MetalMike Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Ok, so summer has finally arrived and I'm tired of my old Phillips portable CD player. I need an MP3 player, however I'm not about to spend money on an Apple product. I just can't do it. After much debate I'm quite sold on the Creative Zen Micro 4gb version. I don't need an insane amount of space, as I will just be using it while running, biking and taking short trips out of town. The number one question I have prior to hitting the "ADD TO CART" button in my order process is, how does it interface with a computer? I need a definitive answer as to how I transfer my files to the Zen Micro. Ideally I want a removable disk type interface; otherwise I flat out won't buy it. I've seen and heard both sides: some say it works like a removable disk, others say you have to use their supplied software and then I keep hearing about the updated firmware. HELP! I want to make a decision but need these answers. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/ Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypoxiaicon Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 There is 2 Types of Firmware. Play for Sure (Syncs with WMP10 etc) and use Windows Explorer to Copy & Paste / Drag & Drop MP3's (It needs NO DRIVERS.) Or you can use the normal firmware which requires the basic Driver to be installed and then you can use Creative software (Pretty good and fast) or Use Windows Explorer. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585804448 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMike Posted April 20, 2005 Author Share Posted April 20, 2005 If I just install the base driver I can just drag and drop songs from an explorer dialogue onto the player like a removable disk is what you're saying? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585804466 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypoxiaicon Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 (edited) If I just install the base driver I can just drag and drop songs from an explorer dialogue onto the player like a removable disk is what you're saying? 585804466[/snapback] Yes. If you dont want to have to install the basic driver at all, you need to install the 'Play For Sure' Firmware. (I believe they ship without the Play For Sure Firmware so you would have to install the basic driver Intially) I own one and I do use the Creative Software. But, I can & have once or twice just used Windows Explorer to copy some files over. Also, there is a setting on the Zen Micro to actually set a certain amount of space as a Removal Device. Edited April 20, 2005 by Hypoxiaicon Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585804484 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMike Posted April 20, 2005 Author Share Posted April 20, 2005 Thank you so much Hypoxiaicon for a solid answer. I've been getting dicked around on every forum I've tried so far. I just hate Creative software/drivers, I've always had horrible luck with them and their support is shameful but the Zen Micro is everything I need in a player. Knowing now I have some options for transferring music allows me to go ahead with my purchase. Thanks again. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585804503 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hypoxiaicon Posted April 20, 2005 Share Posted April 20, 2005 Thank you so much Hypoxiaicon for a solid answer. I've been getting dicked around on every forum I've tried so far. I just hate Creative software/drivers, I've always had horrible luck with them and their support is shameful but the Zen Micro is everything I need in a player. Knowing now I have some options for transferring music allows me to go ahead with my purchase. Thanks again. 585804503[/snapback] No problem, here to help. What colour you going to get? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585804527 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMike Posted April 20, 2005 Author Share Posted April 20, 2005 Black or silver. I'm in Canada and no online retailer seems to have a cahce of them, so I'm ordering and crossing my fingers. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585804540 Share on other sites More sharing options...
Didzi Posted April 22, 2005 Share Posted April 22, 2005 I have just purchased the silver model yesterday and its the best gadget i have bought in a long time, there are just so many nice features that come as standard. In my eyes this player is much better than the ipod and even looks better. The only small problem , if i can even call it a problem is that the up/down centre menu system button seems to move too fast even when i scrool up/down slowly. I have been into the settings and chnaged the sensitivity to low , but still seems fast. I think after i have used it a bit more it should start to feel more smoothly. This is probably the best player for the proce range and even puts shame on more expensive brands Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585812002 Share on other sites More sharing options...
OPaul Posted April 23, 2005 Share Posted April 23, 2005 The only small problem , if i can even call it a problem is that the up/down centre menu system button seems to move too fast even when i scrool up/down slowly. I have been into the settings and chnaged the sensitivity to low , but still seems fast. I think after i have used it a bit more it should start to feel more smoothly.585812002[/snapback] One of the firmware upgrades addresses the issues with the scrolling. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585815242 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMike Posted April 26, 2005 Author Share Posted April 26, 2005 Well I got it and I'm impressed for sure. Although I can't quite figure out how to transfer my music onto the thing without having to use the crap Creative software. Any help here? Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585830639 Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrototypeX2 Posted April 26, 2005 Share Posted April 26, 2005 Well I got it and I'm impressed for sure. Although I can't quite figure out how to transfer my music onto the thing without having to use the crap Creative software. Any help here? 585830639[/snapback] You can either transfer music by using Creative MediaSource/Zen Micro Explorer or Windows Media Player 10. To use the WMP10 you need to upgrade the firmware to v2. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585830783 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMike Posted April 26, 2005 Author Share Posted April 26, 2005 Ahhh crap. Ok, is WMP10 any good? I've heard some really negative things about it. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585830795 Share on other sites More sharing options...
kak Posted April 26, 2005 Share Posted April 26, 2005 Whats so hard about using The Zen Micro Explorer software? Its extremely straight forward and easy to use. Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585830810 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMike Posted April 26, 2005 Author Share Posted April 26, 2005 I hate Creative software; it?s always total garbage and bug ridden. Their hardware is wonderful but the software side has burned me many times before. I may just bite the bullet and install the bloody thing.:crazy:y: Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585830930 Share on other sites More sharing options...
nX07 Posted April 26, 2005 Share Posted April 26, 2005 I have the standard firmware and it syncs to WMP fine? :s Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585834294 Share on other sites More sharing options...
MetalMike Posted April 27, 2005 Author Share Posted April 27, 2005 I just took the plunge and installed the Creative Media Explorer. It's all right, haven't discovered any bugs yet - which is quite surprising all things considered. :) Link to comment https://www.neowin.net/forum/topic/311031-creative-zen-micro-sw-interface/#findComment-585835165 Share on other sites More sharing options...
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