Creative Zen 16 GB Portable Media Player (Black) by Creative
|
List Price: Category: Network Media Player See more digital camera details and other models |
|---|
(Click here)
Digital camera reviews of Creative Zen 16 GB Portable Media Player (Black)
Digital camera Review: Buggy, non-functional, defective, poor workmanship
Summary: 1 Stars
I was happy to find this player because it has a small format but adequate storage for my whole collection. Unfortunately, it didn't work. At first use, the headphone jack was loose, so that it needed to be wiggled to achieve good contact. But that was nothing: after only a few days of use, it just stopped -- locked up completely and did not respond at all. Well, not for a few hours. Then it started up, took a few minutes to "rebuild," and worked normally. But only for 10 minutes, at which point it just stopped again... became completely unresponsive for several hours, then rebuilt, etc. It did this three times, and it's now on it's way back. I will buy a different player with my refund.Digital camera Review: Can't say enough good about this!
Summary: 5 Stars
I bought the 16 gig version of this player for my father last Christmas. In collusion with my mom (since I live a few hundred miles away) he got a 16 gig MP3 player fully loaded with his whole collection on Christmas morning. Having had the chance to play with it in person, finally, I'm really happy with the thing. It's capacity is huge--hundreds of hours of music at 256k compression rate in MP3 format. Sound is as good as the headphones we used (basic Koss ones) could take advantage of, interface was easy to use. Screen was nice. I couldn't find one complaint and plan to buy one for myself fairly soon.
The only 2 complaints: the expansion card doesn't always interface as smoothly as it could with the songs stored on the flash drive. On the 16 gig that's basically irrelevant, since you can already fit tons of music on. With the smaller capacity models that might be an issue though.
Also, I wish it would use a normal batter--AAA or something similar. I understand why they stick with the special ones to keep the low profile, but I prefer user replaceable batteries. I still give it 5 stars because it's overall the best MP3 player I've used.
Digital camera Review: Cannot connect to PC
Summary: 2 Stars
I bought this little player after reading the mix of positive and negative reviews. I chose it over the Sony NWZA818 because of the cheaper price and because of the non-proprietary USB/charging connector. I'm a computer engineer, and was confident that I would be able to solve the various software issues described in the negative reviews. I was wrong...
Others have already described the good aspects of the device - the good sound quality and the visually stunning display. I agree, so I won't go into that. Instead, I'll list the negatives I experienced.
First, the user interface and the menu structure are non-intuitive. Sometimes the East and West navigation keys are used, and sometimes the menu key at the top of the device is used. When trying out one of the bundled audio files, I could pause the playback and restart it from the beginning, but was not able to stop it. For ease of use, this is no Apple iPod.
The device firmware does not seem to be stable. At one stage when pressing one of the menu keys, the unit locked up, and I had to reset the device by inserting a paper-clip into the reset hole located at the bottom of the unit. Not so encouraging. I had earlier downloaded and installed the latest firmware version before using the device, so using an old software version was not the problem.
Finally, the unit does not always successfully conect to the PC. The first time I tried it after installing the supplied software it worked, and was able to use the supplied Creative ZEN Explorer to copy files to the unit. But that was it. All further attempts failed. Even reinstalling the software failed to solve the problem. The System Tray on the bottom right of the desktop showed "MTP Device connected", but selecting ControlPanel -> System -> Hardware -> DeviceManger listed the Creative ZEN as an unknown device. During one attempt, when I disconnected the unit from the PC the unit displayed "Shutting down..." and then locked up. Again I had to use the paper-clip to reset the device. The Trouble Shooter page on the Creative ZEN web page also failed to identify and solve the connection problem.
The unit goes back to the shop tomorrow. A pity, because the sound quality and display are very good. The Sony is starting to look attractive, in spite of my misgivings and the much more expensive price. I noticed it has attracted very few negative comments here on Amazon.
Digital camera Review: Carry a safety pin or something.
Summary: 3 Stars
I love my Zen 16gb but I noticed from time to time that after I sync new music to it, it does not work. The screen goes completely blank and I can't even shut it off. So after I add new music to it I have to reset it and the only thing that fits in the hole is either a staple or a safety pin. Also the navigation buttons tend to stick once in a while. I find myself having to press really hard to make the right button function.
The screen size is really a plus, all the extra features I never use like the radio and the calendar are pretty cool. And so far I only filled up half of it with all my media. I would stay with this maker of mp3's but I think I'll by something else and not this Zen again.
Digital camera Review: Cell phone charger (Motorola) is compatible: I'm in Love!
Summary: 5 Stars
This thing rocks! I spent months reading reviews and finding the perfect device. This comes very close. It won out over the Cowon D2, and Sansa View. The Archos Wifi, iRiver, and iPoo-don't-Touch won't expand w/ SD cards, so are eliminated (says the apple-phobe.) Battery life also sucked.
The Cowon D2 was a sure winner at first, but what sold me about the Zen was the ability to read m3u's and make playlists. Navigating 16 gigs of music will be nearly impossible without this. In addition superior bookmarking capabilities and the ability to navigate 2-hour long audiobooks sold me on the Zen. It was hard to turn down Cowon's OGG-FLAC-APE capabilities, it's WMA voice recording, and it's TV-out port. They both have amazing sound quality.
The Sansa View had the advantage of durability, integration of SD mini card files into regular interface, and great customer service from Sandisk. I had an e280 before and the interface, which is virtually the same, is very basic; only allowing you to choose by Album, Artist, Genre and so on. The sound was good, not "amazing," and I could USUALLY here audiobooks over subway noise. Reviews say video watching stinks. No bookmarking for audiobooks--they told me 5 years ago they were working on this! Sandisk.
Here is a rundown of the pros and cons. Hope they're helpful:
Creative Zen
PROS
*Bookmarks
*price for 16gb version 32Gb EXCITING but expensive.
*Playlist support
*Large touch-like screen (no touch)
*Blind control with buttons
*Audible compatible
*Organizer w/ Outlook sync
*Interface clean and easy
*25 hours audio battery time
*Can use as USB drive - with software
CONS
*First generation -- Just not together yet -- Lots of hangs and resets -- must be a power user or geek -- get the extra Warranty.
*SD card files not integrated into menus - not a problem with 32gb version. Also can simply store only video on SD card.
*No TV Out
*records in wav format - 0.7Gb/Hour - 1.4Gb/2-hour class - will need space in main memory for this
*No power adapter included - $30--or see Motorola notes below
*No radio recording
*Radio won't play while navigating other menus
*No folder navigation on player
*No renaming or tagging files in player - forget sorting through your unlistened downloads with this player.
*No adding Contacts or Calendar items with player
*No text file note reading or note taking.
Cowon D2
PROS
*60 hours audio battery life!!
*TV out for patching TV's, computers, PVR's and playing video.
*Touch Screen
*Cowon takes firmware suggestions through forum and updates often!!
*has dictionary - need to download
*Can read Ebooks
*APE, OGG, FLAC, and now Audible formats *No AAC*??
*Speed control, Pan, and BBE audio features
*Can use as USB drive
*Reads text files
CONS
*No Playlist syncing or making or auto-playlists - just one NOW PLAYING list that is saved.
*Fingerprints smudge it
*only comes in black -- can order sticker type skin from Cowon
*Very few other cases or accessories
*Basic Bookmarking -- only 2
*Interface - People gripe about steps to get to mp3 playing
*D2 Too small for good touch screen function?
*D2 can't turn off album art and title text too small??
*jpg view slow?
*stylus does not attach to player
*Can't read files from SD card and player at same time? But features work.
*Some problems with JetAudio software?
*Delicate compared to Sandisk or others
*Blind control virtually impossible - no hardware buttons
*Navigating through lists may be tedious
*Screen not visible in bright sun?
*No AAC support (m4a)
Sandisk Sansa View
PROS
*Reliable and Sturdy
*SD mini slot
*35 Hours audio battery life
*Voice Recording (wav only)
*Good customer service
*16GB - 32gb available in March
*Low $$ 168.99 16gb
*Playlist compatible w/ WMP - no building more than 1 on unit but can add songs to current one playing
*SD mini Files integrated well
*Great as USB drive
CONS
*Bad player for Video--too small, conversion terrible.
*Prehistoric interface - but nice and simple
*only SD mini slot - Pricey
*Wav voice recording
*No Bookmarking - can bookmark video though, for God's sake!
*Connection to computer is proprietary (non standard USB)
*Sound was good-not great on e280; not loud enough for subway sometimes.
Question: I haven't tried bookmarking from the SD card yet. Someone PLEASE tell me it works??
Finally, I had a nice surprise when my Zen arrived: it is compatible with my Motorola cell phone AC power adapter! I have the Razr V3m but I think all Motorola's use the same. It is 5.0v and I looked around on the Web to make sure the Zen takes 5.0v as well. Indeed they do. Try this Superior C. Car / Wall Charger for Motorola KRZR Q RAZR SLVR
Bonus: the USB mini cord that comes with the Zen is compatible with the cell phone too! I found shareware syncing software for my phone here http://global.mobileaction.com/ and now I can sync contacts and calendars with Outlook for both my cell phone and my Zen. Ha Ha! (Also see Motorola's Website.)
I love mine so much I have named her Izzy. Her black shiny finish matches perfectly with my new HP Pavillion Notebook, which I named Isabella. (Bella means beautiful in Italian.)
UPDATE: Most mini USB AC adapters and cables (make sure it's mini) should work. I have seen a review or two of some generics that don't though. The Motorola adapters work great.
**Also, MediaMonkey is the best syncing software for ANY player. The tagging features are simply awesome, and it saves the Zen's customizations and settings for when you need to reset and format. Oh me, oh my!