How to Sync Music on Your Zen

Take your music library with you.

For the sake of simplicity and ease of use, you will want your music library on your portable media device to match the media library on your computer as closely as possible. If the libraries are identical, they are said to be synchronized, or "in sync." Creative Labs' Zen family of MP3 players is able to do this for you automatically.

Things You'll Need

• Creative Zen portable media device
• Music libraries on your device and computer
• USB cable

Instructions

Instructions

1. Plug the USB cable into a USB port on your computer. Some computers have these ports in front, and nearly all modern computers have them in back. Plug the other end of the cable into your Zen device. Your computer should automatically recognize the device.

2. Open the Creative Sync Manager. According to the Creative Sync Manager FAQ, you will find this program in the Creative Media Source package that came with your device, as well as the Creative Media Explorer (if you prefer a Windows Explorer-type interface). You can download this software for free, but you have to have your device connected to your computer for it to install.

3. Choose your libraries. One will be the music library on your computer, the other is the music library on your device.

4. Select the "Configure Settings For Auto Synchronization" window and clear the check box next to "Trasfer Files With <'Unknown'> ID3 Tags." This ensures that only correct titles and track information are transferred.

5. Press "Sync Now." The program will now automatically synchronize the selected libraries on your device and computer according to its configuration settings. Do not disconnect your device until this is finished.

6. Press "Finish" to close out and save your settings, or "Cancel" to close out without saving. Double-check that your libraries are synchronized like you want them. If they are not, run the program again with different configuration settings.

Tips & Warnings

• Creative Sync Manager is also bundled with the podcast organizer ZENcast.

• Your Zen device will keep track of items you have deleted since the last time you synchronized libraries, and it gives you the option of restoring those items. Click the "Ready For Synchronization" window and check the box next to "Resynchronize Items That Were Previously Deleted."

• Never disconnect your device while the Creative Sync Manager is running.

• Use the USB cable that came with your device. A generic USB cable will not fit in the device port.

References

• Creative Sync Manager FAQ

Resources

• ZENcast Organizer