The Creative Zen Vision

It's been a while since Creative busted out a new personal video player (it's been almost a year since the Zen Portable Media Center debuted), but DAPreview got the scoop on an unannounced new 30GB the Creative Zen Vision. This one's both smaller and lighter than the Zen PMC, and has a CompactFlash memory card slot, a 640 x 480 pixel, 3.7-inch LCD screen, built-in FM tuner, and support for playback of MP3, WMA, and WAV audio files and MPEG4, WMV, DivX, and XviD video files. Could go on sale as early as the end of this month.

[hastings @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

The OS where they have all those photos showing looks exactly like the iPod photo screen. Even down to the identical coloured battery indicator. I smell a law suit.

[diem @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I've been browsing all these PMP's for one with a CF slot. I'm hoping there is a bit of sofware that will allow you to download images from a CF card to the PMP. In this way I can take it on a photoshoot + re-use my CF cards on the fly. I currently have the "smartdisk" version of this, + It actually works great, however the screen is AWFULL! would love to upgrade.

anyone know if there is another product like this? specifically with CF expansion / photo download / photo copy.

-diem

[Malfoy Roark @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I use an Epson P2000. Aimed at the photographer. Has 40 gigs and both a CF slot and a SD slot. (Needed both slots for photos). No complaints except it isn't as fast as flash memory.
http://www.epson.com/cgi-bin/Store/consumer/consDetail.jsp?BV_UseBVCookie=yes&oid=49164278

[jc @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I personally recomend a laptop, I find that anything with a screen smaller than 10inches is a waste of time. I also like having some basic photoshop abilities on hand to quickly show where the picture works, and if it needs another shoot.

[Peter @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

The archos AV400 series has a CF slot. I find it very simple to use, put in the CF select copy and the images are on the Archos HD. Plug the Archos in to the PC and you can view right off the Archos HD. On the road the Archos screen is great for viewing.

[Rizz @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

But does it have video output...

[Guapogiboy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I like this a lot. The Older model PMC had a really good screen compared to Archos or Iriver. Assuming this would have a sharper screen, it could rival the beautiful screen on the Epson P2000 with out all that bulk. Now if this thing only played PSP games... I'd buy it in a flash. I think I'd still buy it though.. Can you imagine how many dvd movies in MP4 format you can cram into 30 gigs? i guess if you can't beat apple in MP3's do it the PMP way. That is until Apple releases their own PMP.

[Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Man...the interface looks like a bad ripoff of the iPod photo...wtf Creative, get creative!

[Joshua Ochs @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I like it, but would have liked SD more - pretty much everything these days is SD (unless it's MiniSD!). Heck even the next-gen game consoles will use it for memory cards.

Buy a really big SD card, use it in everything. That's where I'm hoping to get to. :)

[AFD @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Glad to see they dropped the older Windows Media Center-interface and added DivX. Huge improvement from the older PMCs, even if the white title-bar and green battery indicator are clearly knock-offs of iPod's ground-breaking innovations.

[diem @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

was there a montion of price here?

JC's point is well taken, considering you can find laptops these days for less than $800. and the price for this little PMC is likely to come in at around $500, the extra $300 does seem well spent on a laptop.

the obvious advantage for me is that the PMC can live in a camera bag (or pocket)... It's preceisely because of the small size that it is better for me than another laptop.

I'll check out the archos.

I only paid $199 for the smardisk flashtrax (refurb at tiger-direct) like I said it works well but the screen BLOOOWS.

[Sean @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

iPod 30gb Photo: 4.1x2.4x.6

Zen Vision:
4.8x2.4x.7

Notice that the size of the vision is just a little bit bigger than the iPod. This might be something to consider buying.

[Ray @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I like it.

I really wanted the original PMC on my wish-list, but with this smaller, higher-res version, it's what I'll want instead. Ok, so maybe for a few more hundred quid you can get a budget laptop or one of those laptops-that-look-like-oversized-palmtops - if that's what you really want. If all you need is a media player, without having to worry about crashes (I hope), and nothing else, the Zen will do.

[Chir @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

It's interesting that this device is midway in size between the original PMCs and the iPod. It is actually 4.8 x 2.9 x .8 inches, almost identical in size to most PDAs with 3.7 inch screens. I think this is one of the first pocket-friendly PMP with a large-sized (i.e. not 2.2 inch) screen. Can't wait to get it.

[Sean @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Can't wait to see this kid in action. Gonna be in Asia the next month, so I'll definitely have to pick one up. The only things i'm concerned about is the fact that they have not listed video-output. This is essential for PMCs, otherwise, why have one? Also something I am really interested in is battery life, I'm glad it's a removal battery, but carrying around 1 battery is better than two. Another thing is, will creative implement ogg somehow? I can see that in a future firmware, but would be nice on initial release.

[Vinny @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

very great looking piece. the one thing that turned me off from the pmc was the four hundred (+) price tag, i checked cnet and they said that it would be less. if it hits the three-fifty area i think i just might get it.

[Adrian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

iPod Photo? This is 'If you can't beat them, join, I mean, copy them' taken to the limits

[CHRIS @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

My name is Chris Pallant, and I am a comment spammer: [e-mail]

[Jimmy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Wow, alot of negative commparisons to the iPod Photo. It's almost ironic. When the iPod came out copying the Archos and Creative Jukebox lines, I don't recall even so much as a peep. Even as Apple took most of the interface from Creative's line. As Adrian said, "if you can't beat them, copy them". Apple appearently wrote the book on that, now as the market leader... it's somehow fitting that the company they stood on the shoulders of is taking the lead once again. It's a shame though, that even with as much as Apple took creatively from Creative... they never could manage to produce a very good product even though they charged FAR more than it was actually worth. I went through roughly 6 iPods in less than two years before going back to Creative. Not only was it roughly 1/6 the cost of my iPod... it has now lasted for 2 years without a single problem. Apple couldn't even make it six months with 6 different attempts in my case. Once more the hype doesn't live up to the actual product. Shame they couldn't have copied the quality.

As far as keeping things in perspective... the fact that this has a much larger color screen, playes movies and supports DIVX sets it quite above the iPod photo. And it's even priced comparably to Apple audio only line of players. I'm definately interested. I'll keep my eyes peeled, and unless Apple actually confirms the rumored video iPod my money will probably go to Creative.

[Jasper @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I find it hard to believe how many iPod fanboys just WANT to take a swing at Creative; first the Zen Touch is somewhat a cheap copy of iPod (as I've heard) now they're making a big deal about the interface of the photo searching? Please, growup - just because iPod has a color interface with a gray-white gradient doesn't mean everything gradient gray-white is ripped off iPod!

[Harrison @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

sorry i know this isn't exactly a forum, but i dont get what video formats it supports..could someone tell me how i would go about getting videos on the vision?

[Pouch @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I don't get it if this supports AAC format (.m4a) which I thought would be the future of mp3 (better quality and small files).
I also don't understand why so much trashing of this product and how iPod is god.
I read that iPod is bringing restrictions with their video ipod even though the player is beautiful. Kind of discriminating bastards for me, they are only selling through apple store to the US. The video compatibility is pushing us to buy the videos from them.
I find this player excellent and am considering buying it unless something better comes out (tempted to say if iPod video would have the FM radio and the Audio Recording that Zen Vision has!).
Cause the iPod looks so pretty!!! Maybe I will love this Vision, even though people are writing about the bad screen.

[Johnboy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

First Off If anyone is ripping anyone off it's Ipod. Creative was the first to come out with a zen micro, creative was the first to come out with a Zen nano, and now the Zen vision surpasses all of the abilities of the ipod video not to mention the SOUND quality on ANY creative player is better (I should know I own both a Ipod nano and a Zen xtra). It has a CompactFlash memory card slot, a 640 x 480 pixel, 3.7-inch LCD screen, built-in FM tuner, and support for playback of MP3, WMA, and WAV audio files and MPEG4, WMV, DivX, and XviD video files where as Ipod video only lets you play video files you buy from them. Ipod is nothing but b******T commercialism at it's best but don't take my word for it just see for yourself.

[John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

I got the Zen SLeek... FUCKING AMAZING. YO but i'm just a bit sceptical about the battery life. I know Ipod lasts about a year and half or something like that. Does the sleek last any longer? someone please give me an answer

[Nikolai Bailey @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Looks really good, I think I'd only use it for video. I don't see people carrying something so large just for audio (a shuffle or mini iPod would maybe be better) and photos on a small screen is a bit pointless (though there is the option to put it on a TV).

I would love to know how it handles varies file formats, I've seen allot of players say they can play divX before but teh format keeps changing and some players fall over wen you play them (quicktime on the pc has problems with allot of divX files).

[Aled @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

Hi huys, i am a bit worried now about this Zen vision. I 've asked the parents for one for christmas, and i know i've got it, but is the screen res really crap? A lot of negative comments about it.

Please can you give me some positive things?

Al

[will @ Dec 19th 2005 12:16AM]

i have a zen micro, and a psp (with 1 gb memory stick for movies) i was wondering if i should get a video ipod, a zen vision, or just stick with what a have right now.