ZenVisionW
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Is this Creative's full-screen Zen Vision?
Sit down, we're going to take you for a bit of ride which might just end with Creative launching the next generation Zen Vision model sporting HD video and GPS navigation. Some forum jockeys on Epizenter.net have put 2-and-2 together over at the 3DLABS Semiconductor site. See, 3DLABS -- a former subsidiary of Creative -- has a DMS-02 media processor with DMScaler technology which can playback 720p, H.264-formatted video on the small screen without transcoding or upscale it for output to your 1080p television. It also features high-end 3D navigation which looks pretty damn responsive even when slicing through fully textured maps overlaid with satellite images. What has Zen Vision fans now in a tizzy -- uh hmm, nearly 4 months after the video and pictures were released -- is that 3DLABS is demoing their wares on a touchscreen device sporting a Zen Vision video cable. As speculative as all this is, devout Creative fanboys who may have recently lost their way should be stoked by the prospects of a full-screen device they can call their own. [Via Epizenter, thanks Dan]
Modder stuffs 100GB HDD in Creative Zen Vision W
Frustrated with all the limitations that come with just 60GB of hard drive space? We know, it can indeed be nerve-racking, but here to lower your blood pressure is John P., who has successfully crammed a capacious 100GB HDD into the casing of Creative's Zen Vision W. The modder began by ordering a Toshiba MK1011GAH, downloading the latest Creative firmware, and stripping back the PMP to access its innards. Afterwards, a dab of tape pulling, ribbon cable insertion, and firmware loading brought the device back to life, and without much fuss at all, a 100GB Vision W was born. We know you're salivating at the thought, so go on, hit the read link for all the replication details you need.[Via MAKE]
Creative Zen Vision W debuts in US
As expected, Creative went and released the Zen Vision W here in the US. We know that this hit Singapore late last month at COMEX, and CNET managed to review one already -- but what we didn't know is that the Zen Vision will play content from Amazon's new Unbox service. Aside from whatever you might spend at Amazon, the 30GB model will set you back $300, the 60GB an additional Benjamin, and both are available from the usual suspects of online retailers, including Creative's online store. The only problem is that as of this writing, the Zen Vision is nowhere to be found on its site and so far as we can tell that's not for lack of stock.
Creative Zen Vision W reviewed
We were all stoked about the Creative Zen Vision until we discovered what a let-down the screen turned out to be. Therefore we're understandably wary going into this one, but apparently Creative noted our concern, and the Creative Zen Vision W comes out looking like a champ. CNET got their hands on one for a review, and seemed quite enamoured with the brightness, color and viewing angle of the new 4.3-inch widescreen, though a bit of sharpness was lost in comparison to the Zen Vision. Otherwise the Vision W doesn't have a lot of surprises. The size has definitely bulked up, since both the length and thickness of the player have been impacted by the new screen size and extra storage. Format support is juicy, like always, though CNET had a few problems with certain DivX files. Other familiar perks include a CompactFlash slot, near identical -- and quite tactile -- buttons, radio and voice recording, and A/V out. The lack of video recording ability is a bit lame, and while the standard Zen software has received a bit of a bump with the DJ, Smart Volume, virtual keyboard and Outlook features, the Vision W doesn't quite do as hot as the Vision:M without the latter's touchscroll. Happily, the Vision W does manage a quite impressive 18 hours and 28 minutes of MP3 battery life, with 5 hours 6 minutes of juice when playing video -- both well exceeding Creative's battery ratings. Overall the player seems like a hit if you can handle the bulk -- and don't quite have to patience to see if Apple is finally busting out an iPod video on the 12th.
Zen Vision W, in the flesh
We promised you better pics than that grainy Popular Mechanics scan, and by golly we've got 'em. Creative's Zen Vision W is looking slick with that 4.3-inch widescreen dominating most of the device and a freakishly-cute panda bear angel peeking out from inside. Rumor has it that the Zen Vision W acts as a window into the very gates of panda bear heaven, but that has yet to be confirmed. Keep reading for another angle and a box shot.[Thanks, Kai]
Creative Technology introduces Zen Vision:W
Speaking of Singapore, Creative Technology officially introduced the Creative Zen Vision:W this morning. Of course, last we heard from this little guy was just a week ago, when Popular Mechanics called it the "best screen we've seen on a portable media player." Creative issued a formal press release earlier today, and now we've got some of those magical numbers to throw around: 4.3-inch screen, 16:9 format, can view up to 4.5 hours of video, carry 240 hours of vids, and hold up to 15,000 songs. Also, the Zen Vision:W has a Compact Flash slot (there's an optional adapter for other types of media), for direct transfer from a digital camera -- a feature that we'd love to see on other media players as well. It'll be presented at COMEX 2006 in Singapore starting tomorrow for S$649 ($412 US). Its big brother, the 60GB version, will be priced at S$749 ($475 US), but won't be available until the end of September. Also mentioned was the rumored size-bumped Zen Vision:M (S$599, or $380 US), which is now at 60GB, available for pre-order at COMEX and for sale online and in retail stores island-wide by September 2006. For those prices, let's hope that this new widescreen format really catches on, because that original Zen Vision viewing angle was really awful. Come to think of it, maybe we won't wait on that Singapore bureau, after all.[Thanks, Kai]P.S. - Sorry about that cruddy photo, we're waiting for nice, shiny press pics.
Upcoming Creative Zen Vision:W leaked
A size-bumped Zen Vision:M wasn't the only thing to get some rumor play yesterday. Rumblings also began of a Zen Vision:W to replace the Zen Vision, which was infamous for its bad viewing angle. Now the Vision:W itself has hit newsstands in the latest issue of Popular Mechanics magazine. Featured most prominently is the 4.3-inch widescreen, which Pop Mech calls "the best screen we've seen on a portable media player." High praise indeed. It looks like the standard bevy of Creative codec support is going to be evident here, and the prices aren't too bad neither: $399 for the 30GB version, $499 for 60GB (OK, not exactly free). Of course, that "W" stands for widescreen, not wireless, but the Zune won't have nothing on this screen, so it's really a different game entirely.
