September 15, 2009

After months of rumors, scattered details and a few brief appearances, the Zune HD is finally here. Microsoft is discontinuing the older Zune models to focus on the Zune HD and build an ecosystem of software and accessories around it. There's a lot to like about the Zune HD--from its slim design to its unique music discovery features.

Physically, the Zune HD got a complete makeover. Measuring 4 by 2 by 0.3-inches thick, it falls somewhere between the last year's hard- and flash-drive models in size. A 3.3-inch multi-touch OLED display dominates the device's face with a single, slim hardware home button lying below it. Because the display doesn't require a backlight, it uses less battery power. Microsoft says that the Zune HD can play music for up to 33 hours and video for up to 8.5 hours. For comparison, the iPod Touch has 30 hours of music playback and 6 hours of video.

Microsoft stepped up the Zune HD's FM radio functionality by adding an HD radio receiver to the hardware. HD radio delivers a cleaner sound quality than analog FM and allows stations to broadcast additional channels with different programming. For example, local San Francisco alternative rock station Live 105 has an HD station playing only classic alternative. You can also tag and download the songs you like. Best of all, HD radio is 100% free.

Of course, Microsoft couldn't justify tacking on "HD" onto the Zune name with only HD radio. The Zune HD also supports 720p HD video files so you can play videos via the HDMI docking station (separately sold; $80) to an HDTV. Microsoft improved the Zune HD's menu for TV viewing so you can easily navigate the player on your TV. The older generation Zune menu looked fuzzy and disproportional when plugged into a TV.

Source:-http://www.washingtonpost.com