Help deciding, Sony PSP or a Creative Zen Vision?

[Polygon]

I had done my research, and was going to get a Creative Zen Vision, then down at the store, I saw a PSP. Wow, looked nice :) Then I found out it could play games, mp3s AND videos, AND it was less than half the price on the Zen Vision. Screen was bigger and had more colours as well. So I was wondering, what should I do, get a PSP and spend the price difference between it and the Zen Vision on memory? Or just get a Zen Vision? The thing is, I also can't see myself using up 30GB of space with mp3s and videos... Thanks.

[Google]

[zhensem]

Hi and welcome to TN.

As I've said previously in another thread the Zen Vision and Sony PSP are actually designed for two completely different uses.

To help you decide, start by answering this simple question:

What is going to be the primary use for this device?

If you answer is games then buy the Sony PSP straight away because the Zen Vision doesn't play games at all.

If you answer, on the other hand, is for music, video and photos then I suggest going for the Zen Vision.

Remember, the Zen Vision is suited more for videos/photos/music with its 30GB hard disk, you must not forget that. With Sony you're going to have to store your movies on MemorySticks which will be costly!

This should have helped you settle your debate. If you've got more questions, ask away and read the review if you haven't already done so.
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[zhensem]

Just to add... are you really going to be buying those UMD discs if you want to watch legit movies? Think about that too.

Tell me more of your needs and that will make it easier for me to point you in the right direction.
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[Polygon]

thanks zhensem, been great help so far :) Down here in aus, the PSP costs $400, the Zen Vision costs $800, so I was thinking of just spending $400 on memory. The thing is, in total I've only got about 800mbs of music (most of it was deleted in a tragic clicking accident). The thing is, I can see myself getting rather bored with just videos and mp3s. Without a doubt games would make the thing last longer as well

What are your thoughts on the Archos AV500? That seems to be in the same range, and I think that might have a bit more use in my life as I could record TV with it.

[zhensem]

Have a read of this thread, I voice a few opinions about Archos' products in here:

http://www.tweaknews.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=6168

But basically, the biggest difference is that the Archos' players have recording whereas the Zen Vision doesn't. Also, I'm not too keen on the screen qualities of the Archos players. They're all low res, compared to the ZV.

Normally they are more expensive than the ZV but you do get the recording capabilities. At the end of the day you're going to be using the device so it's up to you.

Zen Vision - good player with high quality screen (albeit narrow viewing angles).

Archos AV series players - low res screens, PVR (recording capabilities), can play Mophun games (availability?)

Sony PSP - games, games, games, video/audio stored on MemorySticks or UMD discs (expensive).

Whatever you do, please, please, please DON'T even think about getting the video enabled iPod.
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[Josh]

Sooo aggreed on the iPod statement. Have seen them working, nothing special with a tiny screen, but because its called an iPod it will sell about 30million.

Personally i would get a PSP, but this sort of decision is 100% based upon what YOU want from a portable entertainment device. If your split down the middle, i would base your decision on storage space, and how much you need for your estimated use.

I have 13gb of music...so i wouldnt get a PSP if it was primarily for music now would i
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[Polygon]

WIth the Zen Vision, does it play videos full screeen at 640x480? Or is it only 320x(something else)?

[zhensem]

Yeah.

The videos can be set to fit to screen which means they'll take up the whole screen if they're smaller than 640x480 or they can be viewed original size or they can be viewed stretched (this only applies when you have a widescreen video it removes the black bars and stretches the video).

By default all movies are set to fit the entire screen.
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[Polygon]

you know how it says that the zen vision is only 262,144 colours, whilst the PSP is 16.7million colours, wouldn't this mean that the zen vision wouldn't show smooth colour transitions in the picture?