Zune and WMP11 Libraries

[Browncoat]

Right. So I've got my library completely sorted (tags, album art, etc.) in WMP11, all neat and tidy. This is the main reason I've been using zAlternator to sync my Zune with WMP11. However, unlocking every time is getting to be a pain, so I've been considering switching back to the original Zune software, but I don't want to go through the gruelling time-sucking process of reorganising my library again.

Does anyone know of a way to sync up the WMP11 and Zune libraries? They don't seem to be linked (as I've "applied media changes" from WMP11 and then readded tracks in Zune). So I guess WMP11 isn't writing to the ID3 tags or Zune isn't reading them or both. Any ideas on what I can do with least amounts of effort/time spent?

(I'm running Vista with Zune software version 1.0.5341)

[Man.]

Originally Posted by Browncoat

with Zune software version 1.0.5341)

So your still running the old zune software, right?

As for WMP11 it should save the ID3 tags, it does for me anyway. Best thing to do is test it out by adding a few albums.

[Browncoat]

Originally Posted by Man.

So your still running the old zune software, right?

That's right. The new firmware/software pissed me off waaay too much (but that's a whole different spiel).

Anyhow, to cut a long story short, I don't think I phrased my problem properly. I reckon WMP11 is actually retagging files correctly and Zune is reading them. My main qualm is actually just the album art, which I could actually live without, but you understand that now I've got it sorted in WMP11 it'd be nice to just have it somehow transferred to Zune. I know mediamonkey can embed album art and that WMP11 plays around with the stupid folder.jpg system...is there any way to either get WMP11 to embed album art or for Zune to understand WMP11's album art system?

[Man.]

I thought WMP11 embedded the art because if you add album art and then drag the files to mp3tag the album art is with the file.

[Browncoat]

No, WMP11 is really annoying in that when you add album art it copies the file you added and plonks it in your music folder as folder.jpg. I think some programs pick up on this, but somehow Zune (which is an MS program - go figure) doesn't, which is my problem.

[Browncoat]

Hahaha never mind. I answered my own question a couple posts back.

For anyone else who meets this kind of problem in the future, MediaMonkey is the answer. It understands WMP11's folder.jpg system and then can rewrite all the tags with embedded album art so that the Zune software (and any other software for that matter) will find the art in the ID3 tag.