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9.8 out of 10

Microsoft Zune HD

First seen: 18 january 2009

Information found in: from 29 sources in 8 countries.

Great Deal: $249.99

  • User Score (249)
    9.0 9.0 from 249 reviewers
  • Expert Score (12)
    7.8 7.8 from 12 reviewers
  • Design (2)
    9.7 9.7 from 2 reviewers
  • Value for money (5)
    10 10 from 5 reviewers
  • Features (7)
    9.8 9.8 from 7 reviewers
  • Performance (7)
    10 10 from 7 reviewers
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Pros & Cons

  • movie rentals, hd video out, hd radio wireless syncing, zune pass, zune only features
  • 30 gb, no real app store, hopefully more will come, distracting screen smudges, limited audio codec support

No manufacturer description available.

Specifications

Release Date

  • First seen
    18 January 2009

Zune HD

The Microsoft Zune HD is a personal media player that has a built in high definition radio receiver, and a 3.3 inch OLED touch screen with 16:9 widescreen display ratio and supports 480 x 272 pixel resolutions. It also has support for either a 16 GB storage capacity or a 32 GB upgrade option, has high definition output that supports high definition video playback on compatible visual device via an optional high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) docking station, wireless syncing with a p…

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Zune HD

The Microsoft Zune HD is a personal media player that has a built in high definition radio receiver, and a 3.3 inch OLED touch screen with 16:9 widescreen display ratio and supports 480 x 272 pixel resolutions. It also has support for either a 16 GB storage capacity or a 32 GB upgrade option, has high definition output that supports high definition video playback on compatible visual device via an optional high definition multimedia interface (HDMI) docking station, wireless syncing with a personal computer, and possibility of supporting 3D Xbox games. It is rumoured to be powered by an Nvidia Tegra chipset and runs Windows Mobile 6.5. The Zune HD also allows users to browse the internet via its wireless Wi-Fi capabilities. The Zune HD is looking at a September 2009 release in Canada, the U.K, and France.

Features

The Microsoft Zune HD is a portable media player from Microsoft that features multi touch navigation on a 3.3 inch screen with 16:9 OLED display at 480 x 272 resolution. The touch screen interface on this portable media player provides a medium for users to flip through music, movies and other content. The Microsoft Zune HD also features an integrated high definition radio receiver. This high definition radio receiver allows users to tune into a variety of high definition radio stations, as well as tag the songs desired for later purchase. The Zune HD portable media player also provides users access to the additional song and artist data broadcast by High Definition Radio stations, as well as additional channels from stations multicasting in high definition. This feature allows for additional programming via HD2 or HD3 channels. Other features on the Zune HD portable media player are high definition (HD) video output. Supported HD movies, TV shows and videos in 720p format can be played on a HDTV through the Zune HD and AV Dock which is not bundled with the portable media player but sold separately. The Zune HD also features wireless connectivity for wireless content at Wi-Fi hot spots and allows users to stream music tracks from the Zune music store; web browsing for surfing the web with a full-featured browser including tap to zoom technology, built-in accelerometer, and a touch screen QWERTY keyboard. The Microsoft Zune HD portable media player is rumoured to be powered by an Nvidia Tegra chipset and will possibly run the Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system.

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Review Summary

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  1. Zune HD (32GB - platinum)

    Reviewer: CNET
    27 May 2009
    Overall 8
    8.0
    Design 8
    8.0
    Features 8
    8.0
    Performance 10
    10
     

    The bottom line: The Zune HD delivers one of the best portable music and video experiences money can buy. At a time when many people have shifted their focus to games and applications, providing a killer media experience may not be enough for potential Zune buyers. Read more

  2. Zune HD

    Reviewer: Electronista
    17 September 2009
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    For awhile, many had thought the iPod touch had dealt blow to the Zune that Microsoft didn't have an answer for: the 2008 Zune update was just a mild refresh, and even the software team was mostly quiet for the next year. The Zune HD, then, is Microsoft's return salvo. It promises not only to put the Zune level in terms of features like multi-touch input and Internet access but to have features Apple lacks, such as 720p support, HD Radio and an OLED screen. We plan to... Read more

  3. Microsoft Zune HD

    25 September 2009
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    Microsoft has released the new Zune HD and they are hoping it will be a direct competitor to the Apple iPod line of MP3 players. It comes in two capacities, 16GB ($219) and 32GB ($289), and two colors, black and silver. The new device sports an HD radio, a beautiful user interface, and Internet browsing. There are drawbacks to the device, one of which is the lack of an App store that compares to the Apple iTunes App Store.In total, the Zune HD measures about 2.1 x 4.0 x... Read more

  4. Microsoft Zune HD 32GB

    Reviewer: Wired
    15 September 2009
    Overall 7
    7.0
     

    Zune HD Gives iPod a Real Run For Its Money Ah, the Zune. Born back in 2006 as Microsoft's attempt to compete with the mighty iPod, it's languished, largely unloved by the marketplace. Each fall since then has seen the launch of a new version of the hardware, and each has seen it quietly fade into obscurity. But here comes the Zune HD, and this sliver of silver and black just might be the Zune that you've been waiting for (you have been waiting, right?). It's a lovely... Read more

  5. Microsoft Zune HD

    Reviewer: Windows A to Z!
    10 January 2010
    Overall 8
    8.0
     

    Microsoft has released the new Zune HD and they are hoping it will be a direct competitor to the Apple iPod line of MP3 players. It comes in two capacities, 16GB ($219) and 32GB ($289), and two colors, black and silver. The new device sports an HD radio, a beautiful user interface, and Internet browsing. There are drawbacks to the device, one of which is the lack of an App store that compares to the Apple iTunes App Store. Read more

  1. "Nice MP3 player, but it's still not an iPod!"

    Reviewer: CNET
    6 October 2009
    Overall 6
    6.0
     

    I have an iPhone 3GS and i bought this for my wife. She seems to like it alright, but she is always asking to borrow my phone in the car on long drives and such to play games and use my apps. Maybe with time it will get better, but I'm sticking with my iPhone for the time being. Read more

  2. A GREAT alternative to iPod

    Reviewer: DealTime UK
    7 December 2009

    I just bought a Zune HD and give it TWO huge thumbs up. To be candid there are some advantages the iPod has (and probably will continue to have) but Zune HD has some signficant advantages that make it a clear cut choice over iPod. Pros: ZUNE MARKETPLACE: this is a KILLER application and honestly the single biggest reason to purchase this awesome unit. Sure it will cost you $15/month BUT you can download lots--and I mean LOTS of music and other items. You can download... Read more

  3. Reviewer: Adorama
    27 August 2009

    Read more

  4. awesome pmp, great price

    Reviewer: Tiger Direct
    1 week ago
    Overall 10
    10
    Value for money 10
    10
    Features 10
    10
    Performance 10
    10
     

    got the zund hd about a month ago. I wanted a music player, and was debating on ipod vs zune hd. I picked the zune and im really happy that i made that decision. great sound quality compared to the ipod, awesome OLED screen, 35 hrs battery life!, zune pass, and a few aps. btw, you can get unofficial aps online.zune over ipod anyday. ps. get a quality set of headphones to really make it sound great ( I reccomend sennheiser cx300s or senn hd 218s) Read more

  5. Zune HD an Underrated Contender

    Reviewer: D. S. Oman, Amazon
    3 weeks ago See Product at Amazon ($249.99)
    Overall 10
    10
     

    I've owned previous generations of iPod, including the Nano, Shuffle, and Touch. I LOVE the hardware of Apple's products, especially the iTouch, but there biggest failure lies in the software known as iTunes. This is what drove me to find something else. It should be noted that I was looking for something to help make my music-listening and discovery experience better. I don't have a huge need for tons of apps or anything, just a sweet music device. Enter the Zune HD.... Read more or see product

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