CREATIVE ZEN VISION 30GB PORTABLE MEDIA PLAYER REVIEW

[zhensem]

[Google]

[zhensem]

[moonfog]

Thanks for the fast answer.

Im more looking for an media player. I dont own a car and use the bus daily, so I am in need of some entertainment other then my mp3 player.

After reading what you said I am now looking intensly at the Zen Vision.

One last question and I will leave you alone.

Does the Zen Vision have a "smart charger"(Im not sure what its called in english sry)?

In other words can it detect how much/ little power the battery has when you charge it and then stop when full to prevent overcharging that can result in dramaticly reducing the batterys life span.

Thanks.

[zhensem]

[yueyun44]

Hi I am new to this forum.

I am caught in a dilemma to choose zen vision, sony psp or just a normal creative mp3 player ..

I always wanted a machine that can play videos, games photos..

But I stressed when I read some comments that zen vision has some software problems. I have read yr reviews which are very detailed. But the more I read the more I think the machine is complicated and hard to use. I do not like a machine to be easily hanged etc..converting videos in zen needs to use only video vault provided rt ? and you nentioned that playing music is complicated .. that is why I am also contemplated to buy just a normal mp3 player ..

However sony psp has less software issues.. can play games, photos and can easily convert videos which can be in psp by using third party software. The problem with psp is that the memory stick is not enough.

I do not want the machine to be a white elephant next time.. so how can u help me make a decision to whether buy a zen or psp ? sigh... really stressed..

Thanks so much !

[moonfog]

[zhensem]

[moonfog]

[zhensem]

[zhensem]

[yueyun44]

Hi Zhensem

Thanks for the wonderful analysis of wat to buy, I really appreciate that ! U really make me realize that buying zen vision is a gd choice as I am not a gaming person, more to videos or photos when free.

U mentioned that there are ANY softwares to convert video that are compatible to zen vision . Can u tell me what are they ?

I have SP1 and SP2 and jz downloaded WMP10 .SHould have no problem rt ? Vision must syn with WMP 10 tp transfer files from pc to vision rt ?

Think after clarifying all this I can buy alredy ..

Thanks a bunch ! U are GREAT !

[zhensem]

[yueyun44]

Thanks Zhensem for telling some of thye video converters ..

I will ask you more questions if I have after I get my ZV ...

cheers !

[moonfog]

Sigh. looks like I have to wait til December to get my hands on the Zen Vision. They do not get in stock til 24 November. I might call Creative and hear if they can send me one, but I like buying from retail stores rather then mail. I find it easier if something goes wrong, then I dont have to pay for postage.

A few new questions:

1. Since its a HDD and swaping media files will be allmost a daily thing (at least for me) hows the option to defrag and maintenance the drive? Do you need to use Creatives software or can you defrag/optimize using regular windows applications?

2. Can we see a photo of it being held in you hand? Just to get an idea of how big it really is. I know the size is stated in the specs, but seeing is beliving. :)

3. The installed software Creative is using in the Zen Vision, is there a way to reinstall it if it gets messed up?


On a different matter :
My hopes for the portabul media players is that some company (like Creative) decides to make a deal with the mighty VLC player and implement it into there product....ooh I am drooling just thinking of it.

[moonfog]

Oop, remebered another question:

4. Can I listen to music while fliping through the Zen Vision without breaking the playback? Like look at pictures or just look at my media files list etc?

[zhensem]

[moonfog]

Thanks zhensem. You da man!

PS.
Ever thought of a career as a hand model? Very professionally done.

[zhensem]

Thanks! LOL!
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[iamhel]

I've read that you can hardly see anything on the Zen's screen when it is viewed at an angle or in bright light, although i can actually see what's on it on the pictures you posted. How's the screen really doing?

Thanks.

[zhensem]

I found in bright sun light it works fine. The screen is readable, but sun or light reflections are visible and can obscur what you're viewing.

It does have a very narrow viewing angle. This means that the person looking over your shoulder or sitting next to you won't be able to see anything, especially with dark colours. Even if you tilt the player a bit yourself you'll start losing detail at edges of the screen. However, the amount differs depending on which you tilt it. I have found that tilting the player slightly to the left improves what you see.

Having said this it is a very beautiful high res screen. It would be nice if the viewing angles weren't so narrow but nothing's perfect.
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[ToggleHead]

not sure if this has been brought up already...but have you heard of the Archos av420?

im reading some things on it and it looks pretty sweet.....a friend of mine is interested and wondering if you played with one....or anyone has....

zhen any thoughts?
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[LaLuciano]

yeah. im the friend hes referring to. i love archos.. but i dont anyhting about a warranty for this product. has anyone purchased it, or heard any feedback on it?
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[ToggleHead]

does the vision RECORD video as well? or can you just import them?
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[zhensem]

Yeah, I've heard of Archos AV420. There's the PMA400 too, which is quite similar. In fact, I had a look at a display model. I can't remember which one it was but they are similar (come to think of it it was the PMA400). The clerk turned it on and we stood about awkwardly waiting in silence for at least a minute while it booted the Linux based OS. Meanwhile I was shocked by the screen. The AV420 (and PMA400) both have a screen similarly sized to the Zen Vision but the ZV packs twice as many pixels making it a really smooth looking screen whereas the Archos player had a grainy looking screen, if you see what I mean. I don't like that, I really like a good screen - it's the first thing people see and it's what you stare at when watching movies so a good high quality screen is important.

I'm not too keen on the 20GB hard disk on the AV420. It's bareable but for a video player I think 30GB or 40GB should be the absolute minimum. Given that you're not meant to store your entire video library on there, like you do with the music, you just keep some videos that you swap out once you've watched them but I think 20GB is really pushing the limits, but it's certainly bareable.

Of course, the AV420 does excel in the recording department with both video and audio recording from external sources. I do wish the Zen Vision would have that, but having said this it would no longer be a player (PMP) but a recorder (PVR) and would cost a lot more too.

Certainly Archos were one of the first, if not THE first, to come out with a video player back when MP3 players were hitting the mainstream. I remember wanting one but they were soooo expensive.

I just wish Archos used some higher res screens. If I had the money to buy another player right now I'd have to say I'd buy from Archos, notably from the AV700 series, as opposed to another Zen Vision or some other make.
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[zhensem]