Tutorials at Zunes.com

How to load Music, Pictures, and Video onto your Zune


   Music   -  DVDs   -  Software   -  Computer & Video Games   -  Software   -  More Categories...

So, you have a new Zune . What now?


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What, no Zune?
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To get going you’ll want to install the Zune software onto your PC, get your new Zune connected, and start loading your music, pictures, and video.

Before you start your standard install read this: Installing the Zune Software.

If you can’t load the Zune software from the CD go to www.zune.net/en-us/meetzune/software.htm and click the Download Zune link.

After you have your Zune software installed and your Zune connected, the next step is to check for updates to the Zune firmware (operating system on the Zune) and updates to the Zune software.
To check for firmware updates, do this
  1. Make sure your Zune is connected to your PC with the USB cable
  2. On the navigation panel on the left, RIGHT-CLICK on your Zune name (the name you gave it during the install)
  3. On the pop-up menu that appears, Click (left-click) on “Check for Zune Device Updates.”
  4. Another Window will pop-up. There are two places to look on this window:
    • The text on left half of the picture tells you the current activity
    • The line of text just below the picture tells you the STATUS
  5. When the status is “Firmware is up to date”, click the “Close” button

The Zune software should automatically update but you can also manually check for updates by doing this:
  1. Click “Options” at the top center of the Zune software window
  2. Click or hover over “Help”
  3. Click “Check for Updates…”
  4. The line of text underneath the picture tells you the current STATUS
  5. If your Zune software updates, follow the instructions
  6. When the check/update is complete. Close the window

Now you’re all up to date, its time to start loading your Zune.

The Zune software automatically imports the contents of these folders
If your current music, video, and picture files are in these folders, you won’t have to make any changes.

These folders are jointly referred to as the Zune Library. The Zune software monitors these folders so anything new added is automatically imported to the Zune media library.

You can add new folders (such as you iTunes folder) to the Zune library by
  1. Select Options, Add to Library (or press F3).
  2. Click Add Folder and browse to a folder you want Zune to monitor.
  3. Click OK. Zune will now include that folder in its continuous search for media on your PC

If you want to remove a folder from the Zune library, follow the steps
  1. Click “Options” at the top center of the Zune software window
  2. Click or hover over “Library”
  3. Click “More Options…”
  4. The Options window will pop-up
  5. Click “Monitor Folders…”
  6. Click “Remove Folder”
  7. Browse and highlight the folder to Remove by clicking on it
  8. Click “Ok”

Time to load your Zune – adding Media content

Music:
Existing files:
You can either add new files to one of the folders in the Zune library or you can drag the files from other locations and drop them on the Zune software.

The Zune software does not take copies of the files, it just keeps track of where the files are located (in other words, it sets up short-cuts to the files/folders).

Music from CD’s:
You can rip music from Audio CD’s into your Zune library either manually or automatically.
When the Zune software was installed, two new AutoPlay actions were added for Music CD’s, these are “Play audio CD using Zune” and “Rip music from CD using Zune”.

After you insert your CD; if it automatically plays in the Zune software, there will be “Start Rip” button to the bottom right of the central panel. Click this to start the rip, the ripping will be faster if you pause the music.

If you want to automatically rip your CD to the Zune Library do this<>
  1. Click “Options” at the top center of the Zune software window
  2. Click or hover over “Rip”
  3. Click ”Rip CD Automatically When Inserted”

If you want the CD to eject when done ripping go through steps 1 and 2 then select “Eject CD After Ripping”.

Music from Zune Marketplace
Zune Marketplace is a full topic all by its self. For now, here’s a quick overview.

Sign-in to Zune Marketplace:
  1. From the Zune software click “Sign-In”
  2. If you have a Windows Live ID, sign-in with that. If you don’t, click “Create a new account” (bottom left of window)

To create/manage your account, do this
  1. Click the orange person symbol beside “Options”
  2. Click “Account Management”
  3. On the ACCOUNT SUMMARY page, Click “Account Management”

Now that you have an account and your personal details are up-to-date, its time to decide how you are going to pay for any downloads you make.
From the ACCOUNT SUMMARY page you can choose from

Which kind of account is for you?
Pay-as-you-go: Buy music by the song or by the album using Microsoft Points. You can buy Microsoft Points from Zune software, or get pre-paid Points cards at retailers that sell Zune. Songs you buy using Points are yours forever, and can be copied and burned to CDs.

Subscription: Buy a Zune Pass and download unlimited songs for the duration of your subscription. Choose a one-, two-, or three-month subscription. Songs you download with your Zune Pass are yours for as long as you continue your Zune Pass subscription; they can be copied to three computers and two Zune devices, but they can't be burned to CDs. You can choose to buy any track you have downloaded to get full ownership rights for the song.

Once you have Microsoft points or you’re signed up for a Zune Pass, you’ll want to head back to the marketplace.

In the marketplace you can search for music either by using the search field at the top of the screen (if you type slowly, the search results will change as you type) or by clicking on one of the fields below the work “marketplace” on the left panel. If there are no fields showing, click on the little arrow maker to the left of “marketplace”.

Pictures
You can either add new files to one of the folders in the Zune library or you can drag the files from other locations and drop them on the Zune software.

Video
The Zune does not come with software for converting from DVD format or Video to Zune acceptable formats. You will need additional software downloaded from the internet. Go to www.zunes.com/downloads for programs

If you want an All-in-One product, you will need to buy one of the many Zune converter programs available.

Before you leap in and buy a DVD converting program, think about whether you will want to convert video from other sources e.g. from video cameras.

Use this table to help decide what you need

Type of converting Type of program needed
Convert only from DVD DVD to Zune converter/Ripper
Convert only Video from other sources
(not DVD format) 		Video to Zune converter
Convert from both DVD and other video sources Zune converter Suite

Most of these programs have a trial version so you can decide if you like the program before paying out money. The trial versions either restrict you to converting a couple of minutes or superimpose something like “Trial Version” across the output.

If you want to use free software and are comfortable using programs with little or no instructions, then you will need two programs;

These free programs and many other programs are available at www.zunes.com/downloads


So now you should be able to
Next Step
Accessorize! Go to www.zunes.com/store for Zune cases, Zune car charger, Zune A/V pack, and more Zune accessories.