I am 41 years of age and live in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. I am a single parent with a little b...
I am 41 years of age and live in Banbridge, Northern Ireland. I am a single parent with a little boy who is 6 years.
Member since:09.03.2007
Reviews:22
Members who trust:29
General ======
I spent a long time looking around for my MP3 player. Both friends and family had all went for Apple iPods and the pressure was on so to speak. No question the iPod looks, well used to look sexy, and it had the backing of one of the worlds leading technology companies, but no matter what way I looked at it as an option it just not tickle me.
I was on holiday in Crete last September (2006) and we flew through Gatwick, with a bit of time to kill I smoozed around a leading tech chain store and saw my first Creative ZEN Vision:M, and I was won over with the beauty, symmetry, and in general sheer simple sexiness of the Zen. When I got home I looked it up, researched it and eventually just went for it. I purchased mine from Amazon, where I get most of my items. Currently priced around £139.99
When the box arrived I opened up, and what came was a "New Zen" and it was just so cool.
In the Box ========
Creative ZEN Vision:M Earphones
Sync Adapter USB 2.0 cable Cloth Pouch User's Guide Installation CD (includes Creative MediaSourc, Creative Media Explorer software and ZENcast Organizer)
The Experience ============
I got to ripping CD's and DVD's, you can get software to purchase through searching Google, or from a Torrent site. I got the 30Gb Zen, and I still have not been able to fill the hard disk.
I mainly have music on the system, although I have a lot of cartoon movies on for my son, its great for when he is in the car, or we are waiting around. Tristan love it and is just as converted, 5 year olds can be so objective :-) It's small and so portable that it makes it excellent for him and me. The software that comes converts the movies down to an appropriate size for the Zen, and its so easy to use. Have not used the iTunes software, but my friend who uses an iPod thinks that the "Zen Way" is much better.
I love classic UK comedy and that's my video fetish, and its so easy, sitting in a vehicle on nights at work, I can just switch on and switch off with the Zen watching either some video, catch up on a podcast or just listen to some of the "Red Hot Chilli Peppers" www.redhotchilipeppers.com that's what Zenning is to me.
The sound quality is really down to the quality that you rip down to, I rip high level, and get better quality sound but bigger files, but well there is 30Gb's of space!
Charging is so simple it works straight off the USB on your computer so you charge while you transfer and its also very quick, would have preferred it if a separate charger had been supplied in the package. You can buy these as extras from Creative web site.
The Zen lets you:
* Listen to Music * Watch Video * FM Radio Receiver * Sync with favorite Podcast [I am BBC fan] * Video output to TV * Personal Organiser * Calendar * Voice record to MP3 audio file * Store lots of Photos
The Zen file structure can be manipulated as another device on your computer so its easy to organise and transfer files.
The two software packages that come with it are, Creative MediaSource which converts your files and control over your lists, Creative Media Explorer is specifically a file organiser. Both easy to use, and more importantly u don't have to use unless its what u want to do.
Accessories ==========
This is one of the areas the Zen is a bit lacking in at present. I only have the leather case at present, an extra at £9.99 but well worth it as it protects it well. I am looking for a Docking station to use with it, I have a pre-order on the portable Creative Dock, costing £56.17 plus delivery from Zen, looks cool and of course has the sex appeal.
I was going to get the Belkin radio transmitter so I could listen to it on the car audio but was warned away from it by an iPod user, anyone out there who has used a good transmitter, please come back with a recommendation for me, please!!!!!!
I am in the process of waiting for the AV cables to come so I can front plug it into a TV and watch the videos, available from Creative. £16.30 delivered from Creative UK. Watch for the update on how it works!
.
Specs =====
There is just so much about the Zen regarding its specs, for a full spec list you can go to
I have selectively put in what I think is good to know:
Capacity: 30GB Songs: 15,000 WMAs/ 1,000hrs (at 64kbps) 7,500 MP3/ 500hrs (at 128kbps) I have only used MP3 Video: 30GB - 120 hrs
Size: 104 x 62 x 18.6mm
LCD: 2.5" TFT LCD at 320 x 240 Color Display 262,144 colors
Audio Battery Life: Up to 18 hrs playtime (MP3, 128kbps, 4mins/ song)
Supported Audio formats: MP3, WMA (inc MS PD DRM), WAV
Support Video formats: DivX™ 4 & 5, XviD2, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG4-SP, WMV9, Motion-JPEG [I use the converter that comes with the software it reduces to a approximately 1/3rd of original ripped file size, and quality is great on the LCD, though may have to increase when I get the output cables - will update review when this happens if appropriate]
Conclusion =========
I give this a great big 5 stars and am happy to recommend this to everyone. I am not anti Apple and iPod, I just think the Zen is a better product and better value for money. It does not have the spectrum of accessories, but they are coming, and I will update this review as I get them and try out.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
(+) Av Output to plug to a TV, built-in speakers, easy to use. Come with very good earphones (-) Does not come with power supply (easy to charge from the PC though), av cable is sold separately
Compatible Creative Zen Vision M 30gb Mains House ChargerCompatible Creative Zen Vision M ... more
30gb Mains House ChargeThe Creative Zen Vision M 30gb mains chargerCE certified This is a high quality 3rd party sourced product - its not a genuine item but will do the same job as original at a fraction of the cost. Will not harm or damage your device in any way..
Postage & Packaging:£3.00 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days......
The digital music players are small but holds hours and hours of music. Keep your digital ... more
music player in a holder attached to a ProClip Mounting Platform, always within easy reach in the vehicle! The holders are designed with a tilt swivel for easy adjustment of your unit in order to avoid light reflection on the screen.
Postage & Packaging:£4.99 Availability:Usually dispatched within 6-10 business days...
The digital music players are small but holds hours and hours of music. Keep your digital ... more
music player in a holder attached to a ProClip Mounting Platform, always within easy reach in the vehicle! The holders are designed with a tilt swivel for easy adjustment of your unit in order to avoid light reflection on the screen.
Postage & Packaging:£4.12 Availability:Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Advantages: Capacity, Video quality, FM Radio, File type support, Windows Media Player support Disadvantages: Current lack of accessories on the market, no proper case or screen protection included
Advantages: Capacity, Video quality, FM Radio, File type support, Windows Media Player support Disadvantages: Current lack of accessories on the market, no proper case or screen protection included
Advantages: good memory capacity, bounces well when you drop it! Disadvantages: Too many problems with the accompanying cd, heavy.
Westfalenlover 11.05.2007 (12.05.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Creative ZEN VISION:M 30 GB
Apr 3rd, 2007
very helpful by (100%):
