WE TOOK THE chance to play with the two top multimedia entertainment devices. The idea was to compare the top-of-the-line Ipod video 30GB and with Creative Labs Zen Vision M 30 GB. Both companies have hard drive based MP3 players that can do much more than just play MP3s. They can play
video files this time and despite the small screen you can actually get used to it. At least, I did. We already wrote a detailed review of Zen Vision M so we won't get into too many details. You can read the detailed review
here.
Let's start with the Ipod. America loves it. We saw so many Ipods in America, that it was ridiculous. The Ipod Video has a great design, and this hard drive based 30GB device is very slick. The navigation is pretty standard and if you played with an Ipod before you won't have any problems at all. Ipod Video will offer more than 10 hour's battery life and two and a half hours of video playback.
We have to object about the Ipod's screen. Well, it's OK until you see the Zen Vision M. Up against that, the iPod's colours seem washed out - the picture is pale. The Zen vision M clearly has a superior display.
When it comes to Video playback, the Zen Vision M is thicker and therefore can play movies a bit longer. It pretty much lives up to its claimed four and a half hours battery life. However, the Ipod can play more MP3s and can keep playing them for even more than 10 hours.
Both devices have a non-removable battery so you cannot buy or exchange it with a spare one. This really sucks. We also dislike the proprietary connectors and the dongle in Zen Vision M's case that you need to connect any external devices. The Ipod Video has the same problem as you need dongle but there are far more accessories available for this device than for Creative's.
If you forget this dongle, you won't be able to recharge the devices with a USB cable as you won't be able to connect it. You won't be able to transfer any music or videos on it either. So this really is a huge functionality flaw, especially for frequent travellers. Yeah, on my
travels, I left it at home.
We found that the Zen Vision M has a better TV out. It is just crystal clear, easy to use and gives you an unbelievably great picture.
The last but not the last is the price factor. If you buy them online both devices will cost your roughly the same. The Zen Vision M is available for €340 with shipping in Austria while you can buy the Ipod video 30GB for €310 including the shipping. Ipod has an advantage but it is not that bad.
Conclusion
If you are fashion-concious, the Ipod is your choice. It is more popular, cooler and therefore more desirable. I am not saying that Zen Vision M doesn't look great but the Ipod is more recognisable. Most people confused Ipod Vision M for a straight Ipod. The designs are similar.
When it comes to the video features, such as picture quality, video out or video battery life Creative Labs' Zen Vision M clearly wins against the Apple Ipod. It is simply more functional and the battery in video mode will last longer. The Ipod can play music files a little bit longer but I would still make the choice of a video player on a video features rather than on music ones. If you only care about music and not about the video maybe you should go for some MP3 player rather than Video and MP3 player.
Both devices suffer from lack of removable battery and have the added the proprietary dongles and connectors so it is tight here and the price is very similar.
Overall, the Zen Vision M is the better choice as it has by far that best video that we seen so far. I love Zen Video M video out as it will let you put your movies in your pocket as you wander around to your friends place. The choice is, as always, just yours, but some of these fuzzy pictures might help you decide. ?
