Music Managing Software - What works best with the Zen? What are people's experiences with different music-managing softwares and the Zen? What works best? I plan to buy a Zen and currently use the free version of Real Player to manage my music, but have been having some issues with it and am afraid that it might cause problems with the new Zen. Any suggestions as to which programs work best? Music Managing Software - What works best with the Zen? What are people's experiences with different music-managing softwares and the Zen? What works best? I plan to buy a Zen and currently use... » Read More Music Managing Software - What works best with the Zen? What are people's experiences with different music-managing softwares and the Zen? What works best? I plan to buy a Zen and currently use the free version of Real Player to manage my music, but have been having some issues with it and am afraid that it might cause problems with the new Zen. Any suggestions as to which programs work best? « Show Less
1114290
I use iTunes to organize and convert my music to MP3s and then drag and drop the music into my Zen. Although if you are ripping music straight from the CD, use the Creative Media Explorer for that, it's a lot simpler and you can rip it straight from your CD to your Zen
1114291
I use the Creative software, some people don't like it, but it gets the job done and its very simple. You can also just drag and drop your music files into the Zen's hard drive, or you can use Windows Media Player or Media Monkey to both manage your music library and transfer the songs to your player.
198251
Hey - I too am in Birgitta's position, trying to decide whether I should stick with iPods or go over to Zune. I currently own a iPod Mini and did not like how the battery went bad and now can only be played once before the iPod says that the battery is low and goes out. I am trying to decide whether to get a 80G Zune or an 80G iPod classic. My main question is - being an iPod owner, I have put so much time into my iTunes organizing it, putting in cover art, etc.If I was to buy a Zune, can I get everything out of the iTunes, including cover art?thanks
682428
I have a Zen Sleek (monochrome screen).It has "lasted" in that it "functions." That's the kindest thing I can say about it. It's durable unless you run into things with it, but the firmware is horribly unstable.Of course, that may be different for the color players, which use different firmware.
244135
My zen mozaic works terribly for audiobooks. When I try to fast foward or rewind, even when using the "search to" utility, i get an error message and my player completely freezes.
225616
Hey thank you very much for your info. Is there any better MP3 players? Like which ones?Thank you once again!
340870
***********David W. Wilkins says:What is the difference between MP3 downloads and ITune downloads? Can they both go on an Ipod Classic? Thanks. ********The biggest difference is that most music on iTunes (and most other download services) has activation DRM on it. You don't own what you're "buying".You're MUCH better off buying MP3s from Amazon's music store, which doesn't have DRM. (Note that Amazon's video store DOES have DRM). Or of course the best choice is buying a CD, which has no DRM, and the highest audio quality, and can be easily ripped at any bit rate or format you want for your iPod. ***********David W. Wilkins says:What is the difference between MP3 downloads and ITune downloads? Can they both go on an Ipod Classic? Thanks. ********The biggest difference is that most music on iTunes (and most other download services) has activation DRM on it. You don't own what you're "buying".You're MUCH better off buying MP3s from Amazon's music store, which doesn't have DRM. (Note that Amazon's video store DOES have DRM). Or of course the best choice is buying a CD, which has no DRM, and the highest audio quality, and can be easily ripped at... » Read More ***********David W. Wilkins says:What is the difference between MP3 downloads and ITune downloads? Can they both go on an Ipod Classic? Thanks. ********The biggest difference is that most music on iTunes (and most other download services) has activation DRM on it. You don't own what you're "buying".You're MUCH better off buying MP3s from Amazon's music store, which doesn't have DRM. (Note that Amazon's video store DOES have DRM). Or of course the best choice is buying a CD, which has no DRM, and the highest audio quality, and can be easily ripped at any bit rate or format you want for your iPod. « Show Less
444387
I have had a Zen Micro for over a year. I'm pretty rough on it. The headphone jack started acting up about a month ago. The left channel works intermittently if I rotate the jack. Other than that it has been flawless. Screw Ipod, I'll buy another Creative product.
2143619
You are absolutely right David. I create my playlists on Windows Media Player 11 and zip,it's on the player. To delete a song or add, it's the same thing...hook it up and do what you want-thru WMP. This is our 2nd SanDisk. The other one is the black 2MG. Only problem we had with that one was every time we plugged in the USB XP said the deivce wasn't recognized. SanDisk was great! After walking me thru some instructions to no avail, SanDisk said we'll supply the shipping label and costs and will replace immediately. They did. Now, no problems. I think the service at SanDisk is top-notch.
1599997
It seems that other than the Sansa products, the main alternative is the Creative Zen Mozaic. But some of the customer comments on the Zen were that it freezes up when you try to fast forward or fast rewind. The Sansa seems to be better in that regard. It also seems that the Fuze has an automatic bookmark feature. I can't tell if the Clip has this or not. It does seem that the Sanza products do not have manual bookmarking that would let you keep your place in several books at the same time. That seems to be a feature that Creative Zen has had in some models. Larry
818277
AWESOME! Your clarification on the capabilities of this unit seals the deal for me. I just wanted to make CD copies of the music I already have previously recorded on mini-disc. For some reason, I could never get my Net MD recorder (and software) to go from mini-disc, to computer, to CD OR back to another mini-disc(?). Mp3's are OK, but I prefer using CDs/MDs for their sound. MD rules for me for it editing capability, and now I'm willing to go with the MZ-M200 for it's features. Thanks again for the help and the link to the manual!
564863
A really good MP3 player that I have come across is the SanDisk Sansa e280 8 GB MP3 player. It is a little more expensive than most (I think new it's about $149.99, may be cheaper), however it lasted me about 7 years. It probably would have lasted me longer, except a friend borrowed it and left it in the rain. It is a pretty high quality player. Now on to the itunes issue. Itunes has basically made it so that you can't download music from them onto something that isn't apple, except a desktop computer. I received an itunes gift card once and did not own anything by apple. I downloaded itunes onto my computer easily and then bought a few songs. I did a lot of research and tried and tried to sinc the music onto my MP3 player, but nothing was working. Finally, I tried to download my songs onto a disc, which worked. Then I proceeded to upload that disc onto a different media player (Windows Media Player) on my computer that allowed me to download songs onto my MP3 player. All in all it was a very frustrating and difficult process. If you want to avoid the frustration of having to deal with itunes, I would just get an apple ipod, ipod touch, or something that apple allows itunes to download to. If you really want an MP3 player I would recommend the one I highlighted above.
1044802
I've had my Zen Nano Plus for about a year now. It's been flawless. Use it working out, cutting grass, on vacation at the beach, etc. Lots of fun with no problems.So, I have to agree with all the other comments/posts here. I'm sure the Ipod is a great product too, but I think you get more bang for the buck with the Creative Zen Nano Plus. (And it's great that you don't have to load any software on your computer to use it. Just drag and drop.)
837645
"I own an iRiver (IFP-899) and it comes with PC and Mac software".There are plenty of players out there that do not need any software at all. The hard drive can function as an UMS (Universal Mass Storage) if the firmware supports this feature (I'm not sure if there is firmware for this, for the zen vision M).Check out the Cowon iAudio players for example, which do not require any software to load music onto them.
2079993
Hello Eric. This is quite an old device, amazing I got a follow up. This is only a player as far as I know. I do not recall any software that came with it - though it has been 5 years or so.We use it to play on-hold music via a 256mb (yes 1/4 gb) memory stick. Running constant for many years, never a problem. Been a great device.That being said, there is no reason you cannot create a set of mp3 files yourself on a normal computer and then use this device to play them. So many programs to use for such a purpose.
983660
In case you are still wondering: In transitioning from the Zen to the Zen MX they removed the slider switch that used to turn on/off and lock the player. Now you press the play/pause button for several seconds to turn it off and on, and the default for the shortcut button is lock (I never used the shortcut button in the original anyway).
1649115
I went to the Creative Zen website about this. I have not received my 8G Zen yet but have always owned Zens and I like them and the software that comes with them. Their website has some solutions to this issue so you might want to check out that discussion board. Hope that helps.
561893
The best what? The best physical interface to use if you're making beats? That's kind of relative. I totally recommend hitting guitar center or Sam Ashe and playing around with what they have to see what feels right for you. Hell, you don't NEED one of these to make beats. I know Skrillex has said in interviews that he's comfortable with his mouse and plotting his drums that way. I don't know if he still does but there's that. Ultimately findingthe method that feels right for you and practicing unti you've got a feel for workflow.