Ipod Video vs Creative Zen Vision M

Timans

Right,

I'm buying a new mp3 player. It's either one of the one's in the title. I have an ipod but am upgrading. If I get the Creative, can I still just put my current music collection onto my new player or do I have to put it on the pc again?

Also, Which one do you recommend? I'm confused. I have had an ipod for 2 years now and fancy a change and have heard great things about the creative and their great sound quality. BUT, is it much heavier and chunkier than the Ipod? I've read it's the exact same size, just thicker and heavier.

Which is better? I'll be using it mainly for music obviously but I'd like to throw a few video's on it aswell. Is it easy to "aquire" videos :rolleyes: and convert them and then put them onto the Zen. Also, does the Zen come with a free pouch like the ipod video comes with to stop it getting scratched?

Finally, Does it come with a charger?

Thanks,

projectmayhem

the zen is fatter then the ipod, but they pretty much weight the exact same. video quality is better on the zen (as far as i can see anyway). the zen has all the software for video conversion (if it doesn't already work that is). it comes with a pouch too, but no charger anymore (afaik)... it used to, but i was told creative stopped putting the chargers in.

Stepherunie

Yeah there's no charger anymore - I just got one last week and it had no charger with it I'm afraid.

The zen is handy for videos too as it plays a larger range of video types aswell afaik.

Timans

What about sound quality though? That's the main reason I'm getting it. For music. I've heard it's got better sound quality than the ipod.

And, What about my songs on iTunes? Can I put them straight on the Zen.

Stepherunie

I've never had an ipod so I can't comment on the sound quality really - although the quality of the zen is very good imo.

Moving songs from itunes is dependent on what format you have them ripped onto itunes - if you have it set to m4a format you'll need to convert them to mp3 but that can be done in itunes no hassle - just highlight the ones you want convert, right click and you'll see a button to convert to mp3. Then you can just windows media or the zen explorer to transfer them onto the zen.

Timans

Ah right, They're all mp3 anyway.

Also, Can I use Winamp for my Zen? I've heard that I can and that it's very good.

projectmayhem

Timans wrote:

Ah right, They're all mp3 anyway.

Also, Can I use Winamp for my Zen? I've heard that I can and that it's very good.

right now you can only sync to winamp, but not get direct playback off the device (yet). this is the same for all playforsure devices (go microsoft, etc.)

Timans

Ah, fair enough.

Finally, what do you guys recommend?

optiplexgx270

Zen,

I've seen the video out on the zen vision on an lcd tv very cool. Think the ipod does this too but the wider range of video codec support is i big plus IMO.

iaudio may be another option. never heard of anyone with one but the spec's are impressive.

Stepherunie

Personally I'd go with the Zen too, I just think you're less tied with a zen in comparasion to the ipod and i know my friend who is an ipod addict took a look at my zen last week and is tempted to convert.

maxitwist

I'd go with the zen - seen both of them in action and it seems like your able to do a lot m,ore with the zen, I got board with the ipod very quickly.

Timans

Just picked up my Zen from 3G, €289.50.

Now to set it up..

justbringit89

why is it hard 2 set up, what do u mean about lcd , can u conect it to ur tv or sumting|???

optiplexgx270

justbringit89 wrote:

why is it hard 2 set up, what do u mean about lcd , can u conect it to ur tv or sumting|???

Correct you can get a video out cable for it and paly videos on a tv via the RGB connection on the TV, its sweet

Timans - What model did you get the vision 30Gb?

Timans

Yeah, the 30GB one. I'm going to order myself a charger/tv cable for it off ebay when I get enough cash.

Can't wait. Now all I have to do is wait about 28hours while my iTunes library gets converted to mp3.

xebec

Timans wrote:

Now all I have to do is wait about 28hours while my iTunes library gets converted to mp3.

That's funny, I'm doing exactly the same thing with my .wma's on iTunes at the mo! Kinda frustrating!!

New iPod video tomorrow though

fatal

i was going through the same dilemma when I couldnt choose between the vision m or video ipod.After looking at both I picked the vision M and so far im LOVING it

theCzar

re. power adapter...

Does anybody know if the Zen touch adapter is compatible with newer model? There's 2 zen touches in my house with adapters, We'll be adding a Zen M vision soon...

fatal

theCzar wrote:

re. power adapter...

Does anybody know if the Zen touch adapter is compatible with newer model? There's 2 zen touches in my house with adapters, We'll be adding a Zen M vision soon...

If you have a psp,the psp adaptor works for the vision M.The vision M needs a 5v supply and thats exactly what a psp adapter is.Ive been doing it for months now and no problem

stev2604

Does it use a mini-usb charger? Cos my DS one is mini usb!

muckwarrior

Zen FTW!

stev2604

Stepherunie wrote:

I've never had an ipod so I can't comment on the sound quality really - although the quality of the zen is very good imo.

Moving songs from itunes is dependent on what format you have them ripped onto itunes - if you have it set to m4a format you'll need to convert them to mp3 but that can be done in itunes no hassle - just highlight the ones you want convert, right click and you'll see a button to convert to mp3. Then you can just windows media or the zen explorer to transfer them onto the zen.

Im thinking of getting a zen and I just checked about converting songs, but the only option is to convert them to AAC. How can i convert them to mp3?

Stepherunie

Ok itunes is currently refusing to run on my pc but from what I can remember all my mp3 format stuff (which is pretty much everything bar one or two random songs) come up as AAC when they're in mp3 format, just go to the options section and set it to automatically rip things as mp3 format and I think the option should come up then, however as I can't get into itunes I'm afraid I can't guarentee it.

stev2604

Ya now the options come up! Thanks

breadmonkey

Have I misread or does the Vision M not come with a charger? That's bit gay no?

kaisersose77

yep you read it right, probably to cut down on costs to compete with ipod video. Can be charged through usb until you get a proper charger.

stev2604

Would a mini-usb charger work with it?

kaisersose77

it uses mini usb so the normal usb to mini cables for psp etc work

breadmonkey

IIRC USB charging is much slower? How much for a feckin charger? Are there any other options. (I don't have a PSP).