Customer Reviews

Zune HD Sync Dock

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a dock. It's not a Zune HD. No myths to be debunked. Plug your Zune HD into the top. Plug the USB into a live USB port. Many TVs, Satellite receivers and cable boxes now have them. Anything but a PC and the dock will usefully keep your Zune HD charged. If the port is on your PC it'll charge your Zune HD and let you update it's content using the Zune software client. Included were cover plates for both older Zunes as well. Add an HDMI cable between this dock and your HDTV to watch 720p video content over that cable from the Zune HD. This is exactly the same dock as is included in the Zune HD A/V dock pack. You simply have to provide your own charging source (USB or AC adapter) and A/V cable to use it for more than simple charging/syncing. Even in your living room, the Zune's WiFi will let it sync with your PC, so this dock in a living room is a perfect place to keep your Zune up to date and entertaining you. There is also a digital SPDIF connection for your 5.1 A/V receiver should you want to simply enjoy music off your Zune through your home audio system. Remote control included. the Zune HD's TV interface is a joy to use compared with the TV interface from older Zunes.

UPDATED ON 9/26/2009:
- It is missing the USB AC Adaptor. Zune website says it comes with the USB AC Adaptor but I don't see it in my package. [...]/
- XBOX 360 ISSUE: The remote that comes with the Zune HD dock will turn on your xbox 360's media center by pressing the Home button. I really don't know if this is a good thing, but to me it's annoying and Microsoft should fix it in the next firmware update for xbox 360.
By pressing the home button right beside the left arrow key on your Zune HD remote, it turns on your xbox 360 into Media Center; however, using the Xbox 360's remote pressing the Media Center Start button does not control your Zune HD!

First of all, this is a must get for all Zune HD owners! Zune HD itself DOES NOT OUTPUT HD image directly to any HDTV. Zune HD requires THIS dock to unleash the nVidia Tegra power. The video and image quality is equivalent to my XBOX 360's HD movies running at 720P by only using 5Watt via USB port!

Second, I would say if you already have your HDMI cable and USB AC Adaptor, you should consider this USB Sync Dock instead of spending $40 more on the HD AV Dock.

This USB Sync Dock just like the HD AV Dock, supports Zune HD and the previous generations of Zune players. They all include the same infrared remote, HD radio antenna, and output ports which contain 3.5mm AV, HDMI, and Optical of the HD AV dock are exactly the same as the USB Sync Dock.

The HDMI + USB AC Adaptor + Composite Cable may be more than $40 generally. However, think about this. Do you really need the composite AV cable when your HDTV or your families & friends' HDTVs support HDMI? The answer is NO. Using the composite cable just defeats the entire purpose of Zune HD. For those of you who still own the older generation of Zune players may still need the composite cable, but why do you buy the HD dock by paying so much more when you can just get the older generation docks at a lot cheaper price? Just get a 3rd party 3.5mm AV cable, I might be wrong at that.

You can also buy a $3 HDMI cable because I see absolutely no differences compare to $30 to $60 or more Monster cables. The only difference may be the bandwidth which currently not a lot of audio video setup can fully utilize it. The $3 HDMI cable may die after long period of usage under 1080P but that means you can buy another one and the price is still less than $20 total. The Zune HD can only output 480P and 720P image. It is just overkilling to use a v1.3a 1080P or higher version of HDMI cable to do the HD video job.

The USB AC adaptor requires you to do some decisions base on your setup. Since the dock requires external power via the USB cable. There are many options.
1. Most HDTV nowadays have the USB service port that can also power up your dock.
2. In case if your HDTV really doesn't have a USB service port and your laptop, netbook or desktop computer does not have an HDMI output, you should connect the dock to the USB of your computer to power up the dock and your Zune HD. Remember you MUST need to close the Zune Software in order to output signals to your HDTV, otherwise you can only see CONNECTED on your HDTV screen.
3. You can also use any USB AC wall adaptor to provide 1A at 5V to your dock.
4. Finally, if you need absolute portability for trip or going to travel to show your collections, get any USB external battery packs such as the Sanyo KBC L2 with 5000 mAh capacity including two USB output at 500mA and 5V each. I've tested and 500 mA at 5V still works perfectly for the dock.

For my case, I have my own USB AC Adaptor from Jawbone and iPhone 3GS. You can also get really cheap USB AC adaptor as low as $3 here at Amazon including shipping.

Save your money and go for the USB Sync Dock for your Zune HD.

I just got my black Zune HD 16GB and it is so beautiful. But this is the doc review.....This doc was perfect for my use of the Zune. I basically wanted a doc that will charge my device, sync it with my computer and look very nice on my desk. WIN, WIN, WIN! Plus there are bonuses here. The doc has an antenna so you can use the HD Radio feature. Very nice. The entire bottom of the doc is rubbery so it doesn't move around when you are placing the Zune into it. Other docs I have had in the past have had four rubber circles - not here - much nicer to have the entire bottom rubber as it is flat/flush with the surface. There is a Zune logo that lights up on the front of the doc - very cool indeed. Additionally there is an optical out so if needed you can connect to an external device optically. Say a receiver perhaps? Listen to your music the way it was meant to be - nice! To top off all of this greatness there is a remote control. So, say this was connected to a receiver you could operate the Zune from the couch with the remote. Oh, did I mention....the doc has an HDMI out! So video & pictures can be viewed on a TV. This doc only comes with the USB connector which is fine with me. I can buy a separate HDMI and optical cable or use what I have already in the house somewhere. You think you can only use this for the Zune HD? Nope! Adapter plates included for the Zune 4, 8, 16, 80 & 120. Let's recap:

PROS:
HDMI and Audio Optical ready
Sleek black color with white light-up logo on the front matches Zune (lights up when sync/charging)
Connects to your USB on a computer for syncing
Antenna for use of HD radio
Flush bottom with rubber base
Can also be used with other Zunes (two adapter base plates included for Zune 4, 8, 16, 80 & 120)
No special software or drivers needed (plug & play)

CONS:
..........................?

The dock works great as a part of a home entertainment setup. It's got outputs for Aux/Composite, Optical audio, and HDMI, allowing the Zune HD to live up to the "HD" part of its name; good 720p video quality, great audio, and the onscreen menus are a joy to use. This is where the dock really shines.

However, if you're planning on using this strictly for audio, prepare to be disappointed. I was expecting this to work in a similar fashion to the old Zune dock that worked with my old Zune 30, where I could control all of the Zune HD's functions through the remote. The only things you can control with the remote when the dock isn't plugged into a TV are play/pause, and next/previous track. Turning on the TV when all I want to do is just browse through my music, or having to walk up to the dock and use the touch screen to change playlists defeats the purpose of having a remote. I would rate this product much higher if the remote was actually worth using for just audio.

Just keep in mind before you buy, that this is best used as part of a home theater or living room setup, remote functionality is castrated if you're using this for audio only, and this is just the dock; it doesn't come with any A/V cables of any sort or an AC adapter. I noticed Microsoft sells all of this in one package at a much higher price, but you can pick up an HDMI cable and a simple USB charger separately for cheap anywhere else, so don't be a sucker.

This device does everything promised. It is very simple to set up and use while proving you do not have to buy the radically overpriced $90 version. My only problem with this that I had was that I expected to use the usb service port on the back of my TV but apparently, the usb port cannot provide the voltage adequate for powering the device. Luckily, my dvr's usb port in the back works just fine, but check and see if your TV's usb port has the output necessary to charge/power other devices.

Well i bought this from here with the 2-day shipping and it came a day early, so kudos to Amazon and Ups!

THE DOCK:
The design is very nice and attractive and my Zune HD looks beautiful on it. The finish looks nice, but it smudges and scratches very easily and it's a dust magnet, so it would've been nice to see a different finish on it. It has an antenna cord for the HD Radio. It is a bit of a pain to have an extra antenna cord, so an internal antenna would've been very nice, or have the antenna cord build it into the USB cord that's attached. The USB cord is not detachable. The Dock has input for HD, Optical, and AV and it's nice to have all three options.

I have an HD cable so i was able to test this out on my TV. The TV display is very nice and the menu navigation is good too. You can access your music, pictures, videos, radio, and podcasts on your TV. Sound quality is amazing!!! I had stereo-quality HD radio playing through my TV!!! So i played a video and it was very good actually. I didn't have an HD video to test, but even though, picture and sound quality is exceptional. Music navigation is very fast and painless. I love the music slideshow that plays on the TV. Gives you something to look at.

THE REMOTE:
The Remote is very classy too but i would've liked to see a different finish also because this smudges a lot also. I thought the square button pad at the top was touch-sensitive like a Zune touch pad but it is not. Remote works very well with the TV. The Remote is a full-function remote for the Zune, but not the Zune HD. In fact, the remote hardly does anything with the Zune HD when not connected to your TV.

The Range of the remote is pretty good. Nice thing is that you don't have to point the remote right at the dock in order for it to work. You can have the remote backwards and it will work! I really like that so i don't have to turn around in my chair to pause the Zune.

PROS:
Nice, Sleek Design
Lovely TV output
Pretty good remote
HD Radio
Amazing sound quality
Light-up Zune logo on the front

CONS:
Needs a better finish
Remote is not full-function with the Zune HD if not connected to TV
Seperate antenna cord gets in the way
Pretty pricey

Overall I would definitely recommend this one looking for a great accessory for their Zune HD. It's really handy!

This is a great item to go with th Zune HD! It sees it connected almost immediately! My only complaint is that there's no AC adapter with this item. You charge it by the USB connection on your computer! Plus if you have Wi-Fi in your house the Zune HD does wireless sync. So you really don't need this item, except to charge the unit! Overall, a good item but do you really need it? You make the call!

Not a technological triumph, the Zune Sync Dock does what I bought it to do: charge both my Zune HD32 and Zune 80mg players.The sync function/download occasionally falters but works eventually.The remote is for all practical purposes useless, an unexplained mystery in the package. What I found most disconcerting is the list of package contents that gives the impression that the Dock's cable ports are included cables. The unit comes only with two affixed wires: the USB computer connection and the FM/Radio radio antenna. I am unable to comment on the effectiveness of the latter. Given my personal requirements, the Dock is overpriced and is not a credit to a very good MP3 player.

Here are some key points that would have helped me when buying this as the information was not easy to access under specifications.
On the back it has the following outputs:optical out, HDMI,3.5mm output(headphone jack),USB male and HD radio antenna.
Now I am only using this in my car under my center console, this is only connected to my car by USB(for power) and then I have a 3.5mm jack plugged in to the stereo and it sounds great!!
BUT the problem is that once the power is turned off the unit keeps playing, on the regular Zunes it would make the Zune go into pause mode which it then would go into a sleep/shutdown mode. This shouldn't be a big deal as long as you don't have the unit on repeat or it will run out of juice.
--My biggest gripe(the reason I gave it 3 stars instead of 5) is about the fact that the remote is almost useless when using the dock for using the Zune while on the dock. Now I am not using this for video so this is only for controlling the zune for music. The remote only lets you skip tracks and play/pause, and go back to the main zune screen. Pretty crappy as the 80/120 zune docks let you change modes on the zune from music to radio or go into settings. Yes this means that while its on the dock you have to still use the touchscreen to find the artist and select albums then you can use the remote to skip tracks,or pause the music.
If this is not a problem for you then by all means get the dock as it's well constructed and the emblem on the front adds a small cool factor to boot.

***Update Looks like the unit was updated so when you cut power the unit pauses and goes to sleep. With this added I upgraded the star status to 4.

Like with most "new" products, it is way over priced but I feel it is a necessary componet for the Zune Experance.

One thing I did find wrong with the way the unit operates is the fact that the optical port, (TOSLINK), is running ALL THE TIME!
I feel this should only run when the Zune is in operation.
The reasons for this is, if you have a home theator setup and use an automatic HDMI switch, to auto switch componets,
the constant optic Zune feed, causes problems with the HDMI auto switching feature ( the switch defaults to a live feed )