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Discuss: Zune HD

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Zune HD discussions

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why do we need apps on Zune HD?
by IgboScouser
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We want Zune HD for MAC
by greedobuck

Topic: Need verification of unicode support & gapless playback

26 replies / Originally posted by pika2000 / Latest reply from pcbliss / Topic is open

By pika2000

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As I don't think any tech journalist/blog/reviewers will test those two things, I hope there is somebody here that will.
-Unicode characters support (eg. Asian language like Chinese, Japanese, Korean, etc)
-Gapless playback on non-WMA audio files (MP3, AAC)

Posted 4 months ago

By Zeltek

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I believe Unicode is confirmed, and as far as gapless playback goes, it works fairly well on my current Zune30(meaning I assume it will work as well or better on the ZuneHD). Hope that helps!

Posted 4 months ago

By pika2000

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-No, unicode is not confirmed. It's only rumored. In fact, the MS rep that I talked to actually said there is no unicode.

-As far as gapless playback, it only works consistently with WMA audio. Even in the older Zunes, gapless playback on MP3 and AAC doesn't seem to be consistent. Hopefully MS can improve on this.

Posted 4 months ago

By greedobuck

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On the Zune Insider podcast they confirmed unicode support ages ago. That is straight from members of the Zune team.

Posted 4 months ago

By pika2000

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Then why I'm not seeing a simple photo/screenshot that will proof it once and for all?

Posted 4 months ago

By greedobuck

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Because the Zune HD has been out for only a few hours. Give it a day or two and you'll see some concrete proof. A lot of Zune users have been wanting unicode, so keep your eye on some of the Zune forums.

Posted 4 months ago

By pika2000

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So, we already see the ZuneHD inside out, but not even a single screenshot showing Asian language support?

Posted 4 months ago

By kreets

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Yeah gapless playback works great on my old brown zune as well

Posted 4 months ago

By paradiso

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The OS itself (WinCE) supported Unicode from the birth date of Zune devices. The problem is they just don't want to put fonts inside. It is related to UI design, test matrix, and many more. Since they only release the device in NA, it is highly possible they will ignore east asian languages completely, even in Zune HD. The so called "Unicode support" might be translated to "support English, French and Spanish for UI".

Posted 4 months ago

By pika2000

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I know that all MS need to do is to put in the fonts. Regardless, they don't. I agree with you that they will not support Asian languages in the ZuneHD, as that what the MS rep said. However, there are people that are so pumped up by the rumors that they were convinced that the ZuneHD will support those languages.

It's unfortunate, and this makes Microsoft look so close-minded as a company. Even my old Dell DJ and Creative MP3 player can display Asian languages. Apple, and American company, has no problem supporting Asian language on iPods.

Posted 4 months ago

By greedobuck

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Unicode support in Zune HD was confirmed by members of the Zune team in their official podcast several weeks ago. They spoke about it at length, and discussed that they added support because a lot of users requested it.

Posted 4 months ago

By pika2000

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Like I said, the MS rep that I talked to said otherwise. Again, a simple photo/screenshot should prove this once and for all, yet I'm not seeing anything despite the numerous people/tech bloggers reviewing it.

Posted 4 months ago

By jeepers

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Where/Who did you talk to from Microsoft?
I am pretty sure that it has Unicode support because, as said before, members of the Zune team announced it on their podcast. And no I can't give you a screenshot because I don't have any non English music.

Posted 4 months ago

By pika2000

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MS rep at Bestbuy.

I don't understand why people are saying this thing have unicode despite the lack of evidence of? It's like me saying the 360 can play blu-ray, but I cannot show you because I don't have blu-ray discs. :P

Posted 4 months ago

By jeepers

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Because we have gotten confirmation officially from the Zune Team not some rep at Best Buy.

Posted 4 months ago

By paradiso

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if you own a Zune HD, I can send you links to CJK tagged mp3 files so you can show us a proof.

Posted 4 months ago

By pika2000

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Then why am I not seeing any single photo/screenshot showing it? Really, I want the ZuneHD to support Asian languages. If a lot of Zune users want this feature, you would think one would test it right away. Saying that it has this and that just because somebody said so doesn't mean anything. Again, a simple photo/screenshot will put this question to rest once and for all, yet I'm not seeing one.

Posted 4 months ago

By paradiso

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I'll put the link here:
http://paradiso.cn/ZuneTest.mp3
if anyone want to try. it has Chinese tags.

Posted 4 months ago

By paradiso

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hey - just got a confirmation that the browser support to view japanese wikipedia, need further more investigation on tags...

Posted 4 months ago

By paradiso

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i'm considering to switch from zune to ipod touch if hd can't display CJK this time. I have waited for 3 years to get CJK support, but I can only achieve that with a ZIF connector and the old crappy 1.4 firmware. Not to mention how battery will quickly get dry if you have a big font file...

MSFT always claims itself as a global company, well, I admit they are more global than Nintendo and Sony on console games, but Zune, is obviously something not in this category.

Posted 4 months ago

By clubdirthill

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Gapless playback was added way back in 2.5, so it definitely has it.

The Zune HD supports unicode.

Posted 4 months ago

By pika2000

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-I know gapless playback is fine with WMA. However, my question is for MP3 and AAC, as the anecdotal feedback that I've seen so far is that gapless playback on MP3 and AAC is not consistent.
-See my other comments for unicode.

Posted 4 months ago

By paradiso

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http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/phrekyos/DSC0010
2.jpg
great proof by phrekyos@zuneboards!
from a wma file.

http://www.zuneboards.com/forums/zune-hd/45404-can-any-z
unehd-owner-check-if-player-got-unicode-treatment-2.html


Still need proof of mp3 tags (some people said it's not working, but i guess there might be some way to get around)

Posted 4 months ago

By pika2000

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Thank you. That's a good start. :)

Posted 4 months ago

By paradiso

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http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh55/phrekyos/DSC0010
6.jpg

It's working for id3v2 unicode tag, but seems not working for id3v1 (display garbage).

Posted 4 months ago

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