Views on life at zunes.com

Last year when the Zune 30 GB was launched black was the most popular color.

So guess what the most popular color is for the Zune 2nd Generation – OK, its Black

But with this year’s launch there is a choice of memory type and size. Even so, within each size, black is still the most popular color.

Black Zune 2 4GB is the most popular 4GB Zune 2

Black Zune 2 8GB is the most popular 8GB Zune 2

Black Zune 2 80GB is the only 80 GB Zune 2 available. Color, memory size, features, and a slick design are making it very popular too.

The Brown Zune 30 GB is selling fast.

Face it - the Red Zune 30 GB and Pink Zune 30 GB are girly

The Black Zune 30 GB is kind of macho electrical

The white makes me think of an ipod

The Brown Zune 30 GB is funky cool without being gender specific and its eye catching in a stylish way.

It’s just cool without trying to be cool.

You can see the colors of all Zunes ( 30 GB Zune plus 2nd generation 4GB Zune, 8GB Zune, and 80GB Zune) at www.zunes.com

Is it just me or did the latest firmware* update for the Zune 30GB make the sound even clearer?

I like to hear each instrument clearly – now I can and I didn’t get new ears or earphones.

I also like the update to the menus and the song information display– very slick.

*Firmware is the programming stored in the Zune that makes it all work. It’s the programming that does everything from turning digital mp3 files into sound, making information appear on the display, making the buttons work, controlling how the sync process works, and everything else needed to make the hardware do what it should.

So, as well as having a Zune you have other toys and gizmos – iPod – Zune – iPhone – PSP – mobile phones that play video – the list goes on…

Now you need a way to convert your DVDs and Videos to play on all of them.

You need one of the fantastic Cucusoft Ultimate Converter Series.

Here’s breakdown of the features of Cucusoft Ultimate Converter Series

• The latest version includes two running modes, “Direct Mode” and “Batch Mode”
• “Direct Mode” means you can directly click the DVD Menu to select the movie you want to rip. This mode is very easy for ripping movie DVD’s
• “Batch Mode” means you can select the DVD titles/chapters you want to rip via checkbox list. This mode is very easy for batch ripping Music DVD’s, MTV DVD’s and DVD’s with episodes
• Subtitle Selection, e.g. English Subtitle, French Subtitle
• Under “Batch Mode”, through DVD Title list
• Under “Direct Mode”, through DVD menu
• Audio Track Selection, e.g. English audio track, French audio track
• Under “Direct Mode”, through DVD menu
• Under “Batch Mode”, through DVD Title list
• Various kinds of video crop mode. e.g. 16:9, 4:3, full screen and so on
• Various kinds of video resize mode, e.g. “Keep aspect ratio” and “stretch to fix screen”
• Support splitting output video by DVD chapters, and titles. Fully support MTV DVDs and DVDs with episodes
• Customizable output video file size and video quality
• Provide flexible output profiles, you can easily customize the video properties
• Support Dolby, DTS Surround audio track
• Convert DVDs/Video to any audio format including AC3, AAC, MP2, MP3, MP4, RA, WMA, etc.
• Convert DVDs/Video to any video format including H264, MP4, WMV, AVI, MOV, RM, 3GP, flv, SWF, mpeg1, mpeg2, VideoCD, SuperVideoCD, DVD, etc.
• Convert DVDs/Video to any (portable) device including iPod, Zune, PSP, iPhone, Apple TV, PPC, PDA, PS2, PS3, Xbox, Xbox 360, etc.

Depending on the source or your input, you need to decide which converter you need

To convert both DVD and Video get Cucusoft Ultimate DVD + Video Converter Suite

To convert only DVDs get Cucusoft Ultimate DVD Converter

To convert only video get Cucusoft Ultimate Video Converter

To make life easier, here’s a feature comparison between the three versions

Features	Cucusoft Ultimate DVD+Video Converter Suite	Cucusoft Ultimate Video Converter	Cucusoft Ultimate DVD Converter
Advanced Options
Free Software Upgrade	Yes	Yes	Yes
Advanced Settings	Yes	Yes	Yes
Customize output video file size	Yes	Yes	Yes
Free Technical Support	Yes	Yes	Yes
Input Format
Support avi video file, such as DivX, Xvid, MP43, ….	Yes	Yes	No
Support MPEG1 video file	Yes	Yes	No
Support MPEG2 video file	Yes	Yes	No
Output to MPEG1 video file	Yes	Yes	No
Output to MPEG2 video file	Yes	Yes	No
Support .asf video file	Yes	Yes	No
Support .wmv video file	Yes	Yes	No
Support .Mov video file	Yes	Yes	No
Support .rm video file	Yes	Yes	No
Support .rmvb video file	Yes	Yes	No
Support DVR-MS Video file	Yes	Yes	No
Support Video DVD disc as source	Yes	No	Yes
Support .IFO file	Yes	No	Yes
Output
Almost any (portable) device	Yes	Yes	Yes
Almost any Video Format	Yes	Yes	Yes
Almost any Audio Format	Yes	Yes	Yes
Minimum Requirements of Cucusoft Ultimate Converter Series
Software requirements: Windows 9x, Windows 2000, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows, Vista, Windows 2003 Server with DirectX 8.0 or later
Hardware requirements: MMX-enhanced CPU or more powerful 32 MB RAM or more Any VGA card

If the list of formats just seems like “blah, blah, blah” then try this – If you want to convert your DVD and video to play on your portable gizmo then get Cucusoft Ultimate DVD + Video Converter Suite.

Chose which one of the Cucusoft Ultimate series does what you need, download the free trial version and take a test drive.

Download Free Trial Ultimate DVD + Video Converter Suite

Download Free Trial Ultimate Video Converter

Download Free Trial Ultimate DVD Converter

Problem Solved!

Recently I found someone had copied the zunes.com imtoo tutorial into a forum on another website (I wont name it). They had just cut and paste and presented it as their own! Their purpose? To sell the imtoo DVD converter through a download link.

I emailed the forum and asked to have the copy removed – just got a wise crack response. Guess that means they think its OK or maybe they were responsible – who knows.

Does it make me mad - maybe a little. Probably more amused than anything.

These tutorials at www.zunes.com are designed so you can print them as a reference.

Before you start the standard Zune install
How to load Music, Pictures, and Video onto your Zune
Cucusoft DVD to Zune Converter Tutorial
AVex DVD to Zune Converter Tutorial
ImTOO DVD to Zune Converter Tutorial
Wondershare DVD to Zune Ripper Tutorial
Setting up the Zune Car Pack

There are others listed at this (reputable) forum http://www.zunescene.com/forums/index.php?topic=10470.0

I was just surfing around looking for interesting stuff and came across a downloadable version of Vocabulary Booster from Ace In-Home Tutoring.

All you people out there listening to music as you travel – try using some of that travelling time for self improvement.

Some of the most successful people I know use their mp3 players to listen to self improvement audio books instead of music.

The phrase they say to me is “stop living a lifestyle and start styling your life”.

So, what are Vocabulary Booster Mp3 Volumes I & II?

Well, according to Ace In-Home Tutoring, the Vocabulary Booster series is the newest, most effective, and easiest way to build a stronger vocabulary.

Why do you want a better vocabulary?
So you sound smarter, understand more, get better scores in tests, have a chance to earn more money…so you can style your life the way you want it.

Each volume contains 200 essential words with definitions and easy-to-remember contextual usage sentences. So, two volumes means you get 400 words to freshen up your vocab.

Download Vocabulary Booster Mp3 Volumes I & II now and start styling your life.

Click on a Zune for more information or buy

The Red and Pink are limited edition so if you want one of those colors buy it while it’s available.

If you really want a different color scheme then try looking at TuneTattooz Skin LCD Screen Protector Tattoo Kit for Microsoft Zune 13 Design Options By Tune Tattooz

For the color coordinated; take a look at this

Microsoft Zune MP3 Premium Silicone Skin Case Cover with Accessory Pack - 11 Inch Adjustable Sports Armband - Screen Shield - 10 Color Options

Development of DVD Decrpter ended with version 3.5.4.0 – if you search around, this is the latest version you find for download at various websites.

Development may have ended for DVD Decrypter but development didn’t stop.

Enhancements to the DVD Decrpter burn engine were built into a new program called ImgBurn.

ImgBurn is now at version v2.3.2.0 and is capable of burning CD, DVD, HD DVD, and Blu-ray disks.

Like DVD Decrypter, ImgBurn is free.

ImgBurn is available at www.imgburn.com

If you do update to ImgBurn then consider donating a couple of bucks…

This is what Amazon say:

“What is Amazon Unbox?

Amazon Unbox is a video download store that has thousands of high quality TV shows, movies and more for you to purchase or rent. You can view these downloadable videos on your PC, your Portable Media Player, or your TiVo DVR. In addition, Amazon Unbox stores a copy of all purchased videos in an online storage locker for re-download at any time. So, videos do not have to eat up hard drive space, and no matter where you are you can download and play your videos.

Unbox on Tivo

Unbox videos can now be downloaded directly to TiVo DVRs! Using Amazon Unbox’s unique RemoteLoad™ feature, consumers can now remotely load their TiVos with purchased or rented movies and TV shows—no more trips to the video store! ”

Amazon unbox is only available to customers within the US.

Click on the banner to go see Amazon unbox video downloads

Well, today I saw a brown Zune in the window of a pawn shop.

It makes you wonder