Customer Reviews

Zune Dock Pack v2

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(14)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

What you are buying the Zune Dock Pack for will likely determine how satisfied you are with the purchase.

If you will only be using the Zune Dock Pack to charge your Zune, well then you'll be satisfied I guess...but you can of course already charge the Zune without the Dock simply by attaching the Zune to your computer with the Sync Cable that came with your Zune, right? So the Dock Pack certainly isn't necessary if charging is all that you want to do, but the Dock Pack might be a nice, convenient charging option.

And, in case you weren't aware, there is a Zune AC Adapter available individually. FYI, the AC Adapter doesn't come with an extra Zune Sync Cable, so if you go the AC Adapter route, and wanted an extra Sync Cable in addition to the one that came with your Zune, don't expect Micro$oft to include an extra Sync Cable with AC Adapter purchase.

The Dock Pack does indeed come with a Zune AC Adapter. So with the Dock Pack you will now have three charging options: 1) Connect the Dock's USB connector to the AC Adapter then set the Zune into the Dock (charging starts immediately). Or 2) Attach the Dock's USB connector to your computer; now your Zune sits securely in the Dock while you charge & sync (instead of hanging there on your computer with just the Zune Sync Cable). Very nice. Or 3) You can just connect the Dock's AC Adapter directly to the Zune with the Sync Cable that originally came with your Zune. But option 3 seems to suggest that you might be in the market for just the AC Adapter instead of the Dock, no?

What really appealed to me about the Dock Pack was using it in conjunction with attaching the Zune to my TV and / or stereo. I've got to think that attaching your Zune to the TV or stereo is truly what using the Dock Pack is intended for. The Dock of course isn't necessary to use the Zune with your TV or stereo, but it adds a higher level of convenience. HOWEVER...don't expect an A/V output cable to be included with the Dock Pack. Thanks, Micro$oft. What's up with that, Dock?

No, M$ doesn't include an A/V cable. You can find A/V cables on Amazon (I went with this one (Zune A/V Output Cable). Once you get the cable, just follow the really simple connection instructions in the little "Zune Dock Pack Start" booklet that comes with the Dock Pack. 4GB & 8GB Zunes output audio only; 30GB and 80GB can also output video; and there are component outputs included on the Dock Pack for use only with only the 80GB. So if you have a 4GB, 8GB or 30GB Zune, you'll want a cable similar to the one that I recommended above. If you've got an 80GB, you have the option of going with the composite cable that I recommended above or using a compatible component cable. You need to remove a little cover from the back of the Dock to access the component outputs.

The Dock comes with three adapters that easily fit where you connect your Zune to the Dock; one for the 4GB & 8GB Zunes; one for the 30GB Zune; and one for the 80GB Zune.

And finally, the bottom of the Dock has a slide-proof rubber bottom. A very nice added value that keeps the dock from slipping around on surfaces common to where you'll probably end up putting the Dock (like on a media stand or TV). The rubber bottom *almost* makes up for the lack of including a standard A/V cable.

So am I happy with the dock? Sure. Would it have been nice if M$ included a composite connector cable? Of course. Am I surprised that it wasn't included? No. All in all, the Dock is a good...not great...probably not necessary...accessory to your Zune.

Edit: The Zune Dock to go with if you really want a dock is the Zune Home AV Pack v2. It's pretty much the same as this one except it comes with composite A/V output cables and it comes with a remote! As of this writing, on Amazon the cost for the Dock that comes with the A/V cables and the remote is equal to the cost of an A/V composite cable that you'd need to purchase as extra with the Dock on this page, plus you get a remote with the Home A/V Dock in the link above. Dang, I wish I had seen the Home A/V Dock versus the bare bones Dock Pack on this page that I purchased. Curses!

Unlike the v1 Zune dock, this one comes with a power adapter. The adapter has a USB port, because the dock cable is USB. It works wonderfully, and charges up my Zune 30 very quickly (usually 1 to 1.5 hours for a full charge, from almost no charge).

This is well worth the price. It comes with 3 interchangeable plates designed for each Zune model (4/8, 80, and 30).

I have a Zune HD and I'm shocked by the horribly overpriced docks. I am happy to report that this dock works perfectly with the Zune HD. I use it for charging and sync'ing my Zune HD. Note this is the same as the Zune AV Pack with two differences: this does not come with the remote control nor the special composite video and audio cable. This dock also *does* work with the remote control and you can get any old component cables. Naturally it does not have HDMI but it does have component video output so if you use your Zune HD for HDTV, and I don't think anyone does, then you're not going to want this.

Now that the Zune HD is out I'm getting these older Zune docs for pennies on the dollar so I can have a dock at all the places I use my Zune HD.

Note that the Zune HD does wiggle a bit, but you can remedy that by not caring, or putting some felt pads on the dock adapter insert.

The AC adapter is a block with a folding plug and a USB jack. It works with nearly any USB-charged device, including LG cell phones, so this purchase is a real *steal* just to get the excellent AC adapter.

This dock is great for anyone looking to connect to there computer or TV. Only downside is if you have a case it will not fit.

Side note: If you have a xbox360 you do not need this. It will work as your dock.

I purchased the dock because I dont like laying the zune down and to keep it out of the way when I charge it and sync it. I also like that the wall plug comes with this kit because you can use it with either the dock or the plug that comes with the Zune itself so you can charge it away from your computer. I honestly think i killed my laptop battery charging my cell phone and bluetooth earpiece so this is a handy alternative and I will go as far as to say an required assessory for your generation 2 zune. Also amazon price is better then Zune marketplace. FYI!

Plugged it in and it works. My Zune has one of the protective plastic cases on it. It wouldn't fit in the dock with the inserts but once the insert was taken off the Zune fit like a glove. The base is also sturdy, nice solid feel.

I'm happy are you?

While this covers all your needs, and works great, I do have one complaint that most people would probably never think about. I happen to own two very different Zunes and thought this would work for both of them. It does, but now I have to keep all these extra docking pieces around to switch on the fly depending on which zune I need to dock. It seems like they could have developed a system where I wouldn't need to switch pieces depending on my Zune. Other than that small complaint, it works great, and watching videos from your Zune on your TV is great.

Wanted to run my Zune through my Stereo and this was the perfect solution. Quality of sound is GREAT. and Easy to set up.

I ordered this item from Amazon, fulfilled by Digital Media Source, and instead of receiving the Zune Dock v2 I recieved the original Zune Dock in a beat up box. The original does not include the component output or the video selector and is years old. I called Amazon (got their phone number from google search)and they said all they could do was send me a return box and shipping label and refund my money after they got it back. They said I could order a new one, paying now, since this was most certainly a fluke. So I ordered a new one from Amazon and sent Digital Media Source an email explaining they had made a mistake, sent me the wrong product, and would they please check the next order since they messed up the last one. I never heard back from Digital Media Source, there is no phone number listed where they can be reached, and Amazon will not give it to you.

The second package arrived and guess what? Once again they sent the original Zune Dock not the Zune Dock v2. I now have two packages to return and no Zune Dock v2.

Please beware of ordering anything from Amazon that is fulfilled by Digital Media Source. They have got serious inventory and communication problems at best, although it seems worse that that. And if you got the wrong product from them please contact Amazon so that they will investigate and fix this problem vendor.

This product does just what it promises. Quality is good as expected -
and most important - it also works for the Zune 120.
I would buy it again any time.