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Creative claims that the rechargeable battery provides up to 15 hours of music playback and four hours of video playback, with video format supported including MPEG-2, MPEG-4 Simple Profile formats (such as Xvid), WMV, and MJPEG. There is also a TV-Out capability.

Other features include an FM radio, support for slideshows set to music, content password protection, customisable themes and an Organizer that provides calendar,

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tasks and contact lists and which syncs with Microsoft's Outlook.

'When people see the Zen Vision:M, they tell us it's incredibly cool,' said chairman and CEO of Creative, Sim Wong Hoo. 'We designed the Zen Vision:M with its mesmerising 262K colour screen to display four times the colour of competing portable video players, and to provide incredible battery life for video playback.'

With a reference to the iPod's vice-like integration with the iTunes Music Store and the iTunes Music Store only, he also stated: 'We offer people the freedom to choose their video in a variety of different formats, and to get subscription music or download tracks from a number of different sites on their player.'

Available in available in black, white, blue, green or pink, the optional accessories include a docking station and the AV-out cable.

Prices have yet to be confirmed, but a Creative spokesperson expected pricing in the £200-250 range. The Zen Vision:M should be available in shops this month.