Zune Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

Steven Hughes via Techronical attempts to answer a question that most Zuners encounter at one point or another; how to get high-quality videos in a compact filesize and that don't take a long time to convert. Based on a tip from Long Zheng, Hughes recommends the free (donationware) program MediaCoder, which allows users to import custom encoder presets to help smooth the process and achieve consistent results.

Though Zheng's settings file is MediaCoder-specific, his suggested bitrate, framerate, and resolution should be universal for your favorite encoder.

He recommends:

• Video:
  Format: Windows Media
  Codec: Windows Media Video 9
  Mode: Bitrate-based
  Bitrate: 768 Kbps
  Resolution: 320×240
  Frame rate: 25 fps
• Audio:
  Encoder: Windows Media Audio
  Codec: Windows Media Audio 9.2
  Resample: 44100 Hz
  Mode: CBR
  Bitrate: 192 Kbps

Keep in mind that you most likely don't have to use such a high bitrate for audio (typically I use 128 Kbps). If you have a Zune80 and want to display your videos on the TV, you should set your resolution to 640x480 (Zune4, 8, and 30 just leave it as-is). As pointed out by Civisi last week, if you're converting videos manually, you should make sure the Zune software isn't fighting your progress by re-encoding your videos at sync time. Check the Settings page of the software under Device, Conversion Settings to best fit your needs.

In this thrilling sequel to last month's blockbuster buddy comedy, Cesar and Max are at it again. This time they've got their sights planted firmly on the cool things you can do with the new 2.5 update, like syncing a friend's Zune Card, working with the new Social, and apparently learning how to Salsa dance. If you were ever curious how Cesar uses his Social account (or how he breaks it down), stop by Channel8 and get informed.

Will our obsession with retro culture ever end? The story of this new Zune-Arts follows Laika, first dog in orbit, as she travels to what appears to be dog heaven. Missing the company of her friends, she brings back all the bacon, dog toys, and tennis balls she can. Kind of reminds me the last one, though.



Scottish band The Aliens provides "I am the Unknown" from their album Astronomy for Dogs (what else?). It's got a great sound reminiscent of some of the Beatles' more vocal-heavy ballads*, and it definitely encouraged me to check out the rest of their catalog. The animation was well-done, but nothing spectacular. I'm hoping for a hand-drawn short in the near future. Someone like Bill Plympton or John K would fit perfectly with Zune's offbeat and weird style they're going for.

*It reminded me a lot of Tears For Fears' "Who Killed Tangerine?" as it featured much of the same psych-pop sound. If you like this song, definitely check out "Who Killed Tangerine?".

New Zune Arts for y'all: this one follows the pattern of past Zune-Arts, focusing primarily on the joys of sharing (or in this case the sorrows of selfishness). In Le Cadeau Du Temps (translated: "the gift of time"), animator Corey Godbey seems to almost emulate a shadow puppet show by combining a gorgeous silhouette effect with jerky, organic movement. The drawings are decorated with gradients, sparkles, and a set of amazing background plates. Maurice Sendak would be proud.



The song is called Liquid Sugar, and it's by British band Maps. Though Liquid Sugar doesn't yet show up on Maps' most played songs list, I expect it soon will.

P.S. Zune Team: For the next one, definitely consider Patrick Smith. He's one of my favorite animators of all time, and his work would fit right in with the rest of the Zune-Arts.

There's a new Zune-Arts in town, and it goes by the name of "Swap Meet" (or "Intergallactic Swap Meet"). It features some nice 2D and 3D CG animation courtesy of againstallodds, and The Deadly Syndrome's "Eucalyptus" serves as the score, in the most indie rock way possible. The video itself can only be described as a cross between Super Mario Galaxy and biologist's worst nightmare, as "message in a bottle"-style containers serve as an interplanetary vessel for several minute alien species. Upon arriving at our planet of reference, the species begin devouring each other and subsequently inheriting their meal's traits. Very weird and very cool.

But don't take my word for it, check out the video for yourself: