Whats the best 60 or 80gb portable mp3/divx player?

Nephew · 11-03-2007 08:59PM #1

I have an archos av500, I love it but its too bulky for carrying around and 30gb is rather limited. So I am in the market for a smaller 60 or 80gb mp3 player that supports .avi files. All that I can find is the 60gb creative vision M or the 80gb ipod video, which I have kind of ruled out due to a total lack of video support, I really couldn't be arsed converting all my videos to h.264.

So are there any other options, or even any new players being released in the coming months?

Thanks

maxitwist · 13-03-2007 06:13PM

archos 404, but that only has 30gig too

Nephew · 13-03-2007 08:42PM

If it wasn't for the small hard drive I'd probably buy it. Thats the trouble with Archos, all their products with decent sized hard drives are pretty bulky.

Royale with Cheese · 13-03-2007 08:50PM

I have the 60gb Zen Vision:M, plays nearly all the videos I throw at it. Divx/Xvid's mainly. It'll a little bit chunky but apart from that is a fantastic player.

daveg · 16-03-2007 10:38AM

Cowan A2 - but max capacity is 30GB. Amazing device though and 12 hours battery capacity. Can anything beat that?

swingking · 16-03-2007 11:06AM

I second the cowon a2

Nephew · 16-03-2007 04:45PM

Sure I have an archos av500 which is practically the same size as the a2, I actually considered the a2 when I was buying the av500, but imo the av500 is superior to it. I'm looking for something pocket friendly, the best option seems to be the 60gb zen vision m. I'm going to hold off buying it for a few weeks because creative released a slimmed down version of the 60gb vision m last monday in Japan. The 60gb version is now the same size as the current 30gb version, hopefully they release it here.

http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/creative/

hopeful · 17-03-2007 12:04AM

Nephew wrote:

If it wasn't for the small hard drive I'd probably buy it. Thats the trouble with Archos, all their products with decent sized hard drives are pretty bulky.

What about the Archos 504? Has capacity up to 160gb and isn't much larger than the 404.

maxitwist · 17-03-2007 04:27PM

the 504 is the same size(ish) as the av500 which is what he has, so he wont want a 504.

hopeful · 17-03-2007 05:17PM

maxitwist wrote:

the 504 is the same size(ish) as the av500 which is what he has, so he wont want a 504.

My bad...thought the 504 was smaller than the AV500

daveg · 17-03-2007 06:09PM

Nephew wrote:

Sure I have an archos av500 which is practically the same size as the a2, I actually considered the a2 when I was buying the av500, but imo the av500 is superior to it. I'm looking for something pocket friendly, the best option seems to be the 60gb zen vision m. I'm going to hold off buying it for a few weeks because creative released a slimmed down version of the 60gb vision m last monday in Japan. The 60gb version is now the same size as the current 30gb version, hopefully they release it here.

http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/creative/

Sorry I thought the AV500 was roughly the same as the AV700. So now I know its the same as the A2 why in gods name would you think its too big? Any smaller and the screen would be ineffective. Buy yourself an ipod video perhaps?

Nephew · 17-03-2007 08:38PM

daveg wrote:

Sorry I thought the AV500 was roughly the same as the AV700. So now I know its the same as the A2 why in gods name would you think its too big? Any smaller and the screen would be ineffective. Buy yourself an ipod video perhaps?

Its far too big to comfortably carry around in a trouser pocket, its fine for carrying about in a bag but I want something much more portable so I'm not walking like John Wayne. I'm looking for something similar in size to the ipod, but one that supports some decent video codecs like avi, I'm not looking for a 4 inch screen, daveg, a 2.5 inch screen is fine.

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I think the best option is the new slimmer 60gb vision M. It looks as if its available on the creative site now.

http://ie.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=15986

Creative's ZEN Vision:M 60GB is the same size as the original 30GB version - but with double the memory and more features.

Does anyone know what the 'more features' are, as the site doesn't mention them.

pleasant Co. · 18-03-2007 12:11PM

for one it has USB OTG as far as I can remember... not sure what else though...

twanda · 18-03-2007 08:41PM

If I were you I would hang on and wait for the slimmer version of the 60GB Zen Vision M - info here:

http://dapreview.net/news.php?item.3884.5

pleasant Co. · 18-03-2007 08:53PM

Twanda re read nephews post, specifically this part:

Nephew wrote:

Thanks for all the replies, guys. I think the best option is the new slimmer 60gb vision M. It looks as if its available on the creative site now.

http://ie.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=15986

Creative's ZEN Vision:M 60GB is the same size as the original 30GB version - but with double the memory and more features.

twanda · 18-03-2007 09:35PM

My apologies - hangover still affecting my brain:p

pleasant Co. · 18-03-2007 10:19PM

hahahaha, yeah, yesterday was guuuuuuuud....

sorry for O/T post

Nephew · 19-03-2007 05:54PM

Just to let anyone know who is interested in the new slimmer 60gb vision m. I emailed creative to ask whether its available on their site, or in the shops yet. This is the reply I got

Dear Customer,

The slimmer 60GB version is not yet released in Europe. If you want me
to inform you as soon as we have this device in stock please let me know
your phone number and I give you a call then.

For any further information please do not hesitate to get back to me.
Please retain all the previous correspondence when replying to this
e-mail.

Best regards

Manuel Reichelt
Creative Online Sales
Creative Labs Europe

So it looks like I'll have to wait a few more weeks

pleasant Co. · 19-03-2007 08:49PM

cool, thanks for the information nephew, classic creative I guess. Announce something before its ready to be realeased.

Royale with Cheese · 19-03-2007 08:55PM

Man I'm pissed that creative are bringing out a slimmer 60gb zen vision:m, only bought mine 5 or 6 weeks ago. It's the only complaint I have about the player. Technology always screws me over like this.

Last mp3 player I bought (first one I ever bought) was a 30gb nomad zen xtra. Cost me €350, a month or two later the player was hideously outdated and quite overpriced. I always manage to buy technology products towards the end of their shelf life. I should probably do more research before I buy but I could never really be arsed.

Nephew · 19-03-2007 09:09PM

I replied to that email and asked would the packaging change so you could tell whether you're buying the old or new model. I got this reply

For sure it will be shown on the package! You will hear from me, but I really don't know how long it will take, if weeks or days...

Best regards

Manuel Reichelt
Creative Online Sales
Creative Labs Europe

Maybe its his english, but the wording of that email makes me suspect it will be out in the coming days and he is not at privilege to say so.

Oh yeah, they are also slimming down the Zen Vision W

pleasant Co. · 19-03-2007 10:39PM

Nephew wrote:

Maybe its his english, but the wording of that email makes me suspect it will be out in the coming days and he is not at privilege to say so.

Oh yeah, they are also slimming down the Zen Vision W

Hahaha, no, I think that's what he wants you to think

Creative are notorious for announcing things before they're ready to launch, I imagine we'll see it in a month at least.

Yeah creative announced the slimmer ZVW with the ZVM announcement. Single platter drives are great

Anyway do keep us informed Nephew.

Thanks man,

Dominic.

conorw · 23-03-2007 07:01PM

Hi guys,

I am in the market for a new MP3/video player. I was looking at the Creative Zen M. I have looked at your posts and you are mentioning other players. What I want is either 30/60 gig, with a reasonable sized screen, at least 2.5". My price range is about €300~400.

Also, where is best place to buy. I have been looking at Pixmania, they seem to be priced ok.

daveg · 23-03-2007 07:14PM

conorw wrote:

Hi guys,

I am in the market for a new MP3/video player. I was looking at the Creative Zen M. I have looked at your posts and you are mentioning other players. What I want is either 30/60 gig, with a reasonable sized screen, at least 2.5". My price range is about €300~400.

Also, where is best place to buy. I have been looking at Pixmania, they seem to be priced ok.

http://www.adverts.ie/showproduct.php?product=19714&cat=50

I have one. It's excellent.

Nephew · 10-04-2007 05:53PM

An update on the slim 60gb vision m, you can now order it from germany, I think they start shipping on April 12th. Shipping is e30 to Ireland

http://www.cyberport.de/item/1176/1010/0/86071/Creative_Zen_VisionM_60_GB_Slim_schwarz.html?APID=6

According to the description on the Creative site, the 60gb they are selling is now the same size as the 30gb but I think its the old bulkier model because there is no mention in the title that it is the new slimmer model, something they would obviously be pushing. They also told me they would email before its released

http://ie.europe.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=15986

Nephew · 11-04-2007 06:57PM

I got an email saying the slim 60gb is officially for sale on the creative store, but if you ordered before 3 or 4 this afternoon you would get the old bulkier model. He told me if I order by phone he'll give me a discount. It's probably something like e2 off

pleasant Co. · 13-04-2007 01:10PM

thanks for the update nephew dude

Whats the best 60 or 80gb portable mp3/divx player?

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