Creative Zen Vision:M (30GB)

Performance
Since the Zen Vision:M can play both 320 x 240-pixel and 640 x 480-pixel resolution videos, it is capable of outputting to a large external display such as projectors and LCD TVs without any glitches. The Vision:M also lived up to its video format support claims in our lab tests.

However, movies like Kung Fu Hustle did not cut it when viewed under bright sunlight. Reflections from the plastic coating rendered the video a muted dark shade. Animation films fared better due to the emphasis on brighter colors. The Incredibles were perfectly viewable under the same lighting conditions though it's not as brilliant as under room lighting. Pictures also fared well, displaying detailed resolution and a brightness that few portable devices on the market can match. Transfer speed was a scorching 8MB per second. In our battery life test, using 240MB worth of MP3 files played in a loop, the Vision:M scored 15 hours which was slightly above Creative's 14-hour estimate.

Update: For video, the Vision:M clocked in at 4 hours 11 minutes. Our video battery test was timed with two WMV files (320 x 240-pixel) played back to back. As the Vision:M does not support a Repeat function for video playback, the second video file had to be manually activated once the first video ends.

The Vision:M's FM reception was very good. Using the auto scan function in our test location within a high-rise building downtown, the unit managed to capture all the stations within the FM spectrum. The same virtual keyboard mentioned earlier can also be used to rename every one of the 32 preset stations.

In terms of audio, the Zen Vision:M certainly delivered the goods when it came to the base line. The low end was tight and powerful enough without the need to activate the bass booster. For the mids and highs, there was detailed articulation though we felt the sound was a little too clean at times.