Multimedia-PCs » zune

Zune Remote Control with Windows Media Center

Jeremy Jones — Mon, 08 Feb 2010 20:56:35 +0000

Using the Zune remote control is as easy as changing a registry value. Now you will still need to have a IR receiver on your computer. If you already have a media center remote then you most likely have one. The plus to using the Zune remote is its simple layout. If you just want to pull up a playlist or watch a video it’s all the remote you need. The directions are below. Going into the registry can be dangerous. Probably want to make a backup before making changes.

Open the registry. Scroll down to Computer\HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\services\HidIr\Remotes\745a17a0-74d3-11d0-b6fe-00a0c90f57da
Find the REG_DWORD named CodeSetNum0 and change the value to Zero. Reboot the PC and enjoy.

(via Lifehacker)

How-To: Install Zune Software 4.0 on Windows Home Server

Jeremy Jones — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 03:30:39 +0000

I posted about installing iTunes 9 on your Windows Home Server a few days back. I didn’t want to leave the new Zune HD fans out of the picture so I wanted to get a link up about installing Zune Software 4.0 on your Windows Home Server. The install looks similar to the iTunes install with editing a few files for the installer. I haven’t played with the new 4.0 software at all so I’m not sure if there are special features like Home Sharing in iTunes 9.

Video: Zune HD the Portable Media Center

Jeremy Jones — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 13:45:52 +0000

Zune HD TV Interface Walkthrough from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

I have been giving the Zune HD a lot of attention lately and that’s because I think it deserves it. With its slick UI and good price point I think it will be a great seller. Gizmodo did a walk-thru of the Zune HD connected to a HDTV and it looks better than any other portable MP3 player. It’s like walking around with a media center in your pocket. While the UI looks impressive, it’s more impressive that it can display on a 60″ screen just as nice. Check out the video above and see for yourself.

Zune HD Available for Pre-Order

Jeremy Jones — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 03:25:07 +0000

I posted about the Zune HD pricing and release date a couple of days ago. Well today you can pre-order through Amazon. The price is $220 for the 16GB model and $290 for the 32GB model. Not bad prices and a really nice UI. Release date is September 15th.

Video: The New Zune HD

Jeremy Jones — Fri, 29 May 2009 22:47:25 +0000

Zune HD Video Hands On from Gizmodo on Vimeo.

Gizmodo has a bunch of pictures and the video above of the new Zune HD. I’m very impressed with how it looks so far. The interface looks really slick. I’m wondering if they will undercut the iPod Touch to get people to buy in. They need to launch a bunch of apps with it too.

New Zune details

Jeremy Jones — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 03:52:00 +0000

http://www.zuneboards.com/content/view/162/2/
Zune Boards has a lot of information on the new Zunes.

1. Pairing Zune to a new computer will not delete your content.

2. Copy music to your computer.

3. Express yourself. The Zune Social is launching in beta.

4. Zune 4, 8 and 80 can sync 720×480 (30fps) or 720×576 (25 fps) video natively.

5. MP3s in the marketplace will not have watermarking.

6. All Zunes will support WMA lossless natively.

7. Zune 80 will come with premium headphones.

8. Wireless send is improved.

9. We’ve added music videos to the marketplace.

10. Native podcasting support.

11. All Zunes have the same resolution screen.

12. Change your background.

13. Full-bleed artist art.

14. More marketplace genres.

15. Everything is upgradable.

In order to copy media center recordings to your Zune you will need Windows Vista Media Center. Media Center 2005 will not support that feature. I guess it’s about time to upgrade your media centers to vista. The site has details on all of the above and some limitations of the Zune.

Random Posts:

The new Zune version 1 and 2

Jeremy Jones — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:35:00 +0000

http://www.last100.com/2007/10/04/zune-2-five-things-microsoft-did-right/

The link above is to last100 and a post about the 5 things Microsoft did right with the zune. I agree with them on the 5 things and I will talk a little more about them below.

I wanted to start out by saying that I understand that the new Zune isn’t much different than version one. But the changes they made reflect some of the changes Zune users wanted. A company that is willing to change things to make users happy is a good thing. One other good thing Microsoft did, and why I titled the post like I did, is that there will be a firmware update for the version 1′s that provide the same features as the new Zunes. So if you have a version 1 it will be like getting a new device. If Microsoft would have changed the Zune completely with entirely new hardware set they wouldn’t have been able to offer that to version 1 owners (early adopters). That was a good move on Microsoft’s part. Let’s get onto the new features.

1. Wifi music syncing: This gives a little more functionality out of that wifi card. You can sync the zune over a wireless network. Another addition is songs you pass to other zunes don’t expire after 3 days. You only get to play it 3 times but it could be 3 times in a year. Also if you receive a song you can send it to someone else. This isn’t a big feature yet because most people have ipods, but if zunes become more popular I could see this being used, even by myself.

2. Support for audio/video podcasts: This is long over due. I feel uncomfortable listening to Ian Dixon’s Media Center Show on my ipod.

3. Windows Media Center video recording support: Finally, the Zune and Media Center can be friends on their own. This was possible with third party programs but when you add an additional program it isn’t easy. I’m sure this was a feature Microsoft added after listening to the users.

4. Social Networking: Well this feature from what I read doesn’t appeal to me that much. You get a “Zune Card” and the website will display what song you are listening to. It’s a website around the “Welcome to the Social”. There are enough social networking sites out there that I can’t keep up with. I don’t really need another one to show what song I am listening to. Microsoft did say that eventually there will be a widget for other social networking sites to display the song information. What they should have done is created the website that lets you create the widget and left it at that.

5. Backward-compatible firmware update: I talked about this above. Thanks Microsoft from all version 1 zune owneres. I don’t own a Zune but I’m sure they people that do appreciate you thinking of them.

I think the Zune has potential to be a great MP3 player. If Microsoft keeps listening to the users and adding features I’m sure it will grow in popularity. I’m really considering buying a Zune instead of a new ipod. Plus the Zune marketplace is going to go DRM-free. And after dealing with Apple’s DRM I’m ready to move on.

Random Posts:

Zune vs. iPod video

Jeremy Jones — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 01:16:00 +0000

Well I’m sure that everyone has seen the Mac vs. Windows commercials. If you haven’t you probably don’t watch TV. But my favorite things is “I’m a Mac, I’m a PC”. But doesn’t PC stand for personal computer? Isn’t Mac a personal computer? Maybe it’s a shared computer? I have a MacBook Pro and I don’t want my friends to touch it. So it’s personal to me. Well I’m getting a little off track. There is a new video online about the Zune vs. the iPod. This video is for the zune. And just like those Mac commercials it has some lies. I’m just glad that there are some supporters of the zune. If there was only one company that made a product then what would be the point of the company making it any better. What the zune is going to do is start a product war. Zune will have a feature, Apple will outdo it, then Microsoft will come up with something better, and this will happen over and over. The customer is who benefits from this. But anyway enjoy the video. I’m just full of it tonight.

Random Posts:

Digital Media: Who has the lead?

Jeremy Jones — Sun, 12 Nov 2006 21:47:00 +0000

For some time now Apple has been the leader in providing digital media. That’s because of their iPod lineup. The iPod has continued to get better with battery life, size, and styles. You can find an iPod that fits any type of person. But now the big company, Microsoft, is stepping into the game where others have failed to compete. Microsoft is only releasing one model with three different colors. Apple’s lineup is a lot more impressive. So what makes Microsoft think that they can compete. Well Microsoft is making sure that they don’t just provide a player but an entire setup of digital media. The Zune player is just the last piece.

It makes sense for Microsoft to get into the game. Lots of people already use Windows Media Player to organize their music, Xbox is a favorite console for many people, Windows Media Center 2005 is growing in popularity, and all of this works together with little effort. From the office computer running Windows XP, to the living room running MCE 2005, to the Xbox 360 in the den. They can all share files between them. And now with the Zune player you can take all those files to go. They just announced that Xbox live will support video downloads, including TV shows and movie rentals. I’m assuming, though I can’t confirm yet, that the content that you download via Xbox live will be available on MCE 2005. To me this seems like a better setup than Apple iTunes and iPod.

You can’t count Apple out. Apple has already previewed their set top box code named iTV. There are rumors of a iPod phone and new iPods. There is going to be a new OS with, I assume, a new iLife 07 package. So there are a lot of new things coming out to balance this constant release of new things by Microsoft.

Only time will tell if Microsoft can compete with Apple in the digital media business. Microsoft has the equipment, they will just need the users to join. I am excited about all these new things and will try to get my hands on as many as I can to let you know how they work.

Random Posts:

Zune is close

Jeremy Jones — Sat, 04 Nov 2006 01:13:00 +0000

http://www.zune.net:80/en-US/

Microsoft has opened up it’s Zune Player site. I have been an iPod fan for some time but the zune looks really nice. They already have lots of accessories for the zune on the site. My problems with the Zune is I purchase my music through iTunes. Microsoft you need to do something in order for me to keep my music when I switch over to zune. And I know I can convert them but converting them via the sound card isn’t going to cut it for me, either is burning all of them on CDs. Also Microsoft’s online music store isn’t as nice as iTunes. The interface seems hard to navigate. If I want to purchase music I want it to be easy to find.

Multimedia-PCs » zune

Zune Remote Control with Windows Media Center

Related Posts:

How-To: Install Zune Software 4.0 on Windows Home Server

Related Posts:

Video: Zune HD the Portable Media Center

Related Posts:

Zune HD Available for Pre-Order

Related Posts:

Video: The New Zune HD

Related Posts:

New Zune details

Random Posts:

The new Zune version 1 and 2

Random Posts:

Zune vs. iPod video

Random Posts:

Digital Media: Who has the lead?

Random Posts:

Zune is close

Random Posts: