| Q.
| What types of files can I sync to my device? |
| A.
| Windows Media Player 11 can sync most audio and video files, and pictures in .jpg format. Note that not all devices support all file types, so you should refer to the documentation that came with your device for information about the file types it supports. For information about the file types that the Player can sync to your Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Center, see the Windows Mobile-based Portable Media Centers FAQ. For other devices, see the documentation that came with your device. |
| Q.
| Why can't I play a file that I sync to my device? |
| A.
| There are several reasons why you might not be able to play a file that you sync. The following are some of the most common reasons: | • | The file is protected and requires you to install a security upgrade on your computer before you can play or sync it properly. To resolve the problem, play the file in the Player and then, when prompted, follow the steps on the screen to upgrade the security components of the Player. (Alternatively, you can install the upgrade by visiting the Security Component Upgrade Web page and following the steps on the page.) After you have upgraded your security components, sync the file to the device again. For information about protected files, including how to determine whether a file is protected, see the Using protected files FAQ. | | • | You are trying to sync a protected file that is in a format—such as WMA—or bit rate that the device does not support. The file must be converted before it can play on the device, but the Player can't convert protected files. To resolve the problem, obtain a copy of the file that the Player can convert (for example, a copy of the file that is not protected) or obtain a copy of the file that does not need to be converted (for example, a copy that has a lower bit rate). Also, check your device manufacturer's Web site to see if a firmware upgrade is available that will enable your device to play files in additional encoding formats or bit rates. | | • | You used the Player to rip tracks from an audio CD to your computer. When the tracks were ripped, the Player was set to rip the songs in either the Windows Media Audio variable bit rate format or the Windows Media Audio lossless format. In addition, the Player was set to copy-protect the files as the tracks were ripped from the CD. In some cases, it is not possible to sync files properly that have been ripped with this combination of rip options. To solve the problem, do the following: 1.
| On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Rip Music tab. | 2.
| Clear the Copy protect music check box, and then click OK. This prevents any tracks that you rip in the future from being copy-protected during ripping. | 3.
| Click the Library tab, right-click the files that you are having problems with, and then click Delete. If prompted, choose to delete the files from both your library and computer. If you don't delete the files from both locations before completing the next step, duplicate files will appear in your library. | 4.
| Rip the tracks from the CD again. | 5.
| Sync the files to your device. |
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| Q.
| Why do I get an error message when I try to sync my MPEG-2, DVR-MS, or AVI file to my device? |
| A.
| It is possible that an older or unsupported decoder is installed on your computer. For more information about resolving this issue, see the questions MPEG-2 video or DVR-MS TV show files may not synchronize successfully and AVI video files may not synchronize successfully in the Windows Media Player 10 readme. |
| Q.
| Why can’t I sync some of my TV shows to my device? |
| A.
| Television broadcasters can prevent you from synchronizing a show to a device by setting a "broadcast protection flag" for the show. Currently, HBO sets the flag for some programming, and other broadcasters might begin using the flag in the future. If you cannot sync a certain show to your device, check the program information for the show on your computer. If the broadcaster has set the broadcast protection flag, the listing will indicate that the show is copy-protected. |
| Q.
| Why don't TV shows sync automatically to my Portable Media Center? |
| A.
| If your computer is running Windows XP Media Center Edition 2004, you must add the Recorded TV folder to the list of monitored folders in the Player. Once you do so, the TV shows will sync to your Portable Media Center if the device uses automatic sync in the Player. The procedure for adding the Recorded TV folder to the list of monitored folders and for making TV shows sync automatically varies depending on which version of the Player you are running. 
Windows Media Player 11
1.
| On the File menu, click Add to Library. | 2.
| In the Add to Library dialog box, click Add, and then select the Recorded TV folder from the list. If the Recorded TV folder is a hidden folder, navigate to the folder in Windows Explorer. Then, copy the folder address and paste it into the Add Folder dialog box. | 3.
| Click the Sync tab. | 4.
| In the Navigation pane, right-click your Portable Media Center, and then click Set Up Sync. | 5.
| If necessary, add your recorded TV shows to the list of playlists to sync. |
Windows Media Player 10 1.
| On the File menu, point to Add to Library, and then click By Monitoring Folders. | 2.
| In the Add Folder dialog box, click Add, and then select the Recorded TV folder from the list. If the Recorded TV folder is a hidden folder, navigate to the folder in Windows Explorer. Then, copy the folder address and paste it into the Add Folder dialog box. | 3.
| Start the Player and then click the Library tab. | 4.
| In the List pane, right-click the node for your Portable Media Center, and then click Change Sync Settings. | 5.
| Select the check box for the playlist of your recorded TV shows. |
|
| Q.
| How do I remove a device from the library? |
| A.
| You can remove all information about a device, including the list of files that sync to the device, if you no longer want it to appear in the Player. If you remove a device from the library, you will need to set up sync if you want to sync to the device again in the future. The procedure for removing a device varies depending on which version of the Player you are running.
Windows Media Player 11 1.
| Disconnect the device from your computer.
If the device is connected when you perform the next step, the device will switch to manual sync, and some information about the device will remain in the Player. | 2.
| In the Navigation pane, right-click the device you want to remove, and then click End Sync Partnership. |
Windows Media Player 10 1.
| Click the Library tab. | 2.
| In the Contents pane, right-click the device you want to remove, and then click Change Sync Settings. | 3.
| Clear the Synchronize device automatically check box, and then click OK. | 4.
| Click another feature, such as Now Playing, and then click Library again. |
Note that you can remove a device from the Contents pane even when the device is not connected. You might want to do this, for example, if you reformat a device and the device is listed more than once in the library. |
| Q.
| Why are the same files converted every time I sync? |
| A.
| This can occur if you sync large files and the folder for storing the converted files runs out of space. Typically, the folder stores converted files so that the next time you sync, it isn't necessary to convert the files again. However, the converted files may be deleted if the folder runs out of disk space. To prevent this from occurring, you can increase the size of the temporary storage folder. 1.
| On the Tools menu, click Options, and then click the Devices tab. | 2.
| Click Advanced. | 3.
| In Amount of disk space to use, increase the amount of disk space. |
|
| Q.
| When I try to sync, why do I get an error message that sync can't be completed because there isn't enough space? |
| A.
| The temporary storage folder for converted files has run out of space. For information about increasing the size of the folder, see Why are the same files converted every time I sync? |
| Q.
| My question isn't answered in this FAQ. What can I do? |
| A.
| If you do not find an answer to your question in this FAQ, try the following resources: | • | See Windows Media Player Help. To access Help, start Windows Media Player and then press F1. | | • | For other Windows Media FAQs, including other versions of the Player, see Frequently asked questions about Windows Media.
| | • |
To find additional support and troubleshooting resources, see Troubleshooting Windows Media Player.
| | • |
Submit a question to the Windows Media Player newsgroup. Please note that the newsgroup is maintained by a community of knowledgeable users offering peer-to-peer assistance. It is not an official Microsoft technical support resource. As such, Microsoft cannot guarantee that your question will be answered. When you ask a question on the newsgroup, be as specific as possible. For example, be sure to include the following basic information: | • |
Windows Media Player version. (On the Help menu, click About Windows Media Player.) For example, the version might be 10.00.00.xxxx.
| | • |
Windows operating system version. (Click Start, right-click My Computer, and then click Properties.) In your question, include the full version name (for example, Windows XP Professional with Service Pack 2).
| | • | The task that you were trying to accomplish prior to encountering the problem. | | • | If an error message is displayed, note the error message text. (For example, it might say "Windows Media Player has encountered an unknown error.") | | • |
If an error message is displayed, note the error message ID number (for example, "C00D11CD"). You can determine the ID number by clicking the Web Help or More Information button when the error message is displayed.
| | • | If the problem only occurs when you use a particular file, Web link, or URL, provide details about that item. |
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| Q.
| How do I find information about error messages? |
| A.
| To find the error code identification number for a particular error message, on the error message, do one of the following: | • |
Click the Web Help button. A Web page is displayed. The specific error code identification number is mentioned in the first sentence (for example, C00D1197).
| | • |
Click the More Information button. A Help topic is displayed. The specific error code identification number is mentioned in the title or at the bottom of the topic (for example, C00D1197).
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For information about Windows Media Player error messages, see Troubleshooting Windows Media Player Error Messages.
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