Firmware Suggestions and Bug Fixes

[klumsy bot]

I've done some 720x576 videos onto my tv, after I compressed some dvd rips (ended up BELOW 50% quality)

I was pretty happy for such a small device, but its still not as good as a dvd player.

[CrowdAds]

[xjjjay]

So its pretty certain that creative will fix the sd expansion crappiness in a firmware update? This is probably the thing that is holding me back from buying it...

[Giancarlo]

Crappiness? I don't see anything crappy about even having an SD slot... most of us don't care how our music is organized. It's not like we're putting music on their we don't like lol.

[covertrussian]

^^ They might they might not...

I will not be holding my breath..., so I'm looking at other similar MP3 Players. One of the forum members pointed me to the Insignia Pilot... so far it's a perfect match for what I want.

It is a tiny bit thicker then the Zen, it is much longer, as long as a Razr V3m, but still small and has lots of features! Plus its $10 cheaper for 8GB model

[Giancarlo]

Well anything but ipod lol...

But still I don't get what the whole fuss is about. I'm prepared to accept a few minor negatives, for an overall replacement for my ZVM. Even if it has less space...

[klumsy bot]

I personally dont think the zen is a replacement for the zvm... something else is in the pipeline.

[Giancarlo]

Originally Posted by klumsy bot

I personally dont think the zen is a replacement for the zvm... something else is in the pipeline.

I generally disagree with that. The SD card addition pretty much points to that direction. And HD-based players are out. They have outlived their usefulness. The Zen was the answer to the the new ipods.

HD based players are generally slower and more buggy...

I don't think that Creative needs to come up with another HD based player. Or should. It's not viable. Flash based mp3 players are the new rave. And if Creative does make an HD based player, it will be to satisfy a shrinking niche market. I still don't think its economically viable. At most they could release an improved ZVM.

[klumsy bot]

Zen Vision M Xtra!

Mods: Time for a topic split?

[sracer]

Originally Posted by xjjjay

So its pretty certain that creative will fix the sd expansion crappiness in a firmware update? This is probably the thing that is holding me back from buying it...

Not in my opinion. I do not believe that it is as "simple" as a firmware update.

[Giancarlo]

I do not think it is a hardware problem.

[Almoxil]

Agreed. Since the player can actually read the contents of the card, integrating the music in the card and the music in the internal memory should be a matter of reading ID3 tags from the files inside the card and creating the proper entries in the main database. Of course, everytime you switch cards the player will have to do database rebuilds.

[Slydini]

I agree with Almoxil's reasoning but unfortunately, Creative's history with improving memory card functionality isn't exactly stellar. The Vision W has a Compact Flash slot and the last time I checked, CF files are not integrated into its main library. The limited functionality of the expansion slot made it easier for me to choose the Archos 604 instead. Creative's inability (refusal?) to solve this problem with the Vision W makes me wonder if the Vision will share the same fate.

[sracer]

Originally Posted by Giancarlo

I do not think it is a hardware problem.

...and I didn't say that it was a hardware problem.

As I mentioned in the other thread, it isn't as simple as you and others are making it sound. But hey, you are free to continue to believe that it is a simple fix... just don't complain about Creative when they don't provide seamless access (unified filesystem).

The "fix" is complex and will end up causing other issues... some of which are worse than not having seamless access.

[Giancarlo]

Then don't have seamless access. I don't see the point of it. As long as you can play music from your card. I'm not making it seem simple. I know it might have other implications. I don't care for unified filesystems (they are an insignificant issue and quite useless to most users as most users simply listen to music randomly).

See for me, the very fact it has SD card is good enough. 16GB is enough for my music. The SD cards would be for TV shows, etc.

[FURR]

yep, as everyone mentioned the way the ZEN handles SD Cards must be fixed otherwise go with a Cowon D2.

[Almoxil]

Originally Posted by FURR

yep, as everyone mentioned the way the ZEN handles SD Cards must be fixed otherwise go with a Cowon D2.

Agreed!

[Giancarlo]

Originally Posted by FURR

yep, as everyone mentioned the way the ZEN handles SD Cards must be fixed otherwise go with a Cowon D2.

I don't really agree with that.

[covertrussian]

Originally Posted by FURR

yep, as everyone mentioned the way the ZEN handles SD Cards must be fixed otherwise go with a Cowon D2.

Originally Posted by Almoxil

Agreed!

Or the Insignia Pilot

I will let you guys know how my new player turns out

[Almoxil]

Originally Posted by covertrussian

Or the Insignia Pilot

I will let you guys know how my new player turns out

Keep us posted!

[covertrussian]

Originally Posted by Almoxil

Keep us posted!

Will do

Man I just watched a Cowon D2 get sold on eBay for $140 shipped for brand new 4gb model... I twas hard not to post, but I think I will enjoy the Pilot a lot more