Zune HD Video MP3 Player
New Zune HD has beautiful design. It is virtually weightless, has a beautiful OLED screen and comes in black and platinum. The battery life is great. It holds up to 10 hours of 720p high definition video; 48 hours of standard definition video; 8,000 songs; or 25,000 pictures.
Video looks fantastic on a 3.3-inch OLED screen with 480 x 272 resolution and 16:9 display. OLED screens have gorgeous deep blacks and the Zune HD screen is noticeably better compared to other devices like Blackberry Storm or Touch. In direct sunlight the screen does look washed out, but indoors it looks spectacular.
Videos on the player are downscaled to fit the screen at 480 x 272–not HD resolution. Buy videos once and watch on multiple screens: on your Xbox 360, Zune player, and PC. The convenience of on-demand, only on Xbox 360. Shortcuts will take you directly 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.
The built in accelerometer (which allows whatever is displayed on your screen to rotate according to the devices orientation) is excellent, allowing 3 directions of usability. The rotating is incredibly smooth.
Like other devices, Zune HD has an FM tuner. Unlike other devices, it is HD radio. Better sound for sure. Of course, not all stations are HD yet, but we will get there. It also works with Audible and will download your favorite podcasts. If you like a song on the radio – tag it, and buy it instantly through Zune store over wi-fi. Unlike Apple products, you can sync your Zune with your PC over wi-fi too. Another syncing option is by using Zune Sync Dock Connect (sold separately).
Microsoft offers a cool feature – Zune Pass subscription. You pay $14.99 a month for all you can download music. And every month you can download 10 songs which you will own forever (no DRM). To make sure you do not forget to download your free songs, you get a reminder every month from Microsoft to make sure you take advantage of this deal. If you don’t, they do not carry over to the next month. It can work with Smart DJ to make a playlist with some of your music and some music off the Zune Marketplace. The Marketplace selection is a little lacking, but you can get music at Amazon or anywhere else too. If you subscribe to playlists, they are updated every week.
I think, it is an excellent device. However, if you prefer apps, get an iPod Touch. But if you are into music, this is the best music player out there, in my opinion (given, you subscribe to Zune Pass).
Unfortunately, Zune HD is available in US only.
Buy on Amazon:
- Zune HD 32 GB Video MP3 Player (Platinum) for $289.97
- Zune HD 16 GB Video MP3 Player (Black) for $219.97
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