iPod Video or Zen Vision M

Sirrel Squirrel · 29 Mar 2006 at 22:37

Looking at getting a 30gb mp3 player/video player for my birthday but I can't make up my mind between the two, I like the look of both but can't make my mind up, which one would you guys recommend?

Sirrel Squirrel · 30 Mar 2006 at 17:04

no one have a recommendation?

the_brainaic · 30 Mar 2006 at 17:11

iAudio X5(L) would be my recommendation. My X5L is awesome.

Tommy B · 30 Mar 2006 at 20:27

the_brainaic said:
iAudio X5(L) would be my recommendation. My X5L is awesome.

That is indeed the best for sound quality. The best by miles!

However, I've got an iPod video. Awful tbh. Slow, laggy, videos sometimes pause and jump. I only got it because I love iTunes, the iTunes music store, and the ease of playlists and play counts.

Vision is awsome too though.

KaHn · 30 Mar 2006 at 21:00

My ipod video is spot on, not slow or laggy at all, the videos are much better than I expected.

KaHn

Tommy B · 30 Mar 2006 at 21:02

KaHn said:
My ipod video is spot on, not slow or laggy at all, the videos are much better than I expected.

KaHn

That's only the case if you disable album art.

Big Kev · 30 Mar 2006 at 21:14

I'm on the verge of getting the Vision M myself, as everything I've read on it says that it has the best video playback at the moment, with easily the best screen and it's audio capabilities seem to be pretty decent as well.

TooNice · 30 Mar 2006 at 22:34

Depends how much you value video playback IMO. If it is relatively high on your list, go Vision:M. Sound quality there is little difference. iPod is smaller.

There are subtleties in the format they support, although it may not matter if mostly use MP3s.

Sirrel Squirrel · 31 Mar 2006 at 00:00

Think I'll rule out the iPod video actually based on the fact practically everyone has one, I like the look of the iAudio though, is there much difference between the sound quality of the iaudio and zen vision?

TooNice · 31 Mar 2006 at 01:08

I find the iAudio a bit better.

jhmaeng · 31 Mar 2006 at 01:20

Tommy B said:
That's only the case if you disable album art.

I have absolutely no complaints with my 30GB Video, with the album art on. Sure, there's the odd half-second lag every now and then, but by large it works flawlessly for me.

Vegetarian · 31 Mar 2006 at 01:37

Out of the 3 (iaudio, ipod and vision:M) - the Vision:M has worst sound.

In most cases all 3 of them will sound pretty much on par with each other.

iAudio has a great EQ and effects so that puts it ahead of iPod - even tho the ipod sounds just as good- you just cant tweek the sound.

The Vision:M sounds great without any eq its very warm and open - but soon as you add EQ - the sound distorts badly in bass in some tracks.

Where the ZVM is good is video!!

iAudio Best for music
ZVM Best for video with decent but not best audio
iPod if you want Jack of all trades

TooNice · 31 Mar 2006 at 01:51

I pretty much agree withthe above. The X5 happens to be the worst for video as well so it really contrast with the Vision:M.

screwi · 31 Mar 2006 at 11:10

I disagree with the sound quality on the Vision:M, maybe it depends what you are listening to it through though. I really like my Vision, and the video quality is great, very good screen. I've compared the same video on my Vision and my friends iPod, and we both thought that it was certainly better on mine.

However, I do prefer the way the iPod looks, I must admit, I like the thickness. Given that, I'd still go for the Vision, the battery life on mine is better than Creative stated, I got four hours 20 minutes of video once on trains, after already listening to music, before it died. Scratches don't show up too much either, but definitely get something to protect the screen.

Vegetarian · 31 Mar 2006 at 12:40

screwi said:
I disagree with the sound quality on the Vision:M, maybe it depends what you are listening to it through though. I really like my Vision, and the video quality is great, very good screen. I've compared the same video on my Vision and my friends iPod, and we both thought that it was certainly better on mine.

However, I do prefer the way the iPod looks, I must admit, I like the thickness. Given that, I'd still go for the Vision, the battery life on mine is better than Creative stated, I got four hours 20 minutes of video once on trains, after already listening to music, before it died. Scratches don't show up too much either, but definitely get something to protect the screen.

Im listening them thru Westone UM2's or Marantz KI Sig amp and Rega R3 floorstanders... so I dont think I have a problam there!

On my other mp3 players I can do the same - no distortion yet the bass is so much my UM2's are vibrating in my ears and eyes start to wobble

Have a look at http://forums.creative.com/creativelabs/board/message?board.id=dap&message.id=124607

No insult... but your ears are not "tuned" enough to pick up the lighter distortions. Im a trained classical musician and can hear some really bad hamonic distortions - that some people will just pick up as a warm if a bit fuzzy sound. There is some massive distortions too - try putting on some Prodigy... pump the eq up a bit and add bass boost!

Scythe · 31 Mar 2006 at 16:48

Tommy B said:
That's only the case if you disable album art.

I have album art on and if plays perfectly, no lag and video playback is perfect. My videos are encoded with Videora.

Neoni · 31 Mar 2006 at 22:10

encorded eh? nice...im sure you meant encoded with videora as are mine!

Scythe · 31 Mar 2006 at 22:28

Neon said:
encorded eh? nice...im sure you meant encoded with videora as are mine!

Smart man... perhaps TOO smart....

Sirrel Squirrel · 1 Apr 2006 at 00:15

hmm still don't know what to go for, I'm now swaying back towards the iPod lol, anymore arguments for or against?

TooNice · 1 Apr 2006 at 06:57

Here's an idea.

Pick the cheapest, and use the spare change to get a KSC-75 to go with it

At the end of the day, they are all good players, swapping the stock earbuds with something better will make a bigger difference to whatever minor difference in sound there is between those players. If you are still considering the iPod, then I take it that video playback is not a make or break feature for you. Which make those three players valid choices. Or, better yet, see if you can go to a shop and play around with the UI, how they feel in your hand etc.