Creative Zen 8GB MP3 Video Player (Black)

Wow, where to start? As the title says, its better than an iPod by far. iPod's are more fashion statements than anything else - if you want a good mp3/video player, go with Creative every time.
This has 32 built in radio stations - with the iPod, you have to buy an accessory to listen to radio.
This supports many more video types than an iPod - most notably divx & xvid and you don't have to use iTunes to transfer files onto it.
Finally, you can expand the memory by inserting an SD card, and you can get a 2GB card for under £20 these days.
It's a great little system.

Forget Apple. Forget their "out of the box" propaganda. This is for TRUE music fans. With a minute size, good looks and simple to use interface nothing can top it.

After my affair with the nano I was left traumatised and ready to enter the market again (battery died after one month. Yeah, just one month and it was only 2GB). My friend persuaded me to try this on and.....I loved it.

The software is soooo simple to use that a child could configure it (don't get any ideas). Once the CD installs it begins a drag and drop interface and a reliable converter for DivX (so I can watch Bleach on the go!) and ability to watch almost every format known to man on a gorgeous display (no FLV, though). I've discretely put this on during lessons, even had it on the table and many thought it was a credit card!

Don't get me started on the supreme sound quality. But word of the wise, buy new set of earphones to enjoy it the most; might I recommend Creative EP-630.

Yes there are reports of faults and bugs so remember you can send it back at any given time. Remember to always update often to gain full advantage.

My final thoughts: Buy it. If you're looking for a cost-effective player that squeezes every penny into it then look no further. If, however, you are an Apple fan who will defend iPods to the hilt with immature retaliations OR own a Mac then look elsewhere (SOFTWARE IS INCOMPATIBLE!).

What an amazing and stunning piece of kit. This is easily the best MP3 player I have seen with a vivid and clear colour screen and excellent sound quality. Plus, a SD card slot to give you all the memory you could ever need for the future!

The only grumble is that the USB cable, which is the only way to charge the device, is very short (about 7cm) and no manual comes with the device. However its easy to quickly find your way around and the connection is a standard mini-usb port so it is easy/cheap to get a replacement and mains charger.

Easily beats all the other players on the market!

When i received my mp3 player, i was delighted with the design and the ease of use. However this mp3 player has a bug with the album art. For e.g if i was playing a Beyonce song, then somehow (I couldnt figure it out myself, and neither could Creative) Shayne Ward's album art was displayed instead. How weird is that?

On most of my songs, this problem was repeated. Creative told me that i needed to format my player and try copying everything onto it again. Also they told me to update the firmware which i did, but it was the same version as the one on the player. I had a few problems with the mp3 player freezing as well after disconnecting it from my pc, it had to be reset a few times using a pin..

I am really disappointed and returned it to play.com for a refund. I gathered that it was probably related to the first few batches of products that came out. In future i will not pre-order items and wait until all problems have been rectified in future batches.

However, I would definately prefer a creative to an ipod because creative do offer more file formats. I just wish they could sort their mp3 software out.

As for support, they were very good, very prompt and courteous. They couldn't stop apologising.

Although i did give them 2/5 rating, i would recommend them... but give it some time. This player was only released on 29/09/07 so my advice would be to wait..

Forget every other player you've ever seen.. this is the ultimate combination of low price and maximum functionality. It plays music and video at an impressive level of quality which you'd expect, but the major bonus is the ability to expand the memory with a card slot. Having a card slot is the killer feature of this device which puts it ahead of every other device like it. It allows you to fill up your existing space, and then should you want more, you simply buy an SD card rather than a new player. With tumbling SD card prices, by January sales you'll be able to double the memory of this thing for less than £40. If that wasn't enough, it even has an FM radio tuner! It's as light as a feather too, and it's exactly the size you need; not too small and not too big. The interface is slick and functional, and you'll have no problem getting your media files onto the player either.

Top quality MP3/video player, worth every penny. It beats the iPods, Sony Walkmans and even Creative's own other players, so don't even think about buying something else.