Software usage and conclusion
We've had a look at the hardware side of matters and concluded that it's an attractive proposition. However, the conduit between the NX and your computer, namely the software, is just as much an integral part of the package. Creative advises that you load up on the software before inserting the MuVo NX into a USB slot. Creative's MediaSource Organiser and Player were bundled in, as well as an initialiser for the NX.
A straightforward task of selecting whichever software you'd like. We'd recommend installing both the MediaSource and MuVo NX software.
Once the software is installed, simply plug the MuVo NX in and the OS should install the device correctly. The picture on the left shows the NX in factory state. It includes a small Creative track that can be deleted without causing problems. Windows XP identified the NX as a removable drive with 121MB of available storage.
Click to enlarge
MediaSource Organiser is a robust piece of software that allows you to 'rip' your CD collection to either MP3 (24 - 320kb/s), WMA or WAV formats. You can also cross-reference the tracks against the CDDB database in order to obtain track names. Transfers to the MuVo NX are easy to carry out, too. Further, the software allows the user to initialise (format) the NX's memory in just a few seconds. It's important to note that Windows' formatting utility must not be used. MediaSource also contains a SmartFit feature that maximises the storage potential of the player. Various songs' sound can be equalised through the use of a smart volume management feature and EAX sound effects can be added for a more personal feel. An accompanying MediaSource player is an able substitute for most digital sound media.
We've expressed our impressions of the MuVo NX 128MB as a portable digital music player and voice recorder. We've been impressed with its clarity, ease of use, LCD display and robustness of construction. With 128MB of flash storage, the MuVo NX also doubles up as portable file storage. Simply insert the NX into a spare USB port, wait for the OS to recognise it and then treat it as a mini hard drive. It then becomes extremely useful as a sharing tool between numerous computers. A single 113MB file containing the Serious Sam 2 demo that we use in our usual benchmarking section was transferred to the MuVo NX. It completed the task in 182 seconds, giving a 620kb/s transfer speed. Not electric, but not slow enough for us to complain without due reason. The storage space will most likely hold 2 small albums compressed in 128kb/s MP3 format, or 3+ with the inferior 64kb/s compression. It would be nice if the flash memory was upgradeable. I suppose it is in a way, you have the initial choice of 128MB or 256MB models at the point of purchase. Choose whichever one fits your needs and budget. The firmware is also upgradeable. A number of new Creative speakers now host a M-PORT feature. It allows you to plug the MuVo NX into a compliant speaker set's remote control and playback the music in much louder fashion. Another neat touch.
Thoughts
It's sleek, it's sexy, it sounds good and it has a multitude of uses. Creative has gotten most things right with the revised MuVo NX. The software is pretty decent, the hardware is excellent and robust-looking, and it's fairly small and light by modern standards. Most importantly, it's easy to use, from both software and hardware points of view, which will be a crucial factor in its success or failure. We'd have liked to have seen a USB lead provided, for it saves fiddling around the back of some computers, especially if the owners, like myself, haven't yet invest in hubs or have top-mounted or front-mounted ports. It would also have been nicer to have a model equipped with a rechargeable battery unit that sat on a charging hub, much in the vein of Sony's NW series, and a basic remote control on the earphones would have added to its appeal that little bit more, too.
Looking around various on-line etailers, the Creative MuVo NX 128MB can be had for a touch under £90. We feel that's just about an acceptable outlay for a product that excels in most areas, be it digital media player, sound recorder or storage device. The intuitive LCD display and controls are a bonus. Sure, it's sonic skills aren't up to the very best players and it perhaps needs a little more volume oomph to satisfy bass junkies, but we reckon it will be hard to find a much better package on this side of £100. Recommended if it fits into your needs.
