Hows the Zen Vision M for podcording?

[Miraploy]

Any body got any comments on the Zen Vision M? Or perhaps any of the Zen line MP3 players. They have a recording function, is it usable? How does it stack up against the iRivers? Thanks.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

I have a Zen Nano Plus and it is useless for recording. It has line-in capabilities but no ext mic setting (i.e. no plug-in-power for an external mic) so you are left with the internal mic which sucks big time and only records at 32kbps in mono. Even if you use the line-in the highest bitrate setting is 160 kbps in stereo.

The iRiver 7xx or 8xx series is better built, has longer battery life, gives you plug-in-power for electret condenser mics, comes with more user adjustable setting than you can shake a stick at, records at a higher quality bitrate and is just a better all-around machine. Only problem is they have been discontinued. The new iRiver T-xx series doesn't have the same capabilities. Pick one of the older iRivers up before they are all gone. I did. I got a 799 (1Gb) for about $100 on ebay.

[Miraploy]

Oh ok, :cry: Thanks for the heads up. Good thing I didn't buy one yet.

[NaughtiusMaximus]

No problem. I don't know about the Vision M, but the Nano is a comparable product to the iRivers and the iRiver wins hands down.