Codecs, Videos, Converting formats! Breaking through the idiocy

[Danoz]

Here's the deal. I recently purchased an 80GB video zune. I was really excited about putting video on it, but it's not compatible with anything. Meanwhile, itunes videos are an even worse enigma in this m4v format, and the zune refuses to play divx (avi) files, and it refuses to read m4v files. I tried using windows media encoder to make the file an wmv (should work on a zune) but the newly converted files, while they work in the zune program, don't work on the zune! (says files are corrupted).

How do I break through the idiocy of forcing users into one video type for each of these programs, whether it be windows media player and zune, ipod, mp4, avi (divx),-- what can I use to convert these video files so that they actually work on my zune? I find the whole thing incredibly frusterating.

Recently I download an episode of Hell's Kitchen off of itunes. I want to play this mv4 file on my zune. And I also want to get my collection of avi files onto my zune. How do I go about this in a way that they'll actually work?

At this point, I'd be willing to buy something if it would also rip my DVDs into the right format.

Thanks!

 

[Arrqh]

Recently I download an episode of Hell's Kitchen off of itunes.

Half the point of iTunes is to lock people into using an iPod. Anything you purchase will only be playable through iTunes or an iPod, the DRM will prevent you from being able to play anything you have purchased on it on any other device, including a Zune. This isn't a fault of the Zune but rather a decision that Apple has made. So if you're mad about locking people into a format, they're the ones you should be mad at.

Irregardless, the Zune can play WMV's and any H.264 files. It can't play DivX, but that shouldn't be surprising. There are requirements on bitrate and resolution, but that shouldn't be surprising either. There's plenty of "easy" programs out there that will do it in just a few clicks in either format, but I've not used any of them so I can't direct you to any. In general, though, I believe that the H.264 MP4's that the iPods can play the Zunes will play as well... as long as they are not created by iTunes.

 

[Daedalus12]

You should try this software.

Zune Video Converter

Doom9 is the best place to found out more information about video encoding.

 

[JustAFriend]

Just as with the iPod, use SUPER from erightsoft.

It's FREE and will convert any video to any other format:

http://www.erightsoft.net/SUPER.html

Convert any input video format to a Zune file. Convert a Zune file to any other video format.
The rendered Zune files are created using a fully compatible WMV7/8 and WMA format.

If you mess with video, you want a copy of SUPER on your PC...

 

[Meredith]

Just as with the iPod, use SUPER from erightsoft.

It's FREE and will convert any video to any other format:

http://www.erightsoft.net/SUPER.html

Convert any input video format to a Zune file. Convert a Zune file to any other video format.
The rendered Zune files are created using a fully compatible WMV7/8 and WMA format.

If you mess with video, you want a copy of SUPER on your PC...

2nded as i use this for my friend's PSP

 

[Chess Piece Face]

Step 1 - Sell the Zune on ebay (if anyone will buy it). It's a flop, a dead failure and it will be gone soon.

Step 2 - Use that money to buy an iPod.

Step 3 - Use one of the many free programs to covert avi's you download to mp4 or m4v format. Or buy stuff from iTunes already in that format for $1.99.

Step 4 - Enjoy!

 

[anais]

Replace iPod in step 2 above with Zen

 

[Arrqh]

Step 1 - Sell the Zune on ebay (if anyone will buy it). It's a flop, a dead failure and it will be gone soon.

Hardly... while it certainly isn't popular that doesn't mean it's a bad player and as I've already said, it plays H.264 MP4's, which is plenty easy to convert to.

 

[Garrovick]

Step 1 - Sell the Zune on ebay (if anyone will buy it). It's a flop, a dead failure and it will be gone soon.

Nope, actualy, the iPod and the Zune are pretty much interchangeable.

My freind and I share files all of the time.

 

[Sheep]

Step 1 - Sell the Zune on ebay (if anyone will buy it). It's a flop, a dead failure and it will be gone soon.

Step 2 - Use that money to buy an iPod.

Step 3 - Use one of the many free programs to covert avi's you download to mp4 or m4v format. Or buy stuff from iTunes already in that format for $1.99.

Step 4 - Enjoy!

Hey look ma--an Apple fanboy!

Considering more than half the people I know who purchased an iPod have had to buy multiple ones since their previous ones wore out from normal use, that doesn't speak very highly of the iPod's reliability--the things are practically designed to be replaced annually or semi-annually. I, for one, use my electronics till they break which had better not be within two years of buying them.

 

[TerriO]

Replace iPod in step 2 above with Zen

Gods I'd disagree on that. My Zen lasted less than a year, while the iPod that replaced it is still going just fine years later.

As always, YMMV on things like this. For instance, I'd never recommend a piece of Sony equipment, because I've had nothing but bad luck with them, but I have friends who swear by Sony.

 

[anais]

Replace iPod in step 2 above with Zen

Gods I'd disagree on that. My Zen lasted less than a year, while the iPod that replaced it is still going just fine years later.

As did mine, but Creative promptly sent me a new one so I won't complain.

 

[Jadzia]

I thought all this digital stuff lasted forever, as unlike older technology there's no settings or circuits which 'drift' with age, besides maybe worn batteries. Unlike computers, they're not supposed to burn out circuits either because they are so low powered. Obviously not.

So which players have the best/worst longevity? I have a 2gb ipod nano, a 2005 model.

 

[anais]

Longevity of digital stuff follows a bathtub curve, with faults occuring mostly in the beginning due to production errors, or in the case of brand new products design errors. In the middle the risk of faults occuring is low. At the end the curve rises because that's the way the product is designed by the engineers. It's designed for a certain number of operating hours. Pushing the hours up in the design process is costly and decreases new sales (as long as the product lasts long enough in the public's mind).

Digital circuits are an abstraction used in design, they're analog at a bottom level. They have leak currents, voltage is continous in time and amplitude. But the digital part of an mp3-player is the sturdiest, of course. Most faults probably occur in the analog parts that can't be replaced by digital, such as battery and acoustics.

 

[Jadzia]

The one thing I don't like about the ipod is that circular touch thing. Having finger nails it's so awkward to use. Pressing the select button is almost always inadvertently preceded by a step up or down the menu. Then half way through playing, I pick the thing up to skip a track, and if fingers catch the scroll pad, the volume jumps instantly to max and I have to rip the things out of my ears.

Stylish design it might be, but not very practical. I am interested in replacing it with something more practical, but I don't know much about these players. Longevity of the player is also important to me. No immediate need for video or pictures, but I do like easy to navigate menus and playlists with an enqueue function. Any recommendations?

 

[anais]

^ You should at least get a flash-based player and not a harddrive one.

 

[Danoz]

^ You should at least get a flash-based player and not a harddrive one.

The 80GB Zune has been fantastic so far. My only complaint is compatibility. It should support divx.

 

[anais]

^ You should at least get a flash-based player and not a harddrive one.

The 80GB Zune has been fantastic so far. My only complaint is compatibility. It should support divx.

Jadzia asked for longevity and flash players can take more of a beating (due to a lack of mechanical parts) before they give up.

As for coding, have you tried a third party divx to wmv converter? Windows Media Encoder smells of Microsoft and DRM somehow, maybe not logical but still.

 

[Jadzia]

Hi anais. Thanks for your reply.

Yes flash does seem the most reliable technology, and since I don't need video I don't really need 80gb.

If I am going to watch video while I'm out and about, or in my office, it's not going to be with a little hand held thing -- I have my laptop. I just don't understand the appeal or the need for handheld video.

 

[Arrqh]

I just don't understand the appeal or the need for handheld video.

Well I fly back to the US a few times a year and a handheld video player has been great the past few times... getting a laptop would be nice, but a waste of money for how little I'd use it (I already have a pretty powerful desktop) so a handheld player is great for when the inflight movies suck (which is normal ).

Don't get me wrong, a laptop would be great... but a few thousand for something I'd only really use twice a year is a bit much compared to a few hundred!