jimzak's Full Review: Creative Technology Zen MicroPhoto (4 GB) MP3 Play...
I have had several MP3 players dating back to when they first appeared.
The most recent player that I got was the Creative Zen Micro 5 GB version. I paid about $170 on eBay. Of all the players (MPIO, Rio Forge) I have had, this one is probably the best.
What's Included
The player itself
Earbuds
Software CD-ROM
Small paper manual
Mini-USB cable
A small silky fabric bag
Setup
1. Load the software via the CD-ROM. This worked well via Windows XP Pro and a 2.8 ghz Pentium 4 computer as well as on a newer AMD x 2 64 computer. There were updates for the software available on the web also at
"http://www.creative.com"
2. Plug the mini-USB cable into the computer and into the player
3. The software will scan your computer for MP3s or you can skip that and then drag and drop your MP3s into the software so that they will load onto your player.
4. You can then make playlists of your music. I don't know much about this feature as I tend to listen to everything on my player in random mode.
5. Let the player charge for a few hours. However to recharge the battery only takes about 90 minutes. The only way to charge the player is through the mini-USB connector. The battery is user-replaceable (unlike the infamous nonreplaceable battery in the iPod).
6. Remove from the mini-USB connector after charging and music loading.
Usage
1. Plug in your earbuds, favorite headphones, or even amplified speakers which have a stereo mini-plug into the top center of the player. I prefer an over-the-head headset to the earbuds so I really cannot comment on the included buds. Earbuds do not fit my particular ears.
2. Turn on the power by pushing the sliding switch on the top of the unit all the way to the left for a few seconds and then releasing. The player takes about 15-20 seconds to load its internal firmware.
3. You can then choose what you want to listen to
a. a specific song by scrolling through the list
b. all of the songs in the order that they were loaded or alphabetical order
c. a specific playlist that you produced
d. random order of all songs
e. FM radio
f. Sounds or voice recordings that you make yourself with the device
g. Recordings by genre (the software will allow you to designate the musical genre of each of the tracks that you load)
These choices are made by using basically 2 of the 6 buttons on the front of the device. Menus or choices are presented to you by the (repeated) gentle tapping of the button in the lower left quadrant which has a bent arrow pointing to the left. You can choose among the menu choices by using the main central up/down slider along which you slide your finger in which ever direction you want to move the cursor. Once you have selected a particular choice, you can tap that main up/down slider again to make it. There is an audible but soft click each time you scroll a menu or make a choice. The system is not quite as intuitive as I've heard that the iPod is, but once you get the knack of it, it's easy. I should note that if you have selected a particular playlist or whatever mode on the last use, the player will automatically load up with that choice when you restart it, and you can pick up right where you left off, even in mid-song.
4. Adjust the volume while a song is playing using the center slider control.
5. Fast forward, rewind, restart, skip back or skip forward can be done using the standard designated controls found on most portable electronics devices.
Note that none of the controls on the Zen Micro except for the power switch are mechanical. They are all touch sensitive electronic controls. Sliding and tapping are all that is required.
6. You may also record voice messages using a small internal microphone of the unit. There are bars that show you how loudly you are recording.
7. There are also organizer functions. You can enter dates and appointments in the computer software which can be accessed via the display on your player after you have synchronized it.
8. There are a variety of sound equalization (EQ) settings available (Disco, Classical, Jazz, Pop, New Age, etc) as well as a way of specifying custom settings.
Comments
The music fidelity is very good. Generally however the quality of the sound is relative to the quality of your MP3s. I would recommend a minimum of 192 kbps or preferably 256 kbps to get the best fidelity and a large number of tunes into the player.
The user controls are not TOO intuitive but once you get the hang of it, very easy to use (slide and tap). The level of user control is excellent. I did not mention so far that there is a lock function with the mechanical power switch; therefore, you can prevent all the keys from being accidentally activated while the Zen Micro is in your pocket or bag. This is an important feature.
Extra Capabilities: The ability to listen to FM (you scan for channels and then set presets by the way), the ability to record voice messages, and the ability to access organizer functions is great "lagniappe."
The display is easy to read and its contrast can be adjusted. It displays the current song, artist, and title of CD. It also tells you how far you are in a song graphically and tells you how long you have been listening to a particular song and how much longer the song will last. It also displays if the key lock is on and what music play mode you have set the player in. The LCD lights up when you make any use of the controls and then fades off rapidly back to just an unlighted but visible display. It also shows a graphical indicator of how much battery life you have remaining.
There is a cool blue neon glow around the front edge of the player that is emitted when you turn the player on or connect it to the USB cable. It glows in a fading and increasing manner while the player is charging. It stops fading in and out when the player is completely charged. That way you know from a distance if the player is charged.
The battery life is approximately 6-10 hours which I find adequate but a little on the low side. I wish there was an external charger so you could charge one battery while one was in use, but the quick recharge time makes up for that pretty much. The necessity to use the mini-USB cable to charge the player means pretty much you have to be around a computer with the right cable to be able to recharge your player; this requirement is not so hot if you don't want to be near a computer for a few days for whatever reason (travel, etc.). A travel charger for the U.S. only is 9.99 USD right now and regularly goes for double that. An international travel charger goes for 39.99 USD.
While on the subject of the battery, I should mention that it is possible and easy to replace the lithium battery that powers this player when it eventually stops taking a charge. A replacement battery is a mere 14.95 USD direct from Creative.
The player seems to be pretty durable. I've been using it for several months and so far I don't see any scratches or blemishes on it; however, I'm pretty careful to avoid possible damage.
There is no included carrying case or attachment device like a belt clip or arm band. I wish it had a belt clip or a carrying case of some sort. I just purchased a TuneBag so that I could use the player at the gym more easily.
I have about 500 songs in the player and about 50 MB which are unused. I do not purchase MP3s online. I burn them from my large CD collection.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 170.00 Recommended for: Athletes - Lightweight and Portable, Perfect for the Gym
4 GB digital audio player/photo viewer with vibrant 1.5-inch OLED screen and black housing Compatible with MP3, WMA, Janus, WAV, IMA ADPCM, and PlaysF...More at Amazon Marketplace
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