Creative Labs NOMAD 60 GB Jukebox Zen USB 2.0 MP3 Player

by Creative

Product Details

• Item Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B0000CG4M0
• Item model number: 70PD033000000
• Average Customer Review: 2.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

The Creative NOMAD Jukebox Zen USB 2.0 offers the same powerful features and flexibility found in a large capacity MP3 player, but now delivered in a smaller, sleeker package! Use the fast 10x transfer rate anywhere via USB plug-in. Load your entire music collection and data files in a flash onto the stylish Zen, pop it into your pocket or bag, and then share information easily between computers.

Featuring the familiar powerful menu system available in all Creative Jukebox products, the NOMAD Jukebox Zen USB 2.0 lets you easily move through your music collection, select songs and edit playlists absolutely anywhere. Only Creative Labs offers this speed and versatility with such a compact MP3 player.

Shelve your spacing worries with two capacity choices for the NOMAD Zen. Save a small hard drive for transfer or most of your CD collection with the 20 GB affordable model, or go high-power with the newly launched 60 GB model for all of your storage needs.

The Zen USB 2.0 offers up to 12 hours of continuous playback using the quick-charge battery, and the sleek aluminum body makes carrying your music even more fun. Combine these features and the versatility, and you will discover there could be no easier decision. The NOMAD Jukebox Zen is the best choice for compact, large-capacity MP3 music listening and file transfer.

Looking for USB and Firewire (IEEE 1394) versatility in one package?
Then it's time to try the Zen USB 1.1/1394 20GB on for size. Offering exactly the same storage space and extensive features and functionality as the Zen USB 2.0 60 GB; the Zen USB 1.1/1394 gives you a choice on how you prefer to transfer your files. The Zen USB 1.1/1394 offers 12 hours of continuous playback time, and a 10x transfer rate via Firewire (IEEE 1394) along with USB 1.1 for basic connectivity. Only Creative Labs offers extreme versatility in a sleek, compact package, with your choice of two NOMAD Zen products. Don't go mobile without the NOMAD Jukebox Zen. (Zen USB 1.1/1394 only available in select regions).

Why is the Creative NOMAD Jukebox Zen right for you?
If you have been searching for a compact player with massive MP3/WMA storage, your search is over! Get either 20 GB or 60 GB of music on your NOMAD Jukebox Zen, and then listen to it anywhere. Want to create a playlist on the go? No need to be at your computer any longer! Just select songs, create and save your playlist and you're ready to tune in. Use your Zen to transfer files from your home computer to work or school by using the Zen as a portable hard drive. Talk about compact! Pop the NOMAD Zen in your pocket or bag and you're ready to go. Add the large storage capacity, playlist flexibility, and speedy file transfer into the equation and the only answer can be the NOMAD Jukebox Zen.

Features and Benefits

• Zen 20 GB 2.0 & USB 1.1/1394: Up to 8,000 songs (WMA/80 kbps) or 5,000 songs (MP3/128 kbps) can be saved with this compact player.
• Zen 60 GB 2.0: Up to 16,000 songs (WMA/80 kbps and/or MP3/128 kbps) can be saved with this compact player.
• Sleek, stylish anodized aluminum body fits in your pocket or can be clipped to your belt in the included travel pouch
• Transfer your songs and other files in a flash with USB 2.0. Compatible with USB 1.1 as well for file transfer with any of your PCs anywhere.
• You can charge the NOMAD Jukebox Zen USB2.0 via the USB port too!
• Synchronize your music with AudioSync on your player with your PC at work, school and home or on the road.
• Creative PlayCenter 3 lets you rip CDs, organize and transfer tracks between your player and PC.
• Quickly edit, organize or create playlists either at or away from your PC, the only product that allows this!
• Powerful, simple icon-driven interface with Quick Scroller Navigation

Product Description

The NOMAD Jukebox Zen USB 2.0 offers higher capacity for lower cost, better battery life, and more complete music management than any other pocket-sized jukebox MP3 player. Equipped with USB2.0 data transfer port that is 10X faster than USB 1.1 and 20% faster than FireWire. Backwards compatible with USB 1.1 to work with any PC. Sleek, compact, pocket sized design with stylish anodized aluminum case. 60GB of hard drive capacity stores up to 16,000 WMA at 64kbps or 12,000 MP3s at 128kbps. Synchronize your music with fully customizable AudioSync™ on your player with your PC at work, school and home or on the road. Supports upload and download of your music and data files with any of your PCs. Creative PlayCenter 3 lets you rip CDs, organize and transfer tracks between your player and PC. Supports two-way transfer with multiple PCs. 60GB of hard drive capacity stores over 16,000 WMA at 64kbps or 12,000 MP3s at 128kbps Music files are automatically indexed by title, artist, album and genre. Powerful music management functions and quick Scroller navigation. Create and edit playlists anywhere on the fly. Creative’s unique Find feature locates any song, album or artist in an instant with alphabetical input. Powerful DSP offers up to 98dB signal to noise ratio and amazing audio reproduction. Charges via USB port as well as external power adapter.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Important Zen Information, January 25, 2004

By 

Gadget Guy "i_like_gadets" (Glen Allen, VA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creative Labs NOMAD 60 GB Jukebox Zen USB 2.0 MP3 Player (Electronics)

This player is an overall disappointment with a couple of big flaws that potential buyers should be wary of; and all readers need to know about a third party software company that resolves virtually all of the Creative MediaSource file transfer issues.

Zen Good points:

1. I achieved my basic objective; my entire CD collection is on a portable device with lots of room to store more.

2. Most MP3 players have a gap between the end of one track and the start of the next; it's annoying in music that is intended to be continuous. The Zen has minimal stoppage between tracks; when listening to music that continues from one track to the next the gap is just a hesitation - a slightly audible click; if I am not listening for the progress from one track to the next I don't even notice the click.

Flaws:

1. Creative MediaSource software is OK to rip, catalog & burn music if you are starting from scratch; but I used MusicMatch to rip my CDs before I bought the Zen (272 CDs; 3,350 tracks; 12Gb of music all ripped at 128bps) and guess what? MediaSource did not recognize my tags; my choices at that moment would have been to manually re-tag my music or re-rip using MediaSource. I don't think so. BTW, if you *are* ripping your CDs, MediaSource accesses the CDDB music catalog over the Internet and the few CDs I experimented with all provided good quality [correct & uncluttered] tag information.

2. Despite most reviewers giving kudos to the Zen for music quality, I experienced a flaw using EAX. After about 45 mins of listening there was audible static in the player. When I turned EAX off the static disappeared. When I turned EAX back on the static was also not present. Creative are *the* sound people for computers, I can't understand why EAX would introduce static. Is EAX faulty? Is my unit defective? Was I just unlucky at that moment? Was it a full moon that night? I haven't figured it out yet.

3. MediaSource is an application with serious user interface flaws. Do not underestimate this in your purchase decision. Many reviewers refer to it as "clunky" or "difficult" - heed their warnings.

4. The Zen *stores* data files, but does not allow a folder structure nor does it allow documents to be opened or programs to be launched from its disk (they must be copied to another hard drive to be launched). In other words, the Zen is not a convenient data storage device; only buy the capacity you need for your music collection (see point 2. for some sizing information). My goal of using it as a music player *and* data storage device has not been met; don't make the same mistake.

5. The Zen does not have a Stop button! You can stop playback by pressing 2 buttons, first the Pause button, then the "Next Track" or "Previous Track" button. But this is *not documented* in the Zen manual - neither the hard copy nor the CD version. To discover this I had to read about 10 online reviews (with many complaints about the lack of Stop button) before I found one reviewer who was smart enough to both figure it out & document it.

6. The Zen NX battery requires the AC adapter to recharge; it does not charge by USB cable; this is not tragic, but USB recharging would be a convenient (additional) choice. If you are buying a Zen Xtra check whether the battery recharges via USB; it does not on the Zen NX.

7. MediaSource did not install on my personal notebook. It referred to a "Microsoft Jet Database Engine" error and the install program suggested I download a service pack from the MS website to fix the problem; I did that and re-installed the software but had the same error. Creative provided e-mail support; I followed their advice but that failed, too. I experimented with installing MediaSource on 2 other computers at home and it worked fine. So it is probably "just bad luck" on my part that the personal notebook I own had this install error. However, it did motivate me to find a work-around solution.

Third Party Software To The Rescue

After much frustration (above) I found the Notmad Explorer; cute product name for software that resolves virtually all of the Creative MediaSource FILE TRANSFER & ORGANIZATION problems. I am not associated with the company, I am not providing a URL, but search for NotMad and you should find it pretty easily. This provides drag & drop transfers of music between the computer & Zen; each time it transfers music to the Zen it asks if you want to generate a playlist; it allows playlists developed in other software to be transferred to the Zen (.m3u files are used by most mp3 players like MusicMatch and Winamp, but not Creative); it doesn't care what software you use to rip or catalog your music - Creative or any other company - all my 12Gb of music were transferred to the Zen with correct tags - hooray! Notmad has other features too, but this is not an advertisement so please see the company's web site for more information ...

Conclusion:

If I knew then what I know now I would have paid the extra to get an iPod & avoided the Zen. Given that I already have the Zen the only reason I am happy with it is because of the Notmad software. And I am hoping the static I heard when using EAX was a blip ...

To summarize, I am using the Creative Zen as a mobile device; I am using MusicMatch to rip & catalog (and if I choose, download) music; I am using Notmad Explorer to move music & playlists between the Zen & my computer. The only Creative software I am using is the device driver(s).

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars No more Creative for me, July 5, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Creative Labs NOMAD 60 GB Jukebox Zen USB 2.0 MP3 Player (Electronics)

Had this for 7 months. Kept it in excellent condition but after 7 months it crapped out. I had to pay shipping and deposit $20 with Creative to have them look at it. They told me it was a bad circuit board and it would cost me $125 to fix it. I told them to keep the $300 paperweight. Then 2 weeks later they call and ask me if it is correct that someone (I assume inside Creative) authorized to charge my account to fix it. I told them that if I see any charges on my account I will contact Better Business Bureau. I used to swear by Creative products. Now I just swear AT them.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mine lasted over 2 years, not to mention it held it's value very well., November 13, 2005

By 

Mordy (Ontario Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Creative Labs NOMAD 60 GB Jukebox Zen USB 2.0 MP3 Player (Electronics)

This is a good player if you understand that:

1) It's a hard disk based music player that's not to be roughed around or exposed to temperatures of extreme heat or cold (i.e. winter, and hot humid summer). Anyone who does not understand HARD DISK technology, it's strengths and weaknesses should STAY AWAY from all hard disk based MP3 players. Hard disks are mechanical devices, not solid state!

2) It's not a player you use for heavy exercise (running, etc) or a player to beat up, it's one you use in you car, on the bus, on a plane, taking walks, etc.

3) The player is pretty good provided you don't abuse it. button placement on the zen, while not "intuitive" as the others, you definitely grow to like it more because the interface does not get in the way, you never "accidentally" do something you really didn't intend to do.

4) If you get the attachment named: 'Creative NOMAD FM Wired Remote' Found then this is one awesome MP3 player, you may spend a bit of extra money but that fm remote is better then 99% of the other MP3 players remotes, it has an LCD, mic and everything else.

Pro's: for a player released in 2003, it holds up very well against modern players provided you dont abuse it.

Con's: VERY rarely, the unit will hang and require a reset with a paper clip (to reach the indented reset button), things like this come on modern hardware - i.e. look at your dsl or cable modem, they will most likely have a 'reset to default' or 'reset' switch on them. Note that because all MP3's are not encoded the same way, and since this player was released in 2003, it's not bad. I've only ever had to reset it 2-3 times during the two years I've owned it.