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Converting Zune playlists into Windows Media Player playlists

For some inexplicable reason Zune playlists (ZPL) are different from Windows Media Player playlists (WPL). I foolishly made a Zune playlist and wanted to burn a data CD with it, but the Zune Burn feature only makes audio CDs. I tried loading the ZPL into WMP, but it failed. After 60 seconds of comparing two files, here is what worked for me. YMMV:

Open the ZPL in your favorite editor (e.g. Notepad). In the first line change

zpl version="2.0"

into

wpl version="1.0"

Save As the file with a wpl extension.

I could then load the new WPL file into WMP and easily burn a data CD, for use in my car.

WPL files at least are somewhat described on MSDN, I can't find any definitions for ZPL files though they appear to be identical save for the header and the file extension. ASX files are yet another Microsoft playlist format which I have had some experience of.

Note that this shold not be considered Official Microsoft Documentation. But its the best I can do, hope someone finds it useful.

Published Saturday, August 23, 2008 3:56 PM by andypennell
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Monday, August 25, 2008 1:13 PM by Mehar Gill

# re: Converting Zune playlists into Windows Media Player playlists

Thanks for the tip Andy! I bought my Zune a few days ago so this could really come in handy in the near future.

On a side note, I really hate the Zune PC software, it's really clunky. I personally like the sync features in Windows Media Player better because it's so simple but it's not compatible with the Zune!

Saturday, October 04, 2008 10:44 AM by Scott

# re: Converting Zune playlists into Windows Media Player playlists

I'm frustrated when working with Vista Media Center because I would have expected the playlists to just carry over... I guess that at least I should be happy that the play lists appear to be easy to convert.

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