Gizmodo: zen vision:m

Dealzmodo: Creative Zen Vision:M For $180

Gizloco — Tue, 28 Nov 2006 08:38:22 EST

Anybody want a Creative Zen Vision:M for $180? By using Google Checkout, you can grab the Zen Vision:M for $20 less than the already low (but pretty common) price of $200 from Buy.com.

The Creative Zen Vision:M is pretty well-regarded, right up there with the iPod (and Zune I guess). Its 30GB hard drive is plenty of space to hold a shocking amount of digital music, video and photos. It's even got an FM radio and voice recorder built-in, something many of you wish were standard features of the iPod. No indication on how long this deal will last, so if you're still shopping for your gadget geek brother-in-law, here's a chance to at least save a few dollars, even though you hate him very much. – Nicholas Deleon

Product Page [Buy.com via DAPreview.net]

Creative Reactivates FM Recording For Zen Vision:M

Jason Chen — Mon, 20 Nov 2006 16:42:37 EST

All you Creative Zen Vision: M owners bummed that you couldn't record FM radio anymore are about to get an early Xmas present.

For no reason in particular, Creative decides to release an upgraded 1.60.01 firmware to reinstate FM recording. At first we thought the RIAA was pressuring Creative to remove the feature, but would the RIAA de-pressure them? When's the last time they relented?

In any case, if you were unlucky enough to upgrade to the gimped firmware, go and grab 1.60.01 and re-activate your FM recording. – Jason Chen

Download Site [Creative via i4u]

Creative Officially Unveils Zen Vision W, 60GB Zen Vision:M

Gizloco — Thu, 31 Aug 2006 09:35:27 EDT

There were rumors all over the Web last week pointing to a widescreen Zen and a 60GB Zen Vision Micro, but now Creative has indeed confirmed the existence of the two portable media players at an event in Singapore. The Zen Vision W sports a 4.3-inch widescreen (16:9 aspect ratio) display, plays most of the popular audio/video formats and comes in a 30GB and 60GB variety. Expect to pay $399 for the 30GB version and $499 for the 60GB when they hit stores in late September.

Also officially unveiled was the 60GB version of the Zen Vision:M. The biggest addition here, besides the additional storage space, is its USB Host capability: by connecting a digital camera directly to the player, users can directly upload their digital photos to it. Progress! It'll be in stores by the end of September for around $380. – Nicholas Deleon

Creative Zen Vision W and 60GB ZVM Now Official! [epiZENter.net]

Creative Zen Vision:M SD

gizmodo.com — Fri, 19 May 2006 11:37:29 EDT

Creative Japan just put out a press release to say it's repackaging the Zen Vision:M mp3 player and selling it for less, where by "repackaging" all it really means is "removing the AC adapter and giving the whole deal a different name", that name being Zen Vision: M SD. Now, our iPod Nano came with just a USB cable and we didn't give it much thought since the damn thing spends a lot of time plugged into our laptop anyway, so this doesn't exactly seem revolutionary to us. We know AC adapters are fairly cheap to manufacture, so maybe this is just a move to lower prices on the Zen Vision:M while still saving face?

The real mystery is that Creative's online retail price for the Vision:M SD is ¥37,800, and it's supposed to be available on their shop and Amazon.co.jp starting today—but not only does it not come up on Amazon just yet, but they're listing the Vision:M (the one with the AC adapter) for ¥32,500, which is less than the new "cheaper" SD package. What gives, Creative?

Creative ZEN VISION:M 30GB SD press release [jp.creative.com (translated) via Generation MP3 via Uber Gizmo]

Zen Vision:M Verdict: Big Props

tgrumet — Fri, 16 Dec 2005 09:41:44 EST

Ok Creative, it looks like your Zen Vision:M has scored pretty nicely with the geek squads at both Cnet Asia and Generation MP3. Both reviews believe this is a real competitor to the Video iPod in both look, feel and tech, though nothing ever compares to Apple in the design area. Both agree that even thought the Zen is a little more expensive (both players have a 30GB hard drive), the Vision:M is more complete with its adapter, which is only an option (for around $30) on the iPod. With a large scroll wheel for better navigation and backlit buttons, the system seems easy to use and intuitive. But it's the screen that catches attention. Yes, it's 2.5 inches like the iPod, but the 262,144-pixel LCD scores big props, giving you crisp, sharp pictures. And the brightness can be adjusted when you switch environments. In terms of codecs, Creative has substantial support, which lets you play almost any of your digital content immediately. And guess what? You also get a FM radio, voice/FM recording, picture viewing and the option to sync Microsoft Outlook data (one way only) as well as output video to an external display, which is a nice list of extra features. A search feature with keyword search makes it easy to look for specific content, though one lament is the lack of a ripping software to digitize DVDs. Creative MediaSource content manager software is bundled together with an enhanced Windows Explorer interface though you're welcome to use Windows Media Player 10. The one big miss seems to be connectivity. With no built-in mini USB port or AC jack, the Vision:M instead has a proprietary port, which means you'll have to attach an external sync adapter every time you want to charge the unit or connect it to a computer. Kind of annoying. So, as of now, we are getting a general thumbs up for this PMP, in both audio and video, though reviews are still being formulated. Hopefully you'll get to check one out yourself soon. And remember, pre-orders have started at Amazon.com.

Creative Zen Vision: M (30GB) [CNET Asia]

Creative ZEN Vision:M [Generation Mp3]

Creative Zen Vision: M - iTurning iJapanese

tgrumet — Wed, 07 Dec 2005 09:20:17 EST

Oops! After all that hype about a December 8 unveiling, looks like Creative's big product launch was undermined by Japan, where the Zen Vision:M was unearthed a day before its London debut. The product, which is a bit of a mouthful, if you please, is indeed green and white (though it also comes in black and white as well as all-white), has a 30GB hard drive, a 320x240 pixel, 2.5-inch screen with and plays MP3 and WMA-DRM audio files. But, as you may have guessed, it also plays 4 hours of video (or image playback) in MPEG-1/2/4, WMV, Motion JPEG, DivX 4/5 and Xvid formats. Sure, it's a shot at the Video iPod—but it's twice as thick—however, unlike Apple's offering it's got an FM tuner and voice recorder tucked in for good luck. Not a bad little product if you ask me, though maybe the interface does look a little familiar....

So here's our question: Why did you buy a portable video player, if you did at all? Poll after the jump.

News of Creative ZEN VISION:M 30GB [Creative]