If you're a Web site provider, learn how to provide an optimal experience for people that want to download, import, and synchronize your digital media content to their Zune device.

Applies to:

• Zune
• Zune software
• Microsoft® Windows® Media Encoder 9 Series

The following topics are covered:

Introduction

The End-to-End Experience

Supported Formats for Zune Software

Supported Formats for Zune 4GB, Zune 8GB, and Zune 80GB

Support Formats for Zune 30GB

Encoding Content for Zune

Metadata for Zune

Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

Zune users can experience your content in a number of ways. Most common file formats, such as WMV, MPEG4, H.264, WMA, MP3, AAC, and JPG, can be played back on a computer running Zune software. Zune software also helps users synchronize their content to their Zune device. The guidelines outlined in this paper can be used to effectively publish content targeted at the Zune device.

To publish content such as viral videos, movie trailers, commercials, promotional music, audio samples, and music videos or to simply share your personally created videos, pictures, and audio with Zune users, use the information in this paper to encode your content for an optimal experience. It includes information about supported audio, picture, and video formats that should be used to deliver content that provides a high quality viewing and listening experience, while maximizing the battery life of the Zune device.

When content is downloaded from your Web site to a computer with Zune software installed, it can be added to the Zune media library to be viewed or listened to on the computer or synchronized to a Zune device. If the content that is being synchronized to the Zune device is not in a supported format, it is converted to one. The conversion happens in the background during synchronization. If the Zune device and software are set up for auto-sync, the conversion happens even if the device is not connected. In some cases, file conversion can take quite a bit of time and can consume a large percent of the CPU, especially for videos. To avoid potential delays caused during file conversion, make sure that your content meets the requirements outlined in this article.

THE END-TO-END EXPERIENCE

From downloading and importing audio, picture, and video content to synchronizing it to a Zune device, Zune makes the entire end user experience effortless. When a Zune user downloads content from a Web site, it is automatically imported to the Zune software and synchronized to a connected Zune device, if (1) the content is downloaded to a folder monitored by Zune software (such as My Music, My Pictures, or My Videos) and (2) auto-sync has been set for the Zune software and Zune device. Zune software also provides options for manually importing and synchronizing content to a Zune device.

Downloading Content from Web Sites
Many Web sites today provide digital media that can be downloaded to a computer. Some also provide several options for the quality of content being downloaded. For example:

• High-quality content targeted for playback on the PC (resolution 640x480 or better).
• Medium-quality content targeted at portable media players (generally 320x240).
• Low-quality content targeted at smaller form-factor devices, such as cell phones (generally below 320x240)

Downloading from a Web site is usually a straightforward experience. After choosing to download content, a dialog box appears so that the user can specify where to save the content. On a computer running Windows, the default location is usually the My Documents folder. You should direct your users to download media files to the My Music, My Pictures, or My Videos folder.

Some Web sites also offer content from an RSS feed, or podcast. Podcasts are a convenient delivery mechanism in that they automatically deliver new content to your computer as soon as it becomes available.

Zune software can import all supported formats regardless of how they're delivered to the computer.

Importing Content to Zune Software
Zune software provides several options to import content. By default, Zune software automatically imports content that is downloaded to the following folders:

• My Music
• My Videos
• My Pictures

Zune software monitors these folders for the current user as well as the folders designated for All Users. When content is downloaded to any of these folders, it is automatically imported to the Zune media library.

Zune users can also add a new folder to the list of folders that Zune software monitors, or they can manually drag and drop content from any folder to the Zune media library.

Synchronizing Content to a Zune Device
Zune software provides several options for syncing content to a Zune device. For music, auto-sync is set up between the Zune device and the Zune software on the computer by default. During installation, additional options can be set to automatically synchronize pictures and videos, as well.

After a Zune device is set up the first time, the user can switch between automatic and manual sync. With manual sync, they can select the specific songs, playlists, videos, and pictures each time they want to sync to the device, and they can also manually remove media from their device.

SUPPORTED FORMATS FOR ZUNE SOFTWARE

The following codecs and formats can be imported and played back on a computer that has Zune software installed as the default media player. Zune software can also automatically synchronize these content formats to a Zune device, converting the content to a supported format if necessary.

Audio

• Windows Media Audio (.wma) - all bit rates
• MP3 (.mp3) - all bit rates
• AAC (.mp4, .m4a, .m4b, .mov) - all bit rates, Low Complexity (LC)

Video

• Windows Media Video (.wmv) - all bit rates and resolutions
• MPEG4 (.mp4, .m4v, .mov) - Simple profile, all bit rates and resolutions
• H.264 (.mp4, .m4v, .mov) - Baseline and Main profiles, all bit rates and resolutions
• DVR-MS (.drv-ms) – standard definition Windows Media Center DVR recordings, Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate only

Pictures

• JPEG (.jpg) - all resolutions
  
  Note
  Zune software will only support unprotected versions of these media files unless the media file is purchased or downloaded from the Zune Marketplace.

SUPPORTED FORMATS FOR ZUNE 4GB, ZUNE 8GB, AND ZUNE 80GB

The following codecs and formats can be synchronized and played back on the Zune 4GB, Zune 8GB, and Zune 80GB.

Audio

• Windows Media Audio Standard and Pro (.wma) - up to 550 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate
• Windows Media Audio Lossless (.wma) – up to 1.5Mbps, up to 48-kHz sample rate
• MP3 (.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

Video

• Windows Media Video Simple Profile (.wmv) - up to 320x240, 10fps and 1.5 Mbps
• Windows Media Video Main Profile (.wmv) – up to 720x480, 30fps and 3 Mbps
• H.264 baseline profile video with AAC audio (.mv4, .mp4) – up to 720x480, 30fps and 2.5 Mbps
• MPEG4 Part 2 simple profile video with AAC audio (.mv4, .mp4) – up to 720x480, 30fps and 2.5 Mbps

Pictures

• JPEG (.jpg) - up to 640x480

SUPPORTED FORMATS FOR ZUNE 30GB

The following codecs and formats can be synchronized and played back on Zune 30GB with firmware 2.1 or later.

Audio

• Windows Media Audio Standard and Pro (.wma) - up to 550 Kbps, CBR and VBR, up to 48-kHz sample rate
• Windows Media Audio Lossless (.wma) – up to 1.5 Mbps, up to 48-kHz sample rate
• MP3 (.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

Video

• Windows Media Video Simple Profile (.wmv) - up to 320x240, 10fps and 1.5 Mbps
• Windows Media Video Main Profile (.wmv) – up to 720x480, 30fps and 3 Mbps

Pictures

• JPEG (.jpg) - up to 640x480

ENCODING CONTENT FOR ZUNE

There are a number of encoding tools—consumer applications and tools available for purchase (or free), as well as professional applications and tools—available that you can use to create and encode content for Zune. There are also several that output content to codecs and formats that are not supported by Zune. However, audio, video, and graphic conversion tools are available to enable you to convert unsupported content into one of the supported codecs and formats. You can use any tool or application as long as the content is ultimately encoded into one of the codecs and formats supported by Zune.

The following sections provide details about the specific encoding parameters for audio, video, and picture content supported by Zune software and the Zune device.

Encoding Audio for the Zune Device
In order to present the best possible experience for customers, content should be encoded in a format natively supported by the Zune devices.  This will allow for synchronization of content to the device without the delay of an intermediate transcode.  The following audio format is recommended to sync directly to the device and allow for the best combination of quality and long battery life:

• WMA Standard - 128 Kbps, 44 kHz, CBR (Recommended for best battery life performance)

Alternative formats suggested for encoding:

• WMA Standard or Pro 2-channel - 2-channel, up to 384 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 (.m4a and .m4b files) - up to 320 Kbps, up to 48-kHz

Several applications exist on the market to encode content to the formats listed above, including Windows Media Player and Windows Media Encoder.

Encoding Video for the Zune Device
Whether you are creating video from scratch or already have a finished video, you will want to encode the content using the parameters specified in this section to ensure the content synchronizes and plays on a Zune device without the need for conversion. For long videos, this conversion may take a considerable amount of time. To provide the best possible import and sync experience you should encode content that doesn't need to be converted.  The following formats are recommended to sync directly to the device and allow for the best combination of quality and long battery life:

• Format: Windows Media Video (.wmv), H.264, MPEG4 (part 2). Additionally, H.264 and MPEG4 part 2 files should be inside an m4v or mp4 container.
• Video codec: WMV9 for Windows Media Video 9 (Simple and Main Profiles), AVC1 for H.264 (Baseline Profile), M4S2 for MPEG-4 (part 2, Simple Profile)
• Video resolution: 320x240
• Video peak bit rate: up to 1.5Mbps
• Complexity or profile: Simple and Main profile for WMV9 (CBR and VBR), Baseline Profile for H.264, and Simple Profile for MPEG-4
• Audio codec: Windows Media Audio (.wma) for Windows Media Video 9, AAC for H.264 and MPEG-4
• Maximum audio bit rate: 128kbps
• Maximum total bit rate: 1.692 Mbps  
  
  Note
  The Zune device also supports Windows Media Video (WMV) Simple Profile, Windows Media 7 and 8, and PhotoStory files. For these video types, the maximum video bit rate is 736 Kbps with a maximum overall bit rate of 800 Kbps when audio is included.

Using Windows Media Encoder to Encode Video Content
You can use Windows Media Encoder 9 Series to encode video to a WMV file that is suitable for the Zune device. To download the free encoder, go to the Microsoft Download Center.

The following instructions describe how to use Windows Media Encoder to encode content up to the maximum quality for the Zune device. Content can be from either a live source (for example, a video camera) or an existing video file.

To encode content for the Zune device using Windows Media Encoder

1. Click the Start menu, and select Windows Media > Windows Media Encoder .
2. In the New Session dialog box, click the Wizard tab, and then double-click Custom Session .
3. In Windows Media Encoder, on the Sources tab, under Source from, do one of the following:
   • Select Devices if your content is on a device such as a video camera or a capture card.
   • Select File if content is in digital format accessible from your compute, and then locate the file you want to convert.
     
     IMPORTANT: If your file requires conversion to a format compatible with Zune, do not select Script: In File. For a list of compatible video formats, see Zune Formats and Codecs.
4. On the Output tab, check the Archive to file checkbox, and then choose a location and file name.
5. On the Compression tab, select the following encoding settings:
   
   
   

   Setting	Value
   Destination	File download (computer playback)
   Video	DVD quality video (1 Mbps VBR) By choosing VBR, the encoder will perform two-pass encoding, which maximizes the overall quality of the video although it takes roughly double the time to encode. To perform one-pass encoding, choose DVD quality video (1 Mbps CBR)
   Audio	CD quality audio (VBR)

   
   
   
6. Click Edit.
7. In the Custom Encoding Settings dialog box, click 1073 Kbps, and select the following encoding settings:
   
   
   

   Setting	Value
   Audio Format	128 Kbps, 44.1 kHz, stereo CBR
   Video Size	320x240
   Video bit rate	500K

   
   
8. Click OK to close the Custom Encoding Settings dialog box.
   
9. Click Apply.
   
   Note
   You can choose to configure additional parameters on the remaining tabs as well.
   
10. On the toolbar menu, click Start Encoding.

For additional information about Windows Media Encoder, see the following resources:

• Getting Started with Windows Media Encoder
• Windows Media Encoder 9 Series SDK

Encoding Pictures for the Zune Device
You can also encode pictures so that they are optimized for viewing on the Zune device. The Zune device supports the following picture format:

• JPEG - up to 640x480 resolution

Zune users can set any image on their Zune device as their background image. Zune adjusts the image to fit on the screen. However, to produce a background that looks pixel-perfect on the device screen (240x320) as well as for TV-out (320x240), you'll need to provide a 320x320 image. The Zune device uses the appropriate portion of the image for either portrait or landscape mode.

METADATA FOR ZUNE

To provide an optimal experience during playback on the Zune device, you should include metadata with your audio and video files. A variety of tools are available that can be used to set metadata attributes in Windows Media content. You can use Windows Media Encoder to set most of these attributes.

Metadata Recommendations for Audio Content
Recommended metadata fields for audio content are outlined in the following table.

Notes
In the initial release of Zune, WM/ParentalRating and WM/ParentalRatingSystem metadata does not transfer to the Zune device. This will be addressed in future updates.

The GRid and Ad-ID codes are for commercial use only and are not visible.Some licenses require the encoding of GRid and Ad-ID codes in the media. For more information, check with your provider.

When album art is displayed on the Zune device it enhances the overall user experience. It is strongly recommended that you supply album art with your music files. You can add album art to the WMA files you are sending to a Zune device by filling in the WM/Picture attribute as specified in the audio metadata table above.

If album art is not supplied with the content, the Zune software will make a best effort to find it for that particular content.

Metadata Recommendations for Video Content
You can also add metadata to categorize video content according to the categories available on the Zune device:

• Movies
• Music Videos
• TV Shows

The Zune device displays these menu items if it contains any content that has the appropriate MediaClassPrimaryID and MediaClassSecondaryID fields set. If a video does not have these fields set, it is not categorized and is displayed on the device in the "All Videos" list.

Recommended metadata fields for various content categories are outlined in the following tables.

Video
Recommended metadata fields for video that doesn't fall into any of the defined categories are listed in the following table.

Notes
In the initial release of Zune, WM/Year, Author, and WM/Genre metadata does not transfer to the Zune device. This will be addressed in future updates.

The Ad-ID and ISAN codes are for commercial use only and are not visible.Some licenses require the encoding of ISAN and Ad-ID codes in the media. For more information, check with your provider.

Movie
Recommended metadata fields for trailers, feature length films, and short form films are listed in the following table.

Notes
In the initial release of Zune, Author, WM/Year, WM/Genre, WM/OriginalBroadcastDateTime, WM/ParentalRating, and WM/ParentalRatingSystem metadata does not transfer to the Zune device. This will be addressed in future updates.

The Ad-ID and ISAN codes are for commercial use only and will not be visible. Some licenses require the encoding of ISAN and Ad-ID codes in the media. For more information, check with your provider.

Music Videos
Recommended metadata fields for music videos are listed in the following table.

Note
In the initial release of Zune, Author, WM/ParentalRating, WM/ParentalRatingSystem, Genre, and WM/Year metadata does not transfer to the Zune device. This will be addressed in future updates.

The Ad-ID, ISAN and Grid codes are for commercial use only and will not be visible.Some licenses require the encoding of these codes in the media. For more information, check with your provider.

TV Shows
Recommended metadata fields for TV shows or episodes are listed in the following table.

Notes
In the initial release of Zune, Author, WM/Year, WM/OriginalBroadcastDateTime, WM/ParentalRating, WM/ParentalRatingSystem, and WM/TVNetworkAffiliation metadata does not transfer to the Zune device. This will be addressed in future updates.The Ad-ID and ISAN codes are for commercial use only and will not be visible. Some licenses require the encoding of these codes in the media. For more information, check with your provider.

For more detailed information about any of these metadata attributes, see the Suggested Attributes by File Type section of the MSDN article Windows Media Metadata Usage Guidelines.

Primary and Secondary Media Type IDs
While most of the metadata is straightforward, the Primary and Secondary Media Type IDs require further explanation. These two pieces of metadata are GUIDs that identify the type of content (movie versus TV show) as opposed to the format of the content, such as WMV.

Zune devices have three video related categories: Movies, Music Videos, and TV Shows. For video content to appear in one of these categories, you need to set the Primary and Secondary Media Type IDs, as shown in the following table.

Content that does not have a primary or secondary ID will be shown in the "All Videos" list and under the "Other" menu option on the device.

CONCLUSION

To optimize the user's experience synchronizing and playing content on a Zune device, create content that can easily be downloaded and synchronized to a Zune device by using the Windows Media Encoder and the encoding settings outlined in this article. Audio, video, and picture files that are encoded properly optimize the synchronization process, the viewing and listening experience, and preserve the battery life of the Zune device.

For More Information

• For general information about Windows Media technologies, see the Windows Media Web site.
• For more information about encoding techniques, see Advanced Encoding Techniques with Windows Media 9 Series.
• To download Windows Media Encoders, see the Windows Media Encoder Web page.

Web addresses can change, so you might be unable to connect to the Web site or sites mentioned here in the future.