Creative Zen Vision:M 30 GB MP3 and Video Player (Black)

The tech support is limited to one year, unless you pay an extensive amount for it. The software is incompatible with common mp3 sites (iTunes, Napster, etc) so everything has to be converted and unless you know what you're doing before getting it, there isn't much help available. I've had mine for nearly 2 years now (was a gift from my MIL) and still can't get videos to transfer without having bitrate issues, connectivity troubles, and "cannot convert" errors - using not only their software but 3rd party programs as well. It's beyond frustrating and I'm about to give in to the Apple craze and just buy an iPod, I have 4 kids and just don't have time to fiddle around with this thing. I want to load n' go. Seems like most of the reviews on here are pretty good so perhaps it's user error on my part? (I consider myself to be an intermediate pc user and am usually quite capable of figuring out electronics so I dunno.)

(Please Amazon make it so we can rate with half stars.)

I've had my Zen for just under 2 years and I'm very pleased with it. I originally bought it because it was cheaper (only $200 when I purchased it) than an iPod.

Pros:

1) It has always worked fine. I've used it with Amazon Unbox, Amazon music downloads, Audible, iTunes, pictures and many of my old music downloads and almost everything has been compatible (see Cons #4).

2) Videos are amazingly clear. I've always been skeptical of tiny mp3 screens, but WOW. I bought a cable to use it with my TV and that works great too.

3) Adding tracks and creating and managing playlists is easy.

4) I've never had any problems with the button system or touch pad. I love the shortcut button. You can set it up for almost anything; I have mine set to Playlists.

5) Comes with an FM radio/recorder and a voice recorder. I don't use either a lot, but it is nice to have them, and you don't have to pay extra.

6) It is also nice to customize a background with pictures. Not important really, but a feature that iPod doesn't have.

7) It comes with a pouch for carrying, that I use all the time. Screen protectors are recommended for all mp3 players, I just have yet to get one.


Cons:

1) When you turn off the Zen, DO NOT pause tracks, as this makes the track start over when you turn it back on. It took me quite a while to realize this. This wouldn't be a problem for music, but I mainly use it to listen to audiobooks. I realized that if I just turn it off without pausing, it opens up at the same spot in the book. Or you can set a bookmark; I recommend this if you are listening to something long, like a book, and want to be able to switch to music or a video without losing your place.

2) You can use the random option for a playlist, but for the DJ options (least played, highest rated, etc.) it plays all tracks. In other words, it will play music, audiobooks, my voice recordings, lectures, etc. Not very helpful. But cool in theory.

3) I use Audible for my audiobooks and it is compatible, but for some reason in the Creative Playlist Manager these files don't show up.

4) I had a bit of trouble adding a few tracks to it. It comes with an audio converter, which helped with some of the tracks, but not all. In the Zen's defense, these tracks were given to me and some may have been corrupted so it's possible that's why it wouldn't accept them, but on the other hand, my sister's iPod didn't have a problem. I also noticed that one song I downloaded from Napster about a year ago won't go onto it. Weird.

5) It has frozen on me twice. Both times, I got a paperclip, pressed the reset and it worked just fine after.

6) The 1st thing people notice is that it's a little thicker/heavier than an iPod, but I don't care. To me it feels sturdy.

7) Why the extra piece for charging? I'll never know.

Overall, I'm satisfied and glad I didn't pay extra just for a "name brand". Also, it's nice not being chained to iTunes.

I bought one of these for my mother. She used it very lightly(ie 20 times or less over a year). Just over a year after it was bought(and shortly after the warranty expired), it got corrupted and the recovery software from creative doesn't help.

I have a somewhat high computer/technical experience and normally can recover gadgets like this.

Save some aggrivation and buy a Zune or iPod instead

I've noticed most reviews are written shortly after buying a product - I thought I would give a caution to any buyers who are curious about the durability of this mp3 player. This thing worked great for about a year and a half. Then it abruptly stopped working for no reason. I had dropped it once or twice, but not for a long while before when it quit working.
It's the second mp3 player I've bought from Creative, and the other one lasted about the same time and then broke, same as this.
If you don't mind your mp3 player breaking down after a year and a half or so, then this one would be great. Otherwise, stay away.

I've had my Vision M for a few months now. I upgraded from a Zen Micro. I'm sticking with Creative. Why? The main reason is they do not use a proprietary format. I can copy MP3s from my computer right to the Vision drive, without the stupid conversion process that Ipod and others use. I have to admit, I do not use the video capabilities. The idea of watching a movie on the screen just doesn't make sense to me. I do have pics stored and will go through them while listening to music on a plane trip. The Vision is easy to use, has good sound (especially if you buy a decent pair of head phones), and holds ALOT of music. I mostly have it plugged in to an MP3 capable alarm clock (through a mini-jack cable), and use it to listen to music to while I fall asleep. The automatic off mode is great for this.
Easy to use, and user friendly. I also have to admit I got mine on EBay, as I have all the accessories. Way less expensive than Amazon.
Check it out.