Zune Knowledgebase Articles Discovered

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.zunemax.com/the-zune/zune-knowledge-base-at-microsoftcom' target='_blank'>http://www.zunemax.com/the-zune/zune-knowledge-base-at-microsoftcom</a><br /><br /></div><em>&quot;A search for the term software at Zune.net turned up a few pages in the newly developed Zune Knowledge Base. The section is obviously under construction as there are only two articles that I can find and the home page link is a 404 error but at least we now know where to answer questions like &ldquo;How to erase all content from your Zune device&rdquo; or &ldquo;How to change the amount of storage space that is allocated to the Inbox on your Zune device&ldquo;&quot;</em><br /><br />Our friends over at zuneMAX discovered a few official Microsoft knowledgebase articles used for Zune tech support. I thought it was interesting that the Zune Inbox, which is where songs you've been sent are stored, <a target="_blank" href="http://support.microsoft.com/kb/926630/en-us?sd=zune">is set to 1% by default</a>. 287 MB is a lot of space to be allocated to sharing music, a scenario which many Zune users won't be able to use for quite some time because there <a target="_blank" href="http://www.zunethoughts.com/news/show/134/zune-networking-the-rough-road-ahead.html">just won't be enough Zunes out there</a>. I thought it was odd that it requires connecting to the desktop in order to change - what if you're out at a Zune-heavy party, swapping songs with mad abandon, and you want to devote more storage to sharing? You can't. You also can't delete songs off the Zune directly (though you can clear out the Inbox), you need to connect back to the desktop for that. I really hope that the Zune team makes the on-device experience more powerful over time. I can delete any content I wish off my Zen Vision:M, and I can also change the size allocated to it being a mass storage device (it can flip between MTP and mass storage). Sure, I realize this is a v1 product, but I can dream about the Zune growing into a first-class, stand-alone product, can't I?

[jdmountford]

Because I have questions and hope there are answers and because I could not figure out a better place to post those, I thought that I would link to a knowledgebase story for knowledgible answers.. in all honesty this is the only Zune spot I visit other than Microsoft's official.. Great lay out here BTW.

Anyway, any idea when the Zune Minis (let's call them "Zunis" because we can) may come out?

Can you run Windows Media Player and the Zune Marketplace on the same computer?

Will WMAs ripped from a purchase CD have limitations on trade?

Will MP3s work on the Zune? If so... same limitations?

Will the Zune software convert DVDs natively? (HUGE FEATURE HERE!)

When will Pocket PCs be able to play Zune content? (the Win Mob devotees want it!)

Heck while we are at it, could someone just add BT and a touchscreen to the Zune and load Win Mob on there and call it a day? Please and thank you.

Some are silly questions most are not.

Good Day.

[Darius Wey]

Anyway, any idea when the Zune Minis (let's call them "Zunis" because we can) may come out?

It's rumoured that "nano"-sized Zunes will appear next year, though take it all with a grain of salt. Microsoft has not released any official word on the matter.

Can you run Windows Media Player and the Zune Marketplace on the same computer?

Yes, you can.

Will WMAs ripped from a purchase CD have limitations on trade?

Trade limitations? I assume you're talking about the 3 days / 3 plays feature for tracks you send to a friend? If so, yes, that limitation exists.

Will MP3s work on the Zune? If so... same limitations?

MP3s work fine on the Zune, both in CBR and VBR. The same limitations exist if you send it to a friend.

Will the Zune software convert DVDs natively? (HUGE FEATURE HERE!)

As far as I can tell, no. It's not in Microsoft's interest to include DVD ripping functionality at this stage. What you'll have to do is use a third-party tool to rip to WMV (which the Zune software will handle natively), MOV (which the Zune software will convert to WMV), or AVI (which you'll have to convert to WMV manually, if you want to play it on the Zune).

When will Pocket PCs be able to play Zune content? (the Win Mob devotees want it!)

Non-DRM'ed WMAs and MP3s (e.g., content you've ripped from a CD or content freely released by artists) will play back fine on a Pocket PC. Tracks you pull off the Zune Marketplace will not. At this current point in time, Microsoft intends on separating the Zune and PlaysForSure market.

Heck while we are at it, could someone just add BT and a touchscreen to the Zune and load Win Mob on there and call it a day? Please and thank you.

In that case, why not settle for a Pocket PC and URGE?

[Jason Dunn]

Because I have questions and hope there are answers and because I could not figure out a better place to post those, I thought that I would link to a knowledgebase story for knowledgible answers.. in all honesty this is the only Zune spot I visit other than Microsoft's official.. Great lay out here BTW.

Since Darius nicely answered all your questions, I'll just say "Welcome!" and thank you for the kind words. :D

[jdmountford]

Since Darius nicely answered all your questions, I'll just say "Welcome!" and thank you for the kind words. :D
Not a prob. I have been a "Thoughts" member forever with mixed results. I am looking forward to the Zune. There is a Circuit City not far from me that has a dummy unit. Hopefully there will be a live one soon to play with soon. There is also literature in which MS is big touting the Accessories, of course.

The size is not too bad from what I can tell, especially for such a big screen.

That last piece about turning the Zune into a Windows Mobile device was a joke mostly because the Zune is such a nice device with a decent drive.