Creative Zen Question
Creative Zen Question
Creative Zen Question#0
Posted: 6/15/06 at 1:28pm
I've been ripping my CDs to my computer in order to up them to the Creative Zen Vision:M that I got for graduation (I never knew just how much I REALLY had..esp. musical-wise!).
Now, knowning that it syncs with my Windows Media Player, I have a technical question for anyone who may know the answer:
If I have a song--let's just say "Within You" from Labyrinth since it's the first to jump to mind. Now, if I have WY in my 'soundtracks' playlist AND in my '80s' playlist, will the song take up TWICE as much space when I load it to my Zen? I have a lot of songs that I want to cross-list between categories, but I think I'm going to be at my full 30-gigs max with overflow (which is so sad b/c I wanted to bring everything to Japan with me so that I won't miss it... >.<), so space is at a premium.
Also, slightly off-tangent--does anyone know how to convert something from iTunes format to WMA or MP3 (WMA is smaller, though). My Zen won't play some of the stuff I have because it is iTunes (AAC, I think? I'm at work so I can't look atm)or because it is m4a (if you know how to convert that, it would be very helpful, too!).
Thank you for any help that you can provide me with and thank you for taking the time to read this! ^_^
re: Creative Zen Question#1
Posted: 6/15/06 at 1:31pmIf it is in iTunes format you have to (at least as far as I know) burn the stuff to a cd and then re rip it so that it will go on to your zen.
re: Creative Zen Question#2
Posted: 6/15/06 at 1:33pm
I love my Zen Touch...Playlists are simply refiles of the songs on the hard drive...they do not take up twice as much space because you have them in one, two or more playlists.
I never was able to get iTunes to work on my Creative, and they were unable to get them to be accepted, even tho it states that the Creative products are supported. I had my account cancelled and got a refund. Someone else may have figured it out, tho...
Yahoo downloads are fine.
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS
re: Creative Zen Question#3
Posted: 6/15/06 at 1:35pm
Actually, itunes has a protocol in there that will convert songs in that .4 format back into an MP3. I did it when I bought my Zen Vision earlier this year. Be warned, though, it takes FOREVER.
In fact, I believe that all you have to do is highlight the song or songs you which to convert and right click (that's if you're using Windows, as I assume you are from your Media Player comment) and it's in the drop-down menu.
As for the playlist question, the answer, as far as I know, is no. The playlist creates a little piece of code that directs it to the song's location elsewhere and does not create a new copy of the song.
ETA: Doodle, the problem is not that Itunes songs don't work, it's that they apparently all default to that Ipod-only format, so you have to conver them.
Updated On: 6/15/06 at 01:35 PM
re: Creative Zen Question#4
Posted: 6/15/06 at 2:09pm
I'm going to get a non-iPod mp3 player when my beloved Rio Carbon finally conks out. (Rio went under last year because it couldn't compete with the iPods.)
Based on your enthusiam, bway, I'm probably going to get a Zen. I could look this up but how many gigabytes is the largest Zen? Is there any of the Zens that's considered the best?
re: Creative Zen Question#5
Posted: 6/15/06 at 2:13pm
The Zen Vision:M is their top line model right now (although they have a bigger thing that's more along the lines of a PSP). the Zen Vision:M is just a tad deeper than the current Ipod and roughly the same length and width. It also has the FM radio and microphone built-in (no outside attachments like the Ipod).
I think they're only made in 30GB and 60GB models right now.
Try www.creative.com for some more info.
I love my Vision.
re: Creative Zen Question#6
Posted: 6/15/06 at 2:16pmI have a 40gb Zen Touch. Havent filled half yet.
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS
re: Creative Zen Question#7
Posted: 6/15/06 at 2:27pm
I love it. I bought the Vision thinking I'd want the video capability but I don't have the equipment necessary to transfer things from television to my computer so I almost NEVER use it and I'm not really into the habit of buying video for it just yet, but it's great to have.
re: Creative Zen Question#8
Posted: 6/15/06 at 3:04pmAND Creative has the best sound quality, according to CNet.
"In Oz, the verb is douchifizzation." PRS
re: Creative Zen Question#9
Posted: 6/15/06 at 3:11pm
I have a 20GB Zen Sleek, and I love it. 
Xilisoft Audio Converter can convert m4a's into mp3's. And, you might want to check and see if your player is compatible with Napster To Go. If it is, for $15 a month you can download as much as you want and transfer is directly to your player.
re: Creative Zen Question#10
Posted: 6/15/06 at 3:13pm
Mandi Moo, Itunes does the conversion for you (it is slow) like I stated up there.
I use Yahoo Music Engine Unlimited and it's $11.99 a month. The only probelm is that CDs with continous play between tracks (like Caroline or Change, fo rexample) stink if you get them from a downloadable source because there's a lag in between switching tracks. It's annoying.
re: Creative Zen Question#11
Posted: 6/15/06 at 5:20pm
Wow, thank you for all of the responses so far! I will definitely try your suggestions out!
Also--I'm so sad to hear about the 40gig/60 gig Zens! When I was looking on their site, the largest I could find was the 30 gig, so that was the one I decided to go with.
Out of curiousity, where did you find your 40/60 giggers? *so jealous*
Oh, and PalJoey--
When I researched MP3 Players, the 30 gig Creative Zen Vision M won the best Mp3 Player for Consumer Reports 2006 and the Best of Show 2006 (I think those were the two it won...I don't have the info on me atm). It beat out the current 30 gig video IPOD, too. Just shows that Apple isn't always better....
re: Creative Zen Question#12
Posted: 6/16/06 at 10:24am*bumps back to the top so that the 'daytime crew' can see it*
re: Creative Zen Question#13
Posted: 6/16/06 at 10:39amThe 30 gig Creative Zen Vision M it will be, but I will always miss my old 20-gig Rio Riot.
re: Creative Zen Question#14
Posted: 6/16/06 at 1:21pm
May it rest in peace!
*throws a funeral*
Hey, do you know if that website where you can actually create/witness a 'funeral' exists? I remember back when I was on this one mailing list and we had a tradition of "throwing" one of our members off a cliff and having a funeral for her and she found this site and we got to go and sign a guestbook and stuff. I don't know if it still exists, but if it does, we should throw one for your Rio Riot! ^_^
re: Creative Zen Question#15
Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:15amI got a creative for Christmas and am in love with it but I do have one question (b/c I can't find my instruction booklet): If I upload an album it will list all the songs in the order they're suppose to be and then I'll hit play on the first song thinking it will play the songs on the album consecutively but it jumps around. How do I get it to play the songs in the correct order?
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/3/04
re: Creative Zen Question#16
Posted: 1/4/07 at 12:38ampaljoey, just to be the other side, I have a Zen and HATE it. It is constantly freezing, can't hold a battery life, and turns off at random. I'm getting an ipod next. In fact, until this thread, I'd never heard of anyone with a good experience with their Zens.
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