Creative Zen 4GB » ChannelFlip

tech: Creative Zen 4GB

November 26 2007 | WilHarris

There’s no doubting that the Creative Zen is a fantastic little player - it really is a gorgeous little machine that looks great and actually has the usability to match. This is no small thing in a world dominated by Apple gadgets.

BUT - and its a J-Lo sized but - the software is atrocious. iTunes has a monopoly on easy-to-use jukeboxing, and whilst it might be more limited in terms of formats on paper, the Zen’s touting of Divx and Xvid looks like all style and no substance based on our testing here. “File could not be converted” - wow, thanks.

Check back for another episode on Wednesday. Enjoy!

-Wil

comments

Pavan Chander

November 27th, 2007 - 1:49am

The review was good as usual, but the sound was horrible. Had to turn the volume up to double what it usually is to actually listen to what you were saying.

Al Fergusson

December 2nd, 2007 - 11:54pm

Hi Wil

I was looking at getting one of these to watch decent movies on my long haul flights looks really good, but as you have pointed; whats the point of a media player that won’t play popular media formats.

I guess I’ll keep looking for something to watch the TV shows etc. Taking the lappy is just too cumbersome.

Any suggestions. Other than an I pod… I can’t face installing that monopolising ITunes software!

WilHarris

December 3rd, 2007 - 1:34am

Hey Al!

The new Microsoft Zune is nice if you can get one where you are - otherwise Archos make a really nice line of big screen players which are worth checking out…

Al Fergusson

December 3rd, 2007 - 8:28pm

I’ve had a look on their websites, they don’t claim to play DIVx, Xvid, or even .avi files!!

The new Archos series 5 look nice though, maybe you should do a review on them in a future episode of unwired!

cheers