Is this video supposed to be like giving songs to people?

Hey, I know DDV! Cool.

The sound quality is pretty bad, even on the download.  They used WMA V9 Standard @ 64 Kbps.  YUCK.  Use Pro or a higher bitrate please!

Cesar, I found an interesting article and I'm interested in particular to Microsoft's response to this claim: "There are a number of fan sites that sound excited about the Zune, but a big part of that excitement stems from the fact that those websites were set up by Microsoft as astroturf. They are really just advertisements pretending to represent real people, created by Microsoft to generate buzz."

Full article here: http://www.roughlydrafted.com/RD/Q4.06/D0BC712B-7DBA-46CA-AA44-19376E64FBA6.html

I realized clearly that this guy supports Apple products, but that doesn't necessarily negate his perspectives any more that your working for Microsoft negates yours. I'm just curious as to how many of the Zune web sites that popped up around the launch of Zune we sponsored or supported in some way by Microsoft. It does appear as if many of them initially all simply presented Microsoft press releases on their websites, and many of them have few to zero comments on their blog entries, and few visitors to their forums. Your comment?

Dan

Love the background.  Twin Cities rocks!

Dan H, I'm assumming you didn't write the article so you won't mind my next comment.  That article was garabage...a complete waste of 5 minutes.  I still can't understand how these people who state endlessly that they hate zune just can't stop talking about it.  It's interesting...and a little weird.  Why do all Mac Heads obsess over Microsoft and their products?

Can I win a Zune?  I bought an Ipod awhile back, the hardrive crapped out and I sent it in for repair within the warranty date.  Fast forward 1 week after my warranty expired and the hardrive failed again.  I'm itching to get my hands on a Zune, and see if I can't influence some of my online friends to drop the apple schtick.

Hey Everyone, we just launched the first Zune Podcast over at Zunecorps to support the Zune community, and we have a great interview with Bill Wittress and David Caulton!

Check it out!  http://odeo.com/audio/3493513/view

I hope Zune has a strategy that can deal with the actual delivery of any of the Apple iPhone rumors.

http://www.engadget.com/2006/12/03/kevin-rose-confirms-iphone/

I'm worried that although Microsoft has spent alot of time and energy getting into Mobile area.  Apple could potentially eat into Mobile market faster than Zune gain market share in portables.  If I were Zune, I'd have a software add-on for Windows Mobile users to get Zune'd.  Otherwise you'll need to have a plethoria of hardware announcements early next year.

I am trying to find a list of formats for video that will not be converted before transport to the Zune but instead be direct synced? Any assistance would be appreciative.

question cesar, can you get us wmv downloadable versions of all the zune-art videos?

I like the videos and ( shocker ) would like to watch them on my zune.

yea i know its late and this has prob been answered before but why isnt zune compatible with windows media player and music downloaded from napster? it seems media player is propmoting URGE instead of zune marketplace

Most of the Zune Arts videos can be downloaded.  Click the "+" on each icon.  (As posted above, the audio on a few of them were extremely poorly encoded for some reason... but they still look OK.)

O.K...I bought Zune songs from one computer that had Zune software and transferred them to another computer and its refusing to play the songs in the new computer using ZUNE SOFTWARE..it tells me I have to download usage rights then refuses to download them telling me I have to install the software(which is already installed!!) or the song has expired(even though i bought it individually!) what the hell? somebody tell me what in the world is going on. Cant Zune songs be transferred from one PC to another if they both have Zune software. Anyone else have this problem?

Dan H - nope. I have never paid anyone to create a fansite for Zune - silly iFanboy website rants notwithstanding.

You gotta realize that the barrier of entry to create a website is extremely low, and that if you wanted to, you could create a website in 5 minutes. With some copy/paste, you can put up the same information.

The same holds true for Xbox (where I used to work). Look at the 100s of Xbox-related community sites. As with the Zune sites, some of them have more users than others.

Cesar - Appreciate the response. Yeah, there was quite a bit of ranting in that post!  ;-)

The author may be some valid points, but it's hard to hear them when there's so much obvious bias going on.

On another topic, for some reason, which I don't understand, people see to view any criticism of a device as an affront to their intelligence. The guys on the Zune forums get irrational when someone states a fact that reflects negatively on the Zune. The iPod guys do the same thing when a negative about the iPod is mentioned.

For god's sake, they're just music players. I love my iPod, not because Apple made the device, but because it holds 8,228 songs that I like to have with me at all times. And I hate being called a "fanboy" because I happen to like my iPod. Why wouldn't I like it? If I didn't, I'd take it back and get something different.

Cesar, Thanks listening and for being a voice of reason!  

Dan

Dan - that's why I put up the rules (http://zuneinsider.com/archive/2006/11/28/if-your-comment-got-deleted-here-s-why.aspx)

"Intelligent, lively, genuine debates are very welcome. Personal attacks? Flame wars? Not so much."

And *I* don't think you're a fanboy :). thanks for commenting here! but you haven't got a zune yet? tsk tsk. (I keed, I keed!)

wow I feel stupid. I never noticed the + mark before....

I also like the short bios of the video and audio. I now know more about BitterSweet, my new favorite group.

How can we submit our work to the Zune-Art.net site? I've been trying to figure it out with no luck. Any help will be appreciated.

Thanks!

I can see it's going to be very difficult - maybe - regarding conntent on Zune - and how democratic it may be possible for it to be without it becoming a catchall for everyone and their uncle with a bit of desktop creativity.Obviously myspace and many other sites cater for this. I was going to sign up there as a visual artist -I have a site at www.daiharding.com - but signed up as 49machines to help promote the music I make as a duo - so all in all - when going to the Zune site - one wonders, like the mail from Duck Studios - how on earth do you get stuff on Zune.

Dai 49machines

Hi,  Where are the plus signs on zune.arts.net, please?

Appreciate the help.