Creative Zen VISION: M
The 30GB Zen Vision:M video and MP3 player is a gorgeous-looking device with tons of features.
Although we had fond feelings for Creative's Zen Vision, the portable video player (PVP) with the dazzling VGA screen, Apple's video-capable iPod quickly stole our hearts away. But now, Creative hopes to woo us again with the $330 Zen Vision:M, a decidedly iPod-like device with a 2.5-inch-color photo- and video-friendly screen, a 30GB hard drive, and a choice of colors. Sound familiar? Now our fickle hearts don't know who to love.
Upside: Finally, a player that can give the iPod a run for the money in the looks department, though only by copying it--perhaps payback for Apple borrowing the term Nano from Creative. The Creative Zen Vision:M--at 4.1 by 2.4 by 0.7 inches and 5.7 ounces--looks pretty stunning, has a much more colorful screen than the iPod's (it's not an OLED, as on the Zen Sleek Photo, which seems to have become irrelevant now), and comes in colors other than black and white, such as green, blue, and pink. Plus, Creative continues to provide features that iPod users can only dream about, including an FM tuner, a voice recorder, and support for a wide variety of video formats--DivX, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, WMV, and XviD among them. And let's not forget: the Zen can download tunes from a growing number of online stores. Plus, it's subscription compatible; iPod users are stuck with iTunes. Meanwhile, Creative promises four hours of video playback from its battery, whereas the iPod (30GB version) poops out after less than three.
Downside: Great, but where's the content? Creative has no iTunes to offer Creative Zen Vision:M customers, as well as no episodes of Lost or Battlestar Galactica available for quick and easy download. The Zen may have the edge in terms of online music, but it's still a nonstarter in the video department, though portable-video enthusiasts know that the video universe gets massive with a good video transcoder and patience. Creative needs to wrangle up some content that doesn't require complicated, time-consuming conversion. As for the hardware, Creative's scroll pad is definitely an acquired taste, and the new Zen isn't nearly as thin as the new iPod, though thinner is not always more comfortable. Also, while rated battery life for playing back MP3 is an OK 14 hours, Creative also states that WMA playback reduces it to a paltry 8 hours.
Outlook: The first bona fide iPod challenger has arrived. However, we give props to the video-playing Cowon iAudio X5, which has a smaller screen than that of the iPod and the Creative. With gorgeous though familiar looks, loads of features, and broad music-store support, the Creative Zen Vision:M is sure to steal some market share. That said, unless some of those music stores start offering TV and movie downloads, the iPod will remain king of the portable-media hill. There is no shipping date announced for the United States, but it will be available online this month at asia.creative.com. Also look for more coverage at CES, where the Zen Vision:M will be showcased.