Creative Zen V Plus reviewed
By Paul Miller 
posted June 21st 2006 10:38AM
posted June 21st 2006 10:38AM
Looks like CNET managed to get a Zen V Plus from Creative a while ago, and have already put the thing through its paces and posted their glowing review of the device. First, and fairly notable: for sheer value, the Zen V and V Plus really have the iPod nano beat, since not only do Creative's new players feature similar capacity for a good bit less, but the players also have the quite convenient line-in capability, and V Plus adds in FM and video playback for a bit of extra nano smackdown. As for design, CNET seems to be a fan; noting its cute, Tamagotchi-like feel and form factor as a definite asset. They also felt more confident with the sturdier design of the player in comparison to the nano, which is thinner but taller than the Zen V, and didn't complain about the "bulk" in regards to pocketability. Unfortunately, the joystick is a bit small and cheap feeling, and the player lacks two of the face buttons of its big brother, the Zen Vision:M. We're also concerned about the lack of scrolling capability which does show up in the Sansa and nano, but we're just worriers like that. Apparently, the 1.5-inch OLED screen is looking good, with a bit of an visible pixel grid, and some bright sunlight problems, but overall "vivid" performance. We can't say that changes our mind about the actual functionality of video playback on this thing, but if you need to know, the V Plus supports MPEG-4, WMV, DivX and more, and comes with the ToolBox software to convert files for playback. The device of course supports MP3, WAV, PlaysForSure WMA and Audible audio, and you can nab podcasts with Creative's ZenCast software. Other than USB host capability, or WiFi, the Zen V Plus has about every feature you could ask for, even PIM functionality with Outlook syncing. As for what really matters, Zen V shines with 20 hours of batter life (5 more than Creative's 15 hour rating), and solid audio quality and volume. Sounds like Creative could have a winner on their hands, and CNET's Editors' Choice award can't hurt, but we're still not sure we've seen something that can actually manage to beat the nano at its own game in this market.
ok, ive just borrowed a zen V from work "for test purposes" and its looking pretty sweet, the gui is amazing, you can rotate the screen and customise the menu with the things you use the most, you CAN use is for data storage, but have to split the capacity for that via a menu in the player... kinda make a data partition that DOES support USB mass media drivers... the battery life is great... no time at all to charge and grat life so far... music is easy to put on, phots look great on it, i just wish i had the plus to test the video function. yeah, im a little annoyed at the mtp thing, but i can live with it... i use windows and linux about equally right now... so its not so bad. all in all i give it a thumbs up.
Can someone tell me how much time does it take to recharge the battery??? ... it's a very important thing for me
Thanks
Anyway, I think i'm going to buy this player, I find it's design much better than the nano's, the clickwheel is absolutely unimportant for me because I listen to mixes so I don't need to browse between 1000 files. Hope I'll like it, for 140$ (2GB) it's a pretty good choice.
The Zen Y Plus is a much better value than an Ipod of the same compacity (4 GB). Although im having technical difficulties with it and its only the second day. However i do like the video option despite the small screen.
I just bought the Zen V. Anyone know how to bookmark a book (WMA or Audible) so it will start where I left off listening?
I got this player about a week ago and i love it. but it just froze up compleatly so i dont know what to do?
I am Creative-fan since I was involved into mp3 players... This is great creation... I love it... Creative`s design is much more nicer than Ipod`s, and even though Ipod is the leader in mp3 players market, oneday Creative will beat `em... Cheers to Creative...
Can someone pls comment on its recording features?
I think people like Blee and Mike are simple mac-tards.
Mike, it is smaller then a nano, but thicker, and fits in the palm of your hand.
It is easier to click. All you need is a thumb.
Blee - Remember it was creative who had the menu format long before the ipod. Well then again, you might be a mac-tard and no nothing else other then what marketing feeds you.
Also yes iPod is SIMPLE! You get a simple product that they simply want you to use with itunes, and simply use their format, and simply not share with anyone... and all ! Their products act the same simple way with the same itunes (screw your user freedom) software.
Creative has them beat in size and funtionality! VERY SIMPLE!
Creative does have a simple music store.
Creative does allow DivX format for vids that wont take up all your drive space.
Creative doesnt use the spin wheel, which only nobs who's first mp3 player has only been an ipod, like. I hate it! It sux! Its annoying, and focus groups have told people this too! The spinwheel is simply a stupid gimmic that lacks utility!
Creative criticism...
1.You need to allow it to be like a standard USB drive!
2.Not a fan of the joystick, as you can tell... I like buttons ;)
I think it's great. It does everything I need and more. I don't mind the video size, it looks great for single viewing of clips and even music videos.
The organization of my contacts and tasks is a real bonus.
Well i recently bought this and its been great. A button defect but i returned it and the second one is fine. Can anyone give me step by step instructions on how to fix the album art? I have about 800 songs on it at the moment but only about 3-5 actually have their own album art. Others have none and the majority of them share the same art. Please can someone help me on this problem?
Thanks.
Wow! this is "hot zone" for the discussion of Zen and Ipod. Well I appreciate all the feedback here and I think I will go to Zen than iPod. Why?
1. iPod is so common but not attractive and short-sighted with the need of many people. They keep pushing their products to the masses but they want to change what the masses used to do. Bad move.
2. Who pioneer the sound industry in computer in a first place? of course Creative is counted.
Thanks for the feedback people.
Oh by the way the writer (Paul Miller) of this review is some how jealous with this statement - "Looks like CNET managed to get a Zen V Plus from Creative a while ago, and have already put the thing through its paces and posted their glowing review of the device."
Attention bosses of Creative; do you mind sending one Zen V Plus to Mr. Miller. hahaha!
Mentioned before, but IT DOES SUPPORT USB MASS STORAGE!!! You can select "Removable Disk" in the menu then plug it into a pc and it pops up as a removable storage disk, for all your data transfering needs!! Same as on my zen micro (my mate has the zen v plus)
Also on the zen micro, as it is MTP, you can plug it into any pc with wmp 10 or 11 and sync music etc without installing anything. So I assume the v+ can too. ;]