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Introduction After completing the setup instructions in the Quick Start booklet, take some time to read this User's Guide to learn how to get the most out of your player. Creative ZENTM V is compact but is filled with features normally found on larger players! With line-in encoding, album art, and Audible® audio support, it is no surprise that this value-for-money player outshines even its closest competitors.
Your Player at a Glance Note Product specifications may vary, depending on model purchased. Button/Connector What It Does Power switch Slide the Power switch towards the Power icon to turn your player on and off. 2. Lock Slide the Power switch to the Lock position to disable your player's controls. 3. Microphone Make instant recordings with this built-in microphone. 4. LINE IN jack Connect external stereo sources, such as cassette players, CD players and MiniDisc players, to this jack. 5.
7. Volume Increase button Press to increase the volume. 8. Volume Decrease button Press to decrease the volume. 9. Record button Press this button to start or stop a voice or line-in recording. 10. Play/Pause button Starts, pauses and resumes playback. Back/Options button Press and hold this button to display the Options menu. When scrolling through menu items, press this button to return to the previous menu. 11. 12. 5-way Navigation Joystick 13.
Turning ZEN V On and Off 1. To turn on ZEN V, slide the Power switch towards the Power up. 2. To turn off ZEN V, slide the Power switch towards the Power Shutting down message appears. icon. The OLED display lights icon and hold it there until the 2.
Reactivating the Player's Screen When the screen turns off, press any button on your player to reactivate the screen. For more information about setting the display timer, see Setting the display duration .
Locking ZEN V Locking your player disables all of its controls. Lock your player when you want to prevent buttons from being accidentally pressed. You can lock ZEN V with your player's Power switch. To lock the ZEN V wired remote control (available separately), use the Lock switch on the wired remote control. To lock ZEN V Slide the Power switch towards the Lock icon. The Locked icon appears on the Now Playing screen.
Using the 5-Way Navigation Joystick The 5-way Navigation Joystick is one of the most important features of your player. In this document, we will use the term "Select" to mean that you should push the 5-way Navigation Joystick up or down to browse through options, and then select the option by pressing down the 5-way Navigation Joystick. When playing music, you can do the following: push the joystick left or right to go to the previous or next track.
Main and Options Menus To return to the main menu Press the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once. Select an option. For more information, see Using the 5-Way Navigation Joystick . To access an Options menu In any menu, press and hold the Back/Options button to return to the previous menu or screen. button. Select an option.
Now Playing Screen The Now Playing screen appears when you turn on ZEN V, or when you select Now Playing from the main menu. In this screen, you can: view your player's settings and battery status icons. access the Selected Music screen when you press the 5-way Navigation Joystick. The Selected Music screen displays your list of music tracks preselected for playback. For more information, see Managing the list of selected tracks.
Managing Music, Pictures and Data ZENcast Organizer, Creative Media Explorer and Creative MediaSourceTM Player/Organizer are included with your player. Try out these applications to decide which one is more suitable for your needs. ZENcast Organizer With ZENcast Organizer, you can subscribe to your favorite ZENcast channels, and download and transfer ZENcast media files to your Creative portable media player, such as your ZEN V.
Accessories ZEN V comes with some of the accessories described below. Accessories that are not included with your player are available from your Creative Labs dealer or at our online store at www.creative.com . Earphones Your player's earphones feature dynamic bass response and enhanced audio clarity. Warning! For your safety and the safety of others, do not use your earphones while driving, cycling or during any other activity that requires your full attention.
Earphones Your player's earphones feature dynamic bass response and enhanced audio clarity. Warning! For your safety and the safety of others, do not use your earphones while driving, cycling or during any other activity that requires your full attention.
Pouch Your player's protective pouch keeps ZEN V snug and safe.
Neckstrap With your player's neckstrap, your music collection goes wherever you go. Note The player's neckstrap is available only in selected countries.
Line-in Cable With your player's Line-in cable, you can directly encode or "rip" music to your player, instead of ripping music on your computer first and then transferring it to your player.
Wired Remote Control Your player's wired remote control gives you easy access to basic playback functions. Connect the wired remote control to your player's Headphone jack. Note The player's wired remote control is available separately in selected countries.
About Content Types Your ZEN V is capable of playing different types of content, including audio tracks in the MP3, WAV or WMA formats, and pictures in the JPEG (JPG) format.
Getting Content You can acquire content from many legal sources. Here are some suggestions: Audio tracks - ripped from personal audio CDs and home studio recordings, or purchased from online music stores. Pictures - encoded from digital cameras, webcams or scanned from printed photos. ZENcast content - downloaded from the Internet using ZENcast Organizer.
Transferring Music, Picture and Data Files Transfer music, picture and other files from your CD collection or computer to your player. Before ripping or copying files, make sure your player is connected to your computer as shown below. To transfer or 'rip' music from your CD collection 1. Double-click the ZEN V Media Explorer icon on the desktop. button. 2. Click the Rip Audio CDs 3. Follow the instructions on the screen. 3.
You can also transfer audio files and pictures using the Browse Documents button. They will, however, be treated as data files and cannot be played back or viewed on your player.
Creating and Transferring Playlists With Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer, organizing music tracks into playlists (tracks you have organized into lists) has never been easier. You can create as many playlists as you like and transfer these to ZEN V. You can compile playlists using the drag-and-drop method, or automatically generate playlists based on your preferences using the Smart Playlist feature. Tip For more information about using Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer, refer to its online Help.
Synchronizing Content with Your Computer You can use Sync Manager to update and synchronize music, pictures, contacts, calendar and tasks between ZEN V and your computer. 1. Connect ZEN V to your computer. 2. Start Sync Manager. 3. Select My Computer and ZEN V as the devices you want to synchronize, and then click Next. 4. Follow the instructions on the screen. 5. Click the Finish button. Note To launch Sync Manager in Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer, click Sync Manager.
Disconnecting Your Player When you have finished transferring files, disconnect ZEN V. DO NOT disconnect your player if you see the left picture below on the display. Track or data file transfer is in progress and disconnecting your player may damage the content being transferred. Wait until you see the right picture below on the display before disconnecting your player.
Selecting and playing music tracks You can search for music tracks by album, artist, genre or title. If you have created playlists (tracks you have organized into lists) on ZEN V, or transferred playlists from Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer, you can search for music tracks in playlists as well. Use the steps below to locate and play Audible files and ZENcast content that you have transferred. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2.
Adding a music track to the list of selected tracks button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Music Library and select a music category, such as Albums or Genres. Select All Tracks if you want to search by track title. 3. Select an album, artist, genre or track. button. 4. Press and hold the Back/Options 5. Select Add to Selected. Note For more information about creating playlists on ZEN V, see Managing the list of selected tracks.
Searching for tracks by the same artist If you like the artist of the song you are playing now, you can do a quick search for other titles by the same person. button. 1. During playback, press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Now Playing. 2. The Now Playing screen appears. button. 3. Press and hold the Back/Options 4. Select Lookup Artist to display albums or tracks from the same artist.
Selecting tracks with your player's DJ Instead of selecting tracks yourself, you can let your player's DJ pick out tracks for you. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Music Library DJ and select one of the following options from the menu: o Album of the Day o Let your player's DJ play an album of music tracks. o Random Play All o Let your player's DJ randomly play all tracks, including your recorded tracks.
Managing the list of selected tracks Tracks you have selected for playback can be viewed and managed in the Selected Music screen. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Now Playing. 2. The Now Playing screen appears. button. 3. Press and hold the Back/Options 4. Select one of the following playlist management options from the menu: o Remove... Remove Track o Removes the current track from the list. o Remove...
Shuffling and repeating the list of selected tracks You can shuffle or repeat your list of selected tracks by selecting a different play mode. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Play Mode. 3. Select one of the following items in the Play Mode screen: o Normal o Plays your selected tracks in sequential order. o Repeat Track appears on the Now Playing o Repeats the current track. When you select this play mode, screen.
Searching within a track You can search for a particular point within a track and start playing from there. For example, if you want to start playback one minute into a music track, you can pinpoint or seek to the one minute position and then play from there. button and select Seek To. 1. In the Now Playing screen, press and hold the Back/Options 2. Push the 5-way Navigation Joystick right or left to scroll to any point within the current track. 3.
Using bookmarks You can insert bookmarks during playback. A bookmark helps you mark a point within a track, so you can return to it at a later time. For example, if you are listening to your recording of an interview, insert a bookmark if you need to stop halfway through. When you want to continue listening from where you left off, go to this bookmark. You can use up to 10 bookmarks at any one time. To insert a bookmark button and select Set 1.
Playing Audible Files After downloading Audible audio to your player, search for Audible files by album, artist, genre or title. See Selecting and playing music tracks . Skipping sections within a track 1. In the Now Playing screen, press the 5-way Navigation Joystick. 2. Push the 5-way Navigation Joystick right or left to skip sections within the track. 3. To go back to the Now Playing screen, push the 5-way Navigation Joystick twice.
Skipping sections within a track 1. In the Now Playing screen, press the 5-way Navigation Joystick. 2. Push the 5-way Navigation Joystick right or left to skip sections within the track. 3. To go back to the Now Playing screen, push the 5-way Navigation Joystick twice. Note You can insert bookmarks and search within a section in Audible files.
Playing ZENcast Content After transferring ZENcast content to your player, search for ZENcast content by album, artist, genre or title. See Selecting and playing music tracks .
Viewing and Managing Pictures With your player's high-capacity storage, you can store thousands of pictures in your player, and even set up a slideshow, so that you can share memories with friends and family. Your player only displays pictures that are in the JPEG (JPG) format. Use your computer to sort pictures by date or alphabetically for quicker searches. You can also view album art seen in Windows Media Player.
Viewing album art in full screen Press the 5-way Navigation Joystick in the Now Playing screen. Note If available with a music track, album art will be displayed on your player.
Viewing pictures button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Photos, and select the picture you want to view. To view the picture in full screen, press the 5-way Navigation Joystick. button to select display and wallpaper options. 3. Press and hold the Back/Options 3. If you select Zoom In, use the 5-way Navigation Joystick to move your picture up, down, left or right. 4.
Viewing pictures in a slideshow 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Press the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. Select Photos and highlight the picture or folder that you want. Press the Play/Pause button to start a slideshow. To stop the slideshow, press the Back/Options button. To change the slideshow interval duration, select System Photo Settings Slide Timer.
Deleting a picture or folder 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Press the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. Select Photos, and select the picture or folder that you want to delete. Press and hold the Back/Options button. Select Delete Picture or Delete Folder. Select Yes.
Setting a picture as wallpaper 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Press and hold the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. Select Photos, and select the picture that you want. Press and hold the Back/Options button. Select Set as wallpaper. Select a wallpaper brightness or color.
Recording with the built-in microphone button to exit this mode first. 1. If you are in Line-In Recording mode, press the Back/Options button to start or stop a voice recording. 2. Press the Record button and select one of the 3. While recording, you can press and hold the Back/Options following options: o Pause o Pauses the recording. You can also pause the recording by pressing the Play/Pause button. o Stop o Stops and saves the recording. You can also stop the recording by pressing the Record button.
Encoding using the LINE IN jack You can directly encode or "rip" music to your player, instead of ripping music on your computer first and then transferring it to your player. 1. Connect the LINE IN jack on your player to the line output of an external stereo source, such as a CD or MiniDisc player, using the supplied Line-in cable. 1. 2. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Press the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. Select Extras Line-in Recording.
permission of the copyright holder(s).
Synchronizing encoding If you are encoding songs from a CD or MiniDisc, enable Sync Track ("SYNC") so that your player will properly encode the songs from your source as separate tracks. Your player will automatically stop when the last song is played. Sync Track is enabled by default. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Extras Line-in Recording. button and select Sync Track. 3. Press and hold the Back/Options 4.
Adjusting sound quality of the encoding You can adjust the sound quality of encoded tracks by changing the encoding bitrate. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Extras Line-in Recording. button and select Rec. Bitrate. 3. Press and hold the Back/Options 4. Select the bitrate you want. Note Note that higher bitrates offer better sound quality but take up more storage space.
Playing recorded or encoded tracks button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Music Library Recordings, and scroll to the recorded or encoded track you want to play. button. 3.
Deleting Tracks button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Music Library and select a music category, such as Albums or Genres. Select All Tracks if you want to search by track title. 3. Continue searching with the 5-way Navigation Joystick until you find the track or category of tracks that you want to delete. button and select Delete Playlist, Delete Album, Delete 4.
Viewing Track Information To view detailed information about a track, such as its duration, scroll to the track, press and hold the Back/Options button, and select View Details.
Viewing Player Information You can view player information, such as disk space and the total number of tracks, in the Information screen. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select System Information.
Storing Media and Data Files in ZEN V You can use ZEN V to store music, pictures and data files, or to transfer files from one computer to another. Use Creative Media Explorer if you need to transfer data files between ZEN V and your computer. Creative Media Explorer offers you the ease of managing data files (as well as music and pictures) in ZEN V, in a Windows Explorer environment. Creative Media Explorer is automatically installed when you set up the ZEN V software on your computer.
Using Your ZEN V as a Removable Disk 1. 1. 2. 2. Press the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. Select Extras Removable Disk. When you select this menu item for the first time, you must select the amount of disk space you want to use for the Removable Disk mode. button, and select the capacity that you want. o Press and hold the Back/Options 3.
Creative Media Explorer. Similarly, data files transferred to ZEN V using Creative Media Explorer cannot be viewed or managed in Removable Disk mode.
Changing the Amount of Disk Space in Removable Disk Mode You can change the amount of disk space in Removable Disk mode at any time. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Extras Removable Disk. button, select Set Capacity, and select the capacity that 3. Press and hold the Back/Options you want. 3.
Stopping ZEN V Properly To prevent data loss, ensure that: you have stopped ZEN V properly in Windows before unplugging it from the USB port on your computer (refer to the steps for your respective operating system). you do not unplug ZEN V from the USB port on your computer when transferring files to or from the device, or when files stored in ZEN V are in use. Caution! Only disconnect ZEN V after the Do not Disconnect message disappears from the OLED display.
Using Your Player's Organizer Features ZEN V stores your contacts, calendar events and tasks from Microsoft Outlook® . Read on to learn how to use these organizer features. If you do not have Microsoft Outlook installed, you can use the Personal Information Manager (PIM) editor in Creative Media Explorer to edit your calendar, "to do" tasks and contact information. In Creative Media Explorer, click the Manage Organizer Data button.
Synchronizing with Microsoft Outlook 1. Connect ZEN V to your computer. 2. Start Sync Manager. 2. You can start Sync Manager from Creative Media Explorer or Creative MediaSource Player/Organizer. 3. Select My Computer and ZEN V as the devices you want to synchronize, and then click Sync Now. 4. Select the information you want to import from Microsoft Outlook, and then click the Next button. 5. Follow the instructions on the screen. 6. Click the Finish button.
Viewing the Calendar 1. 1. 2. 3. Press the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. Select Extras Organizer Calendar. Push the 5-way Navigation Joystick right or left to scroll through the various months, and up and down to scroll through the days in a month. 4. Press the 5-way Navigation Joystick to view the events and task list in a day.
Viewing Today's Tasks button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Extras Organizer Tasks.
Viewing Contacts 1. 1. 2. 3. Press the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. Select Extras Organizer Contacts. Select a name in your contact list to view details about the contact.
Changing Audio Settings Using equalizer (EQ) EQ is the player's collection of equalizer settings, which you can use to enhance your music. You can select preset equalizer or customized settings to suit the genre or style of your music, or customize your own setting. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select System Audio Settings EQ. 3. Select one of the EQ menu items. appears on the Now Playing screen. 3.
Using equalizer (EQ) EQ is the player's collection of equalizer settings, which you can use to enhance your music. You can select preset equalizer or customized settings to suit the genre or style of your music, or customize your own setting. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select System Audio Settings EQ. 3. Select one of the EQ menu items. appears on the Now Playing screen. 3.
Enabling Smart Volume You can limit the volume range of playback with Smart Volume. When enabled, Smart Volume sets playback at a constant volume, so you do not have to continually adjust the volume when you play back different tracks. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select System Audio Settings Smart Volume.
Enabling Bass Boost Enabling the bass boost feature enhances the bass in your audio during playback. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select System Audio Settings Bass Boost.
Changing Player Settings Setting the date and time button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Extras Date & Time. The current date and time are displayed. button. 3. Press and hold the Back/Options 4. Select Set Time or Set Date to change the time or date settings. 5. Select Date Separator, Date Format and Time Format to adjust how the date and time are displayed. 6. Select the options you want.
Setting the date and time button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select Extras Date & Time. The current date and time are displayed. button. 3. Press and hold the Back/Options 4. Select Set Time or Set Date to change the time or date settings. 5. Select Date Separator, Date Format and Time Format to adjust how the date and time are displayed. 6. Select the options you want.
Setting the alarm 1. 1. 2. 3. 4. Press the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. Select Extras Date & Time. The current date and time are displayed. Press and hold the Back/Options button and select Set Alarm to adjust alarm settings. Select the setting you want, and use the 5-way Navigation Joystick to make the changes.
Changing the theme You can change your player's display color by selecting a different theme. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select System Player Settings Theme. The current theme is displayed. 3. Select the theme that you want.
Personalizing ZEN V with your name 1. 1. 2. 3. Press the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. Select System Player Settings Owner. Use the 5-way Navigation Joystick to spell out your name using the characters in the list box that appears, and then select Ok.
Setting the display duration 1. 1. 2. 3. Press the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. Select System Player Settings Display Timer. Select the setting that you want before your player's screen turns off.
Setting the display contrast 1. 1. 2. 3. Press the Back/Options button. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. Select System Player Settings Contrast. Select the setting that you want.
Setting the Idle Sleep time You can specify how long ZEN V remains inactive before it automatically shuts down. This feature helps you conserve battery power. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select System Player Settings Idle Sleep. 3. Select the setting that you want.
Enabling the snooze timer You can specify a period of time before ZEN V automatically turns off. This feature helps you conserve battery power. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select System Player Settings Snooze Timer. 3. Select the setting that you want.
Changing the Menu Language button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select System Language, and select the language that you want.
Resetting ZEN V You can reset ZEN V to its original settings. button. 1. Press the Back/Options 1. You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 2. Select System Reset Settings.
Adding and Removing Main Menu Items You can personalize the main menu by adding and removing menu items. For example, if you usually search for songs by album, you can add Albums to the main menu so you can access the Albums screen more easily. button. 1. Press the Back/Options You may need to do this more than once until the main menu appears. 1. button and select Configure Menu. 2. Press and hold the Back/Options 3. To add menu items, select the check boxes. 4.
Frequently Asked Questions This section covers questions you might have while using your player. For further assistance, you may wish to consult our self-help tool "Knowledge Base". Go to www.creative.com, select your region and then select Support. For the latest firmware updates to improve the player's functionality, go to www.creative.com, select your region and then select Support Downloads.
Your computer is not actively managing your player. To use your player, disconnect it from your computer. You are upgrading your player's firmware. The firmware upgrade is complete. Reset your player for the new firmware to take effect. For more information, see How do I reset ZEN V when it does not respond? . There was an unexpected power loss during audio file transfer. Use your player only after this library rebuilding is completed. Your player is updating its tracks.
Your battery may need to be recharged. Connect ZEN V to your computer's USB port with the supplied USB cable. If all else fails, reset your player. See the FAQ above. My ZEN V wired remote control (available separately) is not working. What do I do? position. Make sure the wired remote control's Lock switch is not in the Lock Make sure the wired remote control is properly connected to ZEN V, and the earphones are properly connected to the wired remote control.
Safety Information Refer to the following information to use your player safely, and to reduce the chance of electric shock, short-circuiting, damage, fire, hearing impairment or other hazards. Note Improper handling may void the warranty of your player. For more information, read the Warranty available with your product. o Do not dismantle or attempt to repair your player, battery or power adapter. o Refer all servicing to Creative or authorized repair agents.
General Specifications Size (WxHxD) 43.5 mm (1 7/10") x 67.5 mm (2 7/10") x 15.9 mm (3/5") Weight (approximate) 43.
License and Copyright Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of Creative Technology Ltd. No part of this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, for any purpose without the written permission of Creative Technology Ltd.