Does anyone have a Zune?

[hpymomof3]

I bought a Zune for my dd for Christmas but she still hasn't been able to load any new songs on it. Do I have to buy the music from the Zune website? Is there anywhere else I can buy it. Also how do the Microsoft points work. Are these the same points that are used for the Xbox 360. I notice that I can purchase those at other places such as Amazon.

[Kelli in TN]

I just use the Zune marketplace or my own ripped cds. I can also generally use librivox. That is about all I have had success with.

You buy the points and just spend them in the Zune marketplace.

[freethinkermom]

My husband has one, but I have to do all the technical stuff for him :rolleyes: ....

You can listen to mp3's, AAC, or WMA audio files that are unprotected, and WMA that are DRM'd from the Zune store. You can watch WMV, MPEG4, and H.264 video files, BUT the Zune software will convert all files to WMV as it is loading them onto the Zune which is a very slow process. You can convert them to wmv first using one of many free or inexpensive programs (google for Zune file conversion).

You can rip music from cd's.
You can buy music the Zune Marketplace (DRM'd)
You can buy music from Amazon (unprotected mp3's)
There are many sites such as librivox with free audio books.
Most podcasts have rss feeds on their websites that you can put into the Zune software to have episodes downloaded automatically in mp3.

You CANNOT use music purchased from itunes (well, you can, but not without some effort)
You CANNOT use books purchased from Audible.com.

When you plug in the zune and open the software it should automatically look in the My Music folder on your hardrive. If you have compatible music in another folder you have to point the software there. When you rip cd's the tracks should go straight into your My Music folder unless you have told your computer to put them somewhere else.

Microsoft points are the same as for Xbox live. You can purchase them online direct from microsoft, in Xbox live marketplace, or buy a card preloaded with points at many card kiosks in stores like Walmart.

[Kelli in TN]

[QUOTE=freethinkermom;28438]My husband has one, but I have to do all the technical stuff for him :rolleyes: ....

QUOTE]

Um, can you come over and help me with my Zune? I have photos and a little bit of music on it. I can't use audiobooks from my library. I have never been able to put a podcast on it. I have never put a video on it. How soon can you get here?:o

[freethinkermom]

Well, I have never been to Tennesee :)

Ask any questions you have. Chances are I can answer them.

[Mamabegood]

Zune for Dummies. Depends on how desperate you are...