Audio file formats supported by the Zune software

This article describes the audio file formats that are supported by the Zune software. This information applies to the following circumstances: When you rip audio tracks from a music CD to a computer, add audio files to your Zune collection, or sync audio files to your Zune player.

Rip audio tracks from a music CD to a computer

You can configure the Zune software to rip audio from music CDs using the following file formats and the corresponding bit rates:By default, the Zune software rips audio files by using the Windows Media Audio format at 128 Kbps.

To change the default ripping format and bit rate in the Zune software, click Settings, select the software option, click Rip, and then select an option that appears in the table.

Note: If you select Windows Media Audio Lossless (wma), the bit rate is set automatically. You cannot select a different bit rate.

Add audio files to your Zune collection

The Zune software automatically searches for appropriate audio files, and then adds the audio files in the following formats to your Zune collection:

• The following types of files:
  • .wma
  • .wmv
  • .mp3
  • .jpg
  • .mp4
  • .m4v
  • .m4a
  • .m4b
  • .mov
• Music files that originated from the Zune Marketplace are protected by digital rights management (DRM). The Zune software will not play DRM-protected content from other content sources.
• Content that was ripped without any personal copy protection. The Zune software will not import any content that was ripped with personal copy protection turned on. For example, you cannot play songs that were ripped to a CD with personal copy protection by using Windows Media Player.

Sync audio files to your Zune device

You can use the Zune software to sync audio files together with your Zune device that comply with the following standards:

• Windows Media Audio (.wma)
  You can use a bit rate up to 320 Kbps. For constant bit rate (CBR) and variable bit rate (VBR) files, you can use a bit rate up to 48-kilohertz (kHz) sample rate.
• MP3 (.mp3)
  You can use a bit rate up to 320 Kbps. For CBR and VBR files, you can use a bit rate up to 48-kHz sample rate.
• Advanced audio coding (AAC) files such as .mp4, .m4a, .m4b, and .mov files
  You can use a bit rate up to 320 Kbps. For Low Complexity (LC) files, you can use a bit rate up to 48-kHz sample rate.

Use the Zune software as the default playback program for audio files

To configure the Zune software to be the default playback program for different types of files, follow these steps:

1. Click Settings, select Software, and then click File Types.
2. Select the file types for which you want Zune to be the default player, and then click OK.

Note To change the default file types that the Zune software plays, sign in to the computer as an administrator or as a member of the Administrators group.

For more information, open the Windows Help and Support Center, and then search for the following phrase: