Creative ZEN 2.5" Black 8GB MP3 / MP4 Player

Pros: I've seen a lot of reviews complaining about having to keep the player hooked up to the computer to be able to encode videos. This is not true. The ZEN media explorer requires that a unit be attached for it to work but if you look in the Programs Menu you will notice it installed a stand alone video converter program called "CREATIVE VIDEO CONVERTER". This utility is the same one that is run by Media Explorer but has its own icon to launch it. You can load up videos and convert them remotely while you and your player are off doing other things. Read the manual (or at least look in the program group) before complaining about a missing feature that is not missing at all.

Cons: Always try the paper clip reset button if you have any glitches. It has worked every time for me. (I keep a paper clip in the makeshift case I made for the player from the glassine envelope the screen protector came in).

Overall Review: Still loving this thing, it's got to be the best MP3 Player out there - wish newegg had the 16GB version. I can't wait to see what new products this unit evolves into next year.

Pros: When it works, it works great. I love the quality of playback, the battery life is fairly long. 8+ hours of constant use, I've only run it dead once and that was over the course of several days. The video playback quality is fairly good, but converting takes too long so I don't bother with it.

Cons: when you put files on an SD card to plug into the MP3 player, the loaded library and card library will not work together. You can listen to music off the SD card or the MP3 player, but not both....this is kind of a disappointment. The MP3 player has a lot of problems. The first one I received after 31 days just started "bleeding" the way LCDs do when they break. No physical shock or damage, it just became impossible to see anything. Newegg was nice enough to extend my warranty by a day so I could get an exchange. The second time however, i've owned this MP3 player for a long time now, and apparently this is a lot more common than I thought. The MP3 player no longer displays anything, it's simply a white screen. It still plays music automatically, adjusts volume etc., I am just glad I left the MP3 player on shuffle last time I used it. I will never buy this player again, and honestly as much I as I like Creative, I don't know that I trust them anymore.

Overall Review: Do not buy this one. Get the X-fi, it's worth the extra few bucks, and hopefully they made improvements that won't allow the stupid glitches that came with the zen.

Pros: Great Sound Quality, Great Picture, Lots of Space, Fast Usability from the package and uploading music to the Zen.

Cons: Unless your computer's USB port is a inch from the ground/desk consider getting a new USB to USB(b) transfer cable because the one included is very short, shortest Ive ever seen, 1 inch! you might like it if you think a $120 mp3 player is supsended. You also might like tht the usb(b) male port is kind of hard to get out, just a harder tug is needed. Good thing i have a bunch of USB to SUB(b) transfer cables that are 25 ft long for my blackberry. Also the converting software is picky about compressed AVI files, free DIVX converter fixed that though.

Overall Review: Besides the USB transfer cable and video converter this is a definite better choice if your not into a $200 ipod that holds the same, bigger screen, exellent sound/video quality. Definatly a great product.

Pros: Fast Newegg shipping per usual. In my opinion the Zen has got the IP beat. This player sounds great, (as does most of Creative's stuff,) and it has more features with the expandable flash slot and the FM radio. The screen is crystal clear and navigation a piece of cake. And all of this at a much better price.

Cons: My Windows Media player crashes with the Zen connected, but works fine sans the Zen.

Overall Review: The crashing WMP doesn't really matter...the Zen Media Explorer does all the tasks you need. Tip: don't download mp3 files and add them to your WMP library with the Zen attached to your computer. Wait until you're done downloading, then close WMP, then attach the Zen to transfer files.

Pros: Small device, yet relatively big screen. Good battery life. That's about it about good sides.

Cons: Software for uploading your music/pics.videos/other is confusing and unflexible. TERRIBLE firmware. Device prone to freezing - A LOT. Apparently, firmware update helps, but still, it is annoying. VERY HARD to make a playlist without using device itself - you're limited to computer if you want to do it easy and relatively painless. For almost the same price you can get yourself iPOD 8 Gb that offers much better features, even if screen is a bit smaller. I'll sell this junk ASAP and go for iPOD, which I recommend to you too.

Overall Review: I like Creative Labs as a company and I use their sound cards, but this device is so flawed that they really need to invest a lot more time and money to make it worth and competitive. Stay with Apple, folks. At least for now.

Pros: Bought the wife one (4gb) for music 6mos ago then started loading transcoded movies on it and. wow!!! I just had to get one too cause they looked great. She got me the 8gb one for my birthday and we got cases and skins with it too. Love it very much and works well with sd/sdhc cards.

Cons: Don't attempt to play AVI, DIVX unless under 5mins or you will lose audio video sync. I don't think there is a way to fix that w/o a firmware upgrade, not yet released. Just let the Zen converter transcode everything to wmv and all will be well. Contact newegg if they don't update the tracking info within a day or so of ordering to prevent any holdups with your products.

Overall Review: The plastic case covers the player and the screen. If you get it please, please, please, take off the little red or whatever color key ring attatched. It will scratch the case screen period, especially if you put it in your pocket etc. Take it off and just live without it, you will be happier, cause now i need a new case.

Pros: It turns on. It shows pictures albeit rather slowly and with OK clarity.

Cons: It doesn't recognize music when I download it into the unit. Good luck getting a manual off the internet. I've looked and looked everywhere. Google nor Creatives own sites are of no help. The people who run Creative must be to be clueless. Apples position as the leader in MP3's is totally safe at this point. It is slow to run through pictures. The camera that took them is 10x faster at showing them.

Overall Review: I've owned three other Creative Players and I've never had trouble getting any of them to play music before. I've hunted for over an hour and have been unsuccessful at getting a manual. Usually a 3 minute process with most companies.

Pros: Very pretty screen, it will play xvid/divx at 320x240@29.97fps, plenty of space + sd card slot for more space, fm radio, LOUD.

Cons: Battery life isnt quite as good as claimed to be, fm tuner isnt very sensitive, no ability to record fm (thanks alot riaa), sound quality is pretty good but not superb.

Overall Review: A very decent player for the price. Im satisfied.