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- Good audio and video quality
- FM radio
- Removable battery
- Variety of supported formats
- Can't record video
- No kickstand
- Bulky
- Short battery life
The Creative Zen Vision W is a 4.3-inch widescreen portable media player with either a 30 GB or 60 GB hard drive capacity for storing audio and video. Most reviews say the Creative Zen Vision W's video and audio quality are quite good, but it's taken to task because it lacks video recording ability, has a battery life that's shorter than advertised and lacks a kickstand. On the other hand, there's an FM radio, removable battery and support for a wide variety of formats.
Most major review sources rate the Vision W. CNET and PCMag.com have the best reviews of the Vision W, although neither has been updated since Creative scaled down the physical size of the 60 GB version to make it equal to the 30 GB model. That's important, because the Vision W has been criticized for being "bulky" or "chunky." But as one review notes, it's not as if many of these players fit into a pocket anyway.
| Creative Zen Vision W 30 GB Widescreen Multimedia Player (Black) | |
(149 reviews) |
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Our Sources
1. CNET
CNET criticizes the Creative Zen Vision W for being bulky. Other than that, it fares pretty well, ranking third on the list of video players after the Archos 605 WiFi and the Apple iPod Touch. Unlike those two, the Zen does not have Internet access, but it does have an FM radio.
Review: Creative Zen Vision W (60GB), James Kim, Mar. 16, 2007
PCMag criticizes the Creative Zen Vision W for subpar battery life, and Mike Kobrin says the inability to record video prevents it from being rated as highly as the Archos 604. He also calls it "bulky." Audio and video quality are reported to be good.
Review: Creative Zen Vision: W (30GB), Mike Kobrin, Sept. 28, 2006
Australia's GoodGearGuide.com has a knack for brevity and bluntness. Reviewer Andrew Kliem loves the Creative Zen Vision W, giving it 4.25 stars out of five and raving about the video display on the 4.3-inch screen. He is disappointed by the lack of video recording capability, however.
Review: Creative Zen Vision W, Andrew Kliem, June 9, 2007
4. Laptop MagazineDetails/Subscribe
Laptop Magazine says the Creative Zen Vision W is not as good as the Archos 604, describing some areas in which the Zen beats the Archos but not those in which the Archos beats the Zen. Reviewer Russ Fischer notes, "Because neither device is exactly pocketable, the size difference is negligible."
Review: Creative Zen Vision: W, Russ Fischer
5. Amazon.com
Amazon.com has separate collections of consumer comments on the 30 GB and 60 GB versions of the Creative Zen Vision W. The 30 GB player averages 4.5 out of five stars from almost 150 users, with negative comments carrying an assortment of gripes, including subpar customer service.
Review: Creative Zen Vision W 30GB Widescreen Multimedia Player (Black), Contributors to Amazon.com
Portable Media Players Runners Up:
4 picks by top review sites.
Archos 605 Wi-Fi Portable Media Player (80 GB)
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