apple ipod vs. creative zen

Apparently the SD slot is crappy on the new Zens: http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2007/09/creative-zen-review.php

If you were planning on using that as a cheaper way to get a high capacity... it may not work as you expect. Creative may fix this at some point... but who knows.

 

If you just want something small and affordable to play Mp3s on with the occational video or picture. Check out the SanDisk Sansa e200 series, an e280 version 2 sounds like it would serve you well. The e200 can be toggled between MTP and MSC, has decent sound, U.S. based support, supports SDHC cards (So it could be upgraded to 30GB+), and can play subscription content off the cards too. Note that the Version 2 supports SDHC and the older ones do not and probably never will. The V.2 also has much improved sound quality.

 

Last I checked then the Sansa e200 series only takes microSD cards, which cost more and you don't get as much capacity. Correct me if I'm wrong.

 

Yes the e200 takes MicroSD. MicroSD does come in SDHC varieties. SDHC stands for Secure Digital High Capacity. SDHC is a different kind of architecture used to fit more than 2GB onto SD cards (Which is why there are sometimes capatibility problems with SDHC). There are Standard, Highspeed, MicroSD, and MiniSD SDHC cards. In short SDHC simply means the card is 4GB or higher. MicroSD currently goes to 8GB+ (I think Samsung makes 16GB). I can't deny MicroSD is more expensive. An 8GB microSD is $140 vs. regular SD for $130.

 

The Sansa View takes SDHC. Personally though, out of all the sansa's I've tried.. I've like none of them. I dislike pretty much every aspect of the ones I've tried, granted I haven't tried some of the newer ones.

 

I had a Zen and had no end of problems with it. Have a look at forums.creative.com (or forum.creative.com) and read through the problems with them..... Loads and loads (and Creative do bugger all to help)

My 5th Gen iPod is truly the best piece of machinery I have ever owned, well, apart from my T61P

 

What kind of 32GB flash drive is Zen using?
Is it soldered? Can I take it out and use it on a laptop??


soda

 

Well, for sheer size of the disk there's not really any challenger to the iPod... I got a refurbished Zen Vision M recently, from Creative's site since they are no longer selling them anywhere that I have tried in Central Europe. I decided against the ipod because I don't like using iTunes ( can anyone tell me if you HAVE to use that with an iPod?) and I wanted to test out video playback.

The one (major) drawback with the iPod is that the video file types you can play are very limited, whereas the Zen Vision plays damn near anything, including DivX and Xvid. Although you can of course convert any video file you have into something that will play on the iPod (probably), I prefer to just copy what I have on and then run out the door. And I've found it's kinda fun watching last night's House or Scrubs on the metro on the way to work in the morning, and the 2.5" screen is OK for this. But of course all this is irrelevant to the OP, since video is not of interest.

The one factor that almost changed my opinion was hard disk space - the 30GB model was the best I could get, as the 60GB was all out. 30 GB is BARELY bigger than the 3 year-old Creative Zen I was replacing. Except for Apple, everyone's stood still or been going backwards because of flash. And that is the reason I'd suggest the iPod, if video is of no interest at all. As for sound, both sounded pretty similar to me when I tried them. With sound, make sure you get decent headphones - I don't understand how people can stand to listen through those earbuds they package free with MP3 players - awful, awful, AWFUL frequency ranges! Any player can do MUCH better with a semi-decent pair of Nd-based headphones.

 

Ok, played around a bit with the new Zen. Screen is great, sound quality was rather impressive, but I noticed that it had a HUGE lack of features. Just seemed pretty bland to me, and to play videos on it then you have to convert them down to 320x240. If you can handle converting all of your videos down to that res then its a great player, aside from the SD issue. I don't think I'll be keeping it though, the Cowon D2 looks much more interesting to me.

 

What features in particular did you find were lacking, Syndrome?

 

I have a 60gb zen vision W and i love it. it has a 4.5 in screen and looks and sounds good. also if you dont feel like wearing headphones you can use the built in speaker. with the vision w you can play formats that even the comp based program for it cant play. ZEN HANDS DOWN!!!!!!!

 

^^lol, never heard of VLC I take it.

I guess just after looking at all the features on the D2 then it just feels like the Zen doesn't have any, but it does have everything that you'll find on other players(ipod, sansa). The D2 just has some cool little features, Dictionary, Flash skins, games, touch screen(can be good or bad, depends on what your doing). Biggest problem with the zen though, is the fact that Creative botched it with the SD thing.

 

Or CCCP Project.

But can it play an .mkv with softsubs? I bet not - you'd have to convert 'em. And when you convert 'em, softsubs aren't transferred over, leaving you with just the video. Instafail.

But on the other hand if it *can* play that, I'm in for one.

 

I don't think it will, but there is an open source free program that will convert them with subtitles to a format which the D2 can play, if that interests you.
Another thing that I find VERY useful on the D2/cowon players is the txt, viewer.

 

has anyone used the zune before?

 

yea except the 80 gig doesn't even have an EQ

anyways, I have the Creative Zen 16 gig and it looks very nice and the audio quality is amazing with good headphones (Creative EP-630 is the in-ear headphones that I use and they are about $30 with shipping). I would have rather wanted a much slimmer Creative VZM, but w/e I'm happy that I have a very good sounding player.

 

that is so true about their customer service. I first brought my Zen Vision M 30 gb from Amazon and the about a month later I had trouble with it.

So I called up Creative, and they immediately sent me a new one, they even told me to send it in when I get a chance. which happened to be almost a month later, and they didn't even email me about it.

 

One thing to note about the new Zen is that its SD slot is SEVERELY crippled. It doesn't integrate the stuff on the SD card into the stuff thats on its internal memory. Until Creative fixes that one(they've said they were going to the first week it was out, but they haven't yet) then its a no-go if you ask me. Other than that though it is a pretty nice player, aside from that and that you have to convert video's. At this point I'd go with the Cowon D2 over the creative Zen. I have the Zen, but not the D2, and I'm pretty sure that I'd be happier with the Cowon D2.

 

Maybe I'm biased, but isn't it really up to preference in the end?

I prefer the iPod.

And before anyone says "Oh, she just got an iPod because it's the "in thing", realize I have one of the older iPods, an iPod mini.

All of you Zune users made a lot of very good points, and I understand the need for speakers, the price difference and whatnot, but in the end, I, personally enjoy the scrollwheel, and so personally, I like the iPod better.

 

people who prefer the ipod mostly care about the design/they use itunes and believe that it's only compatible with the iPod. I'm not trying to sound blunt, but I believe that this is reason they prefer because I list a number of players that are packed with better sound quality (the most important thing since that's the point of a player) and way more features.

 

Oh, she just got an iPod because <s>it's the "in thing</s> shes an Apple fan<s>boy</s>girl.

 

Awww, winwin, you can't hide your true colours. We know you got it because they were the in thing at the time. You just never replaced it.

Which is weird, considering you're spoiled

 

Naa, at that time, iPods were still too new and too untested to be "in". I bought an iPod at that time (it really was the best player back then), and I was the first in my circle of friends to have gotten one.

That really does surprise me, but I think she put the $250 to get a new iPod into the black paint for her BlacBook.

 

The mini was the in thing here, especially the second generation. And the 4th gen ipod (came a few months after the first mini).

 

In the US, it was only after the 2G Mini and the colour 4G came out that they really started getting popular, and after the nano and 5G were released, EVERYONE had an iPod.

 

ipod by far are the most recognised mp3 player. have you noticed most people wont say hand in your mp3 player to the teacher? but instead say hand in your IPOD to the teacher. they are in my opnion the most stylish and most compct mp3-mp4 players on the market. but thats just my opinion

 

yeah and when i hear that it pisses me off sooo much these days..

 

When was this? Year? Yeah, its really annoying how stupid and unaware people are when it comes to technology. IMO, a mp3 player is for listening to music, and in order to enjoy that then you're going to need OK sound quality, if not the best, and from what I've seen ipod doesn't offer this. They have improved alot since they came out, the only thing that impresses me is Apple's marketing. It seems that Apple could call a piece of feces an iPoo and sell it to all the mindless iSheep.

 

I never replaced it because I don't have the need to replace my iPod. I use my iPod purely for music. If I had upgraded to an iPod video, or an iPod touch, I wouldn't use the other features. Also, my iPod has had its fair share of beatings, and I'm very happy to say that the aluminum barely shows an of the scratches compared to the new chrome backing ones. The only time I will be upgrading will be when either iPhone 2 comes out, or iPhone comes out legally in Canada.

iPod may not be the "best mp3" player out there anymore, but that doesn't mean that it's not a good enough mp3 player anymore. Just the other day I had my iPod in my hands, and even though it may be "black and white", it doesn't have touch-screen, and it can't play videos or anything, the style and aesthetics were superb. It looked very well put together, and the overall feel of it was great.

As for other mp3's and even the Zune, I don't need the new features. I don't need a built in speaker. I don't need a voice recorder! It's all just extra functions that I would never use in an mp3.

As for syndrome's question, that was in about June of 2004.


and just as a tiny side note, I like my Blackbook. Its very sexy.
and as for a last tiny tiny side note, who the freak wants a BROWN mp3?!

 

I realized I missed this part of the post. This is dejavu for me, concidering someone had JUST mentioned that on a different thread. Anyways,

The thing is, Apple wouldn't be able to sell an "iPoo". Yes, popularity does have a kind of swaying effect, but you have to keep in mind that the product has to be good for to to be popular, for it to be able to sell. Not all products can be that popular just because. Also, another big misinterpretation of what all iPod users are today. Not all iPod users are "mindless" or just bought the iPod because it was cool.

One example I can give right away is Sam, (you guys must all know him by now? He's a Mod on the Apple forums), he has an iPod nano, first gen. He didn't buy it because of the popularity. He actually used to be an "iPod hater", but one of his friends let him try out an iPod, and he loved it. Not because of popularity, or the fact that it was cool if you had one. He bought one because of the way it worked, the way it looked.
So before you call all iPod buyers mindless or whatnot, note that there are still a few, not very many, but still a few, buyers who know what they are purchasing, and know why they are buying the iPod for.

 

Yes i care about the design...thats because the iPod touch looks better than most things out there, and yes i use iTunes...because it works.

Yes there are many player with better sound quality...but better features? Do i want a massive COWON that doesn't fit in my pocket? Not to mention the number of people with a mp3 play of good sound quality but then uses a pair of sub par quality earphones? Maybe thats sounds good to you...

Yes I would gladly purchase a product that can provide the features and build of an iPod touch...but unfortunately such product doesn't exist.

 

Speaking of touch screen and features, look at this johnny
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Arch...89416/catOid/-12952/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do
Ipod is not the only one has touch screen

 

HAN do you NOT GET IT?!?!? That thing is huge...its has a 2.5'' hdd in!?!?!?

 

Um... But can we say ugly...? Johnny wants a touch screen mp3 player that looks nice...?

 

Look is personal preference ! I can say the Ipod looks ugly as well (actually it's not)

 

Um... but the iPod doesn't look ugly... everyone knows that.

And even if "looks" are personal preferences, what about the size? The size is a fact. It is too big for a pocket. That is not a personal preference... if it's too big for pockets, it's too big for pockets.

 

depends on what pocket, I don't mind it's size. Plus I prefer capacity over the look. I have 6000 songs to store in, 8GB??? no way. Plus Apple over charges the Ipod touch.

BTW I have a Zen, not that one. I actually compared the Ipod classic and my Zen side by side.

 

I am sorry my pocket is not the size of a bag...and the arcos have a 2.5'' hdd...you compared you zen with the ipod and what?

 

Not everyone has that much music to listen to. I find it's kind of stupid to have so much, I mean, you can only listen to one song at a time, and you're not going to be listening to all 6000 songs in one go.

That is the main reason why I say it's mostly preference. It depends on how much music you have, where and when you use your mp3. It depends on how you use it, and whether you use the extra functions.

Apple may be "overcharging" on the iPod touch, but it's their product. They could sell it at $800 if they wanted to. That's like saying if a company puts out a product they have to make it so that I can afford it.

 

I compared and I found out that the Ipod (classic) has nothing really spectacular like people always praise it.
I don't like Apple because of the way they sell their products and the way people praise about them. Though I agreed that the Ipod is a good mp3 player.

 

Again, it's preference.

I find that there's nothing very special about the creative zen.
And "finding out" that the iPod classic has nothing really spectacular is another personal preference. It may not be spectacular to you, but to others, it is. I think my iPod mini is "spectacular" and it has barely half the functions of the Zen, or even the Zune.

It's a personal preference in the end. What you decide you want to use it for.

 

OK , end of debating

 

Also, as a side note, Syndrome, Fara, and Redline; if you would kindly navigate to Page 8, bottom of the page, I have addressed each of your comments in detail.

 

Meh, I'm still right. Soundquality over anything else. Then storage. Then Batterylife. Then UI. Then looks. Then extra features. And I agree, the 30GB zune is awful. the black Zune 80 is nice though.

 

iPod. Not because it was popular, but because I got a free one from Apple. Okay, I actually sold that one for $80 + season 2 of Lost on DVD and bought a 4 gig nano.
Is it my favorite mp3 player? Nope... I actually like the Sansa's a lot better (for a flash player), but it doesn't integrate with iTunes and I'm not about to go back 10 years and do the lame drag and drop thing.

For hard drive based players, I prefer the iPod to the creatives (I really hate creative labs) and the Zune. But I haven't tried the Archos and a few others out there.

 

I find the way Itunes organizes music is dumb. It messed up my music collection. And I don't think it's lame to do drag and drop, plus you have to stick with the Itunes if you want to anything with the Ipod.
My friend has one and when his computer got messed up and reinstalled, he couldn't do anything until ITunes is up.
I don't like monopolies.

just some thought

Cheers

 

Monopolies are a key way for companies are able to earn money. Just because you don't like monopolies, doesn't mean that it isn't vital for companies to be able to earn money. Take Sony for example, Sony wants you to film a movie with a Sony camera, edit it on a Sony computer, watch it on a Sony TV with a Sony DVD player.

That's mostly just preference, isn't it? For me, it's the looks, then batterylife, and then the UI that's most important. The reason because sound quality isn't the most important to me is because I only ever listen to my iPod on the bus, and when I'm just about to go to sleep. I find out that listening to my iPod on the bus, it's too noisy to be able to enjoy a very high quality mp3. When I'm about to sleep, the music is so quiet anyways that it doesn't really matter about the quality. Like I said, it really depends on where you use your iPod, and what you use it for. It's really just preference in the end.

 

If you do have nice earbuds, you won't be bothered by the noises on the bus (you won't hear them).

 

Which I do have; Creative LP 630's. Even with the nice earbuds, I find that sound quality isn't as important to me as the way it looks.

 

oh, that is so fashionista/apple speak .

I remember those. When the volume was at about 15/40 on my cowon, i couldn't hear the rest of the world.