Creative Zen anyone? - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

FurnaceFace · 05-02-2007, 09:36 PM

Just curious if anyone has a Creative Zen (linky) and what they think of it. Also curious if you have used it to dump pics from a digicam and how that worked out.

Thanks.

Oh, and please don't turn this into an ipod debate, I'm not into that.

Displaced Flames fan · 05-02-2007, 09:38 PM

I have never heard anything negative about them from someone who owned one. They mostly rave about the Zen.

I have an iPod, but at times I really wish I had gone that direction instead.

photon · 05-02-2007, 09:41 PM

I agree, I've only heard good things. Though I have a Zen Micro that the hard drive died

But I got it for 70% off so I wasn't too miffed.

EDIT: The ONLY bad thing I can think of is the software to sync up songs and stuff is propritary, it doesn't show up as a USB drive like other players do. You can allocate some of the space for a USB drive, but you can't put songs on it that way. And their software isn't the greatest (as is the problem with all Creative stuff IMO).

Bobblehead · 05-02-2007, 10:10 PM

I have the 30GB Zen - I highly recommend it.

Pics from a digicam, haven't tried that. But music library, full seasons of TV series, and TV shows, I have that on my Zen right now and it works great.

I also have an iPod Nano and rarely use it. I prefer the Zen by a wide margin.

Photon - I just installed the Zen explorer extension and simply drag and drop anything I want on it, just like it was a USB drive. I find it way more simple than iTunes.

The only thing I would change on it would be to have fixed all my MP3 tags before putting the music on, and that I got the 60GB instead of the 30 GB

photon · 05-02-2007, 10:17 PM

Yeah, the Explorer extension is good, though I still like to be able to get it on and off without any software at all, but I'm just picky about installing too much software on my PC

Bobblehead · 05-02-2007, 10:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by photon

Yeah, the Explorer extension is good, though I still like to be able to get it on and off without any software at all, but I'm just picky about installing too much software on my PC

Yeah, but outside of the iRiver were there that many media players that didn't require some sort of interface?

photon · 05-02-2007, 10:37 PM

A few others, but not a lot (more flash players than HDD players). One of the reasons I like the iRivers!

In fact the iRiver clix gen 2 is probably my next player, though I'll wait for the 8GB version.

http://www.iriveramerica.com/prod/ultra/clix/

Bobblehead · 05-02-2007, 10:47 PM

Wait for the 8GB

The thing that is awesome about the Zen Vision:m is that for video it will play AVI, DivX™ 4 & 5, XviD3, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG4-SP, WMV9 and Motion-JPEG

photon · 05-02-2007, 11:04 PM

I know it's amazing! Eventually I'll get one for my kid, so he can watch movies when we are driving long trips and stuff.

I don't need mobile video right now though so the smaller nano sized players are my preference, and even then 80% of the use is playing audio books in my car during my commute.

STeeLy · 05-02-2007, 11:11 PM

Zens are Amazing, I owned Zen Micro, Zen MicroPhoto and Zen Vision W 30GB... all been great players... no complains what so ever... easy to understand, enough functions... reponse may not be as fast as u'd expect but it still works.

Inferno · 05-02-2007, 11:44 PM

I've had the 30 gig one since Christmas and so far I have no complaints. It sucks though that they stopped packaging the charger with it. I can still charge it using the USB port but it takes forever.

AC · 05-03-2007, 01:07 AM

Does anybody know of (or where I can find out) what large capacity mp3 players are coming out soon?

I'm looking in the 60GB+ range.

I currently have the 30GB iPod video and have no problems with it, but I do need to upgrade.

SpitFire40 · 05-03-2007, 01:46 AM

I know this may sound dumb AC but try the 80gb iPod 5th Gen. The battery life is greatly improved, especially for video and it's a TON of space.

AC · 05-03-2007, 01:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SpitFire40

I know this may sound dumb AC but try the 80gb iPod 5th Gen. The battery life is greatly improved, especially for video and it's a TON of space.

Not dumb at all, I haven't had a problem with my 30GB.

However, I'm actually considering upgrading the hard drive to a 100GB through PDAsmart.com

This hard drive upgrade includes a higher capacity battery, a new rear cover (only as thick as the 60gb / 80gb models - this is a genuine iPod rear cover) and a new audio jack. The new Toshiba MK1011GAH is tucked away safely and your battery capacity is significantly increased at the same time.

This hard drive upgrade is offered for the 30gb iPod Video only (The upgrade is offered as a mail-in service only for the 30gb model).

This new hard drive comes with a 1 year warranty from the manufacturer and a 90 day warranty from PDASmart.com.

The total price comes in at $350. Whereas a new 80GB is $400.

My 30GB is only about 8 months old, so I'm seriously considering this upgrade service.

Flames09 · 05-03-2007, 02:40 AM

Zens are awesome, I own a Zen and a iPod and really like them both.

HalifaxDrunk · 05-03-2007, 05:54 AM

I have a 8 Gig Microphoto, I only use it for music and holding some pictures. It's awesome for both these needs. When/if I upgrade to one that lets you watch video (hard to do while I'm jogging with my dog) I'll stick with Creative.

Fobby · 05-03-2007, 07:05 AM

If you want to dump pictures... i would look into getting the Creative Zen Vision W http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/pro...44&catid=22815
I used to own a Creative Zen Micro. The sound quality is really good.

it's a very good deal and it has a CF slot if you shoot with dSLR!

FurnaceFace · 05-03-2007, 09:10 AM

Thanks guys. I was looking to use my extra aeroplan miles up and I can get $200 in gift cards from Future Shop so thought this would be a good use to pay for part of the 60gb version.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobblehead

Yeah, but outside of the iRiver were there that many media players that didn't require some sort of interface?

Cowon. If I used my aeroplan miles for something else I'm buying a Cowon X5 instead. It also play pretty much everything...although I think the display is not as good as the Creative.

troutman · 05-03-2007, 09:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HalifaxDrunk

I have a 8 Gig Microphoto, I only use it for music and holding some pictures. It's awesome for both these needs. When/if I upgrade to one that lets you watch video (hard to do while I'm jogging with my dog) I'll stick with Creative.

I think that is the same one I have. I like it, but it is real fiddly scrolling through the menus. Only held about 2000 songs, so I need a 60 GB or 80GB to hold my entire CD collection.

Fuzzy McGillicuddy · 05-03-2007, 09:56 AM

I've had a Zen Micro (30gb) for about a year. Love it.

I usually transfer photos from the computer after uploading them from camera. No prob.

The main reason I chose Creative ... it is one mp3 player compatible with Napster. For a monthly fee I can rent tunes from Napster and download them to player without having to buy individual tracks. This way I can "test drive" new music before I decide whether it's worth the purchase.