Portable Media Players

[welchb]

Hi All,

Hope someone can point me the right direction before I take the plunge --  what is the latest Zen model ?

I've been doing some research and it seems from these boards some of the models are now considerd old or not supported ?

I want a media player (doesn't have to be widescreen but will consider), for video mainly but music etc...

As I have a large film collection I also want to consider capicity and if any of the new models support SD HC card (High Capicty).

Again the reseach I've done has not answered this.

Hope someone can help.

Thanks & regards,

Brian

[Snoweagle]

Creative just launched its new PMP called 'Zen'. It's lightweight, small and slim. U may want to consider that. Comes in 4GB, 8GB and 16GB.

[welchb]

Sounds good but does this support   'SD HC' cards too ?

That is one feature I would like to have -- i realise 16gb is pretty huge but it doesn't take too long to fill this with video, hence would like the ability to use high capicty SD cards too.

Anyone know if the new zen suports these ?

Thanks,

Brian

[gnohz]

Yup it supports. It's all stated on the product page under Expandable memory slot =)
http://creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=16999

[bigchodge]

If you have a large music, photo or video collection, then I'd recommend the Creative Vision M. Smart looking, well-built, syncs with WMP10 and 11, works with Vista, works with music subscription services and a good battery life. The 60gb has the same specifications size wise as the 30gb version and is very reasonably priced, especially with the iminent release of new Zen.  

[Locknar]

Personally I'd look at competitor's products as well.  Consider that it appears that Creative has orphaned the Vision series (ie. Vision, W, M) after a fairly short production life.

While lightweight, and a overall spiffy product, the Zen lacks many features that competitor products have such as video book marks, wi/fi, etc.

[bigchodge]

Good advice, although the main competitor to the Vision m (made by a company name after a juicy fruit that grows on trees!) has less features than the Vision M:. While there are other companies out there with media players with more features than the M, in my experience what you gain in features you lose in terms of size and portability. I used to have a media player like this and I could only use it in my home or the office, as when I carried it in my pocket, the sheer size and weight of the thing used to attract some very strange looks off my fellow commuters!

[welchb]

Thanks all, for your comments and suggestions.

Thanks also for the clarification on the SD HC --- can't see why I missed it but have now seen the page so appreciate that.

I guess like all these products and competing products, whichever one I buy will be superceeded quite quickly by a newer model or another manafactuer will come out with the next big thing.

I guess my only other thought was looking at something like a PDA (ipaq or something), that had the media player capability and and other functions...

I guess I'm sitting on that fence again and just need to take the plunge on the main things I want.

Thanks for the clarification and suggestions.

Brian

[gnohz]

Thats true...i was also thinking about that...
Since I think the new ZEN might be a precursor to something more powerful and better...
For example I heard that Creative is trying to combine X-Fi into their players, and that they have nice stuff coming up after Christmas and for the next couple of years...

So altho I'm very keen on getting the ZEN (if my doubts are cleared), I'm also very tempted to wait and see what they have in store
It might be a new ZEN with new features for all we know...

[rokero]

As hermosabeach pointed out in another thread, check this link out for something on the horizon from Creative. May be worth waiting for.

 http://www.pmptoday.com/2007/08/31/creative-made-ipod-and-plans-to-kill-it/