Video File Format? Media Center, Zune, 360, and Extender

I am looking to re-encode my video files to one file format, if possible.  I have TV, DVD, and normal videos that I use daily and would like one file format to work for the following scenarios:

Media Center (all video works this way now)
Zune
XBOX360 (normally and as an extender)

I am looking at using Handbrake to do the conversions.  Then I just found this:
XBOX360 not working with 0.9.2 (latest)
http://forum.handbrake.fr/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=6926

So I have grabbed the latest snapshot, Build 1477.

Here is what I know so far:

XBOX
http://blogs.msdn.com/xboxteam/archive/2007/11/30/december-2007-video-playback-faq.aspx
What exactly does the Xbox 360 support for H.264?

Xbox 360 supports the following for H.264:

·         File Extensions: .mp4, .m4v, mp4v, .mov

·         Containers: MPEG-4, QuickTime

·         Video Profiles: Baseline, main, and high (up to Level 4.1) profiles.

·         Video Bitrate: 10 Mbps with resolutions of 1920 x 1080 at 30fps. See question number 11 for more information.

·         Audio Profiles: 2 channel AAC low complexity (LC)

·         Audio Max Bitrate: No restrictions. See question number 11 for more information.

Zune
http://www.zune.net/en-us/support/usersguide/musicvideospictures/avcodecsandformats.htm
ZUNE AUDIO AND VIDEO FORMATS
You can play, burn, or sync audio and video files on the Zune software that are in these formats:

Format	File extension
AAC audio created with AAC-LC audio codec	.m4a and .m4b
Windows Media Audio	.wma
MP3 audio	.mp3
MP3 playlists	.m3u
MPEG-4 media created with either the MP4pt2 video codec or the H.264 video codec and the AAC-LC audio codec	.m4v and .mp4
QuickTime movie created with either the MP4pt2 video codec or the H.264 video codec and the AAC-LC audio codec	.mov
Windows Media Center DVR (Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate only)	.dvr-ms
Windows Media Video	.wmv
Zune playlists	.zpl

XBOX360 as Extender
http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/winfamily/mediacenter/extenderfaq.mspx

What types of media stored on my Windows Vista-based PC can I access through my Xbox 360

I just read this in reference to XBOX360:

From Windows Home Server to Xbox 360 Dashboard Video Player	WMV(Protected), WMV(Unprotected), AVI
From Windows Media Center to Xbox Media Center Extender	WMV(Protected), WMV(Unprotected), Mpeg2

Using the default XBOX360 setting in Handbrake, gets you an MP4 file that works only in Zune.  Changing to AVI allows it to work on XBOX360 dashboard, but not in Zune or Extender.

I have almost the same scenario you do.  Right now, I use Encode360 to turn everything over to WMV and it works everywhere.  I've never heard of Handbrake, but the above referenced program is free and has a lot of options.  I use my 360 as an extender, watch from the dashboard and move video content over to my Zune.  I have both standard and HD stuff that I convert and I'm never disappointed with the results as long as I get my settings right for the source material.

I know WMV isn't the greatest format in the world, but until MS opens up the extender and Zune to more formats, it works for me.

I am also looking for an ideal video format for Vista MCE, and Xbox 360 extender. 

All my movies are currently from dvdshrink in multiple file VOBs, and I was kinda disappointed when I couldn't play them directly out of myMovies.

I've just found this sight (mce newb) and have been overwhelmed by the amount of formats and converters.

Please recommend a format and 'app to convert'.  (and whats with the zune, wheres your ipod? )