Creative Zen Vision:M (30GB)

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Seems Creative has been hiding a surprise up its sleeve. After the disappointing relaunch of the Zen Neeons, the Singapore-based firm has rallied just in time to score a big one this Christmas. And though it's more expensive than the iPod (S$548 (US$394.56)) at S$598 (US$430.56) with the same 30GB capacity, it does come with an adapter unlike the iPod USB power adapter (S$54 (US$38.88)) which is an optional extra. You do the math.

Editors' note:

This is an updated review following the conclusion of our video tests which is described under Performance.

The Zen Vision:M also received a CNET Asia Editors' Choice award following the update.

Design
Looking at the Zen Vision:M (the M likely standing for mobile), we think it rather resembles the newest iPod save for two things: A brand new vertical scroll nestled between four clickable tactile buttons.

	White attack. Click for larger image

We have long lamented that other than Apple's iconic Click Wheel, there are precious few navigation interfaces that can give it a run for the money. No doubt, there's the iRiver D-Click, Toshiba's PlusTouch and the original Vertical Scroll from Creative, but it's a fool who'd admit to being in the same league as the legendary Synaptics creation.

Here, Creative has tried to improve on things by enlarging the surface area of the Vertical Scroll, which certainly makes things easier for large-thumbed users. Vertical motion is smoother and helps to improve selection accuracy. The new Vertical Scroll is also horizontally moveable now; tapping either left or right will move menu selection laterally, though there is no clear indication when this feature can be used. We found it odd that while we could not switch folders while in folder view under the Photos menu, it worked like a "page down" button when in thumbnail view.

Our black model came with blue backlit buttons reminiscent of the Zen Micro. There were those in the CNET Asia team who felt the buttons too stiff to be comfortable, which is probably due to the single piece design of the front faceplate. This is a tradeoff, and we reckon Creative could have taken a leaf out of the iRiver U10's similar but more tactile design.

	Good tactile design. Click for larger image

While the iPod still leads in the looks department, a lot of thought has gone into the design of the Vision:M. We like the matt surface on the player's back which looks hardy enough to withstand minor scratches, though we can't say the same of the unit's front panel which is coated with a shiny plastic surface that attracts fingerprints like moths to a flame.

Like the Zen series, the right-click key is still intact. Its retention means that contextual sub-menus are also retained. Creative has also included a dedicated shortcut key that is configurable to almost any feature in the Vision:M. However, given the myriad of features in the Vision:M, it would have been more helpful if the shortcut button pointed to a "hot list" of features.

There is a nice heft to the Zen Vision:M, though at 18.6mm in girth, it is almost twice as thick as the iPod. We like the Hold/Power switch which glows a cobalt blue when the unit is on. For extended viewing on the Vision:M, its sloping edges make it easier to hold though the thickness of the thing can also result in hand fatigue.

	Vertical gets better. Click for larger image

The screen is the real piece de resistance. Like the iPod, the 2.5-inch display stretches from edge to edge width-wise and doesn't waste player real estate. Its 262,144-pixel LCD turns out very crisp pictures and certainly makes the display look more luscious. It's a good thing that a soft drawstring pouch is included; it would be a mortal sin to scratch a screen that gorgeous. Furthermore, unlike the iPod, the screen brightness can be adjusted for the Zen.

For aesthetics, there are six color themes as well as a changeable wallpaper option. Creative has informed CNET Asia that there are currently no plans to introduce new themes via a firmware upgrade. Though the Zen Vision:M is available in five colors (black, white. green, pink and blue), only the first three will be available in Asia initially, with the other two colors to be released later.

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