How to convert video files to a file type that is supported by the Zune software and the Zune device

This article describes how to convert unsupported kinds of files into files that are supported by the Zune software so that you can sync the files to the Zune device.

This article describes how to use several Microsoft programs to convert video files into .wmv files. For more information about file formats that are supported by the Zune software, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Many third-party software programs can convert video files. You can search the Internet for software that is right for you.

Microsoft has released several programs that convert video files. These programs include Windows Movie Maker, Microsoft Expression Encoder, and Windows Media Encoder. To use these Microsoft programs to convert video files, follow the steps in this article.

Windows Movie Maker

Windows Movie Maker is a component of Windows XP and Windows Vista. Windows Movie Maker supports files that are imported in the following video formats:

• .asf
• .avi
• .m1v
• .mp2
• .mp2v
• .mpe
• .mpeg
• .mpg
• .mpv2
• .wm
• .wmv

To convert video files to .wmv format by using Windows Movie Maker, follow these steps:

1. Start Windows Movie Maker.
   • In Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type moviemk.exe, and then click OK.
   • In Windows Vista, click Start
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     , type moviemk.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
2. On the File menu, click Import into Collections or click Import Media Items, select the file that you want to import, and then click Import.
3. Drag the video to the storyboard at the bottom of the window.
4. On the File menu, click Save Movie File in Windows XP or click Publish Movie in Windows Vista.
5. Click My Computer, and then follow the steps in the Save Movie Wizard to save the movie file.
6. When the wizard prompts you to select the movie file settings, select the settings that are most appropriate for how you plan to use the file. For example, if you plan to watch the video by using the Zune software, you may want to save the file at a better-quality setting. But if you plan to watch the video on your Zune device, you may want to save the file at a lower setting that is more appropriate to the 320 x 240 pixel resolution that the Zune device uses.
7. After you create the movie file, move the file to one of the folders in the Zune library, and then start the Zune software. Then, connect your Zune device to the computer if you want to sync the movie to the device.

For more information about Windows Movie Maker, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Microsoft Expression Encoder 2

1. Start Microsoft Expression Encoder.
2. On the File menu, click Import.
3. Locate and open the video file that you want to convert.
4. On the Encode tab, select one of the Hardware Device – Zune options for Video under Profile.
5. Click Encode.
6. After encoding is complete, click the Output tab, and then click Open Job.
7. Move the file to one of the folders in your Zune collection, and then start the Zune software. Then, connect your Zune device to the computer if you want to sync the movie to the device.

For more information about Microsoft Expression Encoder, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

Windows Media Encoder

To download Windows Media Encoder, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Windows Media Encoder is a powerful tool that was designed for content producers who want to capture audio and video content by using the many innovations in Windows Media. Windows Media Encoder supports files that are imported in the following video formats:

• .asf
• .avi
• .bmp
• .jpg
• .mpg
• .wmv

To convert video files to .wmv format by using Windows Media Encoder, follow these steps:

1. Start Windows Media Encoder.
   • In Windows XP, click Start, click Run, type wmenc.exe, and then click OK.
   • In Windows Vista, click Start
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     , type wmenc.exe in the Start Search box, and then press ENTER.
2. In the New Session dialog box, click Convert a file, and then click OK. Or, click New on the File menu, and then click Convert a file.
3. To select a source file, click Browse next to Source file, select the file that you want to convert, and then click Open.
4. Click Next.
5. When the wizard prompts you to select the content distribution settings, select the settings that are most appropriate for how you plan to use the file. For example, if you plan to watch the video by using the Zune software, you may want to save the file at a better-quality setting. But if you plan to watch the video on your Zune device, you may want to save the file at a lower setting that is more appropriate to the 320 x 240 pixel resolution that the Zune device uses.
6. Follow the steps in the wizard to convert the file. When the conversion is finished, move the movie file to one of the folders in the Zune library, and then start the Zune software. Then, connect your Zune device to the computer if you want to sync the movie to the device.

For more information about Windows Media Encoder, visit the following Web site: For more information about how to provide content for Zune, visit the following Zune Web site: