CREATIVE - The future is bright - 03/11/2007
The Creative Worldwide network is called LABS > Creatives UK product branch is under the Europe labs which established itself in 1993.

-Product > CREATIVES ZEN V Plus MP3 Portable Media Player 1GB
Citric Orange with the added White coolness- Available RRP date: 02/2007

I've been interested in these types of PMP component packages for a while now and have been involved with digital media since 2002. The PMP component is a true fascination to me; whether it's a standard screen model, or whether it is HD quality or even of touchscreen quality. This OLED screen definition is of high standard, it exemplifies sheer gloss and glamour which is captivating and of course very user friendly. Design wise is very close to a Nokia product; not surprising really as both companies originated in the East and Chinese market before setting their sights on the Western digital market.
The squared screen is of very high definition and is has excellent functionability. The MP3 Player only is compatible with JPEG customary images. That you can load off from a digital camera, the PC, or from the internet itself. The audio quality is crystal clear, of course depending on the size of file the MP3 file as the higher the size of the file the better the quality. The one thing that saddened me with this product was the fact that it has limited file recognitions.

PLEASE NOTE THAT - NO - MT - Mobile Technology functions are available with this product. ** No MP4 converting or encoding is available**. For any songs that have been downloaded onto your PC from paid music sites that are (Protected by copyright) will be able to be played by this MP3 Player. Many media sites now have code that stops this form of usage.

- It's no iPod -

- Styled on Apples iPod -
The timing for the Zen launch co-incided with the earlier ipod nano launch earlier this year (2007). I'm not a Creative fan as they seem to miss out on the boat regards to product style and of course the highly sought after nano technology. Creative does have a nano-ness branding yet still seems to fall at a couple of hurdles such as the weight. On average Creative is 8 grammes more heavier than Apples' iPod. The other hurdle is the 'trouser test' iPod's generally are unseen in the pockets, yet this model certainly is visable. Overall, the feel of the PMP is notably clumsier than the iPod. Though functionally very astute and slick. My interpretation on this beefy MP3 player reminds me of the first pace-maker in the mid 1990's. Sorry Creative, your still lagging behind on this matter. Yes you have rounded the edges off nicely and the glossy colours do this product proud but still lacks a chic-ness that Apple does so well.

Weighing in at 44g - Yes this is a hefter, no it has not put on weight since the beginning of 2007. It is just that Zen V Plus is not part of the nano technology revolution. 2007 is the year where nano popped over to the UK and gave out the Werthington humbugs; thanks nano.

Yes, please take note; the 1GB is a good amount of digital MP3 space for a non video audio only player. The voice-recording is a fab utility - please try it; I did it was a revelation. Extreme quality; not that I like my own voice of course, though it does help. External recordings again superb. Ideal accessory for a pop concert maybe. The radio is of DAB quality which is superb for catching up with news updates.