Zen output resolution to TV?

[geowharton]

I have a video Ipod g5 30GB. The output to TV is excellent when encoded properly. In 640x480, on a 27 inch TV, the video is nearly as good as the original DVD.

I would like to use Divx or Xvid instead of .mp4. So will get a Zen vision W maybe.
So, I want to know if the video will look just as good.

Does anyone know the output to TV resolution of the Zen W? I have searched the Creative Labs site and cannot find any specifications of what the Zen will actually accept or output. I see it will play Divx, but what are the limits? What is the output to TV like.

Any other recommendations?

[steveryan]

I have the Vision:m and that will output to tv at 640x480. I've had major sync problems when playing Divx/Xvid files this way though, i'd definitely try the Vision:w before you buy one.

[geowharton]

Did the files play O.K. on your computer or other Divx player?

[crash447]

Just out of curiosity why would you want XVID/DIVX? I did just the opposite and went from a Zen Vision M to a 30gb Ipod because in my opinion H264 is far superior to XVID/DIVX.

[steveryan]

Did the files play O.K. on your computer or other Divx player?

They played fine on the pc, standalone player and through the Vision:m's headphone socket.

[geowharton]

Crash,

Convenienc, less loss, not saving two discs of the same movie.
I have a set-top Divx player and have saved a bunch of movies in Divx format. My set-top does not play .mp4s. I think it will be convenient to just load the movie from the CD Ive saved instead of re-encoding.

Have you found better quality from the .mp4?
I'm having a hard time finding which set-tops will play .mp4.
Does your set-top play .mp4?

[wasabiboys]

I have a Creative Zen Vision W. Dvds rip and Tv shows in HD look amazing. Output to the TV is fine. Looks sharp and clear.

Syncing problems depend on each individual file. I only once have had a sinking problem with an old kung fu movie. Thats it.

Im very happy with my PVP and would recommend it highly!

[crash447]

[quote="geowharton"]Have you found better quality from the .mp4?
I'm having a hard time finding which set-tops will play .mp4.
Does your set-top play .mp4?[quote]

Yes, in my opinion a .mp4 if encoded with H.264 is significantly better than XVID/DIVX. After a few months of using H.264 encoded .mp4 files I have absolutely no desire to go back.

I also am having a hard time finding set-tops that play .mp4, but I have an HTPC in my living room so it is really not a problem for me at all. That way I can play XVID/DIVX/MP4/MKV, etc. Also after having an HTPC for about six months I would never want to go back on it either.

The only problem I really have now is that if I ever want to watch a XVID show in my bed room. If I want to watch a .mp4 I can just use my iPod. I will probably just put an old DIVX set top player in my bed room when I move, but it really isn't an issue for my family because we never really watch TV in the bedroom.

I will agree in my long winded post that the main problem with H.264 is the lack of set top players.

[aktufe]

I have both a Cowon A2 and a vision:M, and they both output great. No syncing problems with xvids/divx, as was mentioned, it depends on the files, not the player. I've pretty much replaced my dvd player with this. Works great with widescreen as well.

Unless you have some good Hdtv, I doubt you'll notice the difference between h264 and xvids. On a computer monitor yes, but hardly on a regular tv.

[Scarpad]

I also Have both an A2 and Zen M, great combonation if you ask me I use the M for TV Shows/Music and the A2 for Movies and TV shows. The Zen M output looks fine at 640x480. It can accept higher and I've encoded some widescreen movies to 720x404 and they look almosts as good as the DVD. It all comes down to the encode and the tools you use.

[ejai]

I have a ZEN M and I also had problems with sync issues when playing Divx movies. The quality was outstanding yet the out-of-sync issue happens intermittently, there would be a slight lag and then the audio would catch up again. Other than that I must admit I love the sharpness of the video.