mrv3000 | iPodish

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iPodish

iPod Classic	Zen Vision
160 GB	60 GB
2.5-inch screen	4.3-inch screen
m4v, mp4, and mov	mp4, avi, divx, xvid, mpeg, wmv
4.1 x 2.4 x 0.53	5.27 x 2.95 x 1.04
Pretty.	Not pretty.
Doesn't include A/V cable.	Includes A/V cable.
No live radio.	Live radio.
Built-in battery.	Removable battery.
Built for iTunes.	Doesn't play well with iTunes.
Amazon price: $349.00	Amazon price: $366.83

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Re: File Types: It's ridiculously easy to convert to .mp4 formats. I do it all the time with avis. Takes like, 10 minutes per 350mb file.

Really? What do you use to do that?

I've got DVDs that I might want to convert, especially if I'm taking a trip.

I’ve got DVDs that I might want to convert, especially if I’m taking a trip.

I would suggest Handbrake for that, no matter which player you end up getting.

Cool!

I use Super, which you can get here. It'll convert most video files into iPod compatible files.

Woo!

I have a 30MB Zen Vision M, and LOVE IT AS PIE. (I think you're describing the widescreen one, yes?)

Then again, I've never used iTunes (just recently started using Napster) and would probably feel quite differently if I were in the habit of it.

I think it's the widescreen one. I think. Not exactly sure. Heh.

I've used iTunes a couple of times for TV shows - I'm just not that into music. It worked okay, although I'm not wild about the iTunes player, but I was too lazy to try and figure out if I could watch it in something else.

I think it must be the widescreen one -- my screen is only 2.5", and I know the 60 GB version of the Vision M looks basically the same. Also, is a lot cheaper.

When I was reading reviews prior to buying my Zen last December, they pretty consistently said the video quality was better than a video iPod, and the output to TV easier and better. Don't really remember specifics now, and of course these things change rapidly. But I found that reading a whole slew of reviews and letting them percolate turned out well for me.

I will say that the TV output looks exactly like converting the same file onto a DVD. And I love being able to throw almost anything directly onto it without conversion, hot off the dl.

I know I'm going to be leaning more towards the Video side of things, and a decent playback on TV would be fab, especially for travelling/vacations. And not having to convert or simple conversion - big plus.

For the kinds of file types that those of us who are obsessed enough with DW to not wait until it hits the states (took the long way around to avoid using certain words :-)), which is mostly .avis, no conversion is necessary. Occasionally it'll tell you that the file quality is too good/file is too large (I forget which), but it automatically takes you to a conversion program that comes with the software. This does not appreciably degrade the video quality. Generally speaking, if the quality of the video was good to begin with, it'll show up well on the TV. If it wasn't, it won't.

It doesn't work with .mp4 or .mov formats from iTunes or QuickTime.

You can also buy a remote to go with the Vision and Vision W, I think. It didn't work with my Vision M. *pouts*

Okay, that's a bit funny. "NO! That's just *way* too good for me! Back!" Awwww. Poor player's fallen victim to that classist mindset! You're worth it, player! You can do whatever you want in life!

*ahem*

So it doesn't work with mp4? I saw one review on Amazon that it does play mp4s. Does it have to go through a conversion first or something?

OK, I might be confused. I think the main problem I had with the .mp4 stuff was that it was protected content from iTunes. So if it was non-protected, it might be OK. *shrug*

Ah, maybe that's the case?

I'm just thinking of file size since I know those mp4s are wee. I guess if it doesn't, wmv is available, which can also be wee.

The TV output is really easy; as long as you have that a/v cable, you just plug it in, switch output channels on the TV (usually the TV/Video button) until you find your Zen's menu, and then hit play on the Zen. And the picture's pretty good, too.

If one isn't using iTunes for much, it's a great player.

Very nice. Does it come with any kind of remote? Or can you get one? (I saw that Apple's A/V package comes with a remote you can use, although it's a very limited remote from what I can tell. Start. Stop. Fast forward. Rewind. And that's about it.)

Remote for Zen Vision or Vision W. Doesn't come with the package, unfortunately.

Yeah, that about sums it up. They both have pluses and minuses—which one is better for you depends on what you’re planning to do with it. One question—I think you said you were planning to watch videos on whichever one you buy. Have you seen either gadget in person? Preferably turned on—that’s the only real way to judge the two screens. Buying a video player without seeing it in person is like buying a couch without sitting on it.

Yeah, there really are positives and negatives to both. I think if the Zen had more space, comparable to the iPod for that price, I'd be pretty much automatically inclined to go with the Zen.

And I was planning on trying to see them in person after the data-collecting phase is over and if I still want to get one right now. I'm kinda wondering with the new 160 GB that Apple put out, if Creative will soon be launching a bigger one as well.

So your looking more for something that plays videos them music then?

Oh and because I of you I know what this http://us.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=213&subcategory=214&product=16999

Yeah, I'm more interested in video than the music capabilities.

And that thing is cool! Too bad it doesn't have much space.

Well, 60Gb isn't like no space.

And what you're paying for is the screen size. The bigger the screen, and 4.3" is pretty big for that size, the more expensive the unit. Unfortunately.

Remember that iPod, or whatever, format files are much smaller than regular video files. An avi of a standard 42minute TV program is 350Mb, 700Mb if high quality. The iPod version is only 250Mb or something. So that 60Gb of space will go further than it would on your laptop/desktop.

And you can always move stuff on and off.

That's a good point - I knew the files were wee, but that didn't quite translate in my mind to equalling way more stuff that fits, for some reason.

And that thing is cool! Too bad it doesn't have much space.

I never quite understood why you would want to watch an entire episode on your ipod. I have a protable DiviX DVD play that does that for me. So 16GB is fine for me.

For me it would be the idea that I could throw something small in my purse for work and for traveling.

For me it would be the idea that I could throw something small in my purse for work and for traveling.

I get that my Scan Disk never leaves my purse. I just couldn't see watching more then music vids on anything smaller then a portable dvd player.

Man, I could back up my entire hard-drive on one of those things (of course I'm in desperate need of more hard-drive space at the moment).

And I really really want one right now, I'm not sure which, but I really really want one.

Man, I don't even know how much is on my hard drive. Last I looked I think I was at about 30% capacity.

*checks*

I could too.

*hugs her 250GB external hard drive*

Get an iPod touch, they're just so sexay.

sharon

Sexay but not much room, sadly.

You are so amusing to me.

Note to self: lists crack Sally up.

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