Creative Zen 2007
Last update: Review by RegHardware (15 Nov’07)
Creative Zen is a media player that is smaller than a credit card features capacity of up to 16GB, 25/5 hrs audio/video playtime, FM radio, Organizer, Expandable memory slot with an external SD/SDHC card and a 2.5″ 16.7 million color TFT LCD 320 x 240 pixels. The device measures 55 x 83 x 11.3mm and weighs 65g. (Full Specs)
Overall Rating:
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Creative Zen Reviews
RegHardware reviews the Creative Zen and writes;
” So, what should you opt for? It’s a tough call. We really liked the Zen. If you’re determined not to go down the Apple route, you’ll find the Zen a worthy rather than wannabe competitor. But, we still feel that Creative isn’t quite there with this undeniably capable option. It’s close, but it’s no iPod killer.”
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ABI reviews the Creative Zen and writes;
“The design is durable and a comfortable fit in your hand. The 16.7 million color screen looks great, as does the video played back on it…It is a fantastic player in many ways but one of its main attractions, the expandable memory, was not done right. If this is an important feature to you, don’t buy it until this problem is fixed or go ahead and buy any other player with expandable memory, since all the rest managed to get it right.”
Rating: N/A
CNET Asia reviews the Creative Zen and writes;
“The bottom line: We’re hard-pressed to find anything not to like about the Creative Zen. It’s a great option for anyone looking for a great-sounding, pocketable MP3 player with an excellent, video-capable screen and plenty of extra features.”
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LaptopMag reviews the Creative Zen and writes;
“Creative missed the mark in terms of ease of use, and we hate the long bootup time. Plus, the nano offers a much sleeker and more elegant design. Nevertheless, mobile video mavens may prefer this device because it offers a bigger screen and expandable storage for a lower price.”
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Creative ZEN Preview by GenerationMP3;
Creative Zen Videos
Hands on with the new Creative Zen
Creative ZEN – Presentation
Creative ZEN – Review: Out of the Box;
Creative Zen User Manual (PDF)
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Creative Zen Tips & Tricks
- Creative Zen Tips @ CreativeWorldwide
Creative Zen Press Release
SINGAPORE – August 29, 2007 – Creative Technology Ltd. (NASDAQ: CREAF), a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today introduced Creative ZEN™, the credit card-sized music, video and photo player with a stunning 2.5-inch colour screen that supports up to 16.7 million colours. The Creative ZEN is the first Creative player to support AAC music and unprotected iTunes Plus tracks from the iTunes store, in addition to MP3 and WMA formats. You can now listen to up to 4,000* of your favourite tracks that you have ripped from CDs through your iTunes software. The Creative ZEN can carry of up to 60** hours of video or thousands of photos, and it features a SD memory slot, so you can add virtually limitless additional storage capacity and easily bring new music, video or photos to the player.
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I really wish this MP3 player would load up the files from SD flash card into the players playlist without aid of their bloated software.
Also, most MP3 files I play from a SD card and not properly converted, will eventually crash the player forcing a reset.
I hardly use this 2GB version I got as most times I use it, it freezes up and requires me to hunt down a tiny pin to reset it, often it just gets thrown in a drawer for another month or two…
All true.
Even though it crashes and its a pain in the as* to make a reset (too small reset pin), this mp3 player is still usable for users that simply want to hear some music (better to put on the internal memory) and/or FM Radio.
There are lots of improvements that could be done on this device, but i personaly still use it when i dont wanna waste my PPC battery with music…
Cheers.
Pros:
- Far more easy to navigate the content than an Ipod
- FM radio with better reception than on any other mp3 player I’ve seen
- SDHD expandability is fantastic and cheap. Especially great for videos.
- Far better bang for the buck than an Ipod
- Does not need Itunes
Cons:
- locks up occasionally (2 or 3 times a month for me)
- reset must be done with a pin or paperclip
- battery life is not great (I have two players so one is always fully charged)
- you need to convert most video to play it.
Biggest Complaint
- won’t play AVIs or WMVs greater than 320×240 without conversion
This last point is a really BIG failure IMO. If Creative will make this player so it will play Xvid/DivX content up to 800×600 and just ignore the extra resolution it will make this a phenominal product.
Tips:
The player will not integrate the expandable SD content but you can play anything in a folder. Suggestion make a folder for what would be each playlist for the SD or SDHC cards.
Buy the biggest SDHD cards you can get.
I think this is a great player, if you want to play vidoes that damn bad then maybe you should just buy a damn video player, and not a MP3 PLAYER. I don’t know about you but that’s what I would do!!!
I’ve been playing around with this thing for four days now. trying to find ways to add a litte spunk to it if you know what I mean! loaded all kinds for themes and fonts!!. I give it a 8 out of 10