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Creative or apple

  • 19-08-2007 10:03am
    #1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 450 ✭✭


    Im getting a new mp3 player in the next week and i was just wondering what everyone here thinks would be the better of these two to go for?

    Its either the 60GB Creative zen vision:M or the 80GB aplle ipod.

    Im looking in terms of ease of use, accessories available, sound quality, video quality and most importantly reliability.

    If anyone can reccommend a better one feel free to say it

    Thanks

    Whats the best overall mp3 player to go for? 67 votes

    Creative Zen Vision:M
    0% 0 votes
    Apple iPod
    65% 44 votes
    Other
    34% 23 votes


Comments

  • Closed Accounts Posts: 19,986 ✭✭✭✭mikemac


    Creative versus Apple has been done to death here already tbh.
    Check out amazon and they have hundreds of reviews of both products

    I vote Apple due to ease of use, looks stylish and itunes is great.

    I have no knowledge or interest in the more technical aspects like many people here so if you just want something that looks and performs well and works first time, you won't go wrong with the ipod.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,534 ✭✭✭Dman001


    I would definitly vote for iPod for Ease of use and accessories available. There are loads of accessories available for the iPod. As for sound and video quality other MP3 players may be better but I think the iPod is good for videos and music. The Creative Zen Vision M supports more video formats and video playback on is supposed to be better than the iPod.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 302 ✭✭maxitwist


    and i voted for creative, more codec supports, better screen, radio, drag & drop i think


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    +1 Creative

    Better codecs (especially true if you want to easily watch Divx movies)
    Excellent for playback of video on your TV using the AV lead.
    Customer support is first-rate should you need it.

    If you need/want a program to babysit and handhold you through CD ripping
    and syncing music between your player with album art (like itunes) you can
    either use the software Creative ship on CD with the player or use Windows
    Media Player.

    If you have XP SP2 or later and WMP already on your PC you can just drag
    and drop and not have to worry about having to use a snyc manager.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,383 ✭✭✭✭dulpit


    Voted other, if you're looking for a big sized mp3 player with video, check out the new Archos or Cowon players...


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  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators, Social & Fun Moderators, Society & Culture Moderators Posts: 60,110 Mod ✭✭✭✭Tar.Aldarion


    Creative. I have the Zen Vision M and it is great. My experience with ipods is not so spotless.
    Also, customer support for creative is far better.


  • Moderators, Entertainment Moderators Posts: 18,004 Mod ✭✭✭✭ixoy


    Creative. I've primarily used my own to play back video and it's pretty much faultless - great codec support and it doesn't have to convert anything into an internal format, so placing DivX files onto your player is quick and painless.

    The video quality is also better when I saw them compared side-by-side.

    It's pretty easy to use (the slide pad can be a little sensitive, but this can be adjusted) and the mp3 part is fine as well (quite like the DJ features in it).

    It's also very reliable - in its 18 months with me, it froze only once and that was quickly fixed by hitting the reset button without any loss. Battery life has stayed reliable too, despite heavy video usage by me (couple of hours of video every day). I recently left it playing music when I got into work at 09:00 accidentally and it was still playing at 18:00 - not bad for a battery that hadn't been full, is eighteen months old, and still getting good use :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 66 ✭✭HemmingSay


    i'd second the idea about checking out the Archos or Cowon players too.

    I've an A2, and though it might not suit your size needs and is a little bulky, I think it's a quality bit of kit that plays anything i throw at it, and has some handy features. The UI isn't great though.

    Cowon Site

    PC Mag review of a collection of players


    edit: that second link was meant to point to printable 1 page version, but didn't seem to work.


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    If you do intend on going the PMP route, definitely hold out for the Cowon A3: http://www.dapreview.net/comment.php?comment.news.4061


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,452 ✭✭✭thehomeofDob


    I also wouldn't make a decision just quite yet. Apple usually release new iPods around about this time of year, September or October. With that, you'll see new models you might like, and you'll see the older models have a bit of a price drop.

    I'm quite happy with my nano, but then my needs are different. Just hope they come out with a 16GB one :) I'll be mucho happy then.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 630 ✭✭✭big_show


    Anyone experience the Vision W? thinking about getting one. but it looks a bit big,


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    no experience other than second hand info, the Vision W has a stellar screen, good GUI and great SQ, it's smaller than a psp... but damn are they expensive over here compared to the US!!!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,593 ✭✭✭Soundman


    +1 for the Creative Zen Vision:M


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 630 ✭✭✭big_show


    the vision w is around the 300 mark without shipping etc off ebay, anyone know what the high street price is?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭mathie


    Have both and Creative by far.

    Apple
    Slim unit
    Better third party accessories

    Zen
    ----
    Durability
    Codecs
    Video Quality
    Will allow you to use any machine to update it. Not just limit you to one machine!


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    big_show wrote:
    the vision w is around the 300 mark without shipping etc off ebay, anyone know what the high street price is?

    €400

    mathie wrote:
    Zen
    ----
    Will allow you to use any machine to update it. Not just limit you to one machine!

    unless you use a Mac / Linux, in which case you have to source some third party apps.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭art


    mathie wrote:
    ...
    Will allow you to use any machine to update it. Not just limit you to one machine!
    To be fair so will the iPod, it's just using it with iTunes that must be on one PC only.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,202 ✭✭✭art


    I also wouldn't make a decision just quite yet. Apple usually release new iPods around about this time of year, September or October. With that, you'll see new models you might like, and you'll see the older models have a bit of a price drop.

    I'm quite happy with my nano, but then my needs are different. Just hope they come out with a 16GB one :) I'll be mucho happy then.
    The register is currently carrying a story on this, new iPods/Nanos based on iPhone technology with widescreen etc

    http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/08/20/ipod_revamp_due/


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,534 ✭✭✭Dman001


    I would wait another while because Apple are due to update their iPods soon.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 450 ✭✭p-nut


    Mactard wrote:
    no experience other than second hand info, the Vision W has a stellar screen, good GUI and great SQ, it's smaller than a psp... but damn are they expensive over here compared to the US!!!
    thats the reason i ask, i am heading to the states on friday morning for a vew nights;)


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  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    Ahhhhh well it might be worth your while waiting for this: http://www.dapreview.net/news.php?item.4063.5

    None the less the ZVW seems excellent, although it had some issues, I just cannot remember what those issues were


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 450 ✭✭p-nut


    Has anyone had any experience with the new microsoft zune mp3 players?

    what are they like?

    i think i will go for the zen vision, theyre going for $200 in brookstone, which works out about €140:D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    The Zune looks nice but is not as codec friendly as the Zens.

    Get yourself either the Vision M or Vision W depending on
    whether you want it primarily for music (M) or movies (W).
    If you can get your hands on the 60GB do so as the price
    difference in the US is small and the extra storage is worth
    it. Also if you get the Zen W, see if you can get a spare
    battery in the shop.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,246 ✭✭✭rc28


    p-nut wrote:
    Has anyone had any experience with the new microsoft zune mp3 players?

    what are they like?


    i think i will go for the zen vision, theyre going for $200 in brookstone, which works out about €140:D
    I have a zune and it's an excellent pmp, but codec support could be better. If you buy one in the states you can pick one up for a max of $199, i got mine on ebay for 190euro with the premium nose cancelling headphones.
    Read my experiences with it here;
    http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055033221&referrerid=&highlight=zune
    See my quick zune UI walkthrough here;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kijg_vwYM7M
    However if you decide to get a zune I'd recommend you wait a couple of months as they are supposed to be releasing gen2 then (when zune is one year old).
    However, if you leave it to choose betweeen the creative and the ipod, i'd recommend the creative zen- I used to have one and loved it.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 28,128 ✭✭✭✭Mossy Monk


    Do the Creative Zens play .flac files?


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.




  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 12,383 ✭✭✭✭dulpit


    Mactard wrote:

    Notice it's a flash player...

    Are they all going that direction? Seems to me that most new players are flash based things...


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    16Gb flash drive for similar money as the old 30Gb hard drive,
    I know I'd rather have the extra storage - especially for video
    files.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,103 ✭✭✭mathie


    16Gb flash drive for similar money as the old 30Gb hard drive,
    I know I'd rather have the extra storage - especially for video
    files.

    If it means a longer life then the flash drive all the way for me.
    I've had too many hard drive based mp3 players that lasted only a few months.
    M


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    As I mentioned in the other thread on the new Zen, it's not just the
    storage that makes the Zen M a better option - I haven't seen any
    reference on any either Amazon.com, Creative, Crave or epizenter that
    refer to the TV-out function on the new Zen. Maybe for some users
    it's not an issue, but I know plenty of people that use the ZVM as
    a portable divx player for connecting and playback via a TV.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 8,373 ✭✭✭ongarite


    True true. Its fantastic to bring on holidays as a portable movie player.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,534 ✭✭✭Dman001


    Do not buy anything yet. Next Wedenesday there is an Apple event and chances are new iPods are coming out.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 9,330 ✭✭✭Gran Hermano


    Dman001 wrote:
    Do not buy anything yet. Next Wedenesday there is an Apple event and chances are new iPods are coming out.

    Surely you mean 'if you really want an Apple wait until next week's press
    release'. Whereas if you're considering a Creative you can go right ahead
    and either purchase the current ZVM, ZVW or the soon to be released
    new model Zen. ;)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,534 ✭✭✭Dman001


    But if you want the latest and probably the best you should wait. There is nothing wrong with Apple products, they are popular, quality products.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 302 ✭✭maxitwist


    wasen't the creative zen the name of one of hte old zens? it looked like the zen micro but was bigger and had a 20gb hdd.
    anybody remember that?


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,534 ✭✭✭Dman001


    maxitwist wrote:
    wasen't the creative zen the name of one of hte old zens? it looked like the zen micro but was bigger and had a 20gb hdd.
    anybody remember that?
    Yeah I heard them on about that on another website.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,924 ✭✭✭eamon234


    iPod all they way for me tried the Creatives hated the GUI too bulky and fiddly to use - and I prefer iTunes don't really care about codecs once you have good software video converter it's fine - you can get a cheap iPod dock with AV out for 30 odd quid in Argos - 'nuff said. If there are new ones coming out even bigger bonus!


  • Moderators, Technology & Internet Moderators Posts: 7,423 Mod ✭✭✭✭pleasant Co.


    you hated the Zen GUI? You mean the one Apple lifted from creative and subsequently paid out 100 million dollars, that's a very queer statement to make to be honest.

    I will probably be getting the new ipod however as I need a gapless DAP and I do not believe in brand loyality, what ever does what I need gets my money.

    For video my upcoming A3 will do nicely.

    And no, I do not like converting movies for on the go use, that is just not convinient in any way, shap or form and to suggest otherwise would be idiotic :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 5,534 ✭✭✭Dman001


    I didn't like the Creative interface either. Maybe it was because I was used to the iPod? I was expecting ZVM to be better than the iPod because everyone seems to be saying it is but there was something about it I didn't like. Maybe there were too many buttons compared to the iPod?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,530 ✭✭✭dub_skav


    I think it's the UI as opposed to the GUI that is better on the IPOD. Nothing out there comes close to the wheel.


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  • Closed Accounts Posts: 70 ✭✭ratminer


    I have a Creative Zen W ( < $300 in California) and it is fantastic. No iTunes bull****, once you get on top of DVD ripping the MPEG4 playback is really cool (use XVID instead of DIVX by the way in my experience).

    I also have an iRiver and an old Creative so quiet a few comparison points. I don't get the GUI issue to be honest .... it plays music, how hard can that be for anyone ?

    (although iRiver do their best to make it difficult :)

    I was going to buy a Sandisk Sansa e280 next week, because I want something light with at least 8GB of Flash (although I was considering going to Nokia N95 for all in one). However just now I've found the Zen 16GB (!!!) a few posts back so that's the one for me for sure.

    My suggestion - get a Zen W if you want to watch movies and go for the 60GB; get the Zen 16GB if you are just listening to music.

    iPods are for creatures who taste nice with a well prepared mint sauce :)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,719 ✭✭✭kaisersose77


    If you want an xvid player, then this is the bee's knee's


    http://www.archos.com/products/gen_5/archos_605wifi/index.html?country=ie&lang=en

    You can get the 160gb version from this sites for about 320euros delivered

    http://www.hotmp3gear.com/place.htm (terrible looking site but customer service is brilliant and I had mine in under a week). Use coupon code jbmm.net fro $10's off. Its $399 in North America and $680 in Europe!

    It has wifi and resolution is 800x480. It plays xvid,divx and wmv out of the box but to play vobs and ac3 and h264 there are plugins you have to buy, but most ppl dont need them. The web browser is 30 euros to buy which is robbery but its great to use. Anyways dead handy streaming xvids from your pc etc to the device. Oh and its touchcreen :)


    even better :)

    have the all-ireland final streaming on it now

    mms://89.207.56.18/wmtencoder/rte2-450.wmv


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 450 ✭✭p-nut


    Typical.....

    Exactly two weeks ago today i go to the states and buy a nice new 30gb iPod....and today i wake to find the new one has been released, and the 80gb is the same price i paid for mine.

    Typical.....


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 809 ✭✭✭woop


    ah p-nut we keep running into each other like this.....but creative all the way


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