Creative Zen VS new iPod nano3

Part one: Appearance

iPod nano: The Nano measures a petite 2.75 inches long, 2 inches wide, and 0.25 inch thick-- thickness. Matte, anodized aluminum graces the faceplate.

The new nano look almost identical to the stout, squat player we've come to know and love. The new units will include 2-inch, QVGA, 320 x 240 screens and have the highest pixel density the company has ever shipped (204 pixels per inch).

In addition to the new screens, the extra-wide player will sport an "enhanced" UI (which looks a lot like the video we saw recently) and its own version of Cover Flow. However, the Nano's screen is covered with a scratch-prone plastic that will quickly show wear.

Creative Zen: Creative Zen has ample screen and is pleasantly compact. At just 3.3 inches by 2.1 inches by 0.4 inch, and it's definitely pocket-friendly. We're also pleased to note that Creative didn't skimp on the controls and has migrated completely to the user-friendly tactile variety.

Creative Zen black. Still, it must be said that black does make an excellent frame for the awesome 2.5-inch TFT screen, which is capable of displaying 16.7 million colors. The Zen has a certain understated elegance with its shiny face and brushed-metal backside. It's like a smaller, sleeker version of the Vision.

In total:
For screen, the Zen has a bigger screen - 2.5 vs the iPod's 2, but iPod nano is smaller and thinner than Zen. iPod nano is much impressive design then Creative Zen, with iPod nano has an exceptionally thin all-metal body, advanced user interface. But even Creative Zen pocket-friendly design, it control pad feels cheap.

Part Two: Media capabilities

iPod nano:

1. Audio and Video: The third-generation Nano's piece de resistance is its support for video playback. Like other iPod, it supports H.264 or MPEG4 video in either MOV, MP4, or M4V file formats, with a maximum resolution of 640x480 at as much as 30 frames per second. You can buy videos through the iTunes online store or import them into iTunes and convert them for playback. Apple hasn't changed its audio file format support. Copy-protected AAC files purchased through iTunes are supported, of course, as well as MP3, Apple lossless, AIFF, WAV, and Audible files. (Many third-party software iPod converters also do a great job converting DVD and videos for the iPod.)

2. Game: The iPod Nano's second major new feature is support for iTunes video games. While the selection of iPod video games has grown slowly, three tried-and-true standards come bundled with the Nano right out of the box: a congenial game of Solitaire, a trivia game called iQuiz, and the brick-pummeling Vortex (think Breakout on steroids).

Creative Zen:

1. Audio and Video: Zen is its support of unprotected AAC files, meaning it will play back iTunesPlus tracks. The player can sync via drag-and-drop in Windows Explorer, or you can use a Windows Media Player or Rhapsody. Like its other family members, this Zen also supports MP3, WAV, Audible, and both protected and unprotected WMA tracks. On the video side, the Zen plays WMV and Motion JPEG out of the box and MPEG4, DiVX, and XViD with conversion. Creative includes an app--Zen Media Explorer--which can take care of the conversion painlessly and (somewhat) quickly. (Also there are third-party software Creative Zen converter could help you convert DVD and videos for Zen)

2. Photo: Zen not only supports video and audio formats, also it let you enjoy photos on. Photos must be in JPEG format, which Windows Media Player can convert to automatically during syncing.

3. Recording and FM radio: The Zen includes Creative's usual impressive array of features, though it's worth noting that there is no line-in recording for audio or video (the latter in particular would have been a nice touch). You do get voice recording and an FM radio with autoscan and 32 preset slots.

4. PIM functionality: You can sync contacts, tasks, and calendar info from Outlook to the device. Plus, you get the usual shuffle and repeat playback modes, handy contextual menus, and the ability to search for artists and songs as well as rate songs on the fly and set up to 10 bookmarks. Nine preset EQs, a five-band, user-definable mode, and a bass boost function ensure that you can adjust sound to your liking.

In total: The Zen player offers a smorgasbord of desirable extras such as an SD card expansion slot, an FM radio, a voice recorder, and a user-definable EQ and it supports subscription music. Though iPod nano do not have many function, it built-in games.

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