AboveBeyond
Weaksauce
- Joined
- Mar 1, 2007
- Messages
- 79
Wow, the day I didn't check the site, they added extra colors to both models...!
EDIT: Just ordered the 32gig black color with sync cable. Now the waiting begans!
Last edited:
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I really wish the zune hd went up to more space, maybe in the 80gig range
music is one thing for sure, I have 40 gigs or so.. and when you start adding in a couple movies and south park episodes to the mix, even a 64 gig starts to dwindle.
Wow, the day I didn't check the site, they added extra colors to both models...!
EDIT: Just ordered the 32gig black color with sync cable. Now the waiting begans!
ok, i started testing out the high profile encoder settings that work on the zune hd.
HOLY CRAP, THIS THING DESTROYS THE IPOD IN THIS AREA!
so far, ref=3:bframes=3:me=umh:subq=9:mixed-refs=1:8x8dct=0:trellis=2:b-adapt=2:direct=auto:b-pyramid=1:weightb=1 in x264 has produced watchable level 3.1 720p videos.
the only thing i found that doesnt work is 8x8dct.
in reference, ipod touch is too slow to handle more than 2 ref frames, any b frames at all, and is too slow to handle cabac entropy coding, etc. iirc
i mean, really, this is ridiculous. if you're buying a player for videos, there is no contest. a video encoded for the ipod touch would have to be significantly larger to compare to the quality of one for the zune hd. and with those small hard drives, size matters. and then theres the oled screen.
shame no reviewer anywhere cared. i guess this is more of a thing only nerds would care about lol.
ok, i started testing out the high profile encoder settings that work on the zune hd.
HOLY CRAP, THIS THING DESTROYS THE IPOD IN THIS AREA!
so far, ref=3:bframes=3:me=umh:subq=9:mixed-refs=1:8x8dct=0:trellis=2:b-adapt=2:direct=auto:b-pyramid=1:weightb=1 in x264 has produced watchable level 3.1 720p videos.
the only thing i found that doesnt work is 8x8dct.
in reference, ipod touch is too slow to handle more than 2 ref frames, any b frames at all, and is too slow to handle cabac entropy coding, etc. iirc
i mean, really, this is ridiculous. if you're buying a player for videos, there is no contest. a video encoded for the ipod touch would have to be significantly larger to compare to the quality of one for the zune hd. and with those small hard drives, size matters. and then theres the oled screen.
shame no reviewer anywhere cared. i guess this is more of a thing only nerds would care about lol.
that will go on a zune without the zune software reencoding it:
ref=5:bframes=0:me=umh:subq=9:mixed-refs=1:8x8dct=0:analyse=all:cabac=0
the zune hd specs say it supports b frames, but i cant get them to work. i dont know if that is a bug or not.
The Official Zune HD encoder software from Microsoft
No more using Ripbot264 anymore & the best thing is freaking free, support 110% of the Zune. Xbox 360, Zune HD & Zune HD dock meaning full 720p & 5.1 ch ^_^
Step 2: download the software http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...5b-e5de-46c0-98cd-1be12eef89a8&displaylang=en
after that install it.
Step 3: you going to see import, click on that & then a window is going to pop up, *make sure that when you see on the right side say all files because this is the only way to import mkv files*.
Step 4: look for system menu it should be on the right side then look for encoding for device & pick WMV then look for VC-1 Zune HD or VC-1 Zune HD (AV Dock Playback) then click on the profile you want & click on apply, when you did it right the video will resize in 480x272 or 1280x720.
Step 5: encode your video & enjoy!
Tip: 1
Zune HD & Zune HD (AV Dock Playback) will encode your videos in 2-pass mode it should take a little bit longer but it will give you the best IQ.
Tip 2: to add subs, go to ffdshow video decoding settings & check the subtitles box then apply, now you should get english subs on the Zune HD program now.
Tip 3: some mkv files will give you a audio error in this software, it only happen when 2-pass is on but like i said it only happen to some mkv files so if you don't get the audio error then you should not change the VBR constrained in both video & audio settings but for those who has the problem. to fix this go to the Zune HD or Zune HD (AV Dock Playback) profile & go to video & change the VBR constrained to VBR Quailty & put the VBR quailty setting on 100 & for audio do the same but in audio the max is 98 after that it will temp save untill you add the next video, then do the same thing for the same video & etc.
Here's something I found on another forum:
Note: This free version of Expression Encoder 3 does not include support for IIS Smooth Streaming and H.264 encoding. To use these features, upgrade to Expression Encoder 3 with IIS Smooth Streaming.
The Official Zune HD encoder software from Microsoft
No more using Ripbot264 anymore & the best thing is freaking free, support 110% of the Zune. Xbox 360, Zune HD & Zune HD dock meaning full 720p & 5.1 ch ^_^
Step 2: download the software http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en
after that install it.
Step 3: you going to see import, click on that & then a window is going to pop up, *make sure that when you see on the right side say all files because this is the only way to import mkv files*.
Step 4: look for system menu it should be on the right side then look for encoding for device & pick WMV then look for VC-1 Zune HD or VC-1 Zune HD (AV Dock Playback) then click on the profile you want & click on apply, when you did it right the video will resize in 480x272 or 1280x720.
Step 5: encode your video & enjoy!
Tip: 1
Zune HD & Zune HD (AV Dock Playback) will encode your videos in 2-pass mode it should take a little bit longer but it will give you the best IQ.
Tip 2: to add subs, go to ffdshow video decoding settings & check the subtitles box then apply, now you should get english subs on the Zune HD program now.
Tip 3: some mkv files will give you a audio error in this software, it only happen when 2-pass is on but like i said it only happen to some mkv files so if you don't get the audio error then you should not change the VBR constrained in both video & audio settings but for those who has the problem. to fix this go to the Zune HD or Zune HD (AV Dock Playback) profile & go to video & change the VBR constrained to VBR Quailty & put the VBR quailty setting on 100 & for audio do the same but in audio the max is 98 after that it will temp save untill you add the next video, then do the same thing for the same video & etc.
Just an FYI for anyone looking to buy the Zune HD and use its mobile browser at all....
the Zune HD CANNOT connect to wireless networks with a hidden SSID, or WPA 1 or 2 Enterprise networks...
Furthermore, the Zune HD will *not* allow a user to connect to a network that requires browser based authentication, such as a network at a wireless hotspot.... starbucks, airports, school networks, etc...
basically, the Zune HD's wireless capabilities are non-existent....
I personally had to endure all this shit with the Zune HD I purchased.... and after a few weeks, and with no response from MS, i'm returning this thing and getting a new iTouch (like many, many Zune HD owners are doing.... read the zune.net forums.... )
*fail*
Just an FYI for anyone looking to buy the Zune HD and use its mobile browser at all....
the Zune HD CANNOT connect to wireless networks with a hidden SSID, or WPA 1 or 2 Enterprise networks...
Furthermore, the Zune HD will *not* allow a user to connect to a network that requires browser based authentication, such as a network at a wireless hotspot.... starbucks, airports, school networks, etc...
basically, the Zune HD's wireless capabilities are non-existent....
I personally had to endure all this shit with the Zune HD I purchased.... and after a few weeks, and with no response from MS, i'm returning this thing and getting a new iTouch (like many, many Zune HD owners are doing.... read the zune.net forums.... )
*fail*
if all of this is true, then I must be special. I connect it to my hidden ssid network at home all the time as well as the wpa1 enterprise network at work. granted, i've not tried wpa2-enterprise.
i've also used it with no problem on browser authenticated networks such as denver international airport, exempla good samaritan hospital, our local starbucks, and our local panera bread.
Honestly, I love my Zune HD and I was never under any impression that it had a good web browser. I've dinked with it a couple of times but that's what my Touch Pro 2 and dataplan are for.
The Zune HD is MEDIA PLAYER! Firstly for music and then video. With a Zune Pass there's nothing like it.
This has been said a hundred times and I really have no idea why you got an HD expecting a good browser.
ha ha! so, you're basing your "zune team" comments on something that some random person on a forum (even an official forum) posted as second hand knowledge and attributed to the zune team?
yeah, that's real official. I've got a camcorder. later today, I'll take video of my zune hd connecting to my non broadcasting network for you.
edit: if you can get a camera video showing the Zune HD connecting to a hidden SSID network, you really *are* special, and would make serious web news if you did..... so i'll (and many, many, many others) be eagerly awaiting....
I am going to stand up and take my licks on this one. I just proved myself somewhat wrong.
I was just recording the video and decided to do a completely clean reset on my wireless access point and my ZuneHD.
After that, it wouldn't connect. Then, it dawned on me. I didn't start using the WAP without SSID until after I had purchased my ZuneHD. So, it looks like the ZuneHD had "cached" the network ID of the WAP with that MAC address. Then, when the WAP had no SSID, the ZuneHD somehow still knew the SSID from its "cache."
It's not a true SSID-less connection because you have to have the SSID broadcast at some point and then later switch to SSID being hidden. This is something that I can definitely reproduce on video, but I am totally in the wrong about native hidden SSID as you described.
The other points I made I cannot prove on video right now because I don't have those configurations at home, but I stand by them working because I've used them.
if all of this is true, then I must be special. I connect it to my hidden ssid network at home all the time as well as the wpa1 enterprise network at work. granted, i've not tried wpa2-enterprise.
i've also used it with no problem on browser authenticated networks such as denver international airport, exempla good samaritan hospital, our local starbucks, and our local panera bread.
You definitely are special then.... check out the official zune boards...
http://forums.zune.net/515366/ShowPost.aspx
and
http://forums.zune.net/0/2/514249/ShowPost.aspx#514249
lastly, an OP by an actual zune HD team member...
http://forums.zune.net/522040/ShowPost.aspx
you're def special....
and my guess is that your AP at denver international somehow lets the zune ping w/e server it is it wants to ping to determine whether or not the network is a "local network", and so the zune sees it as an internet connected network off the bat..... which is BS honestly.... even if you want to connect to a local network (say... for wireless syncing), why the hell does the Zune team think they know better than you and disallow that?
Horrible.....
Really? The Zune HD advertises itself as a media player that has a web browser.... as a result, i'd expect something that supported wireless features that almost every wireless device has had since 2004....
Most importantly, the Zune HD advertises itself as a competitor to the ipod touch, and the ipod touch has supported *basic wireless connectivity* since release.....
Honestly, I know you're a microsoft fanboy, but the Zune HD is *not* just a media player, and microsoft themselves have never advertised it as such.... (see box: in big letters "web browser")
seriously, lack of basic functionality is indefensible... *you* may be able to see past microsoft's painfully obvious and ridiculous mistakes, but most rational people cant....
check the forum posts in the links above.... they're gonna be getting *tons* of returns if they dont address the issue soon, there are a flood of posts on the zune.net forum stating as much....
So fan boy or no, I agreed with you basic premise, the HD web broweser sucks. All I was saying is WHERE did you get the impression otherwise? How many reviews said the HD web browser said the browser wasn't that great? I saw a ton.
fact is, microsoft, and many, many of the reviews online weren't upfront about the shortcomings of the zune HD's wireless connectivity. the fact that enterprise, web based logins, and hidden SSID being unusable were all totally not mentioned in pretty much all reviews online is simply amazing....
you may not have cared about the browser in the Zune HD, but I, and many others *do*, so get over it. read the threads I posted, *tons* of college students and the like are completely passing this device over (and many are returning them) because of its uselessness for a quick read on the go.... something it would be OK at if it had *basic* wireless connectivity functionality.
just like you dont care about the zune HD's web functionality, most other people dont care for buying a smart phone and expensive data plan....
in short: it isn't unreasonable to expect a certain level of basic functionality....
personally... my Zune HD is being boxed up and ebayed (got it for a steep 55 dollar discount... would lose that if i simply returned the device), and with the proceeds, apple will be gaining one more iToucher (hmmm... that sounds so, so wrong....)
apple wins my money this round, sorry microsoft....
Cool, to each is own. I'll say it again, I have no idea why you got the HD in the first place. The thing is that a ton of people like to troll saying that got such and such and then complain about something that is a KNOWN weakness in a product. I mean I'm the supposed fan boy and I would have told you not to buy a Zune HD UNLESS you wanted the best MEDIA PLAYER on the planet and weren't looking for anything else beyond that.
And I guess screwing around with WiFi for net access on a device is just primitive to me. Sorry!
Obviously you didn't and decided to settle for an iPod Touch!![]()
well i got the zune HD because of the steep discount I received + the expectation that it would have certain *basic* functionality....
and you say that the network limitations were somehow a known issue of the Zune HD.... yet, they really werent.... other than the mass of people complaining on the official zune forum, you'd be hard pressed to find much coverage about the zune's lack of wireless capability anywhere else...
crap like this is why microsoft's reputation has suffered in recent years....
I guess you could say that Microsoft shouldn't have bothered with the browser and that's a fair enough thing to say.
nail on the head.
by advertising that it had one to begin with, Microsoft implies a *basic level of functionality* that is simply not there.