Even the interface looks stellar, right down to the transparent icons on the main menu. Videos are similarly impressive-clear and bright with no noticeable pixilation (though we did notice the occasional blurring around some sharp edges)-and the viewing angle from side to side is excellent. Photos look vibrant and bright, with excellent color saturation and good detail. No two ways about it: the Zen's screen is fabulous. There's even a nifty, semi-split-screen deal on the main menu that cycles through album art, photos, or video image clips, depending on which media type you are browsing. Naturally, you can view photos and slide shows while listening to music.
You can also set any image on the player as wallpaper, and the photo-browsing experience is great: there's a 5x4 thumbnail grid and each one magnifies as you scroll over it. Album art can be viewed as a thumbnail or in full-screen mode on the playback display, and Creative includes various themes for interface customization. Nine preset EQs, a five-band, user-definable mode, and a bass boost function ensure that you can adjust sound to your liking.īut it's the fun visual display option that set the Zen line apart. Plus, you get the usual shuffle and repeat playback modes, handy contextual menus, and the ability to search for artists and songs as well as rate songs on the fly and set up to 10 bookmarks. There's also basic PIM functionality: you can sync contacts, tasks, and calendar info from Outlook to the device. You do get voice recording and an FM radio with autoscan and 32 preset slots. In addition to its media capabilities, the Zen includes Creative's usual impressive array of features, though it's worth noting that there is no line-in recording for audio or video (the latter in particular would have been a nice touch). Creative includes an app-Zen Media Explorer-which can take care of the conversion painlessly and (somewhat) quickly. On the video side, the Zen plays WMV and Motion JPEG out of the box and MPEG4, DiVX, and XViD with conversion.
CREATIVE ZEN MP3 PLAYERS REVIEW WINDOWS
Photos must be in JPEG format, which Windows Media Player can convert to automatically during syncing.
CREATIVE ZEN MP3 PLAYERS REVIEW MAC
Unfortunately, it also shares Mac incompatibility with the other players in its line. Like its other family members, this Zen also supports MP3, WAV, Audible, and both protected and unprotected WMA tracks. The player can sync via drag-and-drop in Windows Explorer, or you can use a jukebox such as Windows Media Player or Rhapsody. (Of course, at a price that exceeds the 16GB Zen itself, those are a bit cost-prohibitive at the moment.) Considering the move away from more capacious hard drive memory, we definitely think the addition of memory expansion was a wise-and necessary-move.Īnother new feature to be found on this Zen is its support of unprotected AAC files, meaning it will play back iTunesPlus tracks, though you can't use iTunes to transfer them. We're happy to report that the slot can take SDHC cards, which currently go up to 16GB in the full-size SD variety. In another departure from the norm, Creative has built in an SD card expansion slot-a first for its MP3 players. The reset and mic holes can be found on the bottom and top spines, respectively.Įxploring the top side of the Zen also reveals one of the new extras we alluded to earlier. Sadly, there's no dedicated volume control, but the right edge of the Zen houses the ever-handy hold/power switch along with a standard mini-USB port and 3.5mm headphone jack. This is flanked on the top by a back/contextual menu rocker and on the bottom by a shortcut and play/pause toggle. Main functions are handled by a four-way control square surrounding a center select button. We're also pleased to note that Creative didn't skimp on the controls and has migrated completely to the user-friendly tactile variety. At just 3.3 inches by 2.1 inches by 0.4 inch, it's about 60 percent smaller than the Vision:M and it's definitely pocket-friendly. It's like a smaller, sleeker version of the Vision.ĭespite its ample screen, the Zen is pleasantly compact. Also, while the design might not be as innovative as that of the iPod Touch and iRiver Clix-or as cute or as eye-catching as that of previous family members-the Zen has a certain understated elegance with its shiny face and brushed-metal backside. Still, it must be said that black does make an excellent frame for the awesome 2.5-inch TFT screen, which is capable of displaying 16.7 million colors. Creative has gained somewhat of a reputation for putting MP3 players in a vast array of colors, so it comes as a bit of a shock (and maybe a letdown, for some) that the Zen will be offered in just one: black.
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