Conclusions

Microsoft has done an amazing job with their next generation Zune.  While their previous models left little to be desired, their latest is steps ahead in both technology and design.  In fact, many which include myself, were left wondering if they would even continue with the release of new models and be able to finally release a product capable of capturing so much interest that would finally compete against the competition.  Well folks, they have...in a very big way.  Their highly anticipated Zune HD is nothing short of stunning.  Sporting a highly appealing design, highly impressive interface and packing so much new technology, it is one that will immediately impress all who have the opportunity to snag one of these.  It's a pleasure to use and a marvel in technology.

Impressive Design

For those who own or have owned a previous model of the Zune, note that the Zune HD is nothing like it in terms of its overall design.  This player is extremely thin and light and sports a spectacular OLED display that will leave you breathless.

Excellent Interface

Its GUI is one that has had the biggest impression among many.  It is that that good, and one that makes this little beauty a sheer pleasure to use.  From its excellent navigation features to its neat extras when playing your collection, the attention to detail is impressive and you'll only appreciate this when you actually take the time to actually play with it for a while.

I've already showed you an HD video sample on just how easy it is to navigate through all your content.  However, above is a second video demonstrating some of the neat, extra features found on the player.

Spectacular Display

The Zune HD sports a highly impressive 3.3 (16:9) OLED display that results in vivid colors and the deepest blacks.  In addition, its scratch-resistant glass, excellent responsiveness, and superb accelerometer adds to such a pleasurable experience.

Audio Playback

Its sound quality is superb, and one of the best I've had the pleasure of using and/or reviewing.  However, in order to experience this, I highly stress that you must pair it with some quality headphones or earbuds.  Without them, you honestly will not take advantage of its superior audio playback quality.  While some may be disappointed by its file support, it does play back WMA, AAC and MP3 files with ease and will likely impress when compared to other similar products on the market today.

Video Playback

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This is probably one of, if not, the only area that may disappoint some advanced users and video enthusiasts.  Why?  Well, the Zune HD somewhat lacks the most popular video formats most tend to play or prefer when converting their video collection.  I'm referring to standard encoding in both Divx and Xvid.  Yes, you can't encode such video for playback on the device.  However, the player does support WMV, MP4 and most importantly, H.264 videos...all of which the player handles extremely well.  For those wondering, the Zune HD can even play back 1080p video if it is encoded properly.  With that said, I personally do not find this an issue whatsoever based solely on the variety of videos I encoded for testing. 

Not sure if the video you have is supported?  Simply include it in the video directory you configured with the Zune Desktop Software.  After you copy or transfer the file over, it should instantly recognize it and add it to the collection.  If it does not, this is clearly a sign it is not supported and will not play on the device itself.  While minor, I found this particular software feature impressive, as it will clearly indicate what files will or will not play on the Zune HD.  Yes, full support for Divx or Xvid would be nice, but if you're a video enthusiast like myself which owns all the best and most necessary software for conversion, this should not be an issue or a reason to negatively put down the product.

Excellent Wireless Capabilities

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Not only is its wireless syncing capabilities easy to use and highly convenient, but so is its built-in wireless browser.  While I'm one who personally does not find these features important in such a product, it is important to mention because the internet browser on this player is unlike any released by the company on their mobile phones to date.  It honestly brings the question as to why they still can't manage to release one like it on even their latest WM 6.5 phones.  Come on Microsoft, get with it already! 

Battery Life & Build Quality

Its build quality is impressive, and you'll instantly notice this when you first lay hands on it.  It may be small and light, but if you take the time to fully inspect it, you'll appreciate both the all aluminum design and quality finish.  Most importantly though is its excellent battery life.  You'll be quite surprised by the fact this tiny player is capable of packing enough juice to handle your media for hours on end.

Don't Forget the Desktop Software

Along with the release of the new Zune HD was the latest 4.0 Desktop Software from Microsoft.  Coming from someone who does not particularly like bundled software with products, this is one of the very few exceptions.  In fact, after owning previous Zune players, I found their software impressive enough to replace my preferred software for collection management.  Their latest is honestly so well designed, it is one you'll want to load and use regularly.  Not only is the interface itself clever in design, but with it, you will take advantage of many other features this product really represents.  This not only includes discovery of new music, but the ability to fully control how the player should interact with your PC.

Welcome to the Social

Yes, the product itself obviously did impress me.  However, I personally find its other features and/or capabilities much more impressive and some of which actually do not even require the purchase of the product itself.  I'm talking about both its excellent desktop software and services capable of providing all with an excellent means of discovering new music.  Aside from its ability to "recommend" music based on your favorite artists and overall activity, you have other means of discovering music you love by adding friends to your account.  Once you do, you actually have the ability to somewhat "access" their very own music collection and possibly discover new music you simply cannot do via other services.  After playing with the software extensively, I will honestly say there is no better way.

Final Thoughts

The Microsoft Zune HD is, like most have stated, one of the best PMP devices on the market today.  It's no doubt it has gotten so much attention since its official release.  In fact, so many were eagerly awaiting its release date, that even Microsoft couldn't keep their servers up to support such high demand upon its release date.  I'm one who followed its release from the beginning and even past the aftermath, the Zune HD was completely sold out in a matter days, both online and from your local brick and mortar shop.

So why such interest when there are other products that may suit many consumers?  Well, that's a loaded question when it comes to this player.  Aside from all the hype over several months, it truly is a unique product that brings many features typically not found in any offered by competitors.  For one, you have the very first (officially released) portable media player to sport the NVIDIA Tegra chip.   Not only does it play a major role in the ability to playback HD content and even capable of supporting 3D games, but it is an ultra low-power processor capable of significantly improving battery life despite the impressive features it does offer.  Add to that its excellent new interface and impressive battery life, and you have yourself a player that will most certainly impress.

Does this all mean Microsoft has taken all measures to finally market a product that truly has a chance at competing well against what seems the impossible?  Yes and no.  While they clearly have released a product that has even impressed those that would never consider it to begin with, their marketing approach was flawed on every level.

For one, despite rumors out months before, Microsoft chose to not only limit options, but decided on a clearly poor choice in color options right from the start.  Rather than making the Zune HD readily available in both Black & Silver in both capacity options as previously expected, they chose to release only one color option for both, one decision of which I strongly think should have at least been the opposite.  On top of all this, their very own site that offers customized options many visited upon launch of product got everything all wrong from the start.  They not only failed to offer all color options upon launch, but apparently did not expect such high demand to the point where their customer service was just so horrible, that it left many seriously pissed off. 

Many turned to Zune Originals upon release of product expecting to be able to simply order their own customized player.  Unfortunately, this was not necessarily the case, and not only did they purposely chose to delay a black color option for their 32GB player for a full week, but later chose to switch everything around to the point where their 16GB player is no longer available in its "official release" color, meaning it can't even be customized with this simple option.  On top of all this, the Desktop Software actually teases you as to other color options available, all of which are purposely not available at the time of this review.  Come on now, do they even know how many potential consumers they lost as a result?  If you followed it as closely as I did for some time, you will clearly find this a fact.

So what's the bottom line here and the point I'm trying to make?  If Microsoft seriously expects to compete against what is practically impossible, why would they limit themselves and take such a drastic negative approach?   Don't think things end here either.  They don't.  On top of all this, they clearly did not have the proper resources to anticipate such high demand.  I'm personally a victim of this, as their Seattle-based Zune Originals site was nothing short of appalling in terms of their overall customer service.  The issues encountered are too much to even detail here.

In the end though, we have to focus on the product itself, and it is most certainly a highly impressive one.  Aside from things that are not fully implemented yet, such as apps, the Zune HD is without a doubt Microsoft's best to date.  However, as much as it truly deserves our highest recommendation, I just couldn't personally offer it due to the appalling service, disappointing marketing approach, poor HD Radio performance and super expensive accessories.  If you can live past all this, it is truly a product that will not only impress, but manage to perform beyond such a product should to begin with.  With that said, it does earn our recommendation.

More information on the new Zune HD can be found on Microsoft's Zune.com.