Use v1 Zune A/V Dock with v2 Zunes : JefTek.com

Use v1 Zune A/V Dock with v2 Zunes

Sunday, February 03 2008 - zune

Here is a photo guide to using the Zune80 in the v1 Dock. Since the v2 dock came out which supports the Zune30/80/8/4 via removable face plates, the v1 dock has been on clearance (Originally $99, now $25!) at places like buy.com. So since we had 2 Zune30's in the family, and love having the Zune hooked up to the living room TV for media enjoyment, I thought it was a good idea to pick up another one for the TV upstairs.

Shortly after it arrived, I ended up picking up a Zune80, which of course does NOT fit in the v1 Dock, since the dock connector on the Zune is in a different location than on the z30. I thought I would have to take apart the dock, maybe file down some plastic, but thanks to a poster on Zune.net forums, it is actually much simpler!

It appears Microsoft made it simple to remove the top faceplate, which gives more than enough room to dock all v1 and v2 Zunes in the v1 Dock! You do not get the component out ability of the v2 dock, but it also means you don't need to throw away the dock to use it with a v2 which for me with 2 of them was great. Without the faceplate, it also doesn't support the Zune snugly when you put it in and out of the dock, so you just need to be careful when docking it. I wonder if Microsoft intended on just releasing a new faceplate when the v2 Zunes would be released, but with the Zune80's higher video out capabilities, decided on providing component out as well.

The Zune Wireless Remote works just fine with the Zune80, and for me was the reason why I had hoped the Zune80 would work in the dock.

Here are some simple instructions for taking off the faceplate to allow it to be used by all Zunes:

	The v1 Dock, Zune30, Zune80, and small flathead screwdriver
	The v1 Dock (with lots of fingerprints apparently!)
	The Zune30 and Zune80 Dock connector sides. You can see the placement is different on each, which explains why it does not work with faceplate intact.
	The top faceplate is held in place by a hook, and a little spring loaded button in the remote compartment
	1 - Press in the button in the remote compartment on the dock with the screwdriver
	2 - Gently lift up the faceplate by lifting from the back up to disengage the front hook
	The v1 dock without the top faceplate. You can see now there is more room in back to accommodate the difference in the dock connector on the Zune80
	Now you can dock the Zune80 in the v1 Dock!
	The Zune30 still works just fine without the faceplate as well.

Update:

Adam Krebs of ZuneThoughts has posted a Video showing the same procedure. You can view his post here.

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16 comment(s) so far

Steve wrote on January 23, 2008

Excellent article, I post it on my blog: zunemediaplayer.blogspot.com/.../1st-gen-zune-av

Ishaan wrote on January 23, 2008

thanks...VERY helpful...its really bad on places like buy.com to not specify that you have to do this before making it work with the 80gb one...i liked the shiny part dammit!

peter morton wrote on January 23, 2008

thanks jef. i just bought 4 and already threw one at my girlfriend.(she likes that kinda stuff, anyway) but after i read your article i asked her to please throw it back. it came back unscathed though i have a minor abrasion. serioulsy though, thanks. you know at that price it is worth it just to have extra remotes, (which seem to fly on their own at my house) never mind the operational part. buy.com should have alerted us,though.

gratefully,

peter

peter morton wrote on January 23, 2008

hi jef,

peter again. is there somewhere to see how the remote functions work? i have a v2 dock and the remote works differently. is there a way to directly turn off the zune with the v1 remote. i pause it, then after a minute or so it goes off. is dat de only way?

thanks again,

peter

Jef wrote on January 23, 2008

Hey Peter,

There are 2 ways to turn "Off" the Zune:

1 - Soft Off (Sleep mode) - Hold down the Play/Pause Button

2 - Deep Off (really off!) - Hold down the BACK button, and the DOWN direction on the D-Pad/squircle

I am not sure if these work from the remote, since I always just leave mine on when it's in the dock. This way it will sync over WiFi to my PC :)

I will try it tonight and post back here though..

Dominic wrote on January 23, 2008

Thanks Jef. I learned something new. I just took off my Zune Dock v1 plate. Thanks for the diagram. BIG BIG BIG help.

Eugene wrote on January 23, 2008

I have the Invisible Shield on my 80 gig, and it just barely fits in there with the cover off. The added thickness doesn't allow it to fit. It actually made me kinda happy since it wont jump out in my car, but I am afraid that the connector will eventually break off.

Naman wrote on January 23, 2008

Is vedio out from 80g works fine with v1 dock after doing mentioned steps? is all funcitonality works fine with v1 dock when using 80g?

Jef wrote on January 23, 2008

Naman,

yes, Audio,Video, and the Remote for controlling the Zune all work perfectly fine. An additional thing is that the Zune80 will sync over wireless even with TVout enabled. The Zune 30 would not do this.

I tend to sync my Zune and watch alot of video podcasts on my TV through the Z1 Dock

Jef

Naman wrote on January 23, 2008

So, do you recommend me to go for v1 for $30 instead of v2 for $70+ ....

Jef wrote on January 23, 2008

Naman,

I have a few V1s and a v2, and to be honest there is not much difference except the v2 has Component out which gives a better signal to your display. The needing to swap trays is annoying if you have several size Zunes. The other benefit of the v1 is the power cable is detachable as a sync cable. The V2 has it built in. So really the only benefit would be the additional component video out over the v1. Though I do see how the trays make it easier to seat your Zune in the dock, as without them it can be a pain to get it just right. You will need to decide if that is worth the $40.

Jef

Naman wrote on January 23, 2008

Thanks for your suggestion...

But I dont know what is additional component vedio out? do u mean clarity of vedio out to TV is improved in v2dock?

Naman wrote on January 23, 2008

I bought this kit for $14 from buy.com :). Lets see how it works.

Once again thanks Jef for your help.

VCSekhar wrote on January 23, 2008

You really saved some bucks for me with this post. Thanks

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