Connected entertainment is a great idea, especially when the content doing the connecting is free. Recently two new podcasts, and a Zune Video Marketplace option have come to the Zune Service. I think they promote this idea well. The first podcast, New Movie Trailers, is what it says. It provides a stream of new trailers for those interested in watching previews for upcoming theatrical releases. The second podcast, Trailer Vault, presents a themed bundle of movie trailers, available for purchase or rent, from the Zune Video Marketplace. Both podcasts are presented in high definition. New Movie trailers is available in 1080p while Trailer Vault is 720p. As an alternative option, Trailer Vault is also available as a free purchase from the Zune Video Marketplace in both standard and high definition. Thanks to Podcast Producer Rob Greenlee of the Zune Team for the initial heads up.

Watching movie previews can be fun. True, this functionality already exists in a number of ways on certain screens (i.e. the program or device that displays your video). However, this is the first time you can keep the trailers you want and transport them from one screen to another, should you desire. As discussed before, I think the ability to watch the trailers you want on multiple screens within your (Zune) ecosystem has a lot of potential. Similar to the way you can watch TV shows and movies on multiple screens you can now do the same with movie trailers. Over the next couple days, let us look at some ways to get at the new movie trailer options from different screens within the Zune Service. Specifically let us focus on the web, the Zune desktop software, Windows Media Center, Xbox 360, and devices. Essentially, how can we get the same great content on five different screens?

Web – Podcast Streaming

Short of hopping from theater to theater, watching movie trailers on the internet is probably the most popular way of satisfying a desire to see movie previews. Thanks to the September 2009 platform update, you can stream video podcasts and movie trailers from Zune.net. Since we are looking for podcasts, we will focus on the Podcast section. Last year, I reviewed the nuances of navigating the podcast section of Zune.net. This year, getting to the podcasts is even easier; just click on ‘podcasts’ from the Zune homepage. Once there, look at the left column of links and select ‘entertainment,’ then select ‘movies.’ Alternatively you could search for either title (New Movie Trailers or Trailer Vault) in the search box from the upper right corner of any Zune.net webpage.

ZuneTip: Web Video Playback

After selecting either podcast, click the play icon next to the trailer or trailer bundle if you chose Trailer Vault. Once the Silverlight video player loads, click watch, and enjoy. Notice Zune automatically dims the lights, thanks!

ZuneTip: You can get to the same podcast page within the Zune software by clicking the ‘Subscribe’ button next to the podcast’s picture or the ‘download’ links next the individual podcasts. From there you can subscribe to the podcast or download individual episodes.

Web – Free Video Purchase

The first themed video bundle out of the Trailer Vault focuses on comedy. As an alternative to the podcast of the same name, it is available as a free purchase from the Video section of Zune.net. To be clear, these are the same videos, just available through different means. To find this video from within the Video section, look at the left column, select ‘movies,’ then choose the ‘other’ genre. Currently, Trailer Vault: Comedy Edition is the most popular movie within this genre. If the movie does not appear on the first page, be sure to click on the ‘A-Z’ sorting option above the first two titles to search for it alphabetically (picture). Also you can search for “Trailer Vault” from the search box in the upper right corner of the genre page.

Purchasing this video from the Zune.net Marketplace is similar to the experience Marques described of renting a movie from the Zune desktop software. Clicking the ‘Buy’ button brings up the confirmation page shown above. The first screen asks you to confirm your purchase while giving you the option to choose standard or high definition. In this case, high definition equates to a 553mb WMV file at 720p. Standard definition will yield a 138mb WMV file at 480p. As noted in the picture above, choosing the marketplace version allows you to “buy and play” on your Xbox 360, Zune device, and PC. With some folder monitoring magic, the same buy once play anywhere experience can be accomplished in Windows Media Center and on the Xbox 360, using the podcast version of this video.

After pressing ‘Buy’ the purchase is complete. The website instructs you to open either the Zune desktop software or to find the video in the Zune Video Marketplace on your Xbox 360 to complete the purchase and begin downloading Trailer Vault: Comedy Edition. Notice buying an episode online was a simple two step process. I believe an additional step would be needed if you did not have an adequate number of points.

If you click the ‘Buy’ button again after completing your purchase, the website presents a helpful reminder. In addition, perhaps it should tell you where to go to get your purchased content.

ZuneTip: From the web, if you want to watch movie trailers that are not in the New Movie Trailers podcast or are not featured in the Trailer Vault, visit the movie trailers page of the Video section at Zune.net. Unfortunately you cannot download these trailers.

This completes the look at web portion of the movie trailer connected entertainment experience. Stay tuned as over the next couple of days our focus will shift to the Zune desktop software.

Since I have not published all of what I intend to discuss, some new links may appear and some wording may change to reflect the content of future posts as I look at other areas of the connected entertainment experience; bear with me. Overall, I intend for there to be five posts. However, I doubt all will be finished and posted this week.