Tip 1

Dynamic Zune Card Image

I have come across a site that takes your Zune Card user ID and then makes an image of your ZuneCard so you can put it on other sites that don't support flash. It updates the image every half an hour with the music you're listening to.

Here is an example of my Zune Card image:

Want to know how to do this? Simply type in the following url:
http://card.mygamercard.net/apps/zune/YOURZUNEID.png
Change YOURZUNEID to your Zune ID. Mine is Nathan Anderson. When there is a space in your ID, just put a plus sign in it's place, so mine would turn into Nathan+Anderson so my final Image would show up at:
http://card.mygamercard.net/apps/zune/Nathan+Anderson.png
Embed this image in any site and it updates every half an hour. Hope you like it!

Tip 2

Use Your Own Image for your Zune Software Background

Alright, the credit to this goes to ZuneBoards.com, but I HAD to make a post about it because it's such a nice hack. This will actually let you change your background image for the software to whatever you want right within the Zune software. The following is a quote from Zuneboards.com:

"Custom Zune Background Hack v1.0 Download location here: http://zune.jajuka.com/CustomBackground.exe

Authors: Berdon Magnus, Nurta

Description:
That's right folks, customize your Zune software however you want with this great release. This was a collaborative effort between Nurta and myself, it will allow you to change your Zune software background directly inside the Zune software.

Installation Instructions

  1. Download the file.
  2. Place the file inside your Zune program files folder. (Usually at C:/Program Files/Zune/)
  3. Run the file.
  4. Pat yourself on the back for a job well done!

Changing Your Background:
  1. Click on settings (top right)
  2. Click on Display (left side)
  3. Choose the "Custom Background" option now conveniently under the other stock Zune background image choices.
  4. Paste inside the edit box the path to your image file. (Don't know how to get the path, read the instructions below) Make sure you have the extention of the file or it will not work. (e.g. ".jpg" or ".gif")
  5. Important: Press the "Set Image Location" button to change your background.

If you're looking for exclusive backgrounds to try out that work well in the software with the text, look on the pictures page.

Finding Your Image Path (Easy peasy):
  1. Go to My Computer (start->My Computer) or My Documents or My Pictures
  2. Find your image
  3. For XP: The location in the edit box near the top, something like: "c:/SomeFolder/SomeFolder" will be the location of the file once found, all you have to do is tack on the name of the file. So, if your image is called "ZuneImage.gif", then the path is: "c:/SomeFolder/SomeFolder/ZuneImage.gif"
  4. For Vista: This is the exact same as for the XP users, you just have to click in the edit area (that will show My Computer something) rather then the location directly off the bat. Once you click in the area it will show you the real location. Take this location + the file name and viola, you're done.

Method 2:
  1. Right click the image file and go to properties.
  2. Copy the Location and paste it into the Zune Software Custom Background edit box.
  3. Copy the Name (inside the edit box) and paste that directly after.
  4. Hit "Set Image Location"

Support:
If the patcher does not work, unplug your zune, restart your computer (do not plug your zune back in), once the computer has been restarted, run the patcher. This should fix most people's problems.


Tip 3

Useful Key Combinations

Did you know that pressing and holding the play/pause button will not turn off your Zune? There are different key combinations you can use to do different kinds of things with your zune that you may not know of. So, here's a list of them:

  • Standby: Press and hold "play/pause"
  • Goto Main Menu: Press and hold "back"
  • Turn Off Completely: Press and hold "back" and the down direction on the pad.
  • Restart: Press and hold "back" and the up direction on the pad.
The following list has controls that are NOT RECOMMENDED and must be done when the Zune is at the loading screen:
  • Delete EVERYTHING including firmware: Press and hold "back", center, and left direction on the pad.
  • Delete everything BUT the firmware: Press and hold "back", center, and right direction on the pad.

If you want to save on battery life, it is recommended that you turn off the Zune when you're not going to use it for a while.

Tip 4

Convert Youtube Video to Zune format with No Software Download.

There IS a way to convert Youtube videos to a format that is compatible with the Zune. It involves using Zamzar.com. Just find the youtube url, go to zamzar.com and paste it. Choose to convert the file to .mp4 or ipod and they will email a link to you to download it once it's uploaded to their server. Click the link in the email, click the download button, and you got your video all ready to drag into your Zune software for syncing. It's easy and fast.

If you're a visual learner like me, I have an executable video file with a readme. You don't need any external software to load the file, just double click and it will open. Here's the link for the zip file: Click Here.

If you have any questions, feel free to post in the forums as a guest and I'll guarantee a quick response.