Originally Posted by NodesPoint:
“Does the A2 play all formats and most importantly Avi's so I can watch avi's downloaded to my laptop and xfer them over to the A2 and vice versa?”
AVI isn't a format .... it's a container.
The A2 plays DivX 3/4/5, Xvid, WMV9 and MPEG1 (VCD). I got it to play downloaded video files as it offered about the best CODEC coverage I could find. The vast majority of the stuff I use on it is DivX or Xvid and I'd say it plays about 85%-90% of them without any mucking about.
You will not find a standalone (portable or otherwise) that will play 100% of video files aquired on the internet ..... such a thing doesn't exist. Standalones rely on firmware for compatibility and video formats used online invariably move forward faster than the firmware for any standalones that play internet video. Having said that, firmware updates on the A2 are pretty frequent.
Also, not sure if AC3 sound is supported on the Vision:W ... I don't think so. (it is on the A2)
As for transferring to and from a laptop ... again, on the Vision:W, I'm not sure if it's a true UMS device. The A2 is so I just plug it into any PC I want (assuming W2K or above) and drag and drop with no drivers or software required (in both directions). The Vision:W doesn't seem to support W2K so I suspect it's not a true UMS device so it may, or may not, work the same way through Windows Explorer ... I don't know.
Originally Posted by NodesPoint:
“I have also heard a rumour that the A2 (the PMP) not the road, is not compatable with WMP 10, which is what I tend to use for buring CDs and watching Avi's. If anyone else has experience of the Zen Vision or any other media device that plays Avi's I would love to read your views. Not that bothered about playsing MP3's more for dvd, film and tv.”
What do you mean by compatible? You don't need any software to sync with the A2, just drag and drop (which I prefer .... much less restrictive). It does come bundled with syncing software of some description but I've never installed it.
If you think you're going to find a player that says "If it plays on WMP10, it'll play on this!" ... you're dreaming!
Lastly .... you mentioned playing "dvd, film and TV". If you're not referring to downloaded rips of the 3, then what do you mean???
If you want ANY PMP to play DVD's, you'll need to rip/convert them first. TV .... you can use the A2 as a recording device attached to the TV and records straight onto it (don't think the Vision:W has this feature) and it's OK on the A2 but the Archos AV series is better for recording.
Last edited by sancheeez : 18-10-2006 at 16:51