Creative Zen V Plus 4 GB Portable Media Player (Black/Blue) by Creative
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Digital camera reviews of Creative Zen V Plus 4 GB Portable Media Player (Black/Blue)
Digital camera Review: Changed My Life
Summary: 4 Stars
I've owned my Zen for 7 months now and use it everyday. I have it about half full - some music - a couple of audiobooks at a time - some photos. It has only frozen on me 3 times in all those months. I love the little size, the no scratch case and the ease of the software included. What I don't like is that I can't reorganize my files once they are loaded. Once in a while I'll misplace a song and I can't find it. Also I broke off the on and off switch when my nail got caught on it while I was exercising. I still can get it on and off using a pen - but I never did like that switch. I like the "joystick" better than the ipod navigation pad. I bookmark my audiobooks but I can't get it to rewind if I need too. Still for the $$ that I paid, its just what the doctor ordered.Digital camera Review: Constant connection problems
Summary: 1 Stars
This player has constant connection problems, and either the software or the player constantly freezes. I've tried resetting the player, and that unfreezes it.. Until you try to download again.. This is a headache, and I certainly wouldn't recommend it as a gift for anyone who doesn't enjoy spending hours on a computer trying to get it to work right.Digital camera Review: Creative Zen
Summary: 5 Stars
Great mp3 player. It's easy to download music to and use.
I purchased this Zen for my daughter after using my own for
a year and a half. It's durable and holds a charge for many
hours. I would recommend this Creative 4gb Zen to others.
Digital camera Review: Creative Zen - Not very USer friendly
Summary: 2 Stars
I had to return it after 2 days of trying - It just kept hanging - The buttons and the body finish was very cheap - plastic like - and they did not repond correctly - A very bad product.Digital camera Review: Creative Zen - So Far, Fantastic; Update the Firmware Before Using
Summary: 5 Stars
I've had my Zen V Plus for about 2-3 months, and it's been working beautifully so far. I first chose the Zen instead of the iPod because I did not want to be bound to the iTunes interface - I'm a drag and drop sort of person.
One thing I did as soon that I got the device was download and update its firmware on Creative's website in the Downloads section with the January 07 release, as I noticed that there were plenty of complaints about the firmware. So far, no faulty firmware or freezing problems.
It's survived a few field trips, being passed around by excited middle schoolers (who, much to my chagrin and amusement, immediately coined it Tamagotchi-like and cute, among other similar adjectives). In addition, many commented that it was better than an iPod, due to the FM radio capability and higher capacity hard drive - many of them own the iPod Nano 2GB (in fact, me and a close friend are the only two to own a Zen product)There are minuscule scratches on it, but only visible if you go in for a nice close up.
The voice recording worked for entertaining us for hours on end, though the quality was a bit mediocre, and could have been better. While the subtitles were impossible to read, we did have a nice time with watching some smaller clips of anime and other media. I wouldn't recommend watching a full episode, though, it is a nice thing to have on a field trip with you for the price versus a video iPod.
One of my friends who owns an iPod comments that one of the better things it has is the precise volume control, just clicking the up/down button on the side. He notes that he has tried changing the volume on his own iPod, and when distracted, accidentally clicks the wheel the wrong way and nearly blows out his eardrums (hyperbole, but it's a strain on your ears nonetheless).
This is surprisingly durable. I've knocked it onto the floor, banged it a couple times against an upright bass (music festivals include the major lugging of our string instruments), and some other incidents. One worth mentioning happened only today.
I was in the bathroom of my home, and had my earbuds on, listening, with the Zen on the counter. I'm a klutz, and Murphy's Law is evil - so of course, I slung my arm around to grab my towel to wipe my hands - and the Zen went soaring into the sink, still draining with about a quarter inch of soapy water. I quickly yanked it out, slightly wet from the incident. I quickly shut it down, and wiped it off with a towel. Hoping for the best, I waited for it to dry before turning it on. And lo and behold, it was still working and functioning correctly.
Granted, it wasn't in the water for very long, or even what you'd called completely submerged, but the damage that could have happened didn't. For that, I'm thankful.
The only time I've had to reset this was when I decided to view a video that I hadn't converted beforehand and the device froze. Fortunately, the reset button quickly remedied the freeze and I learned to not be too impatient when transferring media onto these that I know probably won't work correctly.
Of course, I've only had it for about three months, so I might be back with a few corrections. I wonder how well it (namely, the joystick) will hold up in the future.
Pros:
- Smart Volume (great for keeping the volume from blowing your ears out and still achieving phenomenal sound; this can be disabled and enabled as you wish)
- Great capacity for its price
- Durability
- FM radio
- Voice Recorder
- Customizable color themes and backgrounds from .jpeg pictures loaded onto the device
Cons:
- Small video size
- Tiny screen
- Long charging period
- Bass amplifier renders slightly scratchy sound; better off without it
- Seemingly delicate joystick
Overall, it seems that since I haven't had the problems others seem to be having, might just have to do with updating the firmware. I can't say the same for the joystick navigation in times to come, but so far, this is one tough little device, and I hope to enjoy it for months, at least, to come.