Image Gallery: Zune HD AV dock and Premium Car Pack
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Back of the Zune Premium Car Pack retail box
Back of the Zune Premium Car Pack retail box
While there isn’t a huge accessory market like we see for the iPod yet, the Zune HD is a very compelling device and accessories are sure to follow. Microsoft did launch a couple last month and these two premier accessories let you connect to your HD TV and view high definition movies and shows and also enjoy your Zune audio content in the car. The HD AV dock is needed to take advantage of the HD part of the Zune and is a full featured accessory.
Zune Premium Car Pack front
Zune Premium Car Pack front
Front of the retail box with the name of the accessory in typical Zune colors.
Opening up the retail package
Opening up the retail package
You will find a basic instruction sheet, a plastic shield, and the Zune Premium Car Pack.
Premium Car Pack main accessory
Premium Car Pack main accessory
You can see the auto adapter and long cable that leads to the Zune attachment dongle.
Description and directions
Description and directions
Each part of the accessory is clearly identified and labeled.
Full directions
Full directions
The directions for using the accessory are actually incorrect since you do not press and hold the 1 and 2 buttons to scan for stations.
There are alternative ways to connect
There are alternative ways to connect
You don’t always have to use the FM transmitter and can use the 3.5mm jack to connect directly to your car stereo system.
Auto plug part
Auto plug part
Here you can see the end that plugs into your DC port. There is also a 3.5mm audio out jack and USB port on the accessory.
Audio out port
Audio out port
Check out my review for details on how to use this audio out port on the Zune Premium Car Pack.
Zune connection dongle
Zune connection dongle
The dongle connects to the bottom of the Zune HD. There are two large rubber buttons and then two areas around the display that also press in.
Back of the Zune dongle
Back of the Zune dongle
The Zune logo is shown on the back of the dongle.
FM transmitter station
FM transmitter station
You will see the optimal station appear on the dongle screen. You then simply dial into this channel on your FM radio.
Zune Premium Auto Pack setup
Zune Premium Auto Pack setup
Zune HD plugged into the dongle with directions to help out.
Lit up back
Lit up back
The back of the Premium Auto Pack assembly lights up to confirm there is power to the unit.
Zune HD & AV dock retail box
Zune HD & AV dock retail box
The Zune HD & AV dock are shown assembled and working in this view.
Zune colored labeling
Zune colored labeling
Labeling of the Zune HD & AV dock
Zune adapters for dock
Zune adapters for dock
The package contains three adapters for the different types of Zune devices.
Connection setup guide
Connection setup guide
There are a few different ways to connect your Zune to view content on your monitor or TV.
Typical Zune HD setup
Typical Zune HD setup
This is the basic setup method I followed, with the exception of the optical connection.
Zune dock piece
Zune dock piece
The Zune dock is pretty solid and stable so you can rest assured it will stay in place when you hook it up.
Zune dock remote
Zune dock remote
There is a directional pad layout on the top, with a four button controller and center action button below that.
Zune labeling
Zune labeling
The Zune logo appears under the four directional buttons.
Powered by CR 6032
Powered by CR 6032
This small battery fits under the lower back of the Zune dock remote control.
Back ports
Back ports
There is a power port, optical port, HDMI port and the USB cable. You will also find a thin long wire that is used as the antenna for FM radio reception.
A/C adapter
A/C adapter
The USB A/C adapter allows you to plug in the USB cable to keep the power to the Zune dock.
Three Zune adapters
Three Zune adapters
While it is optimized for the Zune HD, you can use older Zune devices with the Zune dock as well.
Included cables
Included cables
You will find a HDMI cable and AV out cable to use with the Zune dock.
HDMI cable
HDMI cable
The HDMI cable simply plugs into the Zune dock and video output source.
Zune HD in dock
Zune HD in dock
The Zune HD rests in the dock at a slight angle.
Lit up Zune logo
Lit up Zune logo
Much like the Zune Premium Car Pack there is a white backlit Zune logo that lights up when you have the dock powered up.
Switching to TV output
Switching to TV output
You need to take a few steps on the Zune HD to initiate the TV out capability.
TV output options
TV output options
I selected the auto output, but you can also choose 720P (HDMI) or 480P (AV cable) output. The output depends on the cable you are using and the supported TV or display.
Words on Zune HD when video output
Words on Zune HD when video output
This is what you will see while the video output is being played on your TV.
Reduced menu on the TV
Reduced menu on the TV
As you can see you will see a reduced menu compared to the menu of options on your Zune HD. You can view/listen to music, videos, pictures, radio or podcasts using the Zune dock.
Viewing photos from the Zune HD
Viewing photos from the Zune HD
Viewing photos you have stored on your Zune HD is a great reason to have the dock and share photos with friends.
Listening to the FM radio
Listening to the FM radio
FM radio support is provided, but HD FM radio is not supported through the Zune dock.
Viewing a video podcast
Viewing a video podcast
Here is one of our last church sermons shown in video with the Pastor’s slick text message survey appearing in the podcast.
Playing music on my TV
Playing music on my TV
Album art appears when you play music on your TV as well.
Now playing animations
Now playing animations
The slick animations scroll across your TV as you enjoy music content.
Viewing videos
Viewing videos
My daughter’s enjoyed watching family videos stored on my Zune on a larger display.
Listening to podcasts
Listening to podcasts
I am a huge podcast fan and can now enjoy podcasts in my rec room.
Podcast animations
Podcast animations
Those same now playing animations are supported by podcasts.
Watching HD video content
Watching HD video content
HD video content is amazing and looks fantastic on the Zune HD.
More HD video content
More HD video content
I didn’t think much about the HD capability of the Zune HD, until I tried out the Zune HD & AV dock.
Zune Premium Car Pack
Zune Premium Car Pack
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TV menus from Zune HD
TV menus from Zune HD
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