Creative Zen X-Fi2 Media Player Interview
A transcript of our interview recorded at the Dabs Live show, where we got hands-on with the impressive little Zen X-Fi2 media player from Creative.
Listen to our FrequencyCast Special from Dabs.com Live 2010 Creative Interview starts around 2 minutes into the show |
In March 2010, the FrequencyCast team were out and about at the Dabs.com Live Gadget show in London's Wembley Stadium. Here's a transcript of our interview with Nick Loftus at the Creative stand.
Creative Zen X-fi2 Media Player Review:
Carl:
I'm actually at the Creative stand and I've been looking their wares, they've got gaming headphones, they've got soundcards, but most importantly I have found an mp3 player, so I'm going to grab Nick by the collar, I don't think he wants to come over, but we'll have a chat to him anyway. Nick, tell me a little bit about this great product, I think it feels a bit light and cheap - is it?
Nick:
Not at all, this comes included with Soundblaster technology, which is used in our sound cards many years ago, I'm sure you've heard of Soundblaster. We use a technology called X-Fi which restores any lost sound you might have from converting it into mp3, so the technology will take the music and then expand it, so you get the complete sound.
Carl:
So it's lost less compression, is that what you're saying?
Nick:
So basically it will restore any sound that you lose by putting it onto your mp3 player, fantastic sound.
Carl:
Awesome, and I've just listened to it, and I must admit it's gorgeous, it really is, I'm quite impressed. What exactly is this little baby called then?
Nick:
So this is the Zen X-Fi 2, and this carries on from the Zen X-Fi previously, so this an evolution from the Zen X-Fi, which now comes with a touch screen, so a lot more accessible, a lot easier to use.
Carl:
Would you say this is better than the iPod?
Nick:
I think it's definitely a good competitor for the iPod, in terms of value for money, it comes in an 8 GB at £99 retail and a 16 GB at £129 retail, so I think it's very competitive at that price point.
Carl:
And the functions it's got on it, it's got music, videos, photos. I've just been looking at one of the videos, and it's absolutely awesome, I've got to admit, crystal clear visual there - what sort of resolution are we actually using here?
Nick:
So basically the screen's got a resolution of 400 by 240. Another key aspect for the product is it's got video out, so you can connect an AV cable and connect this to your home TV and watch any videos you've got on here, and watch it in the comfort of your own armchair.
Carl:
Brilliant, so you don't even have to watch it on that small screen, and that is not that small a screen either.
Nick:
It's not, it's very versatile, if you wanted to watch this on the train, on the bus, you could watch it with your earphones, or if you've got a video on there you want to show to your family, connect it to your home TV, brilliant, really versatile.
Carl:
Excellent, and I must admit, they're a hell of a lot lighter than an iPod, and this one, unlike the iPod, actually features an FM radio, doesn't it?
Nick:
It does, so yeah, a lot easier, it reminds you of the Walkman days when you had a tape player and a radio, you've got a radio in this as well. You've also got a microphone, so it's good for dictation as well, if that's handy. This also comes with an application, you could also play Sudoku if you wanted to.
Carl:
Fantastic - whilst listening to music?
Nick:
Whilst listening to your music.
Carl:
And watching a movie.
Nick:
Definitely, all at the same time - why not?
Carl:
One thing I'm really quite concerned about, I'm a bit of a technophobe - what software does this support? - because I've been hearing bad things about other packages?
Nick:
So this use Creative's own software, Creative Centrale, so you can create your own playlists, import music from CDs if needed, then you can place it on to the mp3 player itself with your own playlists. You can also use drag and drop, which is a lot easier, if you just want to make it nice and simple for yourself, and the audio support includes mp3, wma, drm9, so all the latest audio's supported.
Prices start from around £90 for the 8GB model. You can get an X-Fi 2 player from Dabs.com , Amazon.co.uk and Play.com
Listen to our FrequencyCast Special from Dabs.com Live 2010 |
More information:
- Dabs.com Live - Show Overview
- Sign up for more free shows from FrequencyCast
- Dabs.com - The place to buy the gadgets and gizmos featured at Dabs Live 2010 and in our special Dabs.com Live podcast review
- More FrequencyCast Transcripts
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