The article includes FOUR parts.
 
Part 1: Natively supported video formats by Zune & Zune software
Part 2: Convert DVD and popular video&audio file formats like AVI, MPEG, DivX, XviD, MOV, ASF, RM to Zune (WMV, WMA) step by step quickly
Part 3: Convert iTunes to Zune, iPod to Zune, M4P to Zune, M4v to Zune
Part 4: Download and convert video from YouTube, FLV, Google, Myspace, iFilm, etc. to Zune WMV/WMA
 
All conversion supports encoding to WMV and WMA playable on Zune without converting using Zune software again. All software are picked and popular on the internet.
 
[color=red]Part 1[/color]
 
1) Natively supported formats for Zune
Microsoft Zune player supports WMV, WMA, MP3, AAC natively. You can sync the following movies and music to Zune device directly without any converting process.
 
Video: WMV (up to 320x240, 1.5Mbps video bitrate, 30fps frame rate; With WMA audio up to 192Kbps audio bitrate, 44.1kHz sample rate)
Audio: WMA, MP3, AAC, M4A, M4b, MP4 (up to 320Kbps bitrate, 48KHz sample rate)
 
Hints: To 16:9 widescreen videos, the resolution is 320x180.
Hints: Zune only supports unprotected media files unless they are purchased or downloaded from Zune Marketplace.
 
2) Straight convert Zune video with Zune software during sync
If the movies you downloaded online or your personally created videos don't meet the limitations which Zune carries (such as any specific parameter is exceeded), but they can be imported into Zune software and played back successfully, then Zune software will convert the media files in the background during synchronization.
 
Supported formats for Zune software are as follows:
 
Video: WMV, MP4, M4V, MOV, H.264 with various video sizes, bitrates, frame rates
Audio: MP3, WMA, M4a, M4b, MP4 with no any limitation.
 
[color=red]Part 2[/color]
 
--- Convert DVD to Zune video & rip DVD to Zune audio
 
1. Free download latest version DVD to Zune + Zune Video Converter from here. More information about the great Zune converter is here.
 
2. Insert the DVD you'd like to convert to the DVD drive.
 
3. Click 'File' menu and 'Open DVD', or directly hit 'Open DVD' button to load the DVD.

 
4. Click around in the DVD's menu to set up DVD playback as you like, then begin to play the movie through the software.
 
5. The following window will pop up. Here, you can rename 'Title Name', set 'Save Path' and output quality, then click 'Yes' button to start ripping DVD to Zune WMV or Zune MP4 video from the point that the movie starts. That is all. Just so easy!  

 
If you'd like to record from certain time point, or want to change some parameters like 'output format', 'video bitrate', 'frame rate', 'audio bitrate', please click 'No' button to close the window.
 
6. Optional parameters settings
* Select subtitles and lauguages
Click 'Subtitle' or 'Audio Track' in the 'Setting' menu; choose the related value you like.
* Set output formats
Choose the target file format from 'Profile'. The software supports converting DVD to Zune WMV, Zune MP4, Zune H.264, Zune audio WMA, Zune MP3 and Zune TV size.

* Set the start time to convert
Use the video playback controls to queue up the point at which you want to start ripping. Or click 'Setting -> Go to' and jump to previous/next chapter.
* More parameters
Click 'Setting -> Output video settings', here you can choose different profile, video/audio bitrate, video size, disable video/audio, aspect ratio, frame/sample rate, etc.
If you are not familiar with these options, please view the descriptions listed at the bottom of the window.
 
7. Hit 'Convert' button, choose the recording time point and quality, then click 'Yes' to begin to convert DVD to Zune video or audio quickly.
 
8. After ripping, transfer the converted files to Zune software, and then sync to your Zune player.
 
--- Convert movies to Zune video (WMV, H.264, MP4) and Zune audio (WMA, MP3), AVI to Zune, MPEG to Zune, WMV to Zune, MOV to Zune, DivX to Zune, Xvid to Zune, DVR-MS to Zune, RM to Zune, RMVB to Zune, ASF to Zune, AVS to Zune, MPG to Zune step by step
 
1. Free download latest version DVD to Zune + Zune Video Converter from here. More information about the great Zune converter is here.
 
2. Click 'Open file' button to load the video file(s) you'd like to convert. The Zune converter software supports batch conversion mode.

 
3. The default output format is Zune WMV video. If you'd like to change this, click "Advance" button, set the output format to Zune video (Zune MP4, Zune WMV, Zune H.264, Zune TV) or Zune audio (MP3, WMA). Here, you can also set video size, frame rate and more.
 
4. Hit 'Convert' button to start converting video to Zune.
 
5. Transfer the converted video or audio files to Zune software and put them on Zune player.
 
Just so easy!
 
[color=red]Part 3[/color]
 
--- How to convert iTunes to Zune WMV WMA
 
Tunebite can convert iTunes to MP3 file, including converting M4P, M4V, WMA, WMV, AAC, M4A, AA and M4B to unprotected MP3, MP4, WMA, WMV or OGG file.
Note: you can only use the article to make copies of the purchased music and video for personal use or share copies with your closest relatives.
 
1. Download Tunebite and install the software on your computer.
 
2. Sound card and recording settings: Launch the program, follow the configuration wizard to set the sound card (there will be some sounds which are necessary to detect your sound system). Click "Next" to config high-speed digital dubbing which can accelerate digital recording.

 
3. Set output audio formats from MP3, WMA, OGG: Click "Next", select the audio format you'd like to output from MP3, OGG or WMA. Let's take "MP3" for example.  

Download MP3 encoder by clicking "Search for lame_enc.dll" or download it from here. Then click "Import lame_enc.dll", browse to the .dll file and load into.  

 
4. Set output video formats from WMV, MP4: Click "Next". If you want to record and convert protected M4V or WMV files, please check "record video, when original music file contains video" and click "Next" to continue. Then select the output video format you like from "MPEG4" (Playable on iPod, PSP, MP4 players) or "WMV" (Most portable media players).

 
5. Start converting: Add media file(s) or complete folder(s) you want to record by clicking "add" button or by dragging and dropping them into the window. Click "GO" to start recording and converting. If you only want to recode audio, please check "audio only" box.

Done!
 
[color=red]Part 4[/color]
 
--- Put YouTube, FLV, etc. Video on your Zune
 
How to put YouTube video on your Zune? It is very easy. You only need a couple of utilities to accomplish this. One utility is to download video off of YouTube (the FLV file) and another to convert the file to a Zune player compatible video. The following are steps to transfer YouTube video to Zune:
 
Download YouTube, Google, Myspace, iFilm, etc. video files and save as the FLV file and convert to Zune and other popular file formats
 
For Internet Explorer (PC) users
 
Find a favourite video clip, copy the url link which is located right below the video you've chosen and paste it to the “URL:” box from the site . After clicking on the “search” button, [Download Link] would be showed. You only need to right-click the [Download Link] and save the file.
Note: rename the file extension from *.php to *.flv when saving it. So, the FLV video file was saved to your computer.The FLV file isn’t widely used, so you need to download a special player to play the file. Freeware FLV Player is highly recommended. Download FLY Player
 
For Internet Explorer (Mac) users
 
Search your hard drive for a file called "get_video". You can use Spotlight to find the file.

 
Copy it to your Desktop. Rename the file extension from *.php to *.flv.
http://www.dvd-video-converters.co [...] ide-11.jpg  
 
Please note: There is another method to download videos from YouTube, Google Videos, iFilm, Metacafe, Dailymotion, MySpace, etc. Use the VideoDownloader plugin for Mozilla Firefox to download all your favorite videos.
 
How to convert the FLV files to Zune wmv
 
There are many programs to convert the FLV file. Mac users may look at iSquint. It's a free application. It can be downloaded at the site. Windows PC users just download the FLV Converter. It can convert FLV to Zune WMV, FLV to AVI, FLV to MPEG, SWF, iPod, PSP, MP3, M4B, M4A, etc.
 
---
 
ImToo Zune Converter is also a nice program which supports converting DVD and various video/audio files to Zune (WMV, WMA). If cucusoft doesn't work great on your computer, take a look at the following guides and download it to have a try.
 
Convert DVD to Zune WMV, WMA, etc.
 
1.Download DVD to Zune Converter, run it.
 
2.Click "Add DVD Folder..." in the File menu or directly click the "DVD" button in the main interface, then select your DVD-ROM in the pop-up window and press the "OK" button.
http://www.dvd-video-converters.co [...] ide-12.gif  
 
3. All files from DVD are loaded. If you only want to convert certain chapter(s), press "Show Chapters" button on the main interface and then check the chapter(s).
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4. Select the target output format in "Profile" combo-box on the interface. Here WMV is recommended because Zune natively plays the format. If you choose MP4, zune Software will need to transcode it to WMV again, that waste a lot of time.
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Tip: The software can also extract audio from DVD and save as Zune audio WMA.
 
5. After selecting "Zune WMV" as the output format, the right panel will show Zune WMV settings. By clicking certain setting(s), you may specify it. We suggest you to keep the default settings.
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Tip: It supports clip or segment conversion. You can convert any clip or segment by setting the start point and duration at will. For example, you want to rip a clip from 00:03:20 to 00:08:00 please click "Start time" to set the starting time 00:03:20 and click "Duration" to specify the length 00:04:40.
Tip: Zune video size: 320x240
Tip: Zune video must be WMV with wma audio.
 
6. There are other options on the interface you can adjust.
>> In 'Zoom' section, you can find four options. 'Letterbox', 'medium', and 'pan scan' will convert 16:9 format to 4:3 format. The Full option does not correct the aspect ratio. If you have a 4:3 DVD, use the Full option.
>> In the 'Split' drop list, you may select the size of the volumes that you would like to generate.
>> Select the output folder by clicking the "Browse..." button or directly enter a path in "Destination" box.
 
7. Press the "Encode" button to start converting. You would see the info "Completed" in the status column after a successful conversion.
 
8. After the files are successfully ripped, you may transfer to your Zune with Zune Software.
 
Convert video and audio files to Zune WMV, WMA, etc.
 
1. Download Zune Video Converter, install and run it.  
 
2. Load the file(s): Add the video or audio files you would like to convert by clicking the "Add" button in the main interface or choose "Add" in the "File" menu.
 
3. Highlight the file(s) you'd like to convert, select the target output format from "Profile" combo-box.
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Tip: It supports clip or segment conversion. You can convert any clip or segment by setting the start point and duration at will. For example, you want to rip a clip from 00:02:20 to 00:07:00, please click "Start time" to set the starting time 00:02:20 and click "Duration" to specify the length 00:04:40. For sync problem, you may lower down the video bit rate to have a try. You can also try to solve it by adjusting the frame rate.
 
4. Finally, press the "Encode" button to begin to convert.
 
5. Drag the converted Zune video/audio files to Zune software and sync to your Zune player.

This guide also fits for Zune 2. Also, you can find some great special DVD and video to zune software here:
http://www.dvd-video-converters.com/

What file formats does the 2nd gen Zune players support?

Now the Zune v2 supports WMA, MP3, AAC, JPEG,WMV, MPEG-4, H.264 formats. Can I play iTunes videos on my Zune directly? Anyone has tried it?

Zune v2 supports MPEG4, H2.64 videos.I have tried to play the iTunes videos on my Zune directly. But it can not work, I do not know why.

iTunes videos are MP4, compatible with Zune 4, 8, 80 (and automatic software convertable for Zune 30) but iTunes use DRM protection which is incompatible with any other player except to iPod/iPhone.

yes, useful information. I have tried this guide, it can remove the protection.

Apple will update iPhone, iPod with some very useful software such as Map,  Weather, etc. Will the Microsft update the Zune?

The most powerful converter for DRM-protected and unprotected media nowadays is TuneCab - media converter for DRM-protected or unprotected  files for playing on PCs, mobile phones, MP3 players, MP4 players and iPods, PDAs, PSPs and other devices. It converts music, films, video clips, audio booksto commonly used formats such as MP3,AAC, WAV audio, MPEG4, DivX movie, has YouTube Ripper plugin and CD Ripper.
 
TuneCab Ultra Video represents extremely high conversion speed with up to 50x in batch mode without loseless quality of converted files. The number of input formats has  risen to 50 formats.
TuneCab is easy to install and use with a very handy and clear user interface.
It lets you choose the compression level and it preserves ID3 tags for artist, album, title names etc.
A batch mode and the drag&drop function for folders and files allow to convert and unprotect large files collections with just 1-click.

maybe there will be some big surprise about Zune from Microsoft in the near future.

lullz!

I need to know how to put pics,and videos on my zune!PLEASE!!? I have tried EVERYTHING. When I go into collection all it pulls up in videos is the sample ones that i have on the computer!!!When I go into pics ALL IT SHOWS IS SAMPLE PICS!!! I have windows vista.

I found some solutions about it, hope it helps:
 
1. Make sure your videos are in one of these formats:
• Windows Media Video files (.wmv)  
• MPEG-4 Video files (.m4v)  
• Some QuickTime video files (.mov)  
 
The resolution cannot be larger than 320x240 or Zune will convert it to a smaller, compatible size.
 
To get them in this format you will need either a website or a third party converter. Do a search there are a lot out there to try.
 
2. Pictures must be in jpeg format. That is all Zune supports.
 
3. Audio files must be in one of the following formats:
 
• .wma  
• .wmv  
• .mp3  
• .jpg  
• .mp4  
• .m4v  
• .m4a  
• .m4b  
• .mov  
 
To get them on your Zune is the easy part. By default, Zune is set up to monitor My Videos, My Music, and My Pictures for compatible files. Save your videos, music, and pictures to those folders. When you open your Zune program it will search them for compatible files and import them into your Zune collection. Then just sync your Zune.  
 
If you want to get rid of the samples, connect your Zune and open the Zune program. Click on device>pictures and delete what you don't want. The same applies for the other samples. Just click on the appropriate link for it and delete.

Today i downloaded some videos and they are supposed to be in mp4 or m-peg4 but it won't sync. i can play it on my zune media player on my computer and i can put it on my video collection but it won't sync. anyone know what the problem is, either if its the setting or what? thx

For the older Zune 30 devices, you need to convert your videos to WMV format. for the newer Zune 4/8/80 gb devices, you need WMV or MP4 format.

yes, just try to convert the videos

Where can I get free movies for a zune?