Oh, thx :-)
Talking of inspirations - your splendid disassembly manual inspired me to open my ZVM the day after I got it and so opening the dongle as well was an inevitable necessity.
I am sure we can get the pin-out schema from these pictures soon, that is: I couldn't discover any other parts like smd resistors & co so it seems to be a simple & straight-forward solution. Let me check again...

Let me please correct this - there is a resistor (R1) on the pcb. I have so far discovered the following: 30 pin connector, with the following pin-out from left to right:

[1] empty

[2] USB 3 (D+)

[3] USB 2 [D-)

[4] USB 1 (VBus)

[5] USB 4 (ID)

[6] empty

[7] USB 5 (Ground)

[8] empty

[9] empty

[10] empty

[11] Ground

[12] empty

[13] 5V DC +

[14] 5V DC +

[15] 5V DC +

[16] 5V DC +

[17] & [18] combined and connected via resistor R1 to [19]

[20] AV 2 (?)

[21] empty

[22] empty

[23] AV 2 (= [20])

[24] AV 4 (?)

[25] AV 2 (= [20])

[26] AV ??

[27] AV 2 [= [20])

[28] AV ??

[29] empty

[30] AV ??

I am not quie sure about these AV outputs as the pcb tracks on AV 1-4 are partly underneath the 3,5mm 4x jack. Hope this helps!

(no guarantee, though)

What I observed is quite similar. These are the ones that differ:

[1] Ground

[17] R1 (10k ohm)

[18]&[19] combined and connected to Ground to
other side of R1

[20] Ground (AV)

[23] Ground

[24] AV Ring 1 (Audio L)

[25] Ground

[26] AV Tip (Audio R)

[27] Ground

[28] Switch (Normally closed [grounded])
(Open when AV cable is inserted)

[30] AV Ring 2 (Video)

I forgot to mention that I actually desoldered the AV connector to view where the copper traces went to.

I actually bought a spare dongle to experiment with. I even removed the contact for the video so I could use a regular 3.5mm to 3.5mm Audio zip-cable with my car's stereo.

I was wondering how the pinout of the docking ports compare between Ipod & Zen Vision M.
I am looking at getting an adapter to power and play my Zen through my car radio. There seems to be plenty of third party products for the Ipod but not much for the Zen. The sites I have found selling this type of accessory seem to describe them for different models of the Ipod. If I but one for an Ipod will it work for my Zen M?
Thanks

The docking connector for the Ipod and the ZVM are essentially the same 30-pin connector. However, the connector the the Ipod is not only wired differently... it is keyed differently. The key for the ZVM is slightly narrower than that of the Ipod. It is this key that prevents users of the ZVM from using products designed for the Ipod.

DO NOT DEFEAT THIS KEY UNLESS YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING!

The input voltage for the Ipod at the docking connector is 12VDC @ 2.4A. The ZVM is 5VDC @ 2.4A. If you were to defeat the key and plug the car adapter into the ZVM... it would fry your device because not only is it a higher voltage, you would be applying this voltage on pins of the ZVM that were not designed for 12VDC because of the different wiring.

I myself have defeated the key (meaning I ground the metal part of the Ipod connector with a Dremel tool so it can be inserted into the ZVM), and rewired the connector of a Sharper Image Zip-Connect module and was able to play my ZVM on any of Sharper Image's Zip-Connect enabled audio equipment. I was even able to step the voltage down to 5VDC so the audio equipment would charge my ZVM while playing music.

I wrote Richard Thalheimer (President of Sharper Image) and sent a short video of my accomplishment... in hopes that his stores would carry such a product in the future. (Unless they have some sort of contract with Apple). Wish us ZVM users luck. :-)

As far as the car adapter... FIRST, find a way to step the voltage down, SECOND, rewire the connector to match ZVM, THIRD, defeat the key. Do this in this order and your ZVM should be safe. Don't defeat the key first... I mean, you could... but make sure the car adapter is NOT plugged into the lighter socket. Just be sure to handle the voltage and wiring before applying any power to the car adapter with the ZVM connected. Good Luck.

Thanks for the info it's greatly appreciated.

hi all
Is there anyway i can plug some audio leads into the video output with out the screen on the vision m turning off,I want to be able to slide the vision m into the docking station in my car so it charges and plays music throw my car stero without having to play the lead into the top earphone port. So it looks nice and tidy in the car like the ipod craddlys look.

many thanks jason

System

Photo/Video Settings

Video Out: [Select OFF]

But be sure to use the proper A/V cable. Don't use a regular Audio cable. You'll short the Left Audio Channel with the Video contact. [I have no idea what you music may sound like... nor how it would affect your ZVM.]

You'll short the Left Audio Channel with the Video contact. [I have no idea what you music may sound like... nor how it would affect your ZVM.]
Ehr...I did that and it worked well.

Does anyone know a way to have the video display on the Zen screen and play out of the AV jacks as well? I am using the zen in a demo and I would like to run the AV out to a projector, but still see the small screen from near my PC. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Does anybody know if it is posible to "tweak" the AV out in order to use a regular AV Standard cable instead of the one "not available" from creative?
Please see :
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/archives/2006/04/zen-vision-m-video-cable-other-4pole-35mm-pinouts.php
Thanks.

added the info to
http://pinouts.ru/new/1148768725.html
Hope i added it correctly
if not fix it LOL :P

Using this dongle information, would there be any way to convert the A/V out to be used without using the dongle? (straight from the port at the bottom of the ZVM to A/V out)

I am having a problem finding a AV cable, so that I can connect my JVC Hard Drive Camcorder(AV Out- single port 4 pole pinout) to a Toshiba Portable DVD player (AV In-single port 4 pole pinout). I have contacted many stores and have had no success. I do have the for each product a standard Audio/Video Cable, if I cannot find a cable with a 4 pole pinout at each end is there a way to modify the standard AV cables.

WARNING! I have just finished hacking a cable from best buy and have found an error in the pinout. The order of the pins on the digrams is reversed. The pins are numbered from Right to Left (see the small white arrow on the circut board?)

If you are using numbers on the connector board like I am keep this fact in mind.

Hi, am I able to use those battery extenders to charge the ZVM via the mini USB jack? Thanks.

Where can i buy this piece i lost it and i am looking for place to buy this piece at can some one tell me some.

@Ant: You can buy the dongle from Creative.com

Does anyone know if the pins for power/audio/usb are the same on the photo sleek as the ZVM? I would like to hack some cables for my wife's player.

Anyone know where I can purchase a 30pin connector for the ZVM...

try www.pc-mobile.net
they have all sorts of connectors

I bought a universal car adapter from circuit city today to use with my zen vision:m. I have not tried it yet, but will it work or will it damage it? it has a selection for different voltages, up to 12 (1.5VDC, 3VDC, 4.5VDC, 6VDC, 7.5VDC, 9VDC or 12VDC). The product number is AH55, its an RCA product.

Bought from Wal Mart (approximately $12.99 + tax) a Philips "Connect to TV" Portable DVD cable (retractable to boot!). Another link verifying that it works with the Vision:M is here. Fun fun fun!

gomadic.com is a good place to get connectors. I know they have the ZVM ones.

If anyone out there can make an adapter cable that will connect my zvm to an ipod accessory, you know, so that i can use my bose sound dock, itrip, etc... I'll bet that i'm not the only person who would pay a super genius to make the cable for me, being the lazy person that i am. Just don't let the guys over at Apple know about it. Come on, i'm sitting here with my wallet open...just waiting.....waiting for that sweet, sweet dongle adapter.

Does anyone know if the poinout for the ZVM is the same as for the the Zen Sleek Photo (Probably excluding video - but then again it does photo's so who knows!) all I really want is a 30 Pin connector to 3.5 Stereo Jack for line out connection (usb for charging would be good as well)

Anyone able to help ?

Regarding the pin layout:
Thanks, JKE.

To add:
Ive been looking for a sync cable / adapter... cant find them anymore.
SO, i purchased a knockoff Ipod usb sync cable. I found (with no surprise) that it didnt work.
Using the pin layout, i was able to re-wire the connecter to work with the ZVM. One thing that needs to be pointed out, if you want to use the pin layout to make your own sync cable AND you want it to be able to charge from USB, then swap or tie pins 4 and *16. If you just pin 4 to the usb bus, it will NOT charge. Dunno why they did that, but WHATEVAH!

*I used pin 16, but you could use pins 13-16 if you would like.

An update from my last post.
4o66, You were right:
The pin configuration IS backwrds.
By dumb luck, the only reason i didnt fry my zen was because the pins i used just HAPPENED to still accept 5v; An electronic pallendrome if you will.
I wasnt able to get my zen to actualy dock with my compter at first, but it would charge.
After about 11 failed attepmts (most of that due to the connecter being designed very poorly) i reversed the pin configuration, soldered the points, and WALAH! it is now docking/charging.
Thanks to all that provided pin information and pictures.

Does anyone have a link to the exact specs (or part) of the ZVM?

The links supplied, i cant find any of the connectors anywhere.

I would really like to get a few, as i have a few ideas.

One of which, i would like to wire an AV cable, which didn't require the dongle attached (that would be REALLY handy)

Hi there just to let you know, that I got a Zen Vision:M AV Lead(same as ebay# 330021962894)and plugged it into my Sleek photo and good news! I got line out! (no video for photos, but I wasn't really bothered about that). Also got a Vision M Car charger and that seems to work too.

Hey I am with you C-Train -

"If anyone out there can make an adapter cable that will connect my zvm to an ipod accessory, you know, so that i can use my bose sound dock, itrip, etc... I'll bet that i'm not the only person who would pay a super genius to make the cable for me, being the lazy person that i am. Just don't let the guys over at Apple know about it. Come on, i'm sitting here with my wallet open...just waiting.....waiting for that sweet, sweet dongle adapter".

This is some bootleg item that needs to be available!!! I am tired of seeing "ipod" this and "ipod" that everywhere I go. Wouldn't mind buying a speaker system knowing I could use it with my ZEN M!!!

Has anyone seen an adapter that will allow me to use my ZVM on a Bose Sounddock yet? If not, why hasn't any manufacturers made this yet? Why can't all the connectors be universal any way? There has got to be an easy way to do this for a person in this field of work--but I have no clue and can not afford to screw up my ZVm while trying. It sure seems to me that there could be a lot of money made if someone would make some type of an adapter/cable/whatever...Please --c'mon I said please damnit!

Bypass the dongle by buying a A/V cable that connects directly to Zen Vision:M on Ebay. Costs less than $10.

Creative Vision:M Audio Visual Lead Seekers

Heads Up To Australian AV Lead Seekers: ( Seem to be very hard to find )

If you seek this item call this number:

Product ID: 70PD000000061
Cost $25.00 (Brand New)
Store: Retravision
Location: Virginia, Brisbane Australia
Contact Number: (07) 3865 3660

Ive gotten onto Head Office Retravision after speaking with SHIRO after speaking with Creative Sales and requested that this would be a great item to start circulating a tad more of and thus succeeded.

From todays date you will have 4 weeks to call this number and let them know your interest in this item, they will call you back once the item is there for you. Yes i do believe they will Post.

i found a universal car adapter from circuit city today to use with my zen vision:m. i didnt buy it because i didnt know if it eill work or will it damage it? it has a selection for different voltages, up to 12 (1.5VDC, 3VDC, 4.5VDC, 6VDC, 7.5VDC, 9VDC or 12VDC). The product number is AH55, its made by RCA

EXILED1:
I found this adapter hut and I purchased the SoundDock line-in adapter. It works as advertised. There is a cheaper version, but it lacks the code to tell a dockable accessory that your source is powered up. That's not important for most accessories, but for the SoundDock and a few others, it's the source (mp3 player) that tells the accessory to turn itself on. I think it's backward compatible with other "dumber" accessories, so the extra $20 will get you lots of other connectivity.
Or, if you're clever, they sell all the iPod connectors your could possibly dream about and you can build it y'self.

And like an idiot, I forgot to post the link:

http://home.swipnet.se/ridax/connector.htm

will ipod stereo docking stations possibly work for the zen vision m? was woundering if i could buy an ipod docking station and use my zen vision without harming it.

on the box of some of the made for ipods it says in small print on side of boxes after listing ipods witch work with it - and other mp3 players so i wanted to know because there cheaper

Anyone know if the Inspire Universal Retractable Audio/Video Cable works on the ZVM. Their site says so so but it says it works with the iPod and others too...

[11]Ground [15]+5v Works for a conversion of an ipod USB->Dongle port to use on a Zen. The ipod cable colours are [red]+5v [black]ground

Okay I got it to work with an Ipod Cable which has 4 standard USB wires in it which are +5v (or Vbus), Ground, +d and -d. I plugged them into [2]+d, [3]-d, [4]+5v, [7]GND. And for anyone wanting to know what USB colours these are, +d is green, -d is white, +5v is red, GND is black and those are standard colours on a USB pinout diagram too see here: http://www.starmount.co.uk/usb_skta.gif