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Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries

15 Jan 07 - 05:50 AM (#1937024)
Subject: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Scrump

Thanks to Mrs Scrump, I am the owner of a 'Creative Zen Vision M' 30GB mp3 player, since Christmas. I've been busy transferring CDs onto it and it seems pretty good overall, but I have a few problems in manipulating the files on it, that I hope someone here might be able to advise me on.

So far I've managed to load in lots of albums and get it to retrieve the artist and track titles from the web (apart from any home-made CDs from vinyl records, of course, where I had to enter the details manually). To do this I use the software provided with it, i.e. Zen Vision M Media Explorer.

It normally stores the files in folders, with artist at the top level, and folders for each album by the artist at the next level, with the album tracks in each album folder.

Seems sensible, but I found that if I load in a compilation CD with tracks by different artists, it creates a folder for each artist, and a folder below that for the 'album' by that artist, with maybe only one track on it. Also, I had some albums by the same artist that had a fair amount of overlap (e.g. two different hits compilations) where I wanted to delete the duplicate tracks, and have them all in the same folder.

The problem is, once I've loaded the tracks into the player, I don't seem to be able to move them between folders. In some cases, an artist name has been splet slightly wrongly, which results in two separate folders. I'd like to be able to put the album by the wrongly spelt artist into the correct folder, and delete the 'wrong' one.

The interface allows you to delete folders and files, but seemingly not to move them between folders. I don't know whether there's something I'm missing, but I can't understand why it won't let me move tracks from one folder to another.

The 'various artists' problem is the worst, because if you navigate the list of arists you get a huge list, many of which are just for an artist with a single track on the player. What I'd prefer is to have all these stored in a 'Various Artists' folder, so they don't appear in the albums list, which is so long it is tedious to navigate using the (what I find) slightly dodgy touchpad interface.

If anyone has one of these and can provide any advice I'd be grateful.


15 Jan 07 - 06:26 AM (#1937041)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: The Fooles Troupe

Don't have one, but can you port the contents to a PC, play with them there the way you want, and the purge the mp3 player and reload them?


15 Jan 07 - 07:09 AM (#1937065)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Scrump

Yes, you connect the player to a PC via a USB port. Then you can use the Zen software's version of Explorer that allows you to look at and manipulate the files. The problem seems to be that you can't do all the things you want.

You can delete files or folders, you can rename files or folders, with no problem. What you can't do (at least, as far as I've discovered), is transfer files from one folder to another. This seems an annoying and unnecessary restriction. If you end up with files in the 'wrong' folder, all you can do is delete them and then reload them into the 'correct' one (which obviously takes a lot more time). I just can't understand why they make this restriction on movement of files.

As I said, it's particularly annoying if you load an album by various artists. The only way to get them all into the same file would be to rename the artists to be all the same (e.g. make the artist name 'Various' or something), to 'fool' the software into thinking the album is all by the same artist, and get it to put them into the same folder. Then you would have to go through the tedious process of renaming each artist manually, back to the actual artist names (assuming you can be bothered).

If anyone knows how to transfer files from one folder to another, I'd be grateful. Maybe there's a setting that needs changing or something - the user documentation that comes with it is fairly basic btw, and is really only a 'getting started' guide. It doesn't cover all the various menu options, etc., and I've had to find out by trial and error what many of them do. (I was hoping there would be a proper user reference guide on the CD, but no - all there is is a soft copy of the tiny printed guide).


15 Jan 07 - 07:46 AM (#1937097)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: The Fooles Troupe

I don't think you're with me -

can you move the files from one folder to another ON THE PC till they are where you want, THEN transfer them all to the player - or can you only move them around thru the special appln sw on the PC too?


15 Jan 07 - 07:54 AM (#1937104)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Susan of DT

Assuming it works like the older Creative Zen I have, you can also make playlists, so that would give you more flexibility.

When I go into the organize mode when it is plugged into the computer, it shows what it has by artist or song title. Since I first ripped these with windows media player, various is considered to be one artist. I can add or delete single tracks, if I wish.


15 Jan 07 - 08:02 AM (#1937116)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: MartinRyan

A bit of both, I think! I recently got the same player and found the same problem. I suspect there are several ways around it, - but the one I used was:
- open the Media Source Organiser software (rather than the Explorer)
- rip the tracks into the PC Muisc Libray
- attach the player and open the "Music" folder
- create a suitable named sub-folder
- transfer the files to it.

The disadvantage appears to be that it confuses the "Sync" function, if you use it.

I agree, incidentally, that the touch pad is a bit dodgy. Otherwise I'm delighted with it.

In copying several hundred CD's to the player, I found it helped to refuse to get involved with "problem cases" until all the straightforward (or a very large batch of them) had been processede. Then go back and sort out the problems - which tend to apply to praticular small batches of CD's anyway. Much more efficient!

Regards


15 Jan 07 - 10:21 AM (#1937251)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Scrump

Ah, Foolstroupe, maybe that's the answer. I haven't really investigated that (i.e. moving stuff around on the PC). Maybe that would work, it's worth a try anyway.

I deleted a lot of the stuff on the PC after uploading it because it was taking up a lot of space, so I may have to reload it again, depending on whether any of the 'problem' stuff was deleted or not. I still don't see why the software won't allow you to move stuff around in the player itself, but if it doesn't, it doesn't.

Yes, Susan, I can create playlists, but it's still a pain to have to select all the individual tracks that have been split into separate artist 'albums'. I prefer to load an album and search by artist, as that's easier for albums where all tracks are by the same artist.

Thanks Martin - I might try that too.

When I first got it I had real trouble using the touchpad, in fact I thought there was a problem with it and was on the point of sending it back. But I got used to it and I now know it was finger trouble. My main gripe with it is the lack of documentation, with nothing to explain what all the various menu options are.


15 Jan 07 - 10:55 AM (#1937292)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: IvanB

Like Susan, I have the older Zen. Since Martin refers to the Media Source Organizer, I'm assuming it's similar to the version that we have, albeit somewhat newer. When Susan refers to playlists, I assume she is referring to doing the organization on the computer, in Media Organizer, rather than on the player itself. One key to successful organization is always using Media Organizer rather than Windows Explorer.

I think one problem with the Zen is that it creates its own "catalog" from the mp3 tags rather than giving you an Explorer-like view of the disc contents. Since I use my computer to create playlists when I want, a process I find quick and easy, I haven't experimented much further. I suspect that, by manipulating the mp3 tags with a good tag editor, you might be able to get a player display more to your liking.


16 Jan 07 - 04:45 AM (#1937993)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: The Fooles Troupe

"manipulating the mp3 tags with a good tag editor"

That's a very good idea - I wish I had said exactly that!

You can add/delete/modify spelling here! Even change the name of a 'CD'... which would throw many different CDs into a 'compilation'...


16 Jan 07 - 08:06 AM (#1938101)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Susan of DT

I have not used playlists, but they are there on the Zen organizer. I just leave the player on random and enjoy the selection while at the gym.


16 Jan 07 - 06:29 PM (#1938836)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: The Fooles Troupe

Wait a minute!

I've just been 'enlightened'!

Why are you going thru all this stress with a 'Zen' player?


:-)


17 Jan 07 - 07:15 AM (#1939271)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Scrump

An update on this: last night I uploaded a compilation CD, and got it to put all the tracks into the same folder on the player, by renaming the artists to all be "Various" (or anything that doesn't clash with any other artists already loaded) - you can do this easily in Zen Media Explorer by typing it in once and clicking on "apply to all" (it will replace all the real artist names with your chosen name). This fooled the software into thinking it was an album by someone called "Various" and it put all the tracks under the same album in the Various > Blah folder (where Blah is the album title - obviously you can use the real title).

I then had to manually right-click on each track and change the artist name for each track back to the real artist (this is the boring bit, but it's the only way I've found to get all the tracks of a compilation album into the same folder).

Doing this means that when I select on the player by artist, I don't get all those 1-track artists displayed, and can just select Various, then select the album, then play it.

OK, I could have just loaded the tracks as it wants to and create all those '1-track albums', filed under artist, and then create a playlist to group them all together.

But I think it's better this way, even though it's tedious to have to do it (and I still can't see any good reason why the software won't let you drag and drop files between folders on the player itself - it seems an unnecessary and pointless restriction).

The reason it's better, is because I can choose whether to select an album (I get the album listed under "Albums"); or select Artists (and I don't get all these "1-track wonders" listed, which makes the Artist list very long and tedious to scroll through); or of course I can still create a playlist with anything I like in it (e.g. make up my own compilations from existing albums stored in folders).

It would be nice to do what Foolstroupe said, and have all the files on the PC to manipulate them there, but my PC's a few years old and I don't have 30GB going spare on it (maybe I'll upgrade sometime, but I'm not planning to just yet). So as I was loading albums, every now and then I would delete some of them from the PC after loading to the player, to free up space for the next lot.


17 Jan 07 - 07:46 AM (#1939300)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: The Fooles Troupe

Scrump

My head hurts!

Think I'll just keep listening to the radio!

:-)


17 Jan 07 - 08:46 AM (#1939345)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Scrump

Foolestroupe - I haven't even tried to work out how to use the radio on it - or the videos, recordings, organiser, etc.. If they're anything like as awkward to use as the music library functions, I don't think I'll bother :-)


17 Jan 07 - 08:54 AM (#1939354)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Scrump

Incidentally, something I was very impressed with, regarding the Creative software, that I forgot to mention earlier.

I have a home-made CD-R, that I created by recording two vinyl albums by the same artist. The two albums both happened to fit onto a CD.

When I used the "Rip CD" facility to get them from the CD onto the PC and thence the mp3 player, I expected it to draw a blank, and ask me to enter the details manually (as usually happens with such CD-Rs).

I was gobsmacked to find the artist and track titles had been correctly filled in. I can only assume the two albums are commercially available on a single CD, and that somehow the software was able to match my CD with that. The software must actually try to match the music, as there were obviously no matching serial numbers or anything like that on my CD-R. Quite how it does this, when my CD-R has the vinyl crackles, etc. is beyond me - but it did (just for this one, unfortunately not for any of the others I tried).


17 Jan 07 - 11:06 PM (#1940118)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

I am also a new user of an mp3 player. I received a gift certificate that covered half of the cost, and I'd been considering getting one for ages, so I let this be the push to go look and decide what would work for me. Those players with the screens are mighty appealing, but I will use mine only for radio (yes, I figured out how to do it and preset my stations--it isn't difficult if you read the instructions), music, and books, not visual stuff. My player is a Samsung 2gig digital audio player (YP-U2J) with a small screen and the same kind of organizing you discuss, though it tells me to use Windows Media Player to rip the CDs and load them to my player. I've figured it out (with the help of my 14-year-old son) but I've had a slightly different problem along the same lines.

I practiced loading a few music CDs, but I got this because I want to listen to downloaded radio programs (got that figured out) and books on tape. Those aren't cooperating so well. I tried with a five-CD book to put it under one artist and tracks are all mixed up, like a book by William Burroughs. I took that all out of the player (after so carefully trying to fix it by getting the names all uniform and numbering the CDs and tracks chronologically) and tried several times. Even when I put in each disk as separate albums but named so I know which is first and second, etc. it still manages to order the tracks in such a way that I'm listing to 1 then 11 then who knows what. I gave up on the big book for a while and am trying with some short stories. Those seem to be arranged better by the producer and they are read in the proper order (with two or three stories per CD).

I can't use any Explorer programs to move files around on the player itself, either. I have to do it on the computer and then put them on the player.

I waited a long time to get this--I wanted one with a good amount of space, a reasonable price, and really easy to use. This has a USB plug on one end (no wires except the headphone) and it recharges when it is plugged into the computer. I saw some other types with slightly longer battery life, but this one is good at about 15 hours.

SRS


18 Jan 07 - 12:26 PM (#1940650)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: dwditty

If this is a new product, you can simply call for tech support - the number is on creative.com.


18 Jan 07 - 08:57 PM (#1941175)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: The Fooles Troupe

" it still manages to order the tracks in such a way that I'm listing to 1 then 11 "

That's to do with the way computers sort numbers.

Instead of 1 2, 3, 3, etc 10, 11, etc - try 01, 02, 03, etc

if you have larger number that run into 3 digits, then do

001, 002, 003, etc

I'm not making this up you know!


Hmmm, I got to this before JiK did - is he getting slow?

:-P


19 Jan 07 - 12:03 AM (#1941278)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

I figured that was probably what it was doing, it's like the program is alphabetising the numbers, and I didn't want to go back right then and fool with renumbering 14 tracks each on six different CDs. So I'll try it again later, but this confirms what I suspected. Thanks!

SRS


19 Jan 07 - 10:48 AM (#1941576)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Scrump

If this is a new product, you can simply call for tech support - the number is on creative.com

That may well be so, but I'm afraid I only ever call anyone's telephone support line as an absolute last resort. I've spent way too much time and money listening to electronic 'music' and annoying pre-recorded messages in the past :-(


19 Jun 07 - 08:23 AM (#2080937)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,Nikkwaxx1

Had my Zen M for 2 weeks and I am having problems with the touchpad. It works fine most of the day but there are intermittent problems with it whereby all of the buttons will work apart from when you try to select something. When I press in the centre of the touchpad nothing happens, it doesn't click and on occassions, I have tried to switch it off and it just freezes for ages .... can anyone suggest something?


20 Jun 07 - 06:27 AM (#2081960)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Susan of DT

They also have a new model now. The Zen Stone which is tiny, costs $39 and holds 1 gig. I loaded it with versions of the songs I am working on, rather than the most of my collection, which is on the bigger Zen Micro. It is even more convenient in the gym.


10 Jan 08 - 11:17 AM (#2233018)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,Steve T.

One of the problems that I have is that my Vison M reads the files differently to the Creative software. So although in Creative Media Explorer I have 7 albums by AC DC, when I am scrolling through artists on the player itself I have three albums by AC DC, 3 by AC/DC and 1 by ACDC. Windows Media Player 11 does read them the same as the player, but I can't edit the name in that software either. So I just deleted them from the player and reinstalled them having checked that they were all the same in WMP 11 and ended up with three folders again, this time AC DC, AC/DC and simpl AC. I've given up now and will simply re-rip the albums when I get home on the same software and make sure that the tags are the same.

Steve.


10 Jan 08 - 11:24 AM (#2233022)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,Elfcall

Steve T

Why not try some Tag editing software - I use mine regularly - I am not at home so cannot give you a name straight away but I am sure there are plenty around. Try download.com

Elfcall


10 Jan 08 - 11:38 AM (#2233025)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Bernard

You don't need tag editing software - just use Windoze Explorer, and right click on the file you want to edit, select properties, summary, and advanced (in that order - there is another 'advanced' button in the 'General' tab!), and you can edit the tags there very easily. If you want to edit the album, artiste, date etc. on a group of files, hold Ctrl and left click each file you want to include, then right click on the selection.

You'll find you can name the tune differently from the filename, and you can also edit the track number and other useful things.

I have a Creative Zen and a Nomad II, and that's all I've ever needed to do.


10 Jan 08 - 11:48 AM (#2233030)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stu

Crikey, all this seems very complicated, but then that's PC's for you. I'll be sticking to my Mac.

My new iPod touch is so easy to use - everything is done via iTunes and I am currently loading it with music and videos, plus a load of photos. Ace!


25 Mar 08 - 04:30 AM (#2297052)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,fateaxis

ive just got a question with the zen, the track name it displays with some of my chinese or japanese songs are just random squares and boxes whereas most of them actually show up correctly. Is there a way where I can change the display of the tracks?

For example

The track for : Elevator by Timbaland ft Flo Rida

shows up as

FloRidaPROMOexclusive-TIMBALAND-elevator.mp3

thats really annoying

can anyone help????


25 Mar 08 - 12:26 PM (#2297323)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Bernard

The only way is to change the tag information to read as you'd like them to do (as mentioned above). In a Windoze folder you simply right click on the file you want to edit, select properties, summary, and advanced, and from there it should be obvious.

Changing the filename of the track is not the same as changing the title, and I find it handy to put the track number at the beginning of the filename so they play in the correct order on some of the more basic players.

Everyone has their own pet way of doing things, so it's no wonder the MP3 player manufacturers don't appear to have got it right!! You can please some of the people... etc...


25 Mar 08 - 02:26 PM (#2297415)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,Jonny Sunshine

I had fun and games working out how to get tracks in right order on my Creative Zen V Plus.. It works best to name the files beginning with track number (eg 01 First Song), leave the track number out of the title (otherwise you can't search titles alphabetically), and most crucially make sure the "track number" tag is correct.

"MediaSource Organizer" on the CD of bundled software that came with the player can edit the tags of files on the player. Other than that I only use the Explorer programme which appears to be necessary for drag'n'drop transfer of files.

Eventually I'll try and get it to work with Amarok & Linux on my home PC.


18 Apr 08 - 09:32 AM (#2319231)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,Tara

Hey

You probably don't check this any more... since this was from Christmas... however.... If you use Microsoft Media Player you can arrange who all of the artists are and you can manipulate the songs however you want.

This will make the music on you computer format the same way, which in the ZEN surprisingly makes it much easier and you have the option to have the CD art as well... I would definitly recomend doing it that way...


18 Apr 08 - 11:21 AM (#2319321)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Darowyn

And just in case you want to use your Zen with a Mac, there is a free download called XNJB that allows you to do that- and organise files, and transfer files to and from iTunes. But it won't play protected AAC files.
Cheers
Dave


20 Jul 08 - 03:15 AM (#2393306)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,notsage

i want to move bookmarks to a position under playlists. Is there a good place to find these basic things explained? thanks


01 Jan 09 - 06:35 PM (#2529304)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST

HELP please!

When I am using the creative audio cd ripper of my zenM, the inside display information is in chinese. How can I change it to english?


05 Jan 09 - 01:09 PM (#2532162)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,kristine

how do i download photos to my daughter's new Zen? I am so stumped!!
PLEASE HELP!!!


06 Jan 09 - 12:36 PM (#2533032)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

Does it have a picture menu to navigate? I'm learning a new (very inexpensive) MP3 player myself, and my answer was to hand it to my 16-year-old son. He flicked through a few screens and set it up (in my case, I wanted the battery to last and the screen display was staying on).

If there are photos to navigate there are probably screens where you can choose the language. After watching him set that one thing it has been a process of trial and error. I still can't get more than one radio station to stay programmed in at a time.

Oh--to download photos into it--plug it into the computer and a (in Windows) dialog screen should pop up asking how you want to open it. Use the "open folder to view files" setting, and then drag your photos into the appropriate folder. I haven't found a way to set any of these things through the computer, only through the device setup screen.

Good luck!

SRS


06 Jan 09 - 06:12 PM (#2533507)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Bernard

It's easy - you just plug it in and the application should pop up. Then you simply drag and drop from the folder on the computer to the folder on the Zen.

I haven't tried it, but I'm guessing Picasa probably has a way of doing it, too - it seems to have a way of doing most things with photos!!

If you're a technophobe then maybe you should find a tame 'clever sod' to show you what to do - maybe your daughter!!


21 Jan 09 - 05:59 PM (#2545450)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,jamawo

I recently tried to erase files and download new ones. sometime time during this process i disconected the Zen from the computer and now the Zen jis stuck in shutting down mode. Please help.


21 Jan 09 - 06:10 PM (#2545466)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

Did you check to see if the "hold" button is in the "hold" position? Did you try replugging it in again?

This weekend I found a SanDisk Sansa Fuze on sale only a few dollars more than the really cheap one mentioned above. I took the really cheap one back and am having a much easier time setting and navigating the new one. (On sale this week at Office Depot in the U.S.)

SRS


21 Jan 09 - 06:17 PM (#2545476)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Liz the Squeak

I discovered today whilst ironing, that Manitas's Creative Zen MP3 player had been through the washing machine, where I'd forgotten it was in my pocket last week.

Guess what...











It still works! And so do the headphones! I had to change the battery but I'm not entirely sure I didn't have to do that anyway... but it's fine, and despite being nearly ironed, it's working as well as it ever did.

Shame the back won't stay on it though, but that's an old problem.

LTS


21 Jan 09 - 06:24 PM (#2545483)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

maybe if you'd iron it, the back would stick. :)


22 Jan 09 - 04:16 AM (#2545809)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Darowyn

There is a tiny hole in the edge of the Zen.
This is not a mystic Koan leading to satori, it's how you reset a crashed device, using a straightened paper clip.
Cheers
Dave


22 Jan 09 - 06:29 AM (#2545883)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work

Sssh... Manitas doesn't know it got washed yet... even though it was him put it in the machine! When I do laundry, I check ALL the pockets!

LTS


22 Jan 09 - 06:44 AM (#2545893)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: manitas_at_work

When I put stuff in the washing basket I empty pockets first. You want to do your own washing?


22 Jan 09 - 05:08 PM (#2546424)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Liz the Squeak

Want to sit on the doorstep next time you forget your keys?

LTS


23 Jan 09 - 01:42 PM (#2547184)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Liz the Squeak

I believe that round goes to me!

LTS


23 Jan 09 - 04:59 PM (#2547334)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

Only if you find the bed isn't short-sheeted when you try to retire for the evening.   

My son leaves picks in his pockets every so often and I usually find them in the bottom of the machine. You know that funny little "watch pocket" in jeans? He cleverly calls it his "pick pocket." :)

SRS


30 Jan 09 - 12:28 PM (#2553012)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

What kind of video can you watch on these devices that say they allow you to watch videos? Where do you get them or convert them?

SRS


20 Feb 09 - 03:17 AM (#2571551)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,BILLROBB

i inserted a memory card so as to add to the original memory of my ZEN. I can easily put podcasts on my ZEN from Juice Podcast receiver and Windows Media Player but I don't know how to add podcasts using the memory card. HELP


20 Feb 09 - 10:01 AM (#2571737)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

I have the additional memory card in place, but haven't used it yet. When I open the Windows Media Player it sees that the card is there. Why not try dragging files onto it via WMP and see what happens? (This is the old "trial and error" method, coupled with the assurance "it won't explode if you try it.")

Someone told me about the YouTube download software out there--and it seems there is quite a battle raging. Apparently one of the more popular download programs has been effectively disabled by YouTube (aka Google). I don't use this software, I've just been reading about it. It seems the downloads may be a revenue stream for Google, if they can knock out all of the other downloaders.

SRS


20 Feb 09 - 09:05 PM (#2572229)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,BILLROBB

help me find the WMP acknowledgment of the memory card. I don't see it. thanks


20 Feb 09 - 10:00 PM (#2572253)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

I am not sure how to tell you to look for it, except that when you plug your device into your computer, and log onto Windows Media Player, it should see both.

Try removing and re-seating the card in the media player. Maybe it needs a little adjustment.

SRS


22 Feb 09 - 08:54 PM (#2573387)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: GUEST,BILLROBB

how do you delete podcasts on the memory card?


22 Feb 09 - 09:56 PM (#2573423)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

When you delete a file you're essentially telling the device with the card or memory that it can write over the space previously occupied by that file. So you can go in with Windows Media Player and tell it to delete that file and it will go away--that space will be available to be written over.

If you can't use WMP, the device itself has a file system you should be able to access and tell it the same thing--to delete that file.

Have you managed to locate the memory card via computer or menu?

SRS


22 Feb 09 - 10:42 PM (#2573440)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Malcolm Douglas

Creative's own 'Media Explorer' has limited functions. For deleting files on an ancillary memory card you will find Windows Explorer more useful. Both the player and the card should be recognised by Windows as storage devices; if they are not, then you have probably done something wrong.

You need to describe your problem(s) a little more clearly if you want help.

What OS you are using? What model of Zen is it? What make and capacity is the memory card? Have you checked to make sure that your card is compatible with the player? Is it correctly formatted? Does Windows Explorer 'see' the card? Does Zen's own 'Media Explorer' see it? Can you access the card via the player's own menu?

If you haven't already done so, look at the support pages for whichever model you have:  http://support.creative.com/Products/Products.aspx?catid=213. If that doesn't answer your questions, by all means come back and ask again with some relevant details. Probably somebody will be able to help you, but do bear in mind that this isn't really a tech support forum.


22 Feb 09 - 11:22 PM (#2573453)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

To find Windows Explorer, if you don't routinely use it, go to the Start button, then All Programs -> Accessories to find it. It's a tree type file management. I've just been taking a guess at this device, so thanks Malcolm for offering more authoritative advice. :)

SRS


26 Aug 11 - 11:12 AM (#3213023)
Subject: RE: Tech: Creative Zen mp3 player user queries
From: Stilly River Sage

Years have passed and I'm using a Sony Walkman now. Sounds great and is easy to navigate. I still sometimes have to poke around the menu to find all of the disks in any given recorded book I've stored in there.

We drove to Tucson last week and my son hasn't had an mp3 player for a while. He uses them up, and we haven't replaced the last one. He had a small SD disk with music and I found a $9 DP Video universal car music player with FM Transmitter, model DF59, that plugs into the truck lighter outlet and it has a digital setting that takes a USB device, an SD/MMC card, or a mini plug input jack. Before we left for our drive he took the music on his little SD card and moved it onto several flash drives since this device doesn't easily find all files on huge drives. The multiple flash drives worked great. This is for people with older vehicles that don't have docking ports for their iPod, etc. http://dpaudiovideo.com/

SRS