hmmmmm... looks tastey

Chick magnet.

it's a shame that MS got this to the table so late ... it really is a beautiful bit of kit and this price is awesome

Lack of software = dead.

Lack of iTunes = relieved.

This was so promising when it came out, but it hasn't kept up with the iPod Touch. Too bad.

Lack of inexpensive, third-party accessories support did it for me. I had the Zune 120 and there was no simple way to get line-out without the need for an external power source.

That's a lot of money to ask for a completely obsolete and incompetent gadget.

WOW! When did Microsoft start making iPods? Gotta get me one!

This plays music. It does it better than anything else out. Better navigation, and smoother access to your huge collection of music. If you don't agree, you're just making stuff up and you haven't actually tried it.

The latest 4.x software works very well (most people that complain used the 3.x software).

It'd be nice if every time there was a Zune deal people would stop comparing their "jack of all trades master of none" devices to this.

#7 - Did you try just plugging the line out into the Zune? Cause that seemed to work for my Zune 120.

#10
Basically, the Zune 120 needs to be charging for any line-out to work from the Zune's bottom port. Same for the car-kit I have. I've read that it's how the Zune is wired. I think the Zune HD is no different in this respect. On the other hand, for iPods, you can get an adapter that plugs into the bottom connector that provides a 3.5mm jack for the line-out audio. The iPod can run off of its battery.

But I agree the Zune sounds better than any iPod.

I don't understand what's the problem with line-out. Just use the 3.5mm headphone jack and turn your volume to MAX. I've Zune HD, the sound is definitely better than my iPhone 3GS.

The dock is required for HDMI HD video output.
The dock has optical, HDMI and 3.5mm jack output. All you need is a USB power which most of the HDTV nowadays have it.