Product Description
Fill this tiny, action-packed 2GB MP3 Player with up to 500 of your favorite songs and take it with you anywhere. Don't let the tiny size of the ZEN Stone Plus fool you. ZEN Stone Plus is still packed with great features such as a built-in FM radio. Set up to 32 station presets with a built-in stopwatch, countdown timer and clock to get everything you need for your workout. The refreshing blue OLED screen of the ZEN Stone Plus lets you interacts and personalizes your player. Long listening, endless enjoyment - Up to 9.5 hours of continuous music playback for travel trips Battery Charge - Quick charge 15 minutes for up to 2 hours Features - FM Radio, Voice Recorder, Shortcut Button, Clock, Stopwatch, Countdown Timer and Volume Restriction Control System Requirements - Microsoft Windows XP (Service Pack 2 or higher), XP 64-bit, Microsoft Windows Vista and USB 1.1 port (USB 2.0 recommended) Dimensions - Width 2.19 x Height 1.39 x Depth 0.5 inch Weight - 0.74 ounces
Amazon.com Product Description
The ZEN Stone Plus is a tiny 2GB MP3 player available in six fun colors. It may fit in your pocket, but it's packed with features: built-in FM radio with 32 presets, stopwatch, countdown timer, clock, and even a voice recorder. All this and 500 of your favorite songs for you to take anywhere.
Fill this tiny, action-packed 2GB MP3 Player with up to 500 of your favorite songs and take it with you everywhere.
View 360 demo |
Six hot colors! |
Ultra-Portable MP3 Player
The ZEN Stone Plus weights less than an ounce, which means you can truly take it anywhere, in any pocket. It features 2 GB of flash memory, so you can put up to 500 of your favorite songs on the device. The Stone Plus supports MP3, WMA and Audible file formats, and its rechargeable Li-ion Polymer battery will give you up to 9.5 hours of playback. In a hurry? A 15-minute quick charge will give you 2 hours.
Songs Your Way
Pull out your CD collection and rip your albums. You can download Creative Media Lite to rip CDs, manage folders, transfer files and access other essential functions.
The Stone Plus is compatible with most online music stores. Log onto the Internet and browse different music services for the songs you don't have. Download your favorite songs without paying for the whole album.
Built-In FM Radio
When in the mood for something different, simply use the built-in FM radio. Set up to 32 station presets so you can catch up on the latest sports results or listen to your favorite talk show.
Keep Track of Time
The built-in stopwatch, countdown timer and clock give you everything you need for your workout.
Voice Recorder
Capture that thought when it hits you, or record lectures or meetings with the built-in microphone and voice recorder.
Protect Your Investment
Every Zen MP3 player includes a 1-year parts / 90-day labor warranty and 60 days of complimentary telephone support. By purchasing a Creative Care Protection Plan within the first 90 days of ownership, you can protect your investment by extending the hardware coverage and telephone support of your product to 2 years from your original purchase date.
What's in the Box?
ZEN Stone Plus, Earphones, USB 2.0 cable, Quick Start guide.
Customer Reviews:
Excellent value.......2007-12-20
This little unit is awesome. This is my third MP3 player and they keep getting smaller, cheaper and yet with more storage! This thing is so small and light I can slip it into my pocket and forget it's there. I use it primarily to listen to audio books as I work around the house and the battery charge lasts at least 5 hours (as much as I've listened to in one day.) Then I simply pause the story, plug it into my computer and it recharges in about an hour while I check email and such.
I highly recommend this player for audio books. I have not checked the sound quality for music files. The provided ear buds are suitable for my needs.
Amazing little device.......2007-11-29
Impressive in size, it takes a bit to get used to the functions, but very limited batterywise. Nevertheles I purchased the other the 1 GB version as well.
Creative Zen Stone Plus 2GB - Decent Value and Performance!!!.......2007-11-17
The Creative Zen Stone Plus 2GB doubles the size of the iPod Shuffle and adds a monochrome screen for viewing track names and settings. Add in the functionality of a built-in FM tuner and voice recorder at $65 and you have a great value.
Pros -
+ good stereo sound
+ nice capacity for a decent price
+ light-weight
+ FM tuner with 32 presets ( though it's just average )
+ voice recording
+ simple design (no more click wheel!) with more color options
+ great navigation and sorting features
+ Nice format compatibility (MP3, WAV, WMA, Audible)
+ USB 1.1 and 2.0 connectivity
+ Can be used as a USB drive / mass storage
+ Can sync music with drag & drop or via Creative software
Cons
- average battery life of 10 hours (OLED screen sucks the battery)
- mediocre backlight ( but it can be disabled )
- some DRM song transfer issues with some firmware versions
- not expandable - few size options 1GB and 2GB
- Creative software is buggy
- larger than the 2nd and 3rd generation iPod shuffles
Creative's Zen Stone line was meant to be the upgrade to the Zen nano, aka Muvo mini. Unfortunately, the 1GB Zen Stone had some quality issues. With the new 2GB Zen Stone Plus, Creative has tried to improve on previous models and compete with the smaller Sandisk Sansas.
I love the new Sandisk Sansa's. The Sansa Express has the advantage that you can plug it directly into your USB port without a cable. SanDisk Sansa Express 2 GB MP3 Player (Black) Still, the Creative Zen Stone feels nicer in the hand. It's not as sleek as the Sansa Express and doesn't have all the cool cache' of an iPod shuffle or iPod nano. But it is priced very attractively and has some NICE features. It's good for a starter, workout unit, or gift for a kid.
The Creative Zen Stone Plus is lighter than the competition, but is still larger than the new iPod Shuffle 2nd and 3rd generations. Unlike the shuffle, you can actually see your track names! The OLED screen is perfect for a player this size but does suck more power and shorten the battery life.
The controls are an improvement from the Zen nano days. While I didn't mind the toggle wheel, it has been replaced by intuitive buttons for the standard functions (select, up, down, play, pause, forward or reverse). There's a headphone jack, microphone hole, and a USB port.
Another change from the Zen nano days is the Lithium Ion battery, which gives you about 10 hours if your lucky. This is less versatile than the old battery operated unit, but more convenient.
What about sound? The sound is great, and it comes through in pure stereo. As usual, you will hear complaints about the earbuds. Most people replace their standard earbuds so I won't hold that against Creative.
The Zen Stone doesn't have larger storage options. For those needing more space, you will have to explore the Creative Zen, Sandisk Sansa or new iPod Nano. All of those units have higher price tags.
Creative Zen 4 GB (Black)
Creative Zen 8 GB (Black)
Creative Zen 16 GB (Black)
Sandisk SDMX4-4096 Sansa e260 4 GB MP3 Player with SD Expansion Slot
SanDisk SDMX4-8192 Sansa e280 8 GB MP3 Player (Black)
Apple 4 GB iPod nano AAC/MP3 Player Silver (3rd Generation)
Apple 8 GB iPod nano AAC/MP3 Player Black (3rd Generation)
Similarly, the Zen V Plus models have a nicer screen. Somehow, I never was convinced of their durability.
Creative Zen V Plus 2 GB Portable Media Player (Black/Green)
Creative Zen V Plus 4 GB Portable Media Player (Black/Blue)
This unit is ideal as a player and not for those who primarily want to use it for recording. The built-in microphone is nice for short reminders.
The price isn't a give-away, and the plastic case could be more durable. Still, this is a nice starter unit that can last you a while. Check it out. Enjoy!!!
Creative does it again.......2007-11-12
I've been a fan of Creative for almost a decade now. I've had quite a few of their products and have liked them all - Jukebox, Muvo, ZEN Nano. The Stone plus is great. I bought one for me and one for my wife and we both love them. One great thing about Creative is that you don't have to install any special software on your computer to get MP3s onto to the Stone if you don't want to. And I don't. It acts just like a portable drive - no muss, no fuss. The interface is easy to use, clear - even in bright sun with sunglasses on, and has all the needed functions. It is tiny and durable and with the armband this is a great player for workouts - especially bouldering. The battery life is adequate and carries me through most activities. No complaints. An easy five stars. Thanks again, Creative Labs, for giving us an alternative to those fruit players.
Zen Stone Plus 2.......2007-10-26
The Zen Stone Plus 2 is easy to load and edit playlists but the battery life is terrible! It doesn't makes it through two 90 minute workouts.
Product Description
The Zen Nano Plus 1GB MP3/WMA Player blends functionality wth style, for a practical MP3 player that fits your life. This slim, trendy MP3 player was designed to fit perfectly in a pocket or backpack, or on your armband. Bring your favorite tunes with you everywhere, without having to lug around space-eating CDs. Signal-to-Noise Ratio - Up to 90dB Frequency Response - 20Hz-20KHz Harmonic Response Output -
<0.1% Requires 1 AAA Battery System Requirements - Windows 98SE to XP, Pentium 350 MHz or AMD 450 MHz processor Dimensions(WxHxD) - 1.32 x 2.58 x 0.51 Weight - 0.8 oz. (without battery)
Amazon.com Product Description
Ready for remarkably thin and powerful performance from your portable music device? The Creative Zen Nano Plus 1 GB MP3 Player is the ticket. Incredibly thin and lightweight, it's packed with the latest features to meet all your needs. Enjoy amazing, skip-free audio quality when you're listening to your MP3 and WMA music.
The Zen Nano Plus is incredibly thin and can store 500 songs on its 1 GB flash memory.
|
The built in mic lets you record conversations. |
The LCD is built for left or right handed operation. |
The Nano Plus is much more than just a music player; it includes an FM tuner, voice/FM recording, and line-in encoding for direct connection and recording from any audio source. Use the Nano Plus to record music directly from your CD player, without a computer.
Of course, if you do have a computer you can transfer audio and data files in seconds with "drag-and-drop" ease--and without software--using the player's USB 2.0 connection. Meanwhile, the Auto Synchronization feature makes it easy to transfer your favorite songs and albums from CDs through the line-in port. Battery life is outstanding, allowing you to listen to music for up to 18 hours on a single AAA battery. Now you can keep the tunes rolling all day long, and do it in style, as the Zen Nano plus comes in ten fun, vibrant colors. The 1 GB model's flash memory can store up to 500 songs (WMA-encoding, 64 kbps).
The FM tuner lets you tune 32 stations. As mentioned, you can also record FM radio so you can catch your favorite tunes or talk shows later on. The built in microphone lets you record voice conversations -- great for those long lectures at school. You can also use the Nano Plus as a portable mini hard drive, allowing you to store data files such as photos and presentations. The unit's LCD is even reversible for left or right handed operation. Last but not least, the Zen Nano sports equalizer presets (Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock) that make your music sound better.
The Zen Nano Plus uses PlaysForSure technology. Look for the PlaysForSure logo if you're shopping for a portable music or video device and you want to make sure the digital music and video you purchase will play back on it every time. Match the PlaysForSure logo on a large selection of leading devices and online music stores. If you see the logo, you'll know your digital music will play for sure. Choose from a large number of digital music and video stores, including MTV's Urge, Rhapsody, Yahoo!, MSN Music, MusicMatch, MusicNow, Napster, Wal-Mart Music Downloads, and many more.
What's in the Box
Zen Nano Plus, high quality earphones, AAA battery, USB 2.0 cable, line-in cable, quick start booklet, installation CD and neck strap.
Customer Reviews:
A great no frills MP3 player.......2007-12-10
The Creative Zen Nano Plus 1GB is a relatively cheap no-frills player in a market space crowded with expensive more fully featured devices.
- Uses batteries, avoiding issues/problems with recharging
- Relatively easy to download music files to using Windows Media Player
- Excellent sound quality
A very nice, handy entry-level player I would recommend to anyone.
Very Reliable For the Price.......2007-12-10
The Creative Nano Plus is a very reliable mp3 player-- the sound is crisp, it plays smoothly, you can record on it as well as listen to FM and AM radio, and all for a very reasonable price. Although it is not specifically compatible with iTunes, what I do is burn my playlist onto a disk, and then rip that onto my mp3 player. When you first hook it up to your computer, it installs everything you'll need-- help, a way to rip audio CDs onto your player, as well as much more.
My only complaint is that the ear buds which come with this player are VERY cheap, and uncomfortable. I recommend you buy a new pair or use old headphones, instead of using their's.
Other than that, I highly recommend this mp3 player. Much better, I think, than any, more expensive player. A great deal for you money!
Decent.......2007-12-07
I own it from last 1 years. I use it only while commuting to my office (not a heavy user), but overall a decent product. Good sound quality and lots of features like voice recording, FM recording, good battery life. I bought it when not too many cell phone had mp3 capabilities. After arrival of cell phones with same features/capabilities, this product is kinda unnecessary.
Outstanding MP3 Player.......2007-12-02
I love these Creative Labs players, I now have 3, two of the earlier models with the USB port built in, and then this, and I just ordered a 2GB model for my wife. It is a real shame they seem to be phasing these out because the size, features, and user interface are all great for people who just want to listen to music.
Great Player.......2007-11-29
I'm on my 2nd one (first one lasted 2 years) and I bought 2 more still in the package for when this one finally breaks. A great player for running/working out with excellent sound quality and durability. Love the drag and drop feature for loading on files and that no proprietary software is required. Also like being able to use AAA batteries. I just rubber band one on the side along with the extra headphone cord (also good for catching the player when it gets dropped -- rubber band holds headphone cord in place so player does not hit ground -- a cheap effective accessory). I also like the FM radio.
Average customer rating:
- Zen Nano Plus
- GREAT MP3 player!!
- Good little MP3....
- mp3
- Can't Run Without It
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Creative Zen Nano Plus 1 GB MP3 Player (Blue)
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Similar Items:
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Creative Zen Nano Plus 1 GB MP3 Player 1GB ( Pink )
-
Creative Zen Nano Plus 1 GB MP3 Player Red
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Creative Zen Nano Plus 1 GB MP3 Player (Blue)
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Premium Quality Carrying Case for CREATIVE LABS MP3 Digital Audio / Video player : ZEN STONE / PLUS MUVO T100 / S200, TX FM, ZEN NANO PLUS, MICRO N200, SLIM, VIDZ, MICROPHOTO, NEEON 2, SLEEK, V PLUS, CHAMELEON, MIX, NX
Accessories:
-
Koss "The Plug" Portable Headphones
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iRiver AFT 100 Mobile FM Transmitter
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iTunes $15 Prepaid Card
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Creative XM Travel Audio Speaker ( 51MF5030AA006 )
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Creative Labs Headphones with Sound Qlty and Comfortable Neck Design( 51MZ0210AA005)
Product Features:
- Stores up to 500 songs on 1 GB internal flash memory
- Includes an FM tuner, voice/FM recording, and line-in encoding
- Super slim, lightweight design and high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity
- Drive mode allows you to store data files such as photos and presentations
- Measures 1.32 x 2.58 x 0.51 inches and weighs 0.8 ounces without battery
ASIN: B0009F3SGE
 |
Product Description
The Zen Nano Plus 1GB MP3/WMA Player blends functionality wth style, for a practical MP3 player that fits your life. This slim, trendy MP3 player was designed to fit perfectly in a pocket or backpack, or on your armband. Bring your favorite tunes with you everywhere, without having to lug around space-eating CDs. Signal-to-Noise Ratio - Up to 90dB Frequency Response - 20Hz-20KHz Harmonic Response Output -
<0.1% Requires 1 AAA battery System Requirements - Windows 98SE to XP, Pentium 350 MHz or AMD 450 MHz processor Dimensions(WxHxD) - 1.32 x 2.58 x 0.51 Weight - 0.8 oz. (without battery)
Amazon.com Product Description
Ready for remarkably thin and powerful performance from your portable music device? The Creative Zen Nano Plus 1 GB MP3 Player is the ticket. Incredibly thin and lightweight, it's packed with the latest features to meet all your needs. Enjoy amazing, skip-free audio quality when you're listening to your MP3 and WMA music.
The Zen Nano Plus is incredibly thin and can store 500 songs on its 1 GB flash memory.
|
The built in mic lets you record conversations. |
The LCD is built for left or right handed operation. |
The Nano Plus is much more than just a music player; it includes an FM tuner, voice/FM recording, and line-in encoding for direct connection and recording from any audio source. Use the Nano Plus to record music directly from your CD player, without a computer.
Of course, if you do have a computer you can transfer audio and data files in seconds with "drag-and-drop" ease--and without software--using the player's USB 2.0 connection. Meanwhile, the Auto Synchronization feature makes it easy to transfer your favorite songs and albums from CDs through the line-in port. Battery life is outstanding, allowing you to listen to music for up to 18 hours on a single AAA battery. Now you can keep the tunes rolling all day long, and do it in style, as the Zen Nano plus comes in ten fun, vibrant colors. The 1 GB model's flash memory can store up to 500 songs (WMA-encoding, 64 kbps).
The FM tuner lets you tune 32 stations. As mentioned, you can also record FM radio so you can catch your favorite tunes or talk shows later on. The built in microphone lets you record voice conversations -- great for those long lectures at school. You can also use the Nano Plus as a portable mini hard drive, allowing you to store data files such as photos and presentations. The unit's LCD is even reversible for left or right handed operation. Last but not least, the Zen Nano sports equalizer presets (Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock) that make your music sound better.
The Zen Nano Plus uses PlaysForSure technology. Look for the PlaysForSure logo if you're shopping for a portable music or video device and you want to make sure the digital music and video you purchase will play back on it every time. Match the PlaysForSure logo on a large selection of leading devices and online music stores. If you see the logo, you'll know your digital music will play for sure. Choose from a large number of digital music and video stores, including MTV's Urge, Rhapsody, Yahoo!, MSN Music, MusicMatch, MusicNow, Napster, Wal-Mart Music Downloads, and many more.
What's in the Box
Zen Nano Plus, high quality earphones, AAA battery, USB 2.0 cable, line-in cable, quick start booklet, installation CD and neck strap.
Customer Reviews:
Zen Nano Plus.......2007-11-24
This product did not work from the beginning and I sent it back and bought my son and husband Sandisk MP3 players and they found them very easy to use and I plan on buying another one for my other son.
GREAT MP3 player!!.......2007-10-19
I have had one of these for 10 months and I love it! I use it often and it has never given me any problems! Great sound and user friendly.
My daughter has an ipod. Although the Zen Nano I have is not as powerful, I still prefer it.
If you don't want to shuck out the money for an ipod, don't buy one of the cheap MP3 players. I would highly reccommend the Zen Nano!
Good little MP3...........2007-07-09
This little gizmo is pretty great for the price. It's a little hard to access the files and repeat, play and what not, but all in all it's a great little MP3.
mp3.......2007-06-27
It's a good mp3 player for the price. And it's VERY VERY easy to use. Great choice!!!
Can't Run Without It.......2007-05-18
Creative's Zen Nano Plus is small and light yet it can hold so much music and it also has an FM radio. I take it with me whenever I go running--which is 6 days a week. I highly recommend this music player which is easy to use and inexpensive. -Harry from Fremont, CA
Product Description
The Zen Nano Plus 1GB MP3/WMA Player blends fucntionality wth style, for a practical MP3 player that fits your life. This slim, trendy MP3 player was designed to fit perfectly in a pocket or backpack, or on your armband. Bring your favorite tunes with you everywhere, without having to lug around space-eating CDs. Signal-to-Noise Ratio - Up to 90dB Frequency Response - 20Hz-20KHz Harmonic Response Output -
<0.1% Requires 1 AAA battery System Requirements - Windows 98SE to XP, Pentium 350 MHz or AMD 450 MHz processor Dimensions(WxHxD) - 1.32 x 2.58 x 0.51 Weight - 0.8 oz. (without battery)
Amazon.com Product Description
Ready for remarkably thin and powerful performance from your portable music device? The Creative Zen Nano Plus 1 GB MP3 Player is the ticket. Incredibly thin and lightweight, it's packed with the latest features to meet all your needs. Enjoy amazing, skip-free audio quality when you're listening to your MP3 and WMA music.
The Zen Nano Plus is incredibly thin and can store 500 songs on its 1 GB flash memory.
|
The built in mic lets you record conversations. |
The LCD is built for left or right handed operation. |
The Nano Plus is much more than just a music player; it includes an FM tuner, voice/FM recording, and line-in encoding for direct connection and recording from any audio source. Use the Nano Plus to record music directly from your CD player, without a computer.
Of course, if you do have a computer you can transfer audio and data files in seconds with "drag-and-drop" ease--and without software--using the player's USB 2.0 connection. Meanwhile, the Auto Synchronization feature makes it easy to transfer your favorite songs and albums from CDs through the line-in port. Battery life is outstanding, allowing you to listen to music for up to 18 hours on a single AAA battery. Now you can keep the tunes rolling all day long, and do it in style, as the Zen Nano plus comes in ten fun, vibrant colors. The 1 GB model's flash memory can store up to 500 songs (WMA-encoding, 64 kbps).
The FM tuner lets you tune 32 stations. As mentioned, you can also record FM radio so you can catch your favorite tunes or talk shows later on. The built in microphone lets you record voice conversations -- great for those long lectures at school. You can also use the Nano Plus as a portable mini hard drive, allowing you to store data files such as photos and presentations. The unit's LCD is even reversible for left or right handed operation. Last but not least, the Zen Nano sports equalizer presets (Classical, Jazz, Pop, Rock) that make your music sound better.
The Zen Nano Plus uses PlaysForSure technology. Look for the PlaysForSure logo if you're shopping for a portable music or video device and you want to make sure the digital music and video you purchase will play back on it every time. Match the PlaysForSure logo on a large selection of leading devices and online music stores. If you see the logo, you'll know your digital music will play for sure. Choose from a large number of digital music and video stores, including MTV's Urge, Rhapsody, Yahoo!, MSN Music, MusicMatch, MusicNow, Napster, Wal-Mart Music Downloads, and many more.
What's in the Box
Zen Nano Plus, high quality earphones, AAA battery, USB 2.0 cable, line-in cable, quick start booklet, installation CD and neck strap.
Customer Reviews:
Very Good MP3 Player - but is it right for you?.......2006-08-11
[Note: all 10 colors are available at retail price from Creative Web site. Cambridge Soundworks stores also carry a good variety of colors.]
I would have given Creative Zen Nano Plus (abbreviated "CZNP") 5 stars, except for two small deficiences: it does not have gapless playback (see #10 below), and the build quality and controls are kind of cheap (see #4 below). Assuming it lasts, it seems a very good unit for the money. Here's why I bought mine, and some questions to ask yourself when you're choosing. [Updated 8/28/2006]
0. Do I want to make a fashion statement with my MP3 player?
Some people will only buy a trendy iPod. Buying a lesser-known unit like CZNP makes a different statement, and you can choose from 10 colors. I prefer function over form, but CZNP offers some of each. I bought an orange one because it is easy to find in my black bag.
1. Do I want to play more than just sound?
The CZNP is a basic MP3 player, FM Radio, and recorder. It has a simple monochrome display and controls that make it a good choice for playing music, podcasts, and ebooks, and listening to local radio stations. It can record from the built-in mike or radio, or from a line input, which may be handy for some.
Some players can play videos, show pictures, etc, and cost a lot more because of the required color screen and larger memory. I don't need these things and prefer not to spend the money needed to get them.
Of course this player can STORE any kind of content, just like a thumb drive, but it only plays audio.
2. Will I be listening to mostly music or mostly spoken content?
When you switch off a unit while it is playing, or pause it and it turns off automatically after awhile, some units will resume at the beginning of the current track, and others (e.g. CZNP) resume exactly where you left off. If you are playing music, you usually prefer to start the song over again. For ebooks or long podcasts, I need to resume where it was turned off (like CZNP does), because it is hard to fast-advance back to where you were.
3. What kind of accessories can I get?
Creative has a set of speakers tailored to the CZNP, and there are many generic accessories that will work with it. By comparison, there are entire catalogs of accessories tailored for optimal use with an iPod (and may not work with others). I have what I need, but pine for some things available for iPod only.
The best accessory of all is a cable that has a 1/8" stereo plug (like the headphone plug) on one end, and two RCA plugs on the other. Plug one of these into the auxiliary or CD input of all the stereos you use, and you can quicly plug this in and play on the speakers. Such cables are available at Radio Shack and most places selling electronics products.
4. How convenient is it to use?
MP3 players vary considerably on how easy they are to use. The iPod is famous for ease of use, though it does not do everything I want to do. The CZNP has relatively cheap controls that work well enough, and does what I want. You don't have to be a computer whiz to use it or its software.
I have been using it while driving with reasonably good results. It is easy to pause and start it, turn it off, adjust volume, skip or repeat tracks, back up or move forward in the current track, and small enough to hold in your hand and still be able to hold onto the steering wheel.
But if you want to skip to a different album, you have to skip, wait, listen, and skip until you find the first track of the desired album. Of course there is a menu way of getting there more easily, but you can't use menus while driving.
It is small and light. About like a Bic cigarette lighter except twice as wide. So far I have found the size very convenient; I don't think I would want it any smaller. But being small, it might be easier to lose - which is why I bought an orange one.
5. How long will it last?
On Amazon, click the link "See all ... customer reviews", then look for the dropdown "Show:" and choose "Lowest review first" and click the Go button. There are a number of reports from people who had problems with their CZNP, some bad enough to throw it away. Some are real problems, others might be a lack of understanding how to use the player.
Despite these complaints, the average review is high. You'll find about the same mix of reviews for most players.
I decided to take a chance. My unit will be well-cared for. If I have a problem, I'll update this review.
6. Can the battery be replaced?
CZNP uses an AAA battery which is said to last for 15 hours and can be changed easily.
The iPod Nano has a rechargeable battery that is not designed to be replaced, which means the iPod Nano becomes landfill when the battery no longer takes a charge in a couple of years. There will be millions of iPods being thrown away simply because the owner cannot make them continue to work, which has an impact on the environment. There are now battery replacement kits for iPod, with tools and instructions, so this concern is lessened for DIY people, but most won't bother.
7. How does it sound?
The CZNP sounds very good to when when I use good earphones like Koss "The Plug", or when plugged into a stereo.
The free headphones you get with it won't give you the best sound, and you should not judge any player on how it sounds with the included headphones. Go buy quality earphones for any new player, as this will make a huge improvement in your enjoyment at relatively low cost.
8. Does the player use flash memory or hard-disk for storage?
CZNP uses flash memory. Flash memory is more expensive per MB/GB than hard disk memory, and flash memory players are smaller than hard disk players. I would not want a hard disk, which I think is too heavy and too fragile for a portable player. Get a hard disk player if you want to carry a lot of content, but make sure you have a backup. Get a flash memory player if you want to hold the content you will listen to today or this week.
9. Does the player have enough memory?
I use Highest Quality VBR, which gives me MP3s usually 200-250 KBPS, and I get about 10 hours of MP3 music. For podcasts or other material recorded at lower quality, you'll get a lot more. With that much space I can have some new or favorite albums left on the player, and have plenty of room for content that changes (like podcasts). If you don't use a computer regularly, you might want more memory, maybe even a hard disk, but 1GB is very convenient for my purposes.
10. Does the player support gapless playback between tracks?
Some albums have music that flows continously from one track to the next. Examples: Radiohead "OK Computer", Dandy Warhols, Moody Blues. The listening experience is disrupted if the tracks have a gap as the player switches from one track to another.
I don't know of any portable MP3 player that offers gapless playback (without Rockbox), though it's bound to come. The CZNP has a brief gap with no clicks, but it is still somewhat disruptive. One solution is to rip the album as one continuous track. The Rockbox open-source technology essentially replaces the firmware on your player, and it features gapless playback. It is supported on a few players, including some iPods, but not CZNP.
11. Does the player require proprietary software or hardware?
CZNP includes software, but since it also works like a USB drive, you can manage content with Explorer / Finder if you want to. All connectors are industry-standard and you can find matching cables in electronics and computer stores.
iPod can only load music using iTunes, and other players require software supplied with the unit, or with Windows. The iPod and others also use proprietary connectors, so replacing a lost cable is more expensive. I would not be happy with such restrictions. Open standards promote flexibility and interoperability. On the other hand the iPod is widely supported and it's easy to find compatible accessories.
For me, at a minimum, the player needs to look like a USB drive when I connect it to the computer, so that I can load it by dragging files to the player's file system, and the CZNP does that. I want to have a program automatically create a custom listening program of various short podcasts that play in a particular order to support Radio on Demand, and I want that to happen by simply connecting the device to the computer, with no keyboard or mouse interaction involved. I have not found such a program, and may have to write it, but I can do that if I want to. With an iPod I have no choice but to use iTunes (or replace the firmware with Rockbox). iTunes will not do what I want it to do, and there is no option to use my own or third-party software.
12. Is the player file-based or tag-based?
The CZNP is file-based: it will play songs in alphabetical order for a given folder. Naming songs with a two-digit sequence number at the beginning of the filename ensures they play in the correct order. It also has shuffle play, etc.
I had tried the SanDisk Sansa, but returned it because all content is organized and played on the basis of tags, exclusively. While my music has tags correctly set to play the way I wanted, podcasts don't use tags consistently enough to play them in a particular order that I chose. With the CZNP you can at least control the order by putting a sequence number at the beginning of each filename.
Tag-based may have some advantages over file-based (though not for my uses), but only if all of the content you want to play is properly tagged.
I've had some problems, but I'll keep it for awhile.......2006-07-15
I'll start off by saying I wish I'd gotten an iPod Shuffle. But I've got this working now, so I'll keep it for 6 months and then maybe get the iPod.
I'll start with the positive aspects of the Zen Nano:
1) It is cute and lightweight
2) It has a radio
3) It is easy to forward through the albums and songs
4) It holds about 20 albums
The negative aspects are:
1) You can't easily download iTunes songs into the Nano. You have to burn the iTunes files onto cd then rip them into Windows Media Player. Unfortunately, the song titles and album information doesn't copy, so you have to either type it in or click "find more info" and hope that it will copy it from the internet. Sometimes that works and sometimes it doesn't.
2) If you don't get the software upgrade, your Nano will eventually not power on. So you MUST go to http://www.creative.com/ and get the upgrades for the Nano Plus when you first get it. I didn't and lost all the music I had on it when I finally did the upgrade. It has worked fine since I got the updated software.
3) The headphones aren't good enough, so you'll probably want to get different ones.
4) The software it comes with is a little confusing to work with. So I download the music using Windows Media Player, then use the Creative software to organize the folders.
So in conclusion, if you do not buy music from iTunes and will only be downloading from cds, then this player is fine. But if you have a lot of iTunes files, it will be better to get an iPod.
Super Easy to Use.......2006-07-14
I have no idea what everyone's problem is with this thing. I am super technology-ignorant and I found the Creative Zen Nano 1GB to be extremely easy to set up and use. The drag and drop feature was quick and easy, although I did find that dragging an entire folder of songs versus individual songs worked much better (dragging individual songs decreased the capacity of the player for some reason; dragging a folder of songs alleviated that problem). I also read on other reviews that the Zen Nano functions like the iPod Shuffle, which I find to be untrue. As long as you drag your music onto the Nano in album folders, it stores the songs per album, per artist. So you can listen to an album in its entirety--it does not shuffle around like other people have said. Also, you can customize the eq, and it really sounds pretty good once you have it set up. The battery life is fine--about 15 hours, which is pretty good, and since it only takes one AAA battery it's not a big deal to change it out once in a while. Another good thing is its size and weight. It's TINY!!! I can easily fit it into my pocket, plus it comes with a nice gummi carrier which actually does not detract from the player's coolness. I had some intial concerns about the durability of the thing, but I have had it the side pocket of my purse for the past month, which has gone across the country with me on an airplane and been stuck under my feet for 5 hours, and it's totally survived. The earphones do suck; they're big. I purchased the el-cheapo JVC Gummi ones and they work very well and are about as comfortable as $7.00 earphones can get. Overall, I think the Zen Nano 1GB is a great value (I found mine for $70, although I've seen it for as much as $130 on-line).
Two out of three is weak........2006-05-18
My gripe is with Creative and the MuVo Micro which has morphed into the Zen Nano Plus. I bought 3 of these for Christmas gifts, and now, less than 6 mos. later, 2 of the 3 have bit the dust, refusing to stay powered on for more than 5 secs. Useless. No downloads or upgrades helped. The 90 day labor warranty had expired and a $25 fee was required for each unit I wanted to fix...i tried to get them to look at both for $25 (they shared the same problem), and they responded with a this-is-the-warranty, send $50 if you want them fixed, "have a wonderful day" e-mail, which i found particularly irritating.
After reading these reviews, I don't feel so bad..........2006-02-27
What a piece of junk! After four hours of messing with this thing and at least that many system recoveries, mine is repackaged and ready for return. The "simple" drag and drop loading of this turd has locked my computer up more times than I care to recount. The one time I was able to get more than 20 songs onto the thing without having to CTRL + ALT + DEL and start over from scratch, the player itself locked up! I consider myself to be fairly computer literate, but this thing made me feel like a complete and total idiot. I'm so disgusted right now, I'm not even going to waste my time with Creative Labs' customer support (which, by the way, is only open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday through Friday). Save yourself the time, trouble and headache and buy something else -- anything else. Aaaaaarrrrrgh!
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