Video Conversion From Ipod

[Dlanijer]

Hey guys! I've been scouring the forums for a couple of weeks (got me a Zune on Black Friday, w00t!) and am very impressed with everyone's input. Now, i have a question.

Any time i d-load an Ipod video, if i try to sync it up with the Zune software, Zune conversion kicks in (and takes FOREVER). So far, i've d-loaded conversion software, and i take care of it myself before i sync it... but... i was under the impression that Ipod and Zune have the same resolution (different screen size, but same resolution)... and same file type. So... why is conversion needed? Or am i doing something wrong that i should just be able to sync up ipod videos and it should go w/ no conversion needed?

Please let me know! (i have a 2 year old laptop i'm running on, so a full movie conversion takes too long as is... though i'll do it if needed... but i'd rather just be able to d-load and sync )

Thanks!

[putis]

It's not the same filetype. Ipod only accepts mp4 videos. The Zune itself only plays wmv's, but the Zune software accepts mp4, wmv's, and H.264, and converts them to wmvs. From what I've heard, mp4 to wmv is a lengthy conversion. To be able to just sync them the videos have to be in wmv format, so either look for those and download them, or convert them yourself.

There's more info, and converters here: http://zuneboards.com/CONVERTERS-FOR...ETC-t-837.html

[Dlanijer]

So when Zune says its compatible with mp4, and whatever that other one is... its not so much compatible as "we'll accept it into our software, but we're changing it to our own file type that IS compatible" ?

[putis]

Exactly.
For now at least, firmware could open up all kinds of possibilities, but now, yes.

[Dlanijer]

Wow. Thats not too cool. I mean, its not so much that i like the Zune any less, or that it would have changed my mind on buying one had i known otherwise. Its more that i hate microsoft a bit more for a shady "compatibility" list......

I'm praying for some firmware updates lol. Or maybe a site along the lines of "zunetropolis" or something (along the lines of podtropolis, but for zune d-loads).

sigh... time will tell.

[putis]

Ya, it's kind of annoying, but it's better than the ipod, which only accepts mp4's., and if it's not in mp4, it won't even show up in itunes.

[d berk]

I'm sorry, but I have to ask a question here. I opened a Zune that I giving as a Christmas gift to get it charged and get it set-up with music and video. I had downloaded and used Xilisoft Zune Video Converter (http://www.xilisoft.com/zune-video-converter.html) to convert some music videos and cartoons to .mp4 format. The setting in the software says "Zune MPEG-4 AVC Video Format (*.mp4). But when I put it into Zune, sure enough the conversion process kicked off. So you're saying that the Zune can never play an .mp4 file, it can only play a .WMV file.

At http://www.zune.net/en-us/support/ho...enjoyvideo.htm the statement says:
Zune software supports the following formats and codecs:

* Windows Media video (.wmv)
* MPEG4 video (m4v, .mp4, or .mov)
* H.264 video (.m4v, .mp4, or .mov)

Video content in formats or codecs not mentioned in the preceding list need to be converted into one of these formats and codecs in order to be imported to Zune software. For more information about encoding content into one of these formats, see "How to Provide Content for Zune."

Later on it says:
The Zune device supports the following video codec:

* Windows Media Video: up to 320x240, 1.692 Mbps, Main profile, files with extension .wmv

When Zune software converts a video file, it creates a separate file and syncs that file to your device. Zune software does not alter the original video file in any way.

That is really misleading and frustrating. I read the first statement to mean the Zune device NOT the Zune software. So the software can read those codecs but the device can't. Then why would there be conversion software that says Zune on it that converts to anything other than WMV??

I'm just frustrated now. I clearly see what the answer is - I just am surprised.
Sorry for the rant.

[Dlanijer]

That was my exact complaint about 3 posts up. The only "compatibillity" for mp4 is that the Zune software will recognize it, and CONVERT it to WMA (same with the other one).

Booo micro$haft, for your misleading words... booo.

[thefinalprophecy]

yeah msft is misleading. i thought it would be able to PLAY mp4 videos too. i can't wait for the day when zune will play xvid and divx.

[khamulx]

Originally Posted by WildWon

That was my exact complaint about 3 posts up.ÂÂ*ÂÂ* The only "compatibillity" for mp4 is that the Zune software will recognize it, and CONVERT it to WMA (same with the other one).

Booo micro$haft, for your misleading words... booo.

So because you can't understand something that was clearly written, it's Microsoft's fault? C'mon. :confused: You're using Mac logic here.:puke:

[wildmilne]

I agree with the other posters, it should have been more clearly stated that it plays wmv, and can convert the following formats...zune is not compatible with mp4, what they mean is zune software on your pc can convert it. Not the same thing.