DVD-Guides.com - HowTo Rip Convert DVD to Zune, Zune video converter, iTune to Zune, FLV to Zune

Before we start, below are something you must know.
1. Natively Supported Formats for Zune Devices
The following codecs and formats can be synchronized and played back on the Zune device.
WMV 7/8/9 - up to 320x240 and 1.692 Mbps
WMA - up to 320 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate
MP3 - up to 320 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate
AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .m4b, .mov) - up to 320 Kbps, Low Complexity (LC), up to 48-kHz sample rate
Pictures - JPEG (.jpg) up to 640x480

2. Video Formats and Sync Time
* If the video/audio files meet the limitation mentioned above, you can transfer to Zune software and sync to Microsoft Zune player super fast.
* If the files are WMV, MP4, H.264, MPEG-4 or MP3, WMA, AAC formats (but exceed the limitation), you can still transfer them to Zune software and sync to Zune devices. But, the sync time is fairly longer because the files will be converted to the formats natively supported by Zune player during the sync process.
* If you'd like to put other video files or DVDs on Zune, you'd better convert them to WMV7/8/9 or WMA formats, which are supported by Zune natively. This will save a lot of time.

i've tested the current top selling DVD to Zune softwares, below is the results.

* Computer configuration: Intel 1.86GHz, 512MB, Windows XP;
* DVD movie: War of the World (1 hour 50 minutes);
* Software: Cucusoft DVD to Zune Suite (5.19.5.7), ImTOO DVD to Zune converter (4.0.59), PQ DVD to Zune video converter (1.0 build 02).

1. The speed for ripping the whole DVD
Cucusoft DVD to Zune Converter (WMV 7): 48 minutes 10 seconds (Winner)
AVEX DVD to Zune Video Suite (wMV7): 1 hour
ImTOO DVD to Zune Converter (WMV3x): 1 hour 30 minutes
PQ DVD to Zune Video Suite (MP4): 49 minutes 27 seconds
The output file size is about 300MB.

2. More details
Cucusoft can quickly rip all kinds of DVD to Zune WMV v7/8/9 in different resolutions (320x240, 320x180 16:9, 640x480 TV size, etc) with sharp picture and CD-quality sound. ImTOO works great on a Windows PC with Intel CPU, but the output video quality is very bad when we tested on a computer with AMD CPU. There is something wrong with PQ program when I convert DVD to WMV format: The software always closes immediately after the conversion starts. Hope the developer can fix this bug. If I select MP4 as the output format, it is OK, so i highly recommend the all-in-one Cucusoft dvd to zune suite.
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This guide have 5 parts now,i just updated it with the guides to convert DRM copy-protected music and videos to Zune, FLV videos to Zune
1. How to rip DVDs to Zune (Windows) with 'cucusoft Zune Video Converter + DVD to Zune Converter suite'
2. How to convert all videos like AVI, Mpeg etc to Zune WMV (Windows)
3. How to upload the converted videos to your Zune through Zune software
4. How to transfer music and video from iTune to Zune
5. How to convert FLV video like youtube, google video to Zune

Let's view the steps

How to rip DVD to Zune (Windows)

Features:
* DVD to Zune video converter component can rip your DVDs to Zune .WMV(Windows media Video format) directly ( do not need convert DVD to AVI or VOB first)
* Also it can convert music DVDs directly to mp3 and windows media audio(.wma) format
* Zune video converter component can Convert AVI, MPEG, RM, RMVB, ASF, MOV, DIVX, XVID, MPG to Zune WMV, MP4 or H264 format(Zune can directly support Windows Media Video (.wmv))
It is easy-to-use and the converting speed is fast! Based on my experience, all formats to Zune conversion works well! Also you can use the program to rip DVD to AVI, DivX, VCD, SVCD and MPEGs.

1. Download 'CUCUSOFT Zune Video Converter + DVD to Zune Converter suite'(latest version) or 'CUCUSOFT DVD to Zune Converter'(latest version) ,install and run.

2. Click DVD to Zune Converter component, load your DVD by clicking 'Open DVD' button or choosing 'Open DVD' from 'File' drop down menu, choose the DVD ROM in your pc, it will take you to the DVD menu in the player screen.

3. Click On "Setting" and go to menu "Subtitle", Set Subtitle to what you like.

4. Click On "Setting" and go to menu "Audio Track", Set audiotrack to what you like. To 'Output Folder', Enter the full pathname or choose the path where you want to save your video files by clicking 'Output folder'.

5. The converter will automaticly detect the main movie of your DVDs, it will popup with below window to let you make a decision, just keep the setting of "Record from movie start point" and output file size setting, the default setting is the best for good quality and compact output file size, click "Yes"to start ripping DVD to Zune video files.

Tips: You can also just record any part of movie by drag the slide bar to where you want to start, and click the "Convert" button, please select "Record from current time point". This provide you with more flexibility.

6. Find the .mp4 file that DVD to Zune converter created and add it into your Zune software library.
Tips: Download Zune software package from
http://www.zune.net/meetzune/software/redirect.aspx
Notes: Zune? software is your one stop for music and entertainment. Manage and view your songs, videos, and pictures. Rip and burn CDs. Create playlists. Edit track and album information. And Zune software can automatically import your existing files, including your music and video from iTunes? and Windows Media? Player

7. Load the MP4 files to Zune by clicking 'Sync contenct to and from your Zune'. Now, you can enjoy the movies on your Zune anywhere and anytime.

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How to convert Zune video, such as AVI to Zune, MPEG to Zune, RM to Zune, RMVB to Zune, ASF to Zune, MPG to Zune, DivX to Zune, XviD to Zune video. (Windows)

Procedure
1. Download 'CUCUSOFT Zune Video Converter + DVD to Zune Converter suite'(latest version) or 'CUCUSOFT Zune Video Converter'(latest version) ,install and run.
Related download
* To convert RM/RMVB real media files to Zune, Maybe need to install Realplayer:
http://www.real.com/freeplayer/?rppr=rnwk
* To convert ASF to Zune, Maybe need to install Windows Media Player:
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windowsmedia/default.mspx

2. Run Zune Video converter component, load the video files you'd like to convert by clicking 'Open file' button.

3. Click 'Output' and choose the pathname where you want to save your video files. Click 'Convert' to start converting video to Zune WMV or MP4 files.
Tips: Before converting, you can click 'Advance -> Video settings' to set 'Video format', 'Resolution', 'Framerate', 'Output Quality'. If you'd like to convert video to H264 .mov files, please set 'Video format' to 'H264(.MOV) FQ Variable Bitrate'. 'MPEG4(.mp4) FQ Variable Bitrate' is the default value. Certainly, you can also set 'Audio Bitrate', 'Channels', 'Sample Rate' and 'Volume' in 'Audio Settings' page.

4. After converting, you can open the output folder to check the Zune video files.

5. Find the .mp4 file that DVD to Zune converter created and add it into your Zune software library.
Tips: Download Zune software package from
http://www.zune.net/meetzune/software/redirect.aspx

6. Load the WMV files to Zune by clicking 'Sync contenct to and from your Zune'. Now, you can enjoy the movies on your Zune anywhere and anytime.

7. Trouble shotting: if you get any error convert videos to wmv format, please download the latest all-in-one codec from http://www.free-codecs.com/download_soft.php?d=2726&s=67 to install in your pc and try to convert it again, most cases it will work.
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Another alternative is to free download AVEX DVD to Zune video Suite, it's a very easy to use and fast conversion tool too.

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How to transfer music and video from iTune to Zune

Tunebite Platinum can convert iTunes to Zune, including converting M4P, M4V, WMA, WMV, AAC, M4A, AA and M4B to unprotected MP3, MP4, WMA, WMV or OGG file, it records your copy-protected music, audio book and video files as they are being played and saves the recordings as unprotected audio (MP3, OGG and WMA) and video (WMV and MP4) files you can use anywhere, so it's absolutely legal, here you go.

1. Download Tunebite Platinum from 'Tunebite official site'(latest version),install and run

2. Follow the wizard and it will automaticly configure everything for you like sound card etc., you just click Next.

3. Select the output audio and video format you want to use, then it will test your video capture functionality, it will take a few seconds.

4. After all the setting is done, just add input files you by click the Add button, then click GO and you are set.

Tips: If you only want to convert your music from iTunes to Zune, you can only download the Tunebite Premium version as it's cheaper.
Another option for convert DRM copy-protected music to your Zune is you can try 'Soundtaxi'(latest version) , feel free to let me know if you have any questions.

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How to convert FLV video like youtube, google video to Zune
1. Download 'Moyea FLV to Video Converter'(latest version),install and run

2. Select the flv videos files you want to convert and click convert, it's really easy.

If DVD/Video to Zune conversion doesn't work, please post your problems here and I will solve ASAP. I am glad to help.

Links may be useful
Zune official support page: http://www.zune.net/en-US/meetzune