PC Magazine rated the Creative Vado HD higher than the Flip Mino HD and PC World also rated the Creative Vado HD (only 1 point) higher.
The video quality comparisons vary by test. Each wins some. The feature set is what put the Vado HD ahead..given a virtually tied video quality.

The Creative Vado HD has a number of advantages over the Flip Mino HD.
I. Twice the memory for 2 hours of HD video.
2. An HDMI (and RCA as well) connector with an included standard HDMI cable.
3. A user replaceable battery so you can charge 2 (or more).
4. A 2" LCD as compared to a 1.5"LCD on the Flip Mino HD.
5. Included skin case.

The dimensions you list were an error. It is almost the same size as the Flip Mino HD, but it is a bit wider because it has a larger 2" LCD instead of the Flip Mino's 1.5" LCD.

PC Magazine rated the Creative Vado HD higher and PC World also rated the Creative Vado HD (only 1 point) higher.
The video quality comparisons vary by test. Each wins some. The feature set is what put the Vado HD ahead..given a virtually tied video quality.

What is the volume like through the built in speaker?

The NEW MODIFIED Bose IE has the fit problem solved. Look for the black and white stripped wire to identify the NEWLY DESIGNED units. They are just coming on the market (April 2007).

Bose has just MODIFIED the IE with new earpieces and an additional 'holder'. You can see the new ones by noting a new wire that is black and white stripped.

Download the latest firmware!
I am very happy with my E280. Major advantages over the iPod Nano?
1. Video. I loaded the full two hour movie Sideways and it played smoothly and clearly.
2. FM radio with the built in ability to record on the fly.
3. Graphic Equalizer..presets as well as a custom setting.
4. User replaceable battery costing only $19.99 from Sandisk.
5. User expandable memory.
6. I paid $179 for the 8 Gig version at J&R, also available on Amazon at that price.

The Panasonic TZ 1 has a brand new software engine...the Venus III...which is supposed to "dramatically" reduce the noise as compared to the older Venus II (even the new Pansonic FZ 7 has the older Venus II). As for the Fuji F30. Wonderful low light low noise sensor, BUT the Fuji lacks two things...it has a mundane 36 to 108 zoom range compared to the Pansonic TZ 1's 35 to 350 range. The Fuji also does not have opitical image stabalization..which the Panasonic has. IF the Venus III lives up to Panasonic's claim for dramatically lower noise (the TZ 1 has FULL resolution ISO 800 capability), the TZ 1 should be a huge success. Tests will show. So far only REDUCED resolution ISO 800 samples have been posted by a Hungarian website...given the FULL resolution ISO 800 capability of the TZ 1..we have yet to see how well it can perform. Hopefully it will be as wonderful as promised!

IF audio quality was the determining factor, the newest iRiver units with firmware 1.60 which includes a new iRiver significantly improved SRS WOW version 2 would be the clear dominating MP3 force. The new updated firmware makes that much of a difference (esp. SRS setting). Many new units do not come with 1.60 previosly installed as it is only a few weeks old. It must be downloaded (free of course) from the iRiver site.