ITS SO SO SO EXSPENCIVE (Creative Zen Vision:M 30 GB)

Member Name: futurenoir

Product:	Creative Zen Vision:M 30 GB
Date:	24/03/06 (395 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: brill crisp clear screen

Disadvantages: high price

REASON BEHIND ME SPENDING THIS AMOUNT OF CASH
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First of all you may ask your self why I even wanted to spend this much money on an mp3/mini video player,and the truth is im not sure myself, maybe it was because it looked brilliant in the shop window or maybe I wanting to stand out from the crowd,but the truth is ive finaly got my compensation claim money from a bad trip I had last year through and after paying all my cards off I had just a bit of spair money left so I thought go and spoil your self PHIL..

WHY I CHOSE THIS MODEL
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CREATIVE is probo one of the only sound based company that I 100% trust, ever since my CREATIVE sound card in my first pc ive never been let down in any way by this company and thats why I chose to look at the creative range of portables before any othere as when the trust is there why turn to anyone else.
Before I chose the CREATIVE zen vision I looked into all the supported play formats that were available as I wondered if it only supported one video format mainly the mpeg range but when searching throught there web site I found the player supported a wide range of play formats such as AVI, DivX 4/5, XviD4, MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG4-SP,WMV9 plus MP3 & WMA,this was one of the main reason I chose this player as when your down load films from the net they can be in different formats depending on the quality and it can take a while to convert the formats into the selected one with the programs available on the net,so finding the player supported all these formats saves me lots of time plus with the newer DivX format being supported that has a very low file size conversion it also save you space on your harddrive.
This model also has a large screen 3.7-inch this is much larger than most of the other video/music player have at the momment and makes viewing movies fully enjoyable whilest on the train or on a long trip,and with 120 hours of video storage or 15,000 songs that you are able to put on your player it can simpley last for a long time.play time is also much better than I though with around 14 hours of music being heard or 4/5 hours of video playback this is because the player has a removeable Li-ion battery of course turning the volime down and listening through the small plug in ear phones also helps the battery last alot longer but if your like me and you like haveing a spair battery and exstended life battery is available which I purchased at the same time as the player for only £39 this lasts double the length of time the standard battery does meaning I use the exstended life battery all the time and leave the standard included battery as a spair just in cases of emergencys.

BOUNDLED SOFTWARE
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There are two programs which are supplied both do the same job one is Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer this is very similer to the programs we all use to import exsport music to and from are mp3 players and is really easy to use even for a beginer I still use a very similar one for my CREATIVE MUVO player,the second is Creative Media Explorer this does the same job as the above program but uses internet exsplorer I use the MEDIASOUCE program myself and leave the exsplorer version as there is'nt much difference really and i say if its not broke just leave it.

REQUIREMENTS FOR YOUR PC
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Most of the requirments for your pc to be able to run the sofware as well as download the music is basic apart from one or two things ,Microsoft Windows XP is needed most pcs purchased in the last 3 years will have this on but anyone looking to purchase the player with windows 98/2000 will have to up date this usualy costs around £80 for an OEM version from most mailorder companys.
an Intel Pentium II 350MHz is needed with atleast
64MB RAM but 128MB RAM recommended this is because it will take alot longer to download the videos or music to your player anyone with less ram than 258 needs an upgrade really anyhow.
USB 2.0 is also recommended for faster transfers but the early USB ports are still supported you just need the right adapter which isnt included also 170MB of free hard drive space is needed this may seem alot of space but all the new program that a release these day are well over this plus the software is very good which is included



MENUS
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The menus in the player a also easy to use that I dont think any body could have a problem with them you have an easy play button, pause and rewind and fastforward and navagateing the through your files to look for your music and videos is just as easy with a directional button and a button in the centre to enter into the required movie /track this is the easyest player ive ever used and has had a lot more time spent on the easy to navigate menu than the CREATIVE MUVO player which I though had a poor menu.

SPECs
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Display Screen= 3.7" LCD 307200 Pixels
Video Storage= 120 Hour(s) MPEG-4 @ 500Kbps
Interfaces/Ports= 1 x USB 2.0 USB,1 x Mini-phone Stereo Audio Line Out,1 x Composite Video Output
Storage Capacity= 30GB Hard Drive
Video Formats= MPEG-4 Playback,WMV Playback,Motion JPEG Playback= DivX Playback - Version,XviD Playback
Video Player
Audio Player
FM Tuner
FM Recorder
Voice Recorder
Playback Duration= Over 1000 Hour(s) 15000 Songs
Audio Formats= MP3 Playback,WMA Playback.
Expansion Slots=1 x CompactFlash (CF) Card Type I or 1 x Type II
Display Screen= 3.7" LCD 307200 Pixels
Software Included= Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer,Creative Media Explorer
Audio Formats= MP3 Playback,WMA Playback
Video Formats= MPEG-4 Playback,WMV Playback.Motion JPEG Playback,DivX Playback,XviD Playback,
Storage Media= Hard Drive (Integrated)
Playback Duration= Over 1000 Hour(s) 15000 Song(s)
Batterie= 1 x Lithium Ion (Li-Ion)
Video Signal= NTSC,PAL
Interfaces/Ports= 1 x USB 2.0 USB,1 x Mini-phone Stereo Audio Line Out,1 x Composite Video Output
Storage Capacity= 30GB Hard Drive
Video Storage= 120 Hour(s) MPEG-4 @ 500Kbps
Display Features= SharpPix high resolution color screen 262,144 colors
Video Player
Audio Player
FM Tuner
FM Recorder
Voice Recorder

WHAT DO I THINK IS IT WORTH THE CASH I PAID
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From day one this was'nt an item on my wanted list but since I made the purchase ive not been able to put the player down, I take it to and from work with me everyday and is great for the long train ride to and from work ive also had no problems at all with my purchase,the picture and sound a really clear and crisp this is one thing I was'nt sure about at first but after reading up on the player as well as going into one of the high street shops to check it out I was full happy with the purchase I was about to make,ive only had it for just over two weeks tho but up to now theres nothing even in the slightest wrong and there is also nothing id change,its the easyest player ive ever used to navigate and creative really has gone the extra yard to make this item as easy to use and hassle free as they could I must say this is a very exspensive player tho and at an avarage price of £350 its a lot to spend on a player and I think this is the only down side to it and its a shame it was'nt priced under the £300 line,but if you are like me and you love getting your hands on the latest technologe this is well worth it. I think il wear the thing out at this rate tho glad it.

ADD-ONS AVAILABLE
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An exstended battery is available which I purchased at the same time as the player which doubles the play time giveing 26/28 hours of music or 8/9 hours of video,a docking station which allows you to down load your music to by a USB port is also there but not really sure what makes this worth the money tho as you get a USB cable included with your player this is only worth the purchase if you plan on watching your movies hands free on a table.
Also if you wanted there is also a remote available but why would you want to use a remote for a little 3.7 inch screened player?,one of the usefull add ons is a compact flashcard port to easly transfer music and video files this can also be used as extra space if your harddrive is full and these are available in a wide range of sizes.

this review was origianly wrote by myself FUTURNOIR for CIAO if there any questions please ask

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