My friend Tiwari in Mumbai sent me a quick note recently… He needed to know which would make a better PMP (Portable Media Player) The Creative Zen or the Archios 605. I didn't know but after I looked into it a bit, I realized that they were both pretty good players.
Fight! Fight! Fight! Fight!
Contender Match-up:
In this corner.. the thrilla’ from… uh… from Milpitas, California weighing in at just 2.3 ounces…*
The Creative Zen! (Cheer! Yaaaaah!) - 4GB model - Price $85
General
- Product type Digital player / radio
- PC interface(s) supported Hi-Speed USB
- Digital player signal-to-noise ratio 97 dB
- Flash memory installed 16 GB Integrated
- Dimensions (W x D x H) 3.3 in x 0.4 in x 2.2 in
- Voice recording capable
- Software type Creative ZENcast Organizer, Creative Media Explorer, Drivers & Utilities
Digital storage media type None
Radio
- Tuner type Digital Radio tuner
- Station preset qty 32
- Tuner bands FM
Digital Player / Recorder
- Digital player supported digital audio standards WMA, WAV, ADPCM, Audible, MP3, AAC
- Digital player playback modes Playlist
Video Playback Features
- Video playback support WMV9, DivX 4, MPED4, MJPEG, XviD3, DivX 5
- Still image format JPEG
Battery
- Required Qty Lithium ion
- Rechargeable Battery Rechargeable Technology - Lithium ion
- Battery Life Details Video playback Lithium ion 5 hour(s), Digital playback Lithium ion 25 hour(s)
Audio System
- Sound output mode Stereo
- Additional features Voice recording, USB 2.0 compatibility, Calendar, Built-in organizer, Volume limiter, Microsoft Outlook synchronization, Bass Boost
Connections
- Connector type 1 x Headphones, 1 x Hi-Speed USB
- Slot(s) provided 1 x SD Memory Card
- Slot(s) Required None
Summary: A great value.
In the other corner, a heavyweight weighing in at 5.3 ounces also from California… this time hailing from the city of Irvine…
The Archos 605! (Wooooo! Yeaah! Screeam!) - 4GB model -Price $189
General
- Device Type Digital AV player
- Key Features Video capture from external source, Digital audio player, Digital video player, Digital photo viewer
- PC Interfaces Hi-Speed USB, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g
- Features PDF viewer
Display
- Display Type TFT 4.3 in - Color
- Display Form Factor Built-in
- Display Features Touch screen
Memory / Storage
- Flash Memory Cards Supported MicroSD, MiniSD, SD Memory Card
- Integrated Flash Memory 4 GB
Digital Audio
- Supported audio formats WMA, AC-3, WAV, Protected WMA (DRM), PCM, ADPCM, MP3, AAC
- Supported bit rate 30 - 320Kbps
- Digital audio features VBR
Video
- Video Playback Formats MPEG-4, MPEG-2, WMV, Protected WMV (DRM)
- Video Capture Supported Yes, via DVR station
- Video Capture Formats MPEG-4
- Video Capture MPEG-4 - 640 x 480
Connectivity
- Connections Audio / video output, Hi-Speed USB, Headphones - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
Battery
- Rechargeable Battery Rechargeable
- Battery Enclosure Type Internal
- Technology Lithium polymer
- Battery Lithium polymer Rechargeable Internal
- Battery Life Details 17 hour(s), 5.5 hour(s)
Summary: One of the best feature laden PMP’s that money can buy.
Size: Creatives Zen is considerably compact at just 3.3 inches by 2.1 inches by 0.4 inch. The Archos 605 is larger, (understandably with all of the additional features) at 4.8 inches by 3.2 inches by 0.8 inches.
Right Cross! Clinch!
Round 1: The Creative Zen!
Design:
It’s been said that only Apple or Sony can create anything even closely as elegant as the Archos. While it is on the large size, it is still small enough to fit in a shirt or pants pocket. small touches such as a built-in kickstand and an internal speaker really put this player over the top.
Jab! Block!
Round 2: The Archos 605!
Extras:
The Creative sports an SD expansion slot, support for a variety of formats including unproducted AAC, voice recording and FM radio with 32 presets.
The Archos 605 also supports a variety of formats including DRM protected WMA and AAC, is available with WiFi an internet radio and the Opera internet browser, a touch screen and the ability to pull content from Cinema Now. Add the DVR Station and record television or play your music and photos via your TV. This would make this player a knockout if not for one tinsey, winsey downside: It will cost extra (upwards of $99 for the DVR Station alone) to have each of these additional items added to the player.
Round 3: The Creative Zen (by a whisper)
Uppercut! Slip!
Screen:
Cnet’s Jasmine France described the screen as ‘fabulous’. The Creative has excellent detail. Video playback is bright and clear,the viewing angle from the side is great and the interface is a winner for sure.
The recessed 4.3-inch touch screen LCD of the Archose is bright, colorful, and glare-resistant. Probably the best screen on the market, it displays at a resolution of 800x480.
Round 4: The Archos 605!
Hook! Cover!
Sound: The Creative provides excellent crystal clear detail. One of the best sounding players out there.
The Archos 605 provides a customizable five-band that offer just the right amount of adjustment without screwing up the sound completely. It is the equal in sound quality to the Creative and many of the best mp3 players on the market.
Bob! Guard!
After reviewing all the data, I determined that this contest was a draw.
The Archos 605 is the qualitative all around buddy. You can take it on long trips and grab it in a pinch if you require an all around entertainer for that get together at your crib. However the initial price is more prohibative that the Creative and the additional cash for the (albiet really cool) acessories can end up being a wallet burner.
I would still however rule this contest a draw.
The Creative is somewhat of a Brawler – it lacks finesse and footwork in the ring, but makes up for it through doing what it does very well. It would be very difficult for a prospective buyer to find anything dislike. Although it lacks the mobility of the Archos, preferring a less mobile, more stable platform, it's great-sounding and compact with an excellent, video-capable screen. The battery live is very good as well (25 hours audio playback / 5 hours video).
The Archos 605 is more of the well rounded Boxer of the two. a combination of technique and capablity, it’s the qualitative all around PMP. You can take it on long trips and grab it in a pinch if you require an all around entertainer for that get together at your crib. However the initial price is more prohibative that the Creative and the additional cash for the (albiet really cool) acessories can end up being a wallet burner.
In the end, after giving my friend a list of all the pros and cons of both devices, it remained a difficult decision to make. Until of couse he found out that the Archos isn’t even available anywhere in in India.
Sheesh.
Winner by default: The Creative Zen!
No comments:
Post a Comment