't there at the start, they will appear soon enough. The Zune team so far have been very good at adding features every year... and adding them to ALL Zune users for free with firmware upgrades. A very nice idea well much appreciated by Zune users.

[rwm72]

Fair enough. Forgot about the HD radio angle. Will be interesting to see the quality of the 720p output to a tv. Perhaps the docking station is where there is decent upscaling tech.

It still seems a waste to release a similar (a bit less) resolution on the unit itself though compared to the ipod touch and iphone. PSP screen is also similar and has been out for ages. It's OLED screen would look great with more resolution, especially with the Tegra on board. And any apps developed for it could have really differentiated themselves on graphical quality alone. But even with the Tegra, the screen just won't be able to take advantage of it. I can't see lots of people using the docking station on an HD tv and making it a game changer.

Maybe it's just me, but I feel they should have jumped up a couple of notches here to make it really sing. I guess I was expecting a real leap forward, but this seems more like a nice catch up product with much better industrial design and consumer appeal (finally).

[hafenbrack]

If you would do ANY research or listen to the interview of Brian on the MP3 Insider you would clearly know the answer to this. He came right out and said that the file onthe player is a 720p file, that is downscaled to play on the device, but plays at it's native 720p on an HD tv. This is NO BS, it really does HD quality video AND radio, somethine the iPod can not currently come even near to.

[wanorris]

Apps are easy. It runs on some version of Windows CE, just like the XBox and Windows Mobile, and development is presumably based on .Net. The potential developer pool is enormous.

[sonorguy]

There's no point in having 720p on a screen this small, the human eye has trouble telling the difference between 1080p and 720p on a 32" screen, so there certainly isn't a point to having a 720p 3.3" screen.

[sonorguy]

And, if you do the calculations, the Zune HD actually has a HIGHER resolution at 167 dpi relative to screen size compared to the touch

[jessiethe3rd]

HD refers to output of 720p aka HD. HD also refers to HD Radio which is native. Have a nice day ... Zune... Rocks.

[t8]

Isn't the Zune some kind of cheap iPod knockoff?

[James7777777]

Not anymore.

[tektaktyks]

isnt ipod a knockoff of oter mp3 player... http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6450_7-5622055-1.html

[dysonl]

only much better.

[sonorguy]

The Zune has always had superior sound quality, but it's main problems have been inferior battery life, terrible 1st gen software, and a clunky physical size. It appears that all of these have now been remedied (The software is vastly superior to iTunes on windows, though that isn't say much and I can't comment on how it compares to iTunes on a mac).

[t8]

Does Zune have the name Microsoft engraved on it, coz that would be embarrassing.

[Super2online]

If you think this is a cheap iPod knock off, wet your appetite on this video and then try answering your own stupid question: No comparison

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0_WPdg6zUeE

[PeteyBrian]

Nice video. I am impressed with how fast it is. I'm not replacing my iPhone just yet, but the product is very impressive and well designed. I am wanting. Put phone capabilities and verizon as a carrier and I'm there!

[James7777777]

So votes on what's the better bet for a media player/internet device, the new Zune HD or the new gphone MyTouch. Is it worth carrying the Zune and a phone for the added features?

[tektaktyks]

i agree that it needs a phone capability

[mbenedict]

It depends what you're after. My girlfriend likes to leave her iPod connected to the stereo when she's at home. If it were also a phone, it would be hassle to have to unhook it every single time someone calls, interrupting the music. Zune HD would suit her quite well.

I, on the other hand, hate carrying multiple devices. I don't even carry a wallet. If it's not a phone and a camera and an mp3 player and a GPS in one single unit, then I'm not interested.

I think one big difference between us is my girlfriend like most girls carries a bag, so having one extra gadget in the bag is not an issue. She also has a Shuffle for jogging, a personal cell phone, her crackberry from the office, and a gazillion other girl-things in her bag (lipstick, mascara, whatever, I don't even know).

[zyxxy]

My phone is not a media player, and it is not a slider, there is no 'qwerty' keyboard, no touch screen. Its a phone. Hello? You know, you hold one end against your ear and speak into the other end, and have conversations with people. Cool! And it is really really small. I carry it in the pocket of my jeans and I can hardly tell it is in there.

My media player on the other hand is a brick with a hard drive. The audio is very good. The video is very good. It isn't a Zune or an iPod. I don't carry it everywhere, so I don't care if it is a brick. I use it at my desk, out on the patio, docked in the car. And when the battery goes dead from consuming all that media, I can still talk on my phone.

YMMV, but I want a phone to be a phone, I don't want to hold a media player against my head to carry a conversation. And don't get started on those stupid bluetooth Borg plugs. Unless you are having an actual conversation right now, get that chunk of hardware out of your ear.

[ballmerisanape]

Glad to see the Zune is finally maturing. I hope MS puts a little more polish on the software for the Zune than usual. MS can do great things when it focuses on what it's doing.

[lazycat202]

I think we don't need software to transfer video and music into it (IPod/Iphone require iTune *cough*). It'll have drag and drop feature. Who the heck need software to move, delete, transfer, and convert movie/video formats? Zuck!!

[Get_a_life_Leo]

The next generation will always be better (referring to Tegra). The iPhone GS has an underclocked Cortex A8 (at 600 MHz). Will be interesting to compare the performance - although not so easy. Not really clear how many people want to drive their HDTV from a portable device (a USB memory stick will do in many cases).

Shame about the smaller screen real estate which will hurt in-store side by side comparisons but good to see that the Zune isn't moribund. This is a clear improvement on older designs and competitive on price. It will be interesting to see what Apple comes out with next month (if the rumored inclusion of GPS and a camera are for real, Microsoft may be left to go after a market that has moved on). Kudos for the new Zune design too.

[setgo]

Wow! A touch-screen, accelerometer and a full-screen internet browser?How is all this possible? If they are able to pull this off they should make millions. If you combine all that goodness with a user-friendly online store of some sort where theoretically one could purchase music, movies and games... The future is bright my friends.

[sevort]

Wait till September when Apple unveils their new iPod...

[dysonl]

You mean the "new" iPhone without phone capabilities?

[setgo]

Nobody gets sarcasm anymore.

[ChristaPho]

@setgo

Lmao to both of those comments.

[AppleSuxLeo]

HD radio=I want !

[tim_acheson]

Hmmm... I generally consider myself too professional to be influenced by product marketing or presentation. Nevertheless, I can appreciate a good design as much as the next man, and I find myself forced to admit that Zune HD is the best-looking portable media player I've ever seen.

Please forgive this momentary lapse, but this new piece of hardware is compact and sexy; especially in silver. It's a masterpiece -- it's beautiful. It's a new toy. I want one!

http://www.timacheson.com/Blog/2009/aug/zune_hd_portable_media_player_launch_date_announced

[peco412]

What about Flash support? This article states that Tegra accelerates Flash, but, per Donald Bell, "The only bad news on the browser is that there's no support for Flash audio and video content. So Pandora and YouTube are out, but I was able to get onto Facebook and Twitter." Here's a link to the article:
http://reviews.cnet.com/8301-12519_7-10303243-49.html?tag=mncol;mlt_related

[brutuscat]

Yes! I saw it is availble for pre order, check out <a href="http://hubpages.com/_18wmfiepu2bqp/hub/Zune-HD-amazon" >Zune HD confirmed! Available at Amazon for $219</a>

[zyxxy]

Will it take an SD/MMC card for expansion?