Firmware Suggestions and Bug Fixes

[Giancarlo]

I think this has gone a bit off topic... probably partly because of me. Sorry.

I think all players have their pluses, but I think the Zen, at this point, has a greater amount of positives. On Creative's website you can send them your suggestions. Their technical support is very attentive, as is their sales support. I got a very nice email back from them about the release.

[covertrussian]

Originally Posted by Giancarlo

I think this has gone a bit off topic... probably partly because of me. Sorry.

I think all players have their pluses, but I think the Zen, at this point, has a greater amount of positives. On Creative's website you can send them your suggestions. Their technical support is very attentive, as is their sales support. I got a very nice email back from them about the release.

It happens

Good thing is EnzoTen is updating all of the good features to the first post. So that they can be easily found and read

To each is his own, or something like that. If the Creative Zen floats your boat, and you dont mind the little issues, by all means get it. I think eventually, if Creative fixes some of the issues, I will buy one of these bad boys

[FURR]

"off topic" the Pilot looks very promising. they had it at our local BestBuy here.

[ofacto]

Bug Fix request.

Actually be able to play videos all the way thru. I've had to reset the ZEN a couple of times cause it crashed while playing videos. I'm using the newest firmware and used the included software to convert the vids.

Firmware suggestions:

*Ability to choose a smaller display font
*When the thing crashes, make it so holding down the power button will turn it off/reset the device
*FIX the screen flicker (unless I have a defective ZEN) there is a noticable screen flicker

[covertrussian]

Hey guys I got my Pilot! I will try to break it and stuff and then will post some info about it

[joey301]

Originally Posted by covertrussian

I

I never listen to FM, but other people tend to love it, all my friends who have iPods, want the FM radio feature...

FM is the only reason I don't use my iPod. I love National Public Radio, I just with my Zen would record it when I wanted. However, Zencast has most of the NPR shows that I want.
Joey

[covertrussian]

Originally Posted by joey301

FM is the only reason I don't use my iPod. I love National Public Radio, I just with my Zen would record it when I wanted. However, Zencast has most of the NPR shows that I want.
Joey

The Insignia Pilot records FM radio, it does record it at WMA format though, but the sound quality is as good as it was on the radio, which was pretty good!

[junglehusky]

Originally Posted by 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.

This is a major sticking point for me as well. I preordered a 16 GB zen but when I found out about this I decided to hold off on the purchase until they make is more workable (if ever). I have a large library of music (>60 gigs of WMA) and I want to replace my Zen Sleek (20GB) which I'm having issues with crashing. A non HD based player with expansion is attractive to me, but not if you can't integrate the files on the SD card with files on the player. The fact that you can't even browse by ID3 makes it worse...

I emailed Creative to ask if they will address these issues in future firmware updates, and also if you can at least put playlists on the SD card (for me this would be an acceptable workaround to no ID3's), here's their response:

I am sorry to inform you that we are unable to provide information on
the features of the player in future. You would like to know that you
are not able to save a playlist on the SD card.

So... I'm holding off for now, if Creative doesn't think this is important, that's up to them I won't buy a new Zen until they do something to fix it. I may wind up going with the Cowon D2 or back to a larger HD based player, maybe hold my nose and get the 80GB Zune.

PS thanks to Enzo for the review, it was definitely the most helpful one I've read.

[joey301]

Originally Posted by EnzoTen

Bug Fixes

• Add bookmarking ability to video
• add more book marks
• Integrate SD card into the main library like ever other player
• MSC/MTP Option
• More Codec Support: OGG, FLAC, ect...
• Native video support like the Zen Vision:M (dont know if this is possible, but it would be nice)
• ability to copy from SD to main memory and back
• FM Recording

Not too sure I would need all of this either. I'm pretty happy with my Zen. The zencast is working now and that was important to me. I do wish it was easier to add video without all the conversion, especially Google vids. I don't know if i want the SD card to be integrated because I like being able to hot swap it, but I do wish I could move files back and forth while the SD card was inserted. This would be great for using my camera SD card in the Zen. I do wish I could record FM, but I don't think Creative will ever add that since they just took it away a year or two ago. My Muvo will record. I have found the FM reception to be better that what I experienced with the Muvo, although it could be the earphones, but, nevertheless, it works just fine in the gym. I have had a couple of freezes and I wonder why that happens.
One other thing I have noticed. I got the marshmellow earphones as someone here recommended, they sound great, but they do not work well for running. The foam makes a noise in my hear because it moves a little when I run, it kind of bounces and the noise can overpower the music or radio.

Im having a lot of fun with it so far, still fighting the urge to get the extended warranty.

Joey

[gremwood]

The ease to customize without an add-on software?

[Giancarlo]

In fact an important firmware update has been around since September 14th. I went to Creative, clicked support, downloads (firmware), and picked the Zen 4/8/16GB... and it came up with this:

Click here

This firmware update improves SD card support and has been available for nearly a month. I strongly recommend this for anyone who owns the Zen. In fact always check the firmware on your new player to see if it is up-to-date, some things come out after your player left the factory.

Seems like Creative is being extremely responsive, as usual.

[Riolist]

Originally Posted by Giancarlo

This firmware update improves SD card support and has been available for nearly a month.

I don't have a player yet so I can't test this. Can you say in what way the SD card support is improved?

[Giancarlo]

Originally Posted by Riolist

I don't have a player yet so I can't test this. Can you say in what way the SD card support is improved?

I actually waited for someone who has the player to tell us...

[foundation]

I have one. I thought the firmware description was quite clear about this? The update improved compatibility with SD Cards. Functionality is unchanged.

For me, implementation of the SD card slot and main memory is a non-issue. I like it the way it is, because it gives me freedom to arrange SD cards how I'd like and explore them with the file browser. 8 gigs of main memory gives me ~150 albums of music (that's room enough to store my favourites - and then some!). The SD Card slot lets me transport mp3s for easy sharing if required, and functions as an unlimited video player.

Oh I'd better get back on topic, I found a definite bug. When the Zen is switched off in shuffle mode, on resume it recalls where it was up to on the current track, but not the track. It will load a random different track and start this track from the remembered position. More a quirk than a flaw.

[The_Bell]

Suggestion (although it's more for the Zencast software than for the Zen specifically):
-Auto delete played podcasts on sync.

[Highlander]

adding UMS/MSC support would be a good point to me. do you think there is any chance Creative will add it in a firmware update ?

[foundation]

Originally Posted by FURR

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

But over on the Cowon D2 board I came across this question and answer:

3. I've heard that browsing by files is hard when going between SD card and internal memory. Is this something that might be fixed by firmware updates?

3: you have to browse up to the root, then choose between internal and external memory and then browse down the folder structure again, but on the other hand the zen is way way worse since it totally lacks sdhc integration alltogether

http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum...ad.php?t=21185


I don't have a D2, but that really doesn't sound (despite CPtnodegard, the iAudio Moderator's words) significantly different to the Zen, where you press one button to get to the main menu, select Memory Card -> Browse then choose your folder? Are people perhaps making too much of this?

[Valdr]

The lack of SD integration is not so painful for me, I do not need access to all tracks on player and SD simultaneously since i usually prefer to listen whole albums. With a good structure of folders on SD I also do not need ID3 support that much, tho it would be nice to browse and play music on SD using tags. On the other hand it's not crucial to me I usually do not use playlists or bookmarks. What I'd really miss in the player is:
1. Ability to copy/move files between integrated memory and SD
2. Ability to delete files from SD
3. Zooming pictures in 1:1 scale
4. Zoom option for SD card pictures (I really miss that since ZEN with it's colorful screen is perfect for viewing photos from digital camera)
5. Player could remember the position of recently played movie on SD also
I think that especially last 3 points aren't hardware limited and could be easily improved in firmware.
I'd also like to see txt files support and less restrictions in video resolution (just to make this player a perfect thing in the world) but if it's impossible I'm sure I can live without it.
Btw. do you think this topic has any sense? Does anyone from firmware programmers staff look here? I doubt it since they probably do not even read their own official forums ...

[joey301]

Originally Posted by Valdr

TWhat I'd really miss in the player is:
1. Ability to copy/move files between integrated memory and SD
2. Ability to delete files from SD
3. Zooming pictures in 1:1 scale
4. Zoom option for SD card pictures (I really miss that since ZEN with it's colorful screen is perfect for viewing photos from digital camera)
5. Player could remember the position of recently played movie on SD also
I think that especially last 3 points aren't hardware limited and could be easily improved in firmware.
I'd also like to see txt files support and less restrictions in video resolution (just to make this player a perfect thing in the world) but if it's impossible I'm sure I can live without it.
Btw. do you think this topic has any sense? Does anyone from firmware programmers staff look here? I doubt it since they probably do not even read their own official forums ...

Hey, I hope they look here because I really like your ideas for improvements
Joey

[Hartmeister]

Actually it is a big difference. In ID3 mode the SD card and internal memory are completely integrated in the D2. What some Cowon users want is the relative magical ability to switch between SD and Internal memory in the directory browse mode (you can switch the ID3 tag system off in the D2 and browse like we did when we didn't use ID3 tagging to navigate in MP3 players, Cowon was the last major player to add ID3 tag systems and it keeps the old system available) without going through the root. The difference of the level of SD integration between the D2 and the Zen is huge.

Also I'd like to squash one big rumor that some posters and reviewers have said or implied. As far as I've read there are NO plans on integrating the SD with the internal memory's music library. Many have said have been implying that its only a matter of time (especially in many reviews on the internet) but I have seen no public or implied statements to suggest this. Like anyone else I would love to see a competitor to the D2 but the Zen isn't quite equal.

Why the integration does not exist is anyone's speculation. The Creative corporate line has been that the memories are different (internal is in a database format and the card is in FAT) so they can't be integrated. I also think there has been a big shift in how flash players are being used now that flash prices have become so cheap. Flash players are increasingly becoming the primary DAP for most users rather than an accessory device for jogging and athletic activities. Because of this most people are looking at the SD card as bosting the total amount of memory rather than just being a plug-in to add different content. Creative didn't need to add a lot of features to the SD feature because it was used mostly for TV shows, audiobooks, etc. Now people are looking at the 32G model would like to add a 16G SDHC card so they can get a 48G flash player to replace that old 40G hard drive model.

But again the primary opponent is Cowon and they do offer SD card integration so I just don't understand why Creative doesn't bite the bullet and do the same?

Originally Posted by foundation

But over on the Cowon D2 board I came across this question and answer:




http://www.anythingbutipod.com/forum...ad.php?t=21185


I don't have a D2, but that really doesn't sound (despite CPtnodegard, the iAudio Moderator's words) significantly different to the Zen, where you press one button to get to the main menu, select Memory Card -> Browse then choose your folder? Are people perhaps making too much of this?