Microsoft KB Archive/932614

= How to convert video files to a file type that is supported by the Zune software and the Zune device =

Article ID: 932614

Article Last Modified on 9/20/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Zune Digital Media Player
 * Zune software

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SUMMARY
This article describes how to convert unsupported types of file into files that are supported by the Zune software so that you can sync the files to the Zune device.

This article describes how to use Windows Move Maker and Windows Media Encoder to convert video files into .wmv files. For more information about file formats that are supported by the Zune software, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

928192 Information about the video file formats that are supported by the Zune software



MORE INFORMATION
Many third-party software programs can convert video files. You can search the Internet for software that is right for you.

Microsoft has released two programs that let you convert video files. These two programs are Windows Movie Maker and Windows Media Encoder. To use these two Microsoft programs to convert video files, follow the steps in this article.

Windows Movie Maker
Windows Movie Maker is a component of Microsoft Windows XP and Windows Vista. Windows Movie Maker supports files that are imported in the following video formats:
 * .asf
 * .avi
 * .m1v
 * .mp2
 * .mp2v
 * .mpe
 * .mpeg
 * .mpg
 * .mpv2
 * .wm
 * .wmv

Note Windows Movie Maker in Windows Vista also supports .dvr-ms.

To convert video files to .wmv format by using Windows Movie Maker, follow these steps:
 * 1) Start Windows Movie Maker.
 * 2) * In Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type moviemk.exe, and then click OK.
 * 3) * In Windows Vista, click Startvistastartbutton.jpg], type moviemk.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
 * 4) On the File menu, click Import into Collections or click Import Media Items, select the file that you want to import, and then click Import.
 * 5) Drag the video to the storyboard at the bottom of the window.
 * 6) On the File menu, click Save Movie File in Microsoft Windows XP or click Publish Movie in Windows Vista.
 * 7) Click My Computer, and then follow the steps in the Save Movie Wizard to save the movie file.
 * 8) When the wizard prompts you to select the movie file settings, select the settings that are most appropriate for how you plan to use the file. For example, if you plan to watch the video by using the Zune software, you may want to save the file at a better-quality setting. But if you plan to watch the video on your Zune device, you may want to save the file at a lower setting that is more appropriate to the 320 x 240 pixel resolution that the Zune device uses.
 * 9) After you create the movie file, move the file to one of the folders in the Zune library, and then start the Zune software. Then, connect your Zune device to the computer if you want to sync the movie to the device.

For more information about Windows Movie Maker, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/moviemaker/default.mspx

Windows Media Encoder
To download Windows Media Encoder, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/default.mspx

Windows Media Encoder is a powerful tool that was designed for content producers who want to capture audio and video content by using the many innovations in Windows Media. Windows Media Encoder supports files that are imported in the following video formats:
 * .asf
 * .avi
 * .bmp
 * .jpg
 * .mpg
 * .wmv

To convert video files to .wmv format by using Windows Media Encoder, follow these steps:
 * 1) Start Windows Media Encoder.


 * 1) * In Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type wmenc.exe, and then click OK.
 * 2) * In Windows Vista, click Startvistastartbutton.jpg], type wmenc.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
 * 3) In the New Session dialog box, click Convert a file, and then click OK. Alternatively, click New on the File menu, and then click Convert a file.
 * 4) To select a source file, click Browse next to Source file, select the file that you want to convert, and then click Open.
 * 5) Click Next.
 * 6) When the wizard prompts you to select the content distribution settings, select the settings that are most appropriate for how you plan to use the file. For example, if you plan to watch the video by using the Zune software, you may want to save the file at a better-quality setting. But if you plan to watch the video on your Zune device, you may want to save the file at a lower setting that is more appropriate to the 320 x 240 pixel resolution that the Zune device uses.
 * 7) Follow the steps in the wizard to convert the file. When the conversion is finished, move the movie file to one of the folders in the Zune library, and then start the Zune software. Then, connect your Zune device to the computer if you want to sync the movie to the device.

We recommend the following settings for playback on a Zune device:  Width: 320 Height: 240 Frame rate: 30 frames per second Complexity: Main Profile, variable bit rate (VBR) Video bit rate (average): 500,000 bits per second (BPS) to 800,000 BPS

Note This setting is a trade off between file size and quality. If you use a setting that is less than 500,000 BPS, the video quality may be too low. If you use a setting that is greater than 800,000 BPS, the file may occupy too much storage space.

 Video Bit Rate (peak): 1,500,000 BPS Complexity: Simple Profile, constant bit rate (CBR)</li> Video Bit Rate (peak==average): 736,000 BPS</li> Audio track of .wmv video file: 128,000 BPS recommended for to limit file size or up to 192,000 BPS to maximize quality, 44.1 kHz sample rate, stereo, CBR</li></ul>

For more information about Windows Media Encoder, visit the following Web site:

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/forpros/encoder/faq.aspx

For more information about how to provide content for Zune, visit the following Zune Web site:

http://www.zune.net/support/howto/start/providecontent.htm

For more information about how to use video with your Zune device, visit the following Web site:

http://www.zune.net/en-us/support/howto/play/enjoyvideo.htm

Keywords: kbzunehardware kbexpertisebeginner kbpubtypekc kbzuneamericasportal kbhowto KB932614

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