Zen Vision M VS Video Ipod

Question

<SPAN class=postbody>I've been wondering what the lucky ones that already have bought a Zen Vision M think of it ?I got to upgrade my Ipod Photo and was wondering if i should either go for the Ipod Video or Zen Vision M. Both look like they are good players and i've purchased quite a few models from Creative but resorted to go with the ipod cause size does matter to me plus I must say the interface from what my ZEN NX was a fabulous upgrade. But now I wonder if i should jump back with Creative. I know the ZEN NX is outdated and wanted to know how the new model compared to the 5G Ipod. I understand that few already have one in their hands so I thought this would be the best place to ask.
<SPAN class=postbody>I've looked alot on the net for comparaison websites and i've found so far just one here that gives a Ipod 5G VS Creative Zen Vision M review. Anyone got another more complete website perhaps ? Or perhaps one of you first hand tried both ?Would love to have an honest and unbiased advice.thanks!
<SPAN class=postbody>
<SPAN class=postbody>Vinnie

Answer 1

Well, if size is important to you, then the iPod 30GB is your best choice. The new 30GB iPod is less than half an inch thick, which makes the Zen Vision: M nearly twice as thick. The 60GB iPod is only as thick as the iPod mini was.
The Zen Vision: M claims twice as much battery life for video as the 30GB iPod, using 500kbps MPEG-4. Apple's battery life rating is based on H.264 video encoded at 768kbps for video and 28kbps audio. That's nearly 900kb
ps.
Apple always bases their battery life claims off of what they sell at the iTunes Music Store, and that is what the video they sell is encoded at.
The iPod DOES support H.264 video. The Zen Vision: M does not. This means that you can get a video down to about 480kbps (384 video 96 audio). Go here http://www.videora.com/en-us/Converter/iPod/ and test it out for yourself. Video at that bitrate looks fantastic. Much much much better than WMV, divx/xvid, or standard MPEG-4 at that bitrate. You can get the same quality as xvid/divx, or MPEG-4 at half the bitrate with H.264. WMV is just too bad to even look at when talking about those bitrates.
Get the iPod. Use H.264, get better image quality or the same image quality at lower bitrates with longer battery life. Get a smaller player. Be happy.