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zune hd

Been entering the Liliputing contests for the past two weeks and still haven’t won anything yet? Don’t worry we’ve got one more big prize to giveaway: a slightly used Zune HD portable media player.

NVIDIA sent me this Zune HD to review recently so I could check out the first consumer electronics device to use the NVIDIA Tegra processor. Tegra combines a low power ARM-based CPU with high performance NVDIA graphics capabilities. The end result is a portable media player that can run for 8 hours on a while watching video or more than 30 hours while listening to music. But it also has the oomph to handle 720p H.264 and WMV video playback.

Unfortunately the Zune’s 480 x 272 pixel display can’t actually show all the graphic detail available in those 720p videos. But being able to copy your media collection to a portable device without first transcoding your videos and changing the display resolutions is pretty awesome.

The Zune HD can also play some pretty stunning looking video games, although I really wish there were more apps available in the Zune Marketplace. The hardware definitely could definitely give the iPod Touch a run for its money. But without better support for 3rd party apps, it might be tough to make a case for purchasing this $219 media player over an iPod Touch.

Fortunately you don’t have to worry about that, because I’m giving one away for free. The Zune HD that’s up for grabs is the same one I’ve been testing for the past few weeks. It has the NVIDIA logo laser-etched on the back, and it’s served me well on two 13 hour plane rides.

This contest is open to readers across the globe, although some features of the Zune software such as the Zune Pass subscription media service, are only available in the US. Make sure to read the official contest rules before entering.

The contest will end at 12:01AM Eastern on Wednesday, December 9th.

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249 replies on “Liliputing Holiday Giveaway: 16GB Zune HD”

  3. How do I enter this contest? I don’t want to win this Zune for myself… I’ve been teaching hip hop at local rec centers …..we can’t afford to buy decent music or system for the center…. This Zune would be the perfect start!! PLEASE PLEASE! We only need to buy speakers and we’ll be set…. I would be willing to pay for the Zune pass subscription so the kids have access to music…..

  4. I really need an MP3 player! i have been using my phone to play music now for quite a while…and its awful quality. fingers crossed!

  6. Pleases consider me also but if you don’t that’s ok because no one else does either. Thanks for the chance and for the informative articles.

  11. My wife has an iTouch and my daughters have nanos. This would be my first personal media player. It would make a nice dent in our otherwise perfect little Apple family.

  13. I have been trying to get an ipod for some time… buy they don’t convince me! the fact that there are other mp3 players around that are being used makes me happy, and I want to own one 🙂 also, I will tell all my friends about how much cooler is the zune than the Ipod 😉
    Liz

  14. It would be nice if I could win something like this so I can stop aquiring all my personal electronics as battered hand me downs from my daughter who has moved on to the NEXT BIG THING. I’m always therefore at least two to three years behind the trend.

  15. Thanks for the opportunity to win a great prize! I currently deciding between a Zune HD and iPod Touch, so winning would make my decision a no-brainer.

  18. I’d be pleased to win this Zune HD. I liked my old 30Gb Zune (in brown, no less) before its screen cracked.

  20. It is beautiful. I would love to win this, just looking at it makes me happy!

    1. That is all I can figure, i’m not sure though. Nice contest though- hopefully we are huh? ha ha

  24. I’ll give it to my wife. She doesn’t know how to run an iPod Shuffle. Maybe this will work 😐

  25. No Link to contest.

    Hey guys, if you want to talk about a contest, how about a real link to it so it is easy to enter??????????

  26. I would like the Zune so I can listen to my music on my bus ride to work.

    Thanks.

  27. I can’t really say that I “deserve” it because I’m not a big fan of entitlement, but I’ve been using the Zune Software w/ Zune Pass on PC for the past couple of months, and while I really like what I’ve seen so far, it’s become clear that you need a Zune HD (which I currently lack) in order to enjoy everything that the Zune ecosystem has to offer.
    Thanks!

  28. Basically I need Tegra. I gave up my old Zune prematurely and now have nothing. I need it to put the apple weirdos in their place during the “watercooler” talk. Ill be the cool kid at work. count me in. Good luck to all.

  31. This iteration of the zune is the first one that has me considering this over ipods!

  32. This little item would make a great stocking stuffer — here’s hoping I win (fingers crossed).

  35. I just want one to play music! My first generation iPod is slowly dying and I need a replacement! Thanks for the great giveaways. Happy holidays and I love the site!

  36. Wow. A very great giveaway.. I have been joining different contests ever since, but still, I haven’t win any of them. I hope this time, I will win…

  38. I would like to win this zune HD, especially because i can’t purchase one myself where i live (europe). BTW, is this the way to enter for the giveaway?

  40. Since Facebook and Twitter are supposedly in the works for Zune Marketplace, I guess I would be willing to take this Tegra off your hands.

  41. Count me in as well. I own a 2nd gen 8 GB Zune, but would much prefer the larger screen and the ability to put video on my Zune without having to convert/resize it.

  45. Nice to see good old NZ mentioned in the review – hope you enjoyed your holiday – and yes count me in to the contest.. 🙂

  46. I sold my 30GB Zune recently, so this would be a worthy replacement to it. No more hard drives!

  47. I could put this to excellent use. It’s an excellent thumb-twiddling device.

  50. Been thinking of picking one of these up… winning it would definitely be preferable… Love the site, btw! 😉

  51. I have always wanted one of those, maybe i can replace my mp3 player now.

  55. This would be great, I could pwn off my old 30GB Gen1 on one of my kids! 🙂

  56. I feel like I’m the last one on earth to have an mp3 player. I don’t want to get sucked in to the iPOD craze. EVERYONE has one. I want a zune.

  58. I am already using the Zune software even though I don’t have a player and it’s pretty good. Too bad I’m not in the USA so I can’t take advantage of the added features. Still, a Zune would be awesome to have.

  60. Type your comment here.THIS REALLY SOUNDS GREAT !! I HAVE BEEN RECENTLY LAIDOFF & MAKING ENDS MEET IS GETTING HARDER EVEN THOUGH MY LOVING WIFE TRIES TO NOT LET IT SHOW, I WOULD REALLY LIKE TO GET HER THIS FOR A CHRISTMAS PRESENT,JUST TO LET HER KNOW SHE MEANS THE WORLD TO ME !!! AL

  62. I’ve wanted one of these soooooo bad!!!! The new Zune HD looks awesome, and I can retire my Zune4. Honestly, just not enough space to hold all of my tunes. Thanks for the great contest!!!

  66. The Zune HD would definitely be an upgrade from my IPOD classic. Thanks

  70. Been thinking of trading in my aging 30GB OG Zune. Drooling over the new ones is always fun.

  71. No transcoding is a +++ ! I have a long flight and this would definitely ease the leg cramps … or at least let me forget about it until we land! (oops – posted on rules page!)

  74. I’d love to get my hands on one of these. Many thanks for the giveaway contest!

  78. my ipod touch just gave up on me – it’s my third one already! time to give the zune hd a try.

  83. In the past ten years I have gone from a walkman, to a portable CD player, to a hard-drive based mp3 player (iriver e10), to a tiny-capacity flash based player (iriver lplayer). This would be the next evolutionary jump. Thanks for making this competition a worldwide one. 🙂

  91. I would love to have a Zune HD. As I already own the 80gb Zune, but I have seen what the HD can do and I’m seriously impressed. It’s the best version of Zune. Way to go Microsoft!

  92. Would have much, much, much preferred something not done by Microsoft, but giveaway is a giveaway right, so count me in. There is always a possibility to hack the device to use Android or other Linux flavors anyway 😛

  94. Count me in. The most only mp3 player I’ve got is my Ipod shuffle which has no screen. This would be an awesome upgrade – and then some. A WiFi enabled music player, PDA, and portable web browser that fits in your pocket. It’s hard to believe that people still call these things “mp3 players”. It’s really a pocketable computer.

  95. Hmmm. Just the thing for replacing my 5 year old iPod mini.

    Thanks Liliputing.

  96. For the official contest rules it’s says “You do not have permission to preview drafts”, but I hope I can test the Tegra too 🙂

  100. I’d love to win the Zune HD to regift it to my daughter who is into creating video mashups of popular animated movies. Thanks and happy Holidays!

  101. I am a 40ish mom of several teens who are making their way into the mp3 world. I am reading your site, among others, to educate myself and keep up with the youngins! Practice makes perfect, so here’s to winning one for mom!

  102. Thanks for the chance to win (: This would be a nice upgrade from my current Zune.

  103. I haven’t won anything in my whole life. I’ve been reading Liliputing for more than a year. 🙂

  107. If only sob stories could increase my chances of winning.

    Thank you for the chance to win!

  108. Ive been wanting a zune foreverrrrrrrr and the new HD ones are amazing 😀

  110. I like listenin to music while I’m working, but the type of music that I listen differ from my wife’s so by having this I can have some music accompanying me while I work without bothering my wife

  114. Just the PMP is nice enough, but the only platform besides PC to support Audiosurf is really nice! Thanks for the chance and Merry Xmas

  120. Awesome give away. I don’t have any portable music player with me. This will be awesome gift for me if i win this. I hope i will win this 🙂

  121. Cool but I cant view the rules. It says i dont have permission to preview drafts or something like that?

  122. Never been a fan of apple audio quality and glad to hear the Zune HD has top notch audio quality… now I just need to get my hands on one…

  124. Wow! Great giveaway and review on this Zune! Thanks for the chance!

    hether78(at)gmail(dot)com

  125. I have always wanted to get a good look at the awesomeness of this device. I really like the oled screen and Tegra chip. I’m sure anyone would love one of these under their Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hanukkah tree.

  127. My good old Zune 30 would be jealous, but I have been eying the ZuneHD for months. It. Looks. Tasty.

  129. I JUST WANT TO START OF BY SAYING THANKS FOR GIVING US A CHANCE TO WIN A ZUNE HD! I JUST LOVE ZUNES PERIOD, AND I WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS AWESOME MP3 PLAYER. IF I WIN THIS MIGHT BE THE ONLY GIFT I GET THIS YEAR SINCE WE’RE ALL GOING THROUGH TOUGH TIMES. I JUST KNOW IF MY MOTHER COULD GET ME ONE SHE WOULD. BUT THANKS AGAIN FOR THE OPPERTUNITY AND HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY EVERYONE! ☺

  130. I REALLY WANT A ZUNE HD SOO MUCH, BUT I CAN’T AFFORD ONE SO THIS IS MY ONLY CHANCE. IF YOU CHOOSE ME I PROMISE I WON’T ABUSE YOUR GENEROSITY. I WOULD JUST LOVE TO WIN ONE SINCE THIS MAY BE THE ONLY THING I GET THIS CHRISTMAS SINCE WE’RE ALL GOING THROUGH TOUGH TIMES. BUT EVEN IF YOU DON’T CHOOSE ME THANKS FOR THE CHANCE TO WIN ONE! HOPE YOU HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY!

  134. This device looks mighty fine. Not to mention that my old device, an old 2nd gen Ipod nano has recently just died (the center button is irretrievably broken) I could certainly use a new player to help in my daily commutes to and fro 😀

  135. Since the latest Xbox dashboard update that added Zune video support, I’ve been looking for a good reason to start building up a Zune library. Winning a Zune HD would be that good reason! Thanks for the opportunity.

  141. I’m giving an iPod nano to my son. This would be a nice gift to myself, replacing my filled up Sansa.

  142. I have the first 30 gig zune,but its too big and bulky.Plus I dont want a Ipod cause I dont want to lose my collection of music and videos.Plus the wi-fi would be cool and the games are pretty good as well.Also with my third pary software I can convert from sites like you tube and daily motion as well. Its a great product,so please consider me for the contest as well.

  144. i would love this, I’m using my daughters old 2nd gen ipod when i go out walking the dog…as long as the dog does not pull to hard and jerk me around it works

  146. i would love this, I’m using my daughters old 2nd gen ipod when i go out walking the dog…as long as the dog does not pull to hard and jerk me around it works

  147. When I click the link to read the rules it says I domn’t have permission to read drafts.

    I would like to win the Zune if I haven’t broken a rule.

    Thanks.

  150. Wow, what an amazing give away. Thanks Brad! I’d love one of these, it would give me a chance to watch my online class videos while riding the bus to work. They’re already in H.264 and although I’m saving up for a netbook for the job, this would fill in admirably.

  151. Was thinking about getting an iPod Touch, but this is better because it’s free.

  153. Dear Santa

    I have been a good boy.

    I would like the Zune HD to I can play games on it and compare it to my PSP-Go. Also, since I bought a PSP-Go you should take pity on me. Please give my sister coal…I don’t mean that her husband is out of work and they owe me money.

  156. Sounds awesome. Would love to update from my 1st gen 30gb brown brick.

  158. Nice giveaway!
    Would definitely not mind to try one of these, but I’ll probably stick with my iPod Touch.

  159. While sitting here with a dead desktop I realize how really, really bad I want that Zune. I could trade out for my friend’s laptop for a few minutes.

  160. This would be great, since my ipod died a few years ago and I have never replaced it, and I was looking at the Zune too. This would be a great gift under the tree.

  163. I have been a wanting one of these HD Zune’s. Was hoping they would be on sale somewhere for the holiday’s, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Hope this entry is a winner can’t read the rules.

  164. I have been a wanting one of these HD Zune’s. Was hoping they would be on sale somewhere for the holiday’s, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. Hope this entry is a winner can’t read the rules.

  167. To own a Zune
    would make me swoon.
    My joy would be
    like a symphony.
    If I win
    I will cackle like a hen.

  169. Another contest – Thanks for the oportunity you are giving us this Christmas. Not that we need any more reasons to come to this blog! 🙂

  170. I’d love to have one to start programming things for it! Objective-C, Apple’s language of choice, isn’t my most comfortable language = /

  172. I love me free stuff! Personally, I’m happy and nostalgic for the return of OpenGL, even if it is on a handheld device. Remembering the good old days of Quake. Ahh…

  173. My mp3-player is kinda 100 years old, with a 1 GB storage-capacity – and I’ve got so many outdated Jazz-tunes to listen to… So count me in! 🙂

  174. I have a no-named brand mp3 player from 2001-3. I’d love to win this so I’m not so out dated.

  175. I cannot say, I live M$, but I defeneetly don’t like Apple. Nowdays they seems to be the patent troll group looking for anyone to sue for anyting they dont like, they seem to have no flexibility towards developers, but don’t even keep their own rules when applied to them, and mostly it is because of the iPhone, and the iTunes store. So no way I’d ever own an iPod/iPhone, but I would like a ZuneHD 😀 Besides Tegra rocks!

  177. Saw my friend with one. These things are so thin and sexy, definitely tons of tech envy when I see one of these things.

    Thanks for having these contests, I love the slim hope of being on the other side of the envy.

  178. I’d love to have this, and hope that you just have to post a comment as before, because I’m also getting the “You do not have permission to view drafts.” error

  181. I’m only 11 years old so I really really want to win. But even if you don’t pick me I really from the bottom of my heart want to thank you for giving me at least hope that I could win :]

  182. I’m only 11 years old so I would like to win because it would be really really thoughtful. So yeah you could say that I want to win so bad that I can taste it :]

  186. Didn’t realize that the Zune could be used to play video games as well. Very cool device. I’m still living in the dark ages technologically in every respect except my netbook – which I selected based on your recommendation. So a media player would be cool.

  188. This would be awesome. Have not had an MP3 player for 3 years on account of tight budget!

  190. Like the others, I can’t read the official contest rules either, says I don’t have permission to read a document in draft status. So…how do I enter the contest?!? Leave a comment??

  194. Count me in. I would love to have the opportunity to explore the Zune HD and it’s interoperability with the XBOX and maybe even other MS offerings (Outlook?) in the future. I think the apps will come…

  202. Thanks for all the givaways. What a nice x-mas present
    it ill make somebody!

  206. And I need you now tonight. I need you more than ever. And we’ll only be making it right. Cause we’ll never be wrong together.

  208. My wife has been looking for a decent MP3 player for herself. Would be nice to win this one.

  209. I have asked Mrs Claus for a Zune HD! If I win this, I could ask for something else.

  210. The contest rules never show up for me, always says “You do not have permission to preview drafts.” I hope I’m not being disqualified for breaking a rule I don’t know about…

    Anyways, I’ve wanted a pmp for 7 years but never wanted to spend the money on it. I would love to get one for free, especially the zune with it’s delicious hardware.

  211. What a great contest! Maybe I’ll finally be able to upgrade from my Rio 64!

  212. I am quite surprised with this contest… the Zune is a very desirable prize. Count me in. Right now my only player is my phone and I would very much enjoy having something that is made for music playing.

  214. Since I can’t buy one where I currently live, this would be grrreat! Also, my old Sansa is really starting to show its age. Also, I’m really starting to show my age too.

  215. Not a big fan of portble video players, but I’m intrigued by the Tegra, I’d really like to check it out, even just for a while like you Brad 🙂
    Thanks for the chance!

  216. This would be great have over the xmas period, listen to music/video and drown out the relatives. 🙂

  217. can’t view the official contest rules; clicking the link returns “You do not have permission to preview drafts.”

    which is a shame, cause this’d be awesome for my mom to hook to her netbook and get some books on mp3 to listen to in the car.

  218. Since I don’t have permission to view the rules I hope that I will be in with this post. My iPod Shuffle is getting a bit long in the tooth, so a new media player would be quite nice.

  219. I’ve been using my netbook to listen to music while walking … so I know it sounds snobby to ask to win this, but it would make me a much less appealing mugging target!

  220. I still use a pretty old generic mp3 player (don’t even know the brand name) and I can only say to win a Zune HD would be damn awesome!

  221. I really want to have a Zune, because here in Germany we don’t have it. Besides I hate that iPod touch and the Zune is a good alternative!

  224. I’m in for one 🙂

    Please, stop the contest now and choose me 😉

  225. I’m in for one 🙂

    Please, stop the contest now and choose me 😉

  228. My wife hates my iphone. She would probably hate an iPod touch as well. But she really needs a player. It’d be nice to win one.

  231. Zune sounds like a great PMP. Too bad the resolution is so low otherwise it would be nice web surfing device.

  232. I hope that “entering” means simply posting a comment as before. As for the official rules, the link takes you to a page that says, “You do not have permission to preview drafts.” But I think these are awesome devices, I’d love to have one of my very own to play with. It’s not “pretty” like the iPhone! (See latest Verizon commercial)

  234. I often fly to Europe and this sounds like the perfect device to have for a 10 hour flight.Thanks for the chance!

  235. Sweet! Would love to have my first media player on my own this Christmas. Have always bought for others.

  237. Nice Christmas giveaway!.
    Since here in Europe is impossible to test/view this one before getting one would be a delight to have this.
    I dropped my nano 8GB 2nd and have gived away my sansa view and now I ENJOY Zune 8GB MORE than those. It would be a please to win the Big brother.
    Good Luck, Happy Christmas and BETTER New Year for all of us…
    THANKS…

  238. Nice Christmas giveaway…
    Here in Europe don’t have the chance to test this before getting one but after dropping Apple for Zune 8GB I am more than HAPPY with mine. A Zune HD would be an awesome gift for me.
    Good Luck, Happy Christmas and a BETTER New Year to all of us…
    THANKS…

  240. Microsoft is reputed company in it’s operating system.Now they are launching HD that’s name is zune.It’s looks are so different from other.We have to try this for our pc and external storage.

  241. Great contest. Guess you have to make room for all the new stuff next year.

  243. What a beautiful thing. My only personal claim to this is the fact that as a college student, I’ve been stuck with an aging and increasingly buggy SanDisk Sansa which could use replacing. It’s functional, aside from the random blast-full-volume-if-you-press-a-button-before-you-turn-the-wheel glitch and the occasional drain-on-battery-life-as-a-result-of-a-faulty-hold-switch, and I love it to death but dang, a Zune HD with WiFi and something resembling a good GUI would be wondrous.

  245. I’m working on making a Zuneish media player app for Android (backed by OpenGL to make animations nice and smooth) and would be great to have a Zune HD to get a better feel of the interface instead of just watching videos of it like I’ve been doing so far.So yeah, would love to win this thing, count me in!

Comments are closed.