Brand Name | Microsoft |
---|---|
Item Weight | 2.6 ounces |
Product Dimensions | 5.51 x 3.44 x 1.78 inches |
Item model number | EHD-00001 |
Batteries | 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required. |
Is Discontinued By Manufacturer | Yes |
Power Source Type | Battery Powered |
Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
Wireless Comm Standard | 802.11b/g |
Operating System | PC |
Number of Items | 1 |
Model number | EHD-00001 |
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Zune HD 16 GB Video MP3 Player (Black)
Brand | Microsoft |
Model Name | zune |
Special Feature | Bluetooth |
Connectivity Technology | Wi-Fi |
Memory Storage Capacity | 16 GB |
Color | Black |
Screen Size | 3.3 Inches |
Media Type | Micro SDXC |
Included Components | USB Cable |
Component Type | Display |
About this item
- IMPORTANT PRODUCT INFORMATION: To get started using Zune HD, download the latest software to your PC from zune.net/setup and charge your Zune using the supplied cable for at least 30 minutes before use
- 16 GB capacity for up to 4,000 songs, 24 hours standard definition video, or 5 hours high definition video
- 3.3-inch OLED screen with 480 x 272 resolution and 16:9 display
- HD Radio gives you access to many local stations with crystal-clear digital sound at no extra cost
- Watch supported 720p HD movies, TV shows, and videos in high definition
- Buy, stream, and update your music, download free games, and surf the web via a Wi-Fi connection
- NOTE: In order for headphones to work properly, insert jack into device port until it clicks into place
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This Item Zune HD 16 GB Video MP3 Player (Black) | Recommendations | dummy | dummy | dummy | dummy | |
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Price | $199.99$199.99 | $33.99$33.99 | $35.99$35.99 | $1,398.00$1,398.00 | $49.98$49.98 | $649.99$649.99 |
Delivery | — | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 | Get it as soon as Monday, Mar 25 |
Customer Ratings | ||||||
Sound quality | 5.0 | 4.3 | 4.8 | 4.9 | 4.5 | 4.7 |
Battery life | 4.1 | 4.7 | 4.6 | 3.9 | 4.8 | 4.1 |
User interface | 3.6 | — | 5.0 | 4.1 | — | 4.1 |
Touch Screen | 4.6 | 3.6 | — | — | 4.4 | — |
Sold By | joporras | MUZXQII Direct | MUZXQII Direct | Amazon.com | Aly-amyus | All About Office |
display size | 3.3 inches | 2.4 inches | 1.5 inches | 5 inches | 2.8 inches | 5.5 inches |
memory capacity | 16 GB | 64 GB | 64 GB | 128 GB | 64 GB | 4 GB |
supported standards | MP3 | MP3, WMA, APE, FLAC, WAV, OGG, AAC, ACELP | MP3 WMA APE FLAC WAV OGG AAC ACELP | MP3 | MP3 | MP3,OGG,AAC,AIFF,WMA,APE,FLAC,ALAC,WAV |
connectivity tech | Wi-Fi | Aux, Bluetooth, USB | Aux, Bluetooth, USB | Wireless | Bluetooth | Wi-Fi |
media type | Micro SDXC | Micro SD | Micro SD | SD Card | — | MP3 |
model name | zune | — | — | SNNWWM1AM2 | — | M11Plus |
component type | Display | Amplifier, Battery, Display, Memory, Speakers | Battery, Display, Memory, Speakers | Amplifier | Memory | Battery |
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Product information
Technical Details
Additional Information
ASIN | B002JPITXY |
---|---|
Customer Reviews |
4.4 out of 5 stars |
Best Sellers Rank | #368,019 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics) #1,522 in MP3 & MP4 Players |
Date First Available | August 13, 2009 |
Warranty & Support
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Product details
- Is Discontinued By Manufacturer : Yes
- Product Dimensions : 5.51 x 3.44 x 1.78 inches; 2.6 ounces
- Item model number : EHD-00001
- Batteries : 1 Lithium Polymer batteries required.
- Date First Available : August 13, 2009
- Manufacturer : Microsoft Zune Players
- ASIN : B002JPITXY
- Customer Reviews:
What's in the box
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Zune HD: Portable Perfection
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Playing Videos on Zune HD
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Using the Zune HD AV Dock
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The Zune Pass
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The Zune HD Ecosystem
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Product Description
Product Description
Zune is the premium digital experience that gives you access to the latest in entertainment and technology, allowing you to enjoy, connect, and discover content in a whole new way the way you like it. Browse, stream, buy, and play all you want, including music, HD video, podcasts, games, and much more. Gain the freedom to enjoy your entertainment. Zune brings your content up front, so you're always in control.
Amazon.com
Zune is the premium digital experience that gives you access to the latest in entertainment and technology, allowing you to enjoy, connect, and discover content in a whole new way--the way you like it. Browse, stream, buy, and play all you want, including music, HD video, podcasts, games, and much more. Gain the freedom to enjoy your entertainment. Zune brings your content up front, so you're always in control.
Instant Entertainment that You Control
- HD Radio Technology: More Stations, better sound, no fees
- HD-compatible Video: High-quality video on the go or on your HDTV
- Internet Browsing: News, email, traffic? It's all in your pocket.
- OLED Touchscreen: Wide view with a special touch
- Games: More games, more fun
Zune HD
Portable perfection
The new Zune HD wireless media player takes you closer and connects you to a whole new world of entertainment. With a built-in HD Radio receiver, HD-compatible video, multi-touch navigation, OLED screen, and games, Zune HD delivers the next level in music and video experiences.
- Zune HD 16 GB: holds up to 5 hours of high-definition video; 24 hours of standard definition video; 4,000 songs; or 25,000 pictures. Available in black.
HD Radio Technology
- The new Zune HD gives you access to many local HD Radio stations with crystal-clear digital sound at no extra cost. Receive additional channels from your local stations and get more of the content you love, including sports, news, and music, in various genres and formats.
- Like something you hear on HD Radio? Song tagging technology allows you to buy the song if you are connected to a Wi-Fi network or to tag it for later purchase.
- Click here for more information about HD Radio.
HD-compatible Video
- Watch HD movies, TV shows, and more on your HDTV directly from your Zune HD. Just connect via the Zune HD & AV Dock to your HDTV (both sold separately) to watch 720p HD video. The Zune HD also will play your videos on the go in its sharp, brilliant OLED screen. Videos on the player are downscaled to fit the screen at 480 x 272--not HD resolution.
Quickplay
- Get instant access to your stuff with shortcuts to favorites, recently downloaded or played music, videos, and more. Quickplay cuts through the clutter and brings up front the content that you care about most.
Games
- Loaded with multi-touch and accelerometer, the Zune HD player makes portable gaming even more exciting. Download from Zune's catalog of free games and popular titles--play them all to the sound of your favorite music.
OLED Touchscreen
- Get instant access to your content with multi-touch navigation. With a 3.3-inch size and vivid 16:9 display (480 x 272 resolution), truer and brighter entertainment is at your fingertips.
Wireless
- Zune HD allows you to buy, stream, and update your music--and download free games--wirelessly via a Wi-Fi connection. Feeling entangled? Wirelessly sync your Zune HD to your home PC via your home network. You also can stream millions of songs over Wi-Fi directly to your Zune HD and turn it into a portable digital jukebox.
Internet Browsing
- Surf the web anytime, anywhere you have a Wi-Fi connection. Enjoy your favorite websites with a well-featured web browser, including tap-to-zoom technology, built-in accelerometer, and touchscreen QWERTY keyboard.
Zune Marketplace
- Download free Zune software to access Zune Marketplace from your PC. Download or stream new music, rent the latest movies, buy TV shows, and watch free trailers and previews--plus thousands of audio and video podcasts. You also can download from our catalog of free games including classic and other popular titles.
Expand Your Entertainment with Xbox 360
- Zune features movies, TV shows, and more in both high and standard definition. Browse and watch from thousands of titles for rent, or purchase available instantly through Microsoft's Smooth Streaming technology. Buy videos once and watch on multiple screens: on your Xbox 360, Zune player, and PC. See www.xbox.com/live for system requirements. The convenience of on-demand, only on Xbox 360.
Accessories (Sold Separately)
Zune HD AV Dock
This all-in-one package enables Zune HD players to charge, sync, and play supported 720p HD videos on HDTVs. Send music to your home audio systems and control it all via a wireless remote.
Zune Premium Car Pack
Charge and play music, podcasts, and HD Radio stations from your Zune HD while you drive. The FM transmitter/car charger auto-seeks the best available frequency on your car stereo. A USB port located on the transmitter/car charger allows you to charge a second Zune player simultaneously.
Zune Sync Cable
Charge your Zune player and sync with your collection on your PC.
Zune Charge Pack
The Zune AC Adapter fast-charges your Zune player up to 70% within an hour. Folding blades make it easy to travel with. Use the included USB cable to sync with a PC.
Zune Power Pack
Connect your AV cable to your docked Zune HD to play music, HD Radio broadcasts, and audio podcasts through your home audio system. The HDMI cable connects your docked Zune HD to HDTVs to view movies and videos. Also includes Zune AC Adapter; Zune HD player and Zune HD AV Dock sold separately.
Zune Sync Dock
Connect to your PC and sync your collection while you charge your Zune in style. Control from a distance with the included wireless remote, which gives you full access to your Zune player from anywhere in the room.
Important information
Legal Disclaimer
as is, no warranty, no ownership implied on any songs present or not present on the player.
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Customer reviews
Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.
To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.
Learn more how customers reviews work on AmazonCustomers say
Customers like the ease of use, size and video quality of the mp3 player. They mention that the interface is intuitive, the market place is easy to navigate and that the screen is stellar. They appreciate the music quality, saying that it's a fantastic music player with an immense amount of music available for free download. Customers also appreciate the sound quality, stating that it sounds excellent, cleaner, fuller and that it has an expanded soundstage.
AI-generated from the text of customer reviews
Customers like the quality of the mp3 player. They mention it's a great piece of hardware, the Smart DJ is very impressive, and the best built PMP on the planet. The results are excellent, both the video and the audio. The cute little apps it has are fun, and it makes them want to listen to more. The calculator and the weather software are well made, and they want more like them.
"...The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod's. It works well, but isn't as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface...." Read more
"...Also has a racing game, solitare, a space game, pretty fun, and also a facebook and twitter app for all you tweeters and facebookers out there...." Read more
"...deal in my mind but what makes this especially cool is that it can work with Smart DJ to make a playlist with some of your music and some music off..." Read more
"...+ Design: it's simply the best built PMP on the planet. It's sleek in design and not overwhelming in size...." Read more
Customers find the interface simple to navigate, fun, intuitive, and stylish. They say the marketplace is easy to navigate and the device is convenient. Customers also mention that the user interface is thoughtful, stylish, and effective.
"...out the, well, "undocumented features" of the Zune HD, navigation is very simple and intuitive with awesome little bells and whistles...." Read more
"...One word; AMAZING!! + Ease of Use/Layout: The area I find that i've enjoyed the most is the fact you know how to use this PMP from the get go..." Read more
"...at the how beautiful the hardware was and how sleek and simple the user interface performed...." Read more
"...The HD is really easy to use. Ive not had any problems and Ive had the unit for about 2 weeks now. The UI is very nicely done...." Read more
Customers like the sound quality of the mp3 player. They mention that it has great sound, making music-listening so different. They say it's great for listening while commuting, and the instrumentation is more pronounced.
"...And I feel like I have lost zero sound quality.- Sound quality is great, best sound I have had in a player, even when going down to..." Read more
"...For sound quality, the Zune is just fantastic...." Read more
"...much better. + Sound: The Zune line has always boasted stellar sound quality, and the Zune HD is no different...." Read more
"...The HD radio is going to be a feature that I use often. The sound is incredible as long as you have a signal...." Read more
Customers find the appearance of the mp3 player visually appealing, with a nice screen. They say the hardware is beautiful and sleek. They also appreciate the color contrast, saying it's breathtaking. Customers also mention that the OLED screen makes the menus look amazing.
"...has better sound than most if not all smartphones, is light and well-designed, then one of the Zune HD players may still be a nice choice for you,..." Read more
"...Tegra nVidea Video card for that HD video output, looks pretty sweet by the way, HD RADIO! WOOT!..." Read more
"...When the screen goes to screen saver mode it creates a cool background on screen while music is playing. So unexpected but so cool...." Read more
"...Great looking device and has some nice touches, like deep grooves down the side of the unit to ensure a secure grip... you know what it looks like,..." Read more
Customers like the video quality of the mp3 player. They say the screen is stellar, the HD is nicer, and the high definition is apparent. They also say the OLED screen is amazing and good for browsing webpages.
"...Tegra nVidea Video card for that HD video output, looks pretty sweet by the way, HD RADIO! WOOT!..." Read more
"...The screen/video is just stellar. One of the purported advantages of the OLED is deep blacks, and this promise is certainly kept...." Read more
"...Then to make the screen and OLED screen is just drool worthy...." Read more
"...There is not doubt, the screen of the HD is nicer than the Touch. The touch does have a bigger screen though...." Read more
Customers find the music quality of the mp3 player fantastic, with great playback and an immense amount of music available for free download. They also say the player is classy and has a beautiful music experience. Customers also mention that the playlists work and it's easy to add music to them. They say the product can play music for countless hours.
"...than Pandora, Slacker, LastFM or other services because you can listen to full CDs, specify playlists and tracks in the exact order you want, AND..." Read more
"...good device all around, does what I mainly wanted it to do: Play good quality music!..." Read more
"...So unexpected but so cool. It really ads to the music experience...." Read more
"...Zune Software 4.0 is simply the best music software out there. It's organization it 10 times ahead of iTunes 9, and it's not a computer hog...." Read more
Customers like the size of the mp3 player. They mention that it is slick, compact, and ultra-portable. They also say that it fits great in their hand and is easy to use with one hand while walking. Customers also appreciate the sleekness, style, and overall size of this portable media player. Overall, customers find it to be a great product and handy for its pocket-ability.
"...It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.Points of comparison:-..." Read more
"...It's small enough and packed with so many features it makes it the most portable PMP on the market. + Software: What's a PMP good for..." Read more
"...and slick interface, uses fantastic desktop software, and is ultra-portable; I give this five stars out of five." Read more
"...It seems that it's a good size to use just one hand with your thumb being operative, and I'll be the first to say I might try it on the road..." Read more
Customers are dissatisfied with the apps on the mp3 player. They mention that it has very little apps, there are not many third-party apps, and the app store is light in content.
"...Apps: Okay iPod fanboys, yes, the Zune HD doesn't have thousands of apps because only Microsoft has made them so far, and only a few third party..." Read more
"...Sure, it doesn't have many apps, but neither does the Nano or any other comparable player at this price, so I consider the few dozen that are..." Read more
"...Hands down, Apple's app store wins by a mile. It's a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune...." Read more
"...Video selection is not as immense as Amazon, so I think it's unfortunate that I can't sync my Zune to Amazon Unbox...." Read more
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I'll gear this review to 2 types of people: current Zune owners who are considering an upgrade, and people trying to decide between a Zune and an iPod. There are other players worth considering out there, like the Sony Walkman X, but I hope this gives you enough info to make an informed decision of the Zune vs players other than the iPod line as well.)
Zune and iPod: Most people compare the Zune to the Touch, but after seeing how slim and surprisingly small and light it is, I consider it to be a rather unique hybrid that combines qualities of both the Touch and the Nano. It's very colorful and lovely OLED screen is slightly smaller than the touch screen, but the player itself feels quite a bit smaller and lighter. It weighs about 2/3 as much, and is noticeably smaller in width and height, while being just a hair thicker.
Points of comparison:
- Brighter OLED screen with more vivid color and better contrast
OLED screens can wash out in direct sunlight more than others, but in almost any other situation they are clearly preferable, and have a marvelous eye-catching picture that needs to be seen to be appreciated. The screen has slighly lower resolution than the iPod Touch, but is also slightly smaller, so in the end video looks a little less pixellated when viewed closely, and very vivid.
- HD Radio
If you live within the reception area of some HD radio stations this can be a surprisingly nice feature. For me it's not so much the slightly better sound quality as it is the additional streams of content that make this fun. For example, if you tune into an FM station, then it's playing what you here, and if you don't like it too bad. With an HD station, you may tune in and it will be shown with up to three signals to chose from labeled HD1, HD2, and HD3. HD1 may have whatever is playing on the FM version, HD2 may be news, and HD3 might be some alternative music w/ a different theme. For example one of our oldies station in the Boston area broadcasts a love-song themed selection on HD3. One caveat: if you don't have a strong enough signal, these HD versions can cut in and out, making them frustrating to listen to. But, when the signal is strong enough it's very enjoyable.
- 720p video output via (an over-priced) dock. When transferring video content to the Zune you can specify if it should be sized appropriately for playback on the Zune or TV, so if you do plan to just watch on your Zune you won't have the video taking up huge amounts of storage.
- Zune Pass subscription service
This is my favorite feature that will keep me using a Zune until it's pried from my my desperate grasp. For $15 a month I get 10 DRM-free MP3 songs to keep, and unlimited access to millions of songs. As long as you would have bought at least 10 songs anyways that means you're paying only $5 for that access. It's better than Pandora, Slacker, LastFM or other services because you can listen to full CDs, specify playlists and tracks in the exact order you want, AND can either stream this music or store it on your Zune to listen to later, even if out of wifi range. Lots of people present subscription services as something you do INSTEAD of owning music, but at this cheap a price there's no reason you can't use this as a supplement to whatever purchases you make. It's not either/or, it's a wonderful "AND", especially if you're the type who likes to explore and enjoy a broad range of music.
Apple now has Rhapsody as an app, which is a great start, but it is currently hampered by the inability to store locally on your iPod, and has a dismal 64kbps bit rate. If this changes, then it will somewhat negate this advantage for the Zune, but the 10 songs per month will still be a big plus in Zune Pass' favor.
- Wireless sync
In addition to wireless net access, you can sync your Zune to your PC wirelessly, which can be quite convenient on occasion. The new Zune HD seems to have better wireless reception than my prior Zunes.
- Smart DJ
Rhapsody first popularized a playlist construction service with its 'Channels' feature, and Apple followed with its 'Genius' feature. The idea is that you specify a song or artist, and the service will construct a playlist of similar music of both familiar and new artists for you to enjoy. The prior Zunes had a 'Channel' feature too, but I found it lacking in sophistication and accuracy. The 4.0 Zune Marketplace upgrade (the Zune equivalent of iTunes) now has a 'Smart DJ' feature that is a much improved version of the old Channels. I actually find it very useful now, and what's even better is that if you have Zune Pass you can specify whether it should pull music exclusive from your collection, from the Zune Pass selection, or from a combination of both. It's wonderfully flexible and lots of fun.
- Web Browsing
The new Zune browser is surprisingly good, but not as good as the iPod's. It works well, but isn't as fast as Safari, and has a clunkier interface. If you occasionally plan on using the web browser that's not an issue, but if you're planning to browse the web alot from your PMP then the iPod's larger screen and better browser may be important.
- App Store
Hands down, Apple's app store wins by a mile. It's a huge selection of all sorts of apps vs a rather sad selection of a handful for Zune. Microsoft has plans, especially in the realm of games, but I'm not sure I'd want to bet on the future if this aspect is important to you. The iPod is a much better choice in that case.
- Zune Marketplace and iTunes
This is getting a bit more subjective, but I much prefer the Zune Marketplace. The interface is colorful, has more flair, and some cool features like 'Mixview' that let you quickly see related albums, songs, or other users related to what you're listening to. Clicking on one of those will center on that item, and another set of "neighbors" will come into view, allowing you to navigate around exploring by similar artists, songs, or users. Speaking of users, the Zune "Social" is also great fun, letting you find others with shared tastes and becoming friends with them. You then can listen to a playlist created based on an amalgamation of what all your friends are listening to, which is also enjoyable. Those concerned with privacy will be relieved to know you can prevent the public from seeing your personal listening habits if you so choose.
- UI
The HD's UI was a bold move that paid off. It may look cluttered and overly busy in screenshots, but to see it in action is to appreciate the design. It isn't always obvious, and the provided documentation is sparse, but a little experimentation will show you a UI with lots of flexibility, like a menu of favorites, newly added music, and a user-definable set of shortcuts to your favorite playlists, artists, HD Radio stations, etc. One quibble: it takes one too many clicks and touches to bring up the now playing screen after the display has 'gone to sleep' while you're listening to it. Other than that, the UI is delightful.
- Summary
The Zune concentrates on being a Portable Media Player. Not a web browser. Not a game machine. Maybe in the future it'll do even better in those areas, but for now it's a fantastic way to organize and listen to your music and videos, and is without peer in that regard. The iPod's strengths are its web browsing and apps. If those sound more compelling, perhaps it is your best choice.
If you're still on the fence: grab your favorite earphones, head down to a Best Buy and ask to plug them into a Zune then an iPod and see which one sounds better to you, and which interface makes you smile more. Then you'll know which is right for you.
- Current Zune Owners
(See, I didn't forget you! I think owners of any of the older flash players will be delighted at the upgrade, as long as money isn't an issue. Don't hesitate. Those who value the higher capacity of the 80gb or a 120gb will have a tougher choice. If you can't afford both, then you'll have to weigh the ability to be able to have all (or at least most) of your music stored on the device vs the HD radio, better display, and sleeker than a seal UI. As I said before, this new Zune is surprisingly small and light, and you should find one to get a feel for in person too, because then you can really evaluate how compelling those new features are to you. Oh, and don't forget it has an Equalizer if that matters!
Keep in mind: Microsoft has made it clear that the HD line is the future. They were great about giving new features to the older models in the past, but we're seeing a clear signal with the 4.0 Marketplace. Most of the cool new stuff is only going to the new kid on the block, and I think that will continue to be the case. They won't cut you out entirely, but if they're going to concentrate on making the HD succeed, then I suspect that is where most if not all of their future focus and effort will go.
Sorry for the huge review, but I'm really loving the new Zune, and hope this, as well as the excellent reviews some other people have written, will help you decide if it's the right choice for you.
***UPDATE October 2011***: Much has happened since I originally wrote this review. The Zune HD is still a great bargain, but some of its advantages are not as unique any more, the Zune Pass service has changed somewhat for new users, and there is talk of the Zune HD being discontinued. Details:
- At the time I wrote this Zune Pass was one of the few music subscription services out there. Now there are a plethora of choices, although the field will probably be consolidating over the next few months: Spotify is now the 800lb gorilla of these services, there are new and well regarded services like MOG and rdio, and at the time I write this Napster has just been bought by Rhapsody and all its subscribers are being folded in with them.
Why is this important to people considering purchasing a Zune? The greater variety of choices, and the increasing popularity of smartphones mean many people have many more choices when it comes to subscription music. If your main reason to get a Zune is to enjoy subscription music, but you already have a smartphone or iPod Touch, then you have many more excellent choices than back when I first wrote this review. Spotify, MOG, rdio, and Rhapsody are all very strong services, and all allow you to download and listen to fairly high quality bitrate music on one or more mobile devices. These services all cost $10/month for streaming to PCs, smartphones, and other devices like iPod Touches, iPads, Xooms or Galaxy Tabs, TiVos, Sonos, Roku, Google TV, Samsung Smart TVs, etc.
In response to this competitive pressure the Zune Pass service has morphed, and instead of being $15/month and offering 10 free songs per month to keep as part of that, it now costs only $10/month like these other services, but no longer has the 10 free songs. Existing Zune Pass users are "grandfathered in" at this time and can continue enjoying their 10 songs per month, but anyone subscribing going forward will not have that option. On the other hand they will only pay $10/month. One nice plus: they are offering a $99/year subscription that works out to $8.25 per month. Only Napster offered a discounted year subscription, and once they're folded into Rhapsody that option will be gone (at least in the US), so this will make Zune Pass one of the most inexpensive of these services if you're willing to subscribe for the year.
Finally, there are increasing rumors that Microsoft is discontinuing the Zune line. Since there were some postings on Microsoft sites these are more substantial than most, however at this point Microsoft is officially denying they have discontinued the Zune HD. However one thing is clear: even if they do stop manufacturing more Zunes, they are certainly going to support the Zune Pass service indefinitely going forward. It is increasingly integrated into their XBox platform, and while it may be rebranded it's most likely that anyone who uses it will continue to have it available for many years to come. Also, the whole Zune HD interface became the prototype for their "Metro" UI used in the latest generation of winphones, which also can use the Zune Pass services (as well as others!).
So, should you still buy a Zune HD player? If you have an android, iOS phone, or other portable device that can use any of these subscription services then it's less compelling these days because you have these other options for music subscription services and having lots of portable music available to you. BUT, if you don't have a smartphone, and/or want a dedicated music player that has better sound than most if not all smartphones, is light and well-designed, then one of the Zune HD players may still be a nice choice for you, especially at the steadily lowering prices.
Software: The UI (user interface) is absolutely flawless! I would at least expect that for Microsoft, considering they are a software company but it has exceeded my expectation. It's like you are zooming into different levels, which is in my opinion better cosmetically than the Ipod's Interface. It has two different sections on the main screen as you can see in the pictures. If you didn't know already, the left side has a "Now Playing" section, your "Pins" section, which is like a favorites section on a computer, so you can save your favorite apps, songs, movies, etc. It also has a "History" section, where it shows things you have recently done/viewed, and lastly, the "New" section, where you get to view the media that you have recently synced to your Zune.
Screen Quality: Absolutely amazing! I tried it in day time, and I haven't had much trouble with it. However, when it does get sunny you do need to put the screen brightness on high because it is an OLED screen. But the tegra graphics card, and the video quality on this beast is stunning. If you are a movie freak, or if you have a couple movies that you absolutely love, get the dock for it!
Apps: Okay iPod fanboys, yes, the Zune HD doesn't have thousands of apps because only Microsoft has made them so far, and only a few third party people have created some. BUT, the apps that I have are very useful. Calculator, MSN Weather, MSN Money (Stocks), and AUDIOSURF! Best app ever! You get to load a song from your collection and play a game to it! It is kind of like guitar hero, but you tilt the Zune and you have to hit square boxes and avoid the pyramid looking ones! Also has a racing game, solitare, a space game, pretty fun, and also a facebook and twitter app for all you tweeters and facebookers out there.
Battery life/Headphone Quality: Of course when you get a device like this, the headphones won't be all that great. At least, in my opinion they aren't that good because 1) I listen to songs with a lot of base in it, bands like ABR, Impending Doom, Disturbed, etc, so I just got different headphones. (If your looking for very nice headphones that give you good base, look at the MEElectronics M9-BK Hi-Fi Sound-Isolating In-Ear Headphones, they are really nice, and only 20$) and 2) I have smaller ears so they don't fit too nicely, but that's not Microsoft's fault lol. The battery is pretty good, It lasts me all day during most of school and then at night before I go to bed, so that's about 4-5 hours of music and I have maybe a third of battery life left. I don't know if that's exact, but it isn't like a smart phone, so don't worry about charging it every day.
Internet Browser: Ah, the infamous Internet Explorer browser, this is where my hopes kinda fell with Microsoft here. In my opinion they need to make a new browser, but that's a different story. It is fine for browsing, it typically goes into the mobile format for websites, but you can still click to go to the full page. IT DOES NOT SUPPORT FLASH. Neither does apple, but they have their own version of it, which made me mad that Microsoft didn't try to do that either. I like to watch youtube videos so that's why it has a three for me. It is also slower than the iPod's internet browser.
Sound Quality: Very excellent sound quality! It also means you have to get good headphones as well for it to be pretty psychedelic anyway, so find good ones that are right for you! Don't always blame it on the device!
Awesomeness: Hahaha, what a random rating option, of course, for me, overall I think it is an amazing device! Tegra nVidea Video card for that HD video output, looks pretty sweet by the way, HD RADIO! WOOT! You can even tag the songs you get so that you can down them right onto the device! (The download requires wi-fi access) I have downloaded probably 20 songs just from the radio because I like one song from a band but not the rest.
Zune Pass: Here's the general thing: $15 a month gets you unlimited song streaming, and ten free song credits per month. The music files are DRM, which means that after your subscription has ended, you cannot play the songs that are under the DRM content. The ten song credits that you get per month are there so that they become NON-DRM mp3 files so you can keep them forever. For a music lover like me I think that is a great idea.
Overall: Very good device all around, does what I mainly wanted it to do: Play good quality music! The other stuff is good as well, and I believe this is the best device Microsoft came out with besides Windows 7 and The 360 slim. I would recommend this hands down!
Top reviews from other countries
1 - Buying experience and unboxing.
Came within a few days bubbled wrapped and with a sync cable. The product was black, shiny and looked brand new. Connected the Zune
into my Windows 7 PC USB port, left for 30mins disconnected and pressed the power button and was ready to use.
2 - Look and Feel
The first impression is of a quality product. The rear of the unit is made of gunmetal the front of quality glass and it can fit into the palm of my hand .There are three discrete buttons : top (pwr), front (return ), side (volume/skip) and the audio jack is on the bottom.Overall the design is light and attractive.
3 - Human interface
The Zune has an outstandingly vivid and ample 3.3" OLED display and a perfectly responsive touch screen. The menu interface is the best I've seen by far on an MP3 player running a very intuitive , fast and funky Windows type interface where finding albums and songs is simple and where album art is automatically displayed. The radio and movie player are similarly outstanding.
4 - Functionality and sound quality.
Premium HI-FI sound and with the right headphones sound quality will be perfect. The HD radio, although not able to pick up US HD type radio transmissions is still the best I've heard on a portable FM player ; rarely drops out and has a great (PLL) tuner. The HD video player is excellent though too small for my liking. Getting music into the device is simple once the Zune software is loaded into your PC and creating playlists, podcasts, syncing is done with the click of a button. The nice thing is the album art is automatically downloaded into the device and displayed in the menu and when listening. The s/w running on the device and on the PC are exemplary as can be expected from one of the world's best s/w companies.
5- Battery
Battery life is better than most, 15 hrs minimum ( playing MP3 tracks). A full charge takes about 3-4 hrs
Summary
A hard to beat premium quality MP3/radio player with no significant downsides