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Home » Features » Portable MP3s & Gizmos » The Creative Vision:M Vs The Apple iPod
The Creative Vision:M Vs The Apple iPod
By: Shayne Rana   |   Jun 28, 2007

Talk about an epic battle of the Gadgets and this is probably what you meant. From the ever-popular Apple iPod to the Creative Zen media players, who would emerge victorious when it came to their features and just plain 'Shayne-durance' (put through their paces by yours truly – rough translation)? So I pitted these two players against each other, the Apple Video iPod and the Creative Zen Vision:M, both 30GB models and lets see what the outcome was. Who would emerge battle scarred but victorious in this, "The Battle Of The PMPs".

Design
Both players may be similar with respect to certain parts of their technicalities. For example, both are equipped to look like little portable hard drives with 2.5 inch QVGA TFT displays with a resolution of 320x240 pixels. They also have their 'Hold' switches and 3.5mm earphone sockets located at the top with the propriety USB connectors on the bottom. However the Creative sports 256k of colors whereas the iPod has only 65K.

The iPod's circular roll dial system does have its merits when it comes to maneuverability through the menus and the simplicity of having hardly any buttons at all, or having them all in one place does simplify the navigation. The Zen's separate key system with a vertical scroll pad also helps distinguish the varied options of the player, which makes it much easier to navigate and choose selections. But unfortunately the sensitivity of the pad is a problem, even after reducing it manually.

The menus are quite similar but the fonts vary a bit. The fonts on the Zen are a wee bit larger so that makes them a little easier on the eyes. The iPods are a bit small but clear - but this round goes to the Zen.

When it comes to the over all design shape and feel good factor when you have it in your hands, I’d have to go with the iPod. It just looks a whole lot sexier than the Creative, even though it’s limited to just two colors and the Creative has plenty to choose from. But hey, who can go wrong with black and silver right. Plus the Creative whose dimensions are - 4.89 x 2.93 x 0.79 inches and weighs 8.4oz is definitely bulkier than the slim iPod that has dimensions of 4.1 x 2.4 x 0.43 and weighs just 4.3oz. So taking all these factors into account, I’m going to have to go with the Sexy iPod over the cute looking Vision:M. Oh, and don’t forget there are tons of accessories ranging form cases to dock stations for the iPod but unfortunately there are hardly any for the Vision:M. Score one for the iPod.


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i have a shop at heera panna...

tried and test all pmps..

best sound quality... ipod !! no comparision .. try wid good earphones, and then only u can come to know wat magic ipod does...
karan kohli @ Jan 20, 2008
yeah whatever mr. apple fanboy. You do not judge the looks and then call an article objective. >.<
Kukaka @ Jan 05, 2008
how come theres no battery life comparison in the final synopsis....

Thats a very important aspect to miss out on.

and the zen comes on top there
Cornel @ Nov 02, 2007
The iPod definitely rules
David @ Oct 01, 2007
I HAVE CREATIVE ZEN VISION m IT ROCKS YAARON....I HAVE IPOD TOO AND CREATIVe ROCKS IN ALL THiNGS.....
JUST ONE THING IS THIS that creative had lesss accessories but tahts not a too bad thing...
abhishekk makharia @ Sep 02, 2007
Though the review seemed to be fair at the beginning I should say that it tilted toward the winner unfairly. The video conversion/transfer feature is undervalued. Also, you dont have to register your creative on every pc that you use. You can simply connect it to any PC like a USB storage device and transfer files to play them later. iPod is big loser on this front. All in all, Creative wins hands down.
Suresh @ Aug 28, 2007
boss!!! this is a very unfair comparison. i have checked the audio quality of both the players(with no EQ) with my shure e4c headphone. it was easy for me to confirm that the sound from the creative ZVM was much detailed and precise than the apple ipod.

also the display of creative ZVM is more pleasing and brighter than the ipod.
niranjan hopper @ Aug 14, 2007
both the instrument are very fine in every features as well as in other fields but it is right that if you will sgow two products from both competitors then it is obviously one would be at high level in 1 feature and other would be in other features.according to me it is amazing for me to see both the products but 1 thing is right that the photo screen in ipode was much more better then it's competitor.
ameet sherathiya @ Jul 18, 2007
where do you got Zen M for Rs. 10,750 please post the address also. I would like to buy it. and also if you can tell us where we can get the MZ zune?
Saurabha @ Jul 11, 2007
iPOD is sexy ...thats it ...
groom @ Jun 29, 2007
Hi

I own a ZVM. The Comparison is very good, but i would like to bring into your notice that in creative music explorer you can actually play music. And also about the price ipod costs around $300 and creative zen come around $260.

Thanks
Noddy @ Jun 29, 2007
Hi, what are your sources for this pricing?
Also it is correct that both screens have same no. of colors:
iPOD has 65k while the Vision:M has 262k!
Karan Nandwani @ Jun 29, 2007
I am highly surprised as the Zen Vision M has a much better screen for Video playback for sure... its universally known fact.. just google for it
Sanjay @ Jun 29, 2007
Whats your source for the prices? Are those really the prices?
Karan @ Jun 29, 2007
Im nearly in tears after reading this review. What started out seeming to be a fair fight was infact just a PR exercise by Apple. Cmon, its obvious, the ZVM obviously is the better PMP!!! Slightly duller video on the screen itseems!!! The ONLY areas where the iPod video is 'better'than the ZVM is 1) distribution in India, every nook and corner has a mobile shop/ camera store/ electronics showroom thats sells the iPod. 2) I admit iTunes has good movie trailers to watch, which Zencast hasnt matched yet. 3) iPod accessories are a dime a dozen.

In my book i say Be Different. Own a ZVM.
King.AJ @ Jun 29, 2007
You should compare with zune too..
praveen @ Jun 28, 2007
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