New Zunes to fall short on battery versus iPod
updated 03:50 pm EDT, Mon October 15, 2007
Zune 2 Battery Life Shown
Microsoft's new Zunes have been tested and should have the same audio performance as their equivalent iPod models but run lower in terms of video, according to an update from Zune marketer Cesar Menendez. Both the Zune 4 and Zune 8 flash players will manage up to 24 hours of continuous music playback using 128Kbps Windows Media files, but a shorter four hours of video with 500Kbps Windows Media videos versus the five of an iPod nano playing H.264 clips at the same resolution. The Zune 80's larger battery will afford 30 hours of music but will be limited to the same four hours as its smaller counterpart. Apple's 80GB iPod classic and both iPod touch models are estimated at about five hours of video playback. Wi-Fi was switched off in both Zune tests, according to the report.
These tests were performed with prototype Zunes and unfinished software and might not exactly reflect the exact performance of the media players when they ship in November, Menendez warned. The Zune team member did not compare the performance to other players, though Microsoft's own specifications note that the mid-range Zune 30 remains unchanged at just 14 hours of music playback and the same four hours of video as newer models.
No tests have yet been conducted using the newly-added support for H.264 or MPEG-4 video clips, preventing a direct comparison of playback using the same formats.
how?
10/15, 04:37pm reply
How can a larger battery provide 6 hours more music time, but not even 1 second more of video time?
testudo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2001
cpu usage
10/15, 04:46pm reply
If the windows media files take more CPU to decode and playback than H.264 does, then the zune will need to use more power for WMV.
Rosyna
Forum Regular
Joined: Aug 2001
THE ZUNE SUCKS...
10/15, 07:06pm reply
....more battery power than the iPod, according to the report, when playing video, I see.
Constable Odo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Aug 2007
what a shock!
10/15, 08:41pm reply
you mean MS designed something poorly?
robttwo
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Nov 2005
The Who
10/16, 12:40am reply
Who the heck cares?
Micros**t are playing catch up to **last year's** iPods. Ok, so adding extra buttons to the NONclickwheel was fine - in 2002.
Don't they understand how stupid they look constantly trying to copy Apple?
HEY Micros**t - YOU LOST THIS ONE. On a truly level playing field you cannot compete.
The best news is that people are onto you. After years of being hoodwinked, they're waking up. And thanks to your hopelessly unoriginal 'Vista' and this derivative non-event that is the 'Zune' they're realizing there is an alternative.
neil2112
Baninated
Joined: Aug 2003
Standards
10/16, 01:03pm reply
I guess providing a good implementation of standards (H.264) is better than mediocre implementation of proprietary stuff (wmv).
Seems like if YouTube could go H.264 and leave Flash for more graphical stuff, then maybe the market will once and for all tell MS that we really just need a choice of standards that everyone can work on.
The level playing field comment above says it all. Monopolies fall in real open markets. Apple is at the deflection point with iTunes now and I hope it choses well.
MacnnChester
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Finger and stylus
10/16, 01:13pm reply
The ability to use a stylus and possibly draw on the thing will attract some users who still don't trust their fingers.
And if this gets Apple to put Flash on iPhones soon - so much the better.
But of course it fails without the iPhoto, iTunes, etc. convergence.
MacnnChester
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2007
Wi-Fi
10/16, 04:12pm reply
Not sure if it is an accurate comparison since all the new Zune's have Wi-Fi - something the Nano and Classic lack.
Then you can't really compare the Zune to the Touch either.
Unity Boy
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Joined: Oct 2007