For most casual Zune owners, the difference doesn't matter.
What you are seeing in Windows Explorer is a filtered (fake) view. "The so-called "Zune Hard Drive Hack" that everyone is talking about does *NOT* give you direct access to the hard drive !!!! In reality the true hard drive looks a lot different than what you see in Windows Explorer. Check out the above link for all the details on this registry hack. Some posters have noted that the quality of these converted files can vary, so be warned. You cannot however, play the original files from within the Zune software. The next time your Zune is synced, these files will be automatically converted to the Zune's native WMV format synced over to your Zune.
This hack simply allows the Software to add these files to your library. This hack does not add DivX support to the Zune software or the Zune player itself. Zune Scene forum members have developed a couple ways to circumvent the problem, the simplest is a registry hack that will allow the videos to be added to the Zune software:"Ī clever poster over at Zune Scene has devised a registry hack that will allow your Zune software to "see" and convert DivX files, as well as a few other formats. "By default the Zune software will not accept or transcode DiVX, XViD, and MPEG files with. Here's hoping we start to see some mind-blowing apps soon enough. Hit up the read link for more information. For now, the release is mostly aimed at developers with a knowledge of C++ and OpenGL (no C# or XNA here), but users can test out the exploit tool now too.
There's also talk of an app store similar to iPhone Jailbreak's Cydia app in the works. This means better web access, stronger 3D APIs, and hopefully no device restarting on application exit. Details are sparse at the moment, but it looks like the ZuneBoards Development team have managed to skirt a number of the restrictions imposed by the sandboxed XNA framework allowing homebrew games to run as first class citizens like their Microsoft-developed counterparts. It's been a long time coming, but it seems Zune's finally got a real hack to call its own. The limitations of XNA are now no limitations at all."
The first true hack available for the Zune, this makes it possible to, for the first time, run applications directly on top of the Zune firmware, with full access to everything XNA withheld before. Through the work of myself as well as Netrix, Nurta, and the rest of the ZuneBoards Development Front, all Zune models, including the Zune HD, have been hacked. That being said, click the download button, and apply the present software on your product." While the XNA game development platform aims to provide a framework that makes game development accessible to the masses, on the Zune this translates to no 3D, no Internet access, and a performance penalty of around an order of magnitude - all when the hardware is right there.
However, due to the large number of devices out there and the various ways for applying these packages, it would be best if you refer to the installation manual first, to be sure of a successful update. When it comes to installing the package, the steps should not be much of a hassle because each manufacturer tries to make them as easy as possible usually, you must make check for compatibility, get the package, run the available setup, and follow the instructions displayed on-screen. Doing so might cause the installation to crash, which could even render the device unusable. Please note that, even though other operating systems might also be compatible, we do not recommend you apply any software on platforms other than the specified ones.
Browse to the folder where you extracted the driver and click Ok About Device Driver: If you install this package, your device will be properly recognized by compatible systems, and might even benefit from new features or various bug fixes.