Zune.net up, codecs, the final answer
I'm probably the last to blog, but as of today zune.net is up. Lots of additional info is now available.
note the answers to many folks questions are at http://www.zune.net/en-us/meetzune/device.htm.
Note that the codec list (wma, wmv, aac) is just the codecs that are natively on the device; other codecs (h.264, mpeg-4, Quicktime) can come onto the device through transcoding built into the client application.
posted by David Caulton at 9:52 AM
20 Comments:
I think you accidentally left off MP3 - isn't that a native format for Zune players as well?
So, to test my understanding:
The Zune player firmware recognizes wma, MP3, and aac natively, for audio.
And wmv natively for video.
But Zune software on your PC can transcode additional formats so that they are in one of the Zune-native formats prior to the files being sync'd with your Zune.
Do I have that right?
Thanks David, I'm slow.
Harvey
Zunerama
so it actually only supports wmv?
it just automatically re-encodes other video files? any chance of getting avi support? I have alot of avi files.
( of course as long as my RvB works I really don't mind )
=P
Any chance of getting native DivX support eventually via a firmware upgrade? I'm not sure transcoding the gigs & gigs of Divx I have is going to be much fun.
"other codecs (h.264, mpeg-4, Quicktime) can come onto the device through transcoding built into the client application."
i.e. They aren't supported.
I second the question.
Will firmware updates be able to enhance the "native" playback of H264, DivX, MPEG2, etc?
People will get ticked if they want to put their DivX movie on their Zune and they have to wait an hour or 2 to transcode/sync (not to mention taking up twice as much hard drive space.
I didn't expect Microsoft actually do this. It's a true shame Zune only supports WMV. Transcoding DOES NOT count as "support". If it only natively support WMV, Zune will die soon, period. Remember the SONY's mistake about MP3 format. They ignored MP3 and forced to use their propriety ATRAC, and miserably failed on digital music player market.
I ordered Zune about a month ago, but I canceled it today. Bye-Bye Zune. I'll see you again when you support H246/DivX/QuickTime/Mpeg3/4 etc. Until then, I'll keep my iPod.
Yes, firmware updates *can* improve codec support going forward.
I know it *can*, but the question is *will* it?
David:
No native support for Windows Media Audio lossless?? That is incomprehensible - the Toshiba Gigabeat S decodes WMAL natively.
What's worse is that if the Zune software is like WMP 11, the transcoding maxes out at WMA 160 kbps. Audiophiles will not be pleased.
This may be a deal breaker for me considering that the 60 GB Gigabeat S is the same price as the Zune.
"Yes, firmware updates *can* improve codec support going forward. "
Not only is *can* qualified because it is a far cry from *will*, but also because you really want the codec support in hardware. MS (I will be clear and firm on this prediction) IS NOT going to add any codec support that only comes from software. It will perform badly and kill the battery.
Video support is the deal breaker for me. Though you can't blame MS, its only a gen 1, and they need to get it out sometime.
I'll wait for MPEG4 and h264 native support - maybe the gen 2 device.
For now, the Archos 604 Wifi is looking better, though the form factor is somewhat larger...
"can" is not good enough. I was all ready to switch from my Creative Vision M to Zune until I found out it doesn't support a lossless format. Add FLAC to the format list and you'll get my money. It doesn't even support WAV files for Christ sake.
How could you guys market a new player that does NOT support .wav when all of us out here in the world who deal in live recordings use .wav, and Flac I might add as our primary formats. But .wav is what we live by. Lossless, no compression. My own 60 gig player right now is filled wit Wav Files because I want to HEAR EVERYTHING :-o)
I'd like to add that my Creative players serve me well, and to lure me away you'd have to address the customer service issue that creative falls on their face over. Once you buy a creative product and you need to talk to them after 60 days you have to PAY by the HOUR to communicate with them. It's demeaning and horrible. If Microsoft would rise to the level of true customer servive, support the lossless and compressionless filess we actually use in the world, MS would become KING !
Does anyone know if the Zune software will work with Windows XP x64?
no it doesn't run on x64 i just tried, its a bloody shame it wont even run on =MS= WinPro x64..
i need help whenever i try to play wma it says "Zune software either does not support the file type or does not support the codec that was used to create the file" what the heck? how can i go around this?
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Ok this is the deal my zune frimware plays all the music in my colcction but the software on my computer gives an error c00d109b what can i do paxil
Will this also include the error c00d11cd. I had to reformat my computer because of HD crash. Now some of the music I purchased can not be put back. Help...
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