Review of Packard Bell's AudioDream MP3 player
We'll spare you the Wang jokes this time around, but yeah, we've been scratching our heads at Packard Bell's recent resurrection as a purveyor of MP3 players. NEC must be determined to get some value out of what they paid for when they bought them back in 1996, this despite the fact that at best the brand name must mean next to nothing to most people buying an MP3 player these days (Packard Bell dropped out of the US PC market four years ago but lives on in Europe). Maybe they're trying to corner the ironic hipster market or something (we hear they're crazy for that retro stuff). Anyway, there was a point to this post, and that's that Packard Bell has a new MP3 player out called the AudioDream that comes in 128MB and 256MB versions and seems perfectly alright except for the tragic flaw that its playback volume is distressingly quiet.
Filed under: Portable Video
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
magellan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
It appears, from the review and product description (on the manufacturer's website) that this uses a L-ION battery, not AAA.
Personally, I'd love my compact solid-state player to have a rechargable, 10-hr battery versus the AAA Ni-MH batteries that last 4-hrs that I have right now.
The only thing that seems to be missing from this is an expansion card slot.
Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Packard Bell!? They're still around?
Stephen Crosby @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I can't imagine buying an mp3 player with so little storage space. What are these companies thinking? What is innovative about this? What would attract me to this over a zen xtra or a freaking 4 year old 6Gig archos jukebox that i have? I am not impressed :)
John Turner @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Just two comments: the reviewer of the Digital Dream said the volume is low. If it could go higher, for someone with normal hearing it would proabably be damaging to hearing with prolonged use. Users of the player in noisy places like trains/plane/buses should use closed (and prefereably noise-cancelling) headphones.
The second comment is about capacity. This shouldn't be compared to an I-Pod!!!! It isn't meant to be a great archive of everything you own. Just a convenient way to take a sample with you in a device much lighter (and more rebust) than something with moving parts in it like a hard drive!
Scara @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I would like to buy this Mp3 player, but I don't understand if this problem of low volume is really big!!! Has someone tried it?
Thank you!
Santiago @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I would like to know if someone had the same problem that I did, I was copying some files to my packard bell audiodream player and there was a problem, the transfering stoped, I finally unplugged my player following all the procedures.
Now my player doesn't work anymore, It doesn't even turn on! I'll find out if the warranty will cover this failure. I'll appreciate any suggestions.
Matteo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I've recently bought the 1GB version of AudioDream. I returned it back within the first week. They gave me another one of the same model which has the same defect.
The defect is that if you turn off the device using the push button is it possible you won't be able to turn it on again. You have to remove the files from the internal storage and put it again in and it will work. Anyway if you turn off the device using the mechanical switch instead of the push button, you will always be able to turn it on.
About volume, I have no concern at all
Jean-Luc @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Just got the 1gig model and had the same problem with the power - It turned off, but would keep repeating the 'packard bell' load screen on turning it on.
I solved the problem by connecting it back to the pc and deleting the settings.dat file in the root directory - voila, back to normal!
If you can see the .dat file, you need to enable 'see all system/hidden files' in the directory properties box
Hope this helps :)
Binoculars @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Broken Audiodream MP3 player can be fixed!
goto
http://www.binoculars.nl/helpdesk.htm
and click on 'click here for software update'.
Then click on
Software update to fix your Audiodream
It worked for me!
Scott Leaver @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
i brought mine today and it was the 1Gb model and i was told it had the Fm radieo but when i opened
my box it said that this model did not have this function could any 1 tell me if there 1 Gb model has the Fm Radie please thanks
Scottleaver88@hotmail.com
luke @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
for god sake what kind of NUTTCASE can think of 10,000 songs an i pod has got way to much storage space for a portable player if it was like a minisystem then fine. it takes about 10 minuets to change your entire playlist and who is going to listen to 10,000 song in 1 jorney
jumper @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
im wanting to buy this player but am worried because everybody is having this problem about the flashing packard bell screen matteos review was helpful but i didnt really get it probly coz im thick lol sorry :-D has any1 had this player and this never happen or is there a easy way round this plz reply
mcswiggen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Umm, i've been having the problems with the switching on - it comes down to the charging i think, if it runs completely out it causes problems. The user manual is the worst i've ever seen - charging is given two lines, and revolves around the power switch, which itself is hugely confusing as to which position is on and which off! very badly labled esp as the instructions all revolve around it!
when they say to charge you need to switch it off - what do they mean, switch it off at the M button.. or the poorley labled power off switch, i'm still confused!
I think this product is great (volume included) but you need the forum on their website to work it out as their instructions wont help you.
Paul @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Roarrrr !!!!! I just bought the bloody thing and have had it 1 day and it has the flashing logo problem !!!! why are they selling theses things with problems !!!! useless!!!!!
Sarah @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
How many songs can be held on the Audio Dream 512 MB?I'm kind confused, in the brochure it said that the Audio Dream 512 would hold bout 80 songs, but the Audio Key 256MB would hold 80 songs. Would the Audio Dream 512 MB hold about 160 songs?? Would it not hold double the amountas the Audio Key 256MB because it contains twice as much bytes? Sorry if im really confusing ye!! Just want to buy one that is the best value
Binoculars @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
FLASHING LOGO PROBLEM:
________________________
Broken Audiodream MP3 player can be fixed!
goto
and click on 'click here for software update'.
Then click on
Software update to fix your Audiodream
It worked for me!
Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I got the Audio Dream today, and at first i too had problems with turning it on, but after charging it for 3 hours it turns on and off fine now.
However, I am having a problem with playing my songs. I can play the ones that were already on there fine but when I upload songs onto it it can't play them. When I select them it either freezes for a minute then goes back to track 1 or just does nothing.
Well done Packard Bell for ruining my christmas, well at least I have turkey to comfort me.
Marty @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I got a 512Mb version today (Christmas). I charged it properly before using it. I have found that if you hold the "M" switch down to switch the device off, you have to let go of it after the last block of the timeline has lit and just before the screen goes blank, otherwise it'll shut down and start right up again. Seems very like buggy firmware to me. The other thing mine is doing is switching itself off after one track has been played or else freezing up. Using the main power-off switch clears it (until the next time). I'm very tempted to return the unit as it really is pretty "bugged" as it is.
dorts @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
i have the 1gb version and can anyone tell me exactly how many songs it can hold?regarding the flashing packard bell logo, that happened to me the first day i got mines, however if you leave it OVERNIGHT to charge, hold in the M button the following morning and hey presto it works!
Christopher Day @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
How can I transfair music from cd to the audio dream 1gb is this possible please help am gettin a little frustrated now cheers
Tammy foster @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I bought a 512MB for my daughter as a Christmas present. Couln'dt get it to hold a battery charge and so took it back today. Changed it for a 1GB version and that too does not seen to be charging. Which way do you slide the power off button so that it is off? Anyone figured that one out? as it says in the instructions (very badly written by the way) that it has to be off to charge.
Ellyll @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Packard Bell? it should read Packed in Hell.. A warning to all, All that glistens is not gold, PB's products look cool but thats as far as it goes. I am unfortunate enough to have several PB products including a Laptop m5 series. It has had more problems with screens etc, but the main problem is PB's embedded firmware.. This problem extends to the mp3 products aswell as you can see above and as I have found personally. And if you thought that wasn't bad enough their aftersales is appauling, almost bordering on apathy. please please please do yourself a favour and pay that little extra for a good make.. Packard-Bell is certainly not worth the hassle..
Ellyll
catherine @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
i got a 1Gb audio dream for xmas... all was going well until i charged it and it still didn't turn out. seems to be you HAVE to download the firmware software and all works.
mine has been working great although i am now having trouble putting music onto it, i all ready have 116 songs with 388MB left on storage... what is wrong?
shaded shadows @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
The pacard bell audiodream seems to be a lost cause. i recieved one for christmas, had both the music AND flashing logo problem, took it back on boxing day. got a new one and i'm having the SAME PROBLEM. not only this, but the cheeky buggers at currys put the one i returned back on sale!
methinks it's time for a product recall on pacard bell's part.
ali @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
i bought the 512 audio dream bout a month ago but was only given it yesterday (as a christmas prezzie) and instantly put all my songs on it that i had downloaded. wen i used it this morning it was fine but when i tried to use it this afternoon i had the problem with the flashing packard bell logo thta refused to go away! i recharged it and have now deleted all the files from it ready to put them all back on again and see if that helps at all.
i think it's fine, there's enough storage space (no one owns enough songs to fill an iPod, and you'd spend most of your time trying to find the song you wanted anyway!), the power switch thing is kinda confusing but basically the slide switch on the side is not a power switch - more a reset button, if you turn that off, it resets the thing, the 'm' button just turns it off so it stops playing.
i am determined to not get stressed about this and to keep going with it till i absolutely have to give up, but i hadn't realised packard bell were such a terrible company! well, i hope everyone manages to find the solutions to their problems (or a new mp3 player!).
Ian @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I strongly advise people to avoid the PB audio dream at all costs. I received one for Christmas and have had nothing but trouble since opening the box. It does not appear to hold the charge, it crashes after playing approx 3 seconds of muffled music. I have tried updating the firmware and formating it but all attempts failed. Needless to say I took it back and got a full refund (as did many other people in the same queue).
Mark Binch @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I had a 1 gig option for Xmas and all seems ok. My only complaint is that it doesn't remember the last position before you turned it off.
So when you start again you have to go to the folder and select track. Ha sanybody found away round this?
Mark Binch @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I had a 1 gig option for Xmas and all seems ok. My only complaint is that it doesn't remember the last position before you turned it off.
So when you start again you have to go to the folder and select track. Ha sanybody found away round this?
jacqueline @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I was bought the 1GB audio dream for xmas by my hubby. I have had no problems whatsoever with it. Sound quality is excellent, I've had no problems with copying cd's onto the system. Admittedly the instructions are rubbish, I just played about a bit and sussed it out. the only thing I haven't managed to work out is how the hell do you attach the neck strap into the slot? I'm very happy with mine! Then again perhaps I'm just easily pleased.
Graham @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Hey all, Gotr given my audio dream 1gb on christmas day, all was really very impressed, till it got to the evening and had the flashing logo problem, came online saw this site and found the update and all better now. I know packard bell shouldn't sell bugged goods and all but part from that little problem im still really happy with it, been playing with the record feature. the quality i found to be amazing and also worked out a way to record all my music from my xbox on to it yah me....
sarah wilkinson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
hi errmmm... i got my mp3 packard bell....it wont load the songs i want and it has a ***no files*** logo on it....it will not record any songs either from the mic or whatever.....aarrggghhhh
sarah @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
i had the flashing screen prob at 1st but if u go to the downloads section on the packard bell website and click on audiodream, they have a free download which corrects the problem, it only takes a few minutes and i am a complete novice and even i managed it, lol.
i have been saved a trip 2 dixons lol!!!
Daniel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Brilliant - i bought one today without seeing all this first, hopefully it will just work as ones bought more recently seem to be less buggy looking at the dates on these posts. I'll update tomorrow after testing it out (assuming it's charging, and that the firmware update isn't critical). Oh and amen to all the people noting that ipods have too much capacity to know what to do with.
Jim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Working for europes biggest electronics retailer, i sold many of these audiodreams to unfortunates this christmas.only now to discover the unholy trouble they cause, having taken in 30 or more personally as faulty,i find myself wanting to smash each one. As it is the most ridiculous piece of crap i have come across ever! Word of advice - Take a wide birth if you ever happen to brush by one. Ahh and yes i apologise to anyone whom i inadvertently sold one to.
Rich H @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I recieved the 1GB version of this for Xmas. I have had no problems whatsoever so far. When downloading CDs onto it do not transfer them as a single folder but as individual tracks. Ensure that you charge it for longer than recommended. And as previously mentioned use the (actually V easy to understand) On/Off slide switch - Left is on and Right is off....
I wait with baited breath for mine to F*^% up!
christiana fashogbon @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I am having trouble playing back music I've downloaded from Windows Media player onto the PB dream. I've downloaded the same songs stored in my music media library onto my I-Bead, and onto the MuvoPlayer, and both MP3s play the music. However, yours doesn't. I've taken it back to the shop and they tell me that I have to unprotect the music first. But how? And why is yours the only one that is not able to play back the music? HELP!!!
JohnB @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I bought this for my son for Christmas and he had the flashing Logo problem. Deleting the settings.dat file worked for me...thanks for that.
Firmware update mentioned above has the following advice : "Note:This software package is only for the AudioDream with a 35xx series chipset with FM
"
How do I find out?
John S @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I recieved a 1Gb unit for Christmas and so far had no problems with it. I have found the volume level is very good and even the headphones supplied with the unit are very good. The sound quality is spot on and when used with media player 10 transfering files is very easy.
Kbosch @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Well after getting a lovely Christmas present A Packard Bell AudioDream MP3 Player with 512 MB Memory I was as happy as a can be.. well that was for 2 days. The first problem is that the firmware had to be updated to stop the player from rebooting. I think that fact that I switch the device off while is pause screwed it all up. Which shows how little Quality Assurance went into the AudioDream the result was the Audio Dream would simply not start.. when you started it appeared to reboot all the time. Luckily I am into computers and had the know how on how to go about updating the firmware..( I have never had to do a mandatory update to the firmware on any on my computers / phones or watches) Any way that is not my main problem with this device.. I placed my AudioDream into its protective pouch along with my mobile my laptop and a wireless network card and pulse monitor watch. When finished I tossed my bag as always do on to the couch and when I pulled out the audio dream Player the screen was broken. I would expect the same robustness from an MP3 player as I get with my mobile phone. I have had my Sony Erisson T610 phone with has an open screen display for about 1 year with no problems. My polor watch I have had for 4 years. I am spell bound and amazed the Packard Bell could even consider releasing a product that is so fragile that it could break the screen so easily. I am not the only person which as had problems with this.. you just need to look at the reviews on the Packard Bell web site.
Although I would like my money back I accept that there is very little chance on me getting any so.. this sob story is to prevent others from making the same mistake as I did in purchasing the Packard Bell AudioDream.
So
For those that ready purchased the product keep it with your china tea set else I suspect that the screen will break on you too one day. I suspect a contributing factor was the fact I used there protective pouch to place the player and the head phones when the head phones came in contact with the screen crack.. Ps the glass used is NOT shatter proof.. the glass broke.. all the way through.. I now have sticky tape over the top of my player which I just about as strong as the original glass.
And those that are looking for an MP3 Player look passed the Packard Bell Audio Dream. It might have some fantastic features but the fact that it is extremely brittle makes this product unfeasible as an MP3 player. It is a shame that a leading brand was allowed to release such a fragile product.
Peter O'L @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I was given an AudioDream 512MB without FM by my wife for Christmas. I have had nothing but trouble with it. It locks in less than 2 minutes (irrrespective of the Power saving settings I select) and it doesn't even get through playing the three demo tunes preloaded on it. Reloading the software gives no improvement. I am computer-literate which seems to make no difference with this product. I strongly regret that we did not read the negative comments on your website before purchasing. The instruction leaflet with the pack is absolutely useless. The CD ROM directs one to the Packard Bell website - not to a specific AudioDream support site - which one can only assume is to direct the public into buying more of their poor products. Try to install the firmware from either CD ROM or from Download onto Windows XP and it hangs up. I accidentally discovered that access to the CD ROM instructions are gained by selecting 'Country' on the drop-down menu.
Tomorrow I will return the pack to Dixons and ask for money back. Hope the queue of others in similar plight won't be too long.
Simon Bowsher @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I got a 512 MB audiodream for xmas, stopped working on boxing day. Simply wouldn't play songs after turning on. Ive since upgraded and got the 1GB version, after two days the screen has cracked. I am gutted as I am unable to get any refund and told by the manager of Dixons that Packard Bell wont repair the damn thing! Has anyone else found a way of repairing broken screens apart from sticky tape! Any ideas would be greatly appreciated
Thomas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I got a Packard Bell Audio Dream 1GB for christmas and I think its really good. Mine hasn't broke and if you record loud it plays loud. I saw my cousin's 20GB ipod and said wow because its not that expensive for what it is but on the day after boxing day my other cousin showed me his ipod and it had broken after the 1year (roughly) warranty expired. I'm glad I bought this mp3 because its so light its sound equaliser 'rock' makes a song sound 10 times better and you can set it back to normal to save your ears or if you're in public.
The Line in plug is brilliant too because you can record from shower radio's, walkmans. cd players, hi-fi's and anything else that has that standard socket. The 1GB records six hours of music and roughly 55 hours of dictaphone voice recording (if you used all recording time on one or the other). I bought it because I'm sick of everyone raving on about ipod this ipod that and wanted something different and small and futuristic looking and it was the best of all the research did.
Only thing is that I got it half price at c***y's and that was after going to a second c***y's. Also I am 6ft 2 and the most annoying thing about headphones is that they can pull down on your ears if the wires are too short and they only just nestle in my pocket with the player attached. But you can just use the sony ones and its fine. Also the buttons are small for big fingers and to delete songs using the player you have to go through every song before you find your song to delete and if you miss it you have to go round again. Other than that its got better soundmode options than a sony CDwalkman but no playlist option.
And if you wanted an ipod until you afford one you can get this one or the other less powerful one's (60 and 99 before crimbo in c***y's) and from a distance the headphones almost look like ipod headphones!Wicked!
Plus sometimes I just see it lying there switched off and think, that is a beautiful MP3 player! One more thing its made of titanium and that is the stongest metal according to cousin number 1 due to his recent project on titanium.
Henry @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I got an 512mb audio dream for christmas and i used it perfectly for the first five days. Then i left it in my pocket and the next thing i know the screen is cracked. The screen is so delicate. you know the pouch you get with the audio dream. there is a bobble on it to tighten the pouch so the audio dream does not fall out. that obviously cracked the screen. I strongly advise people not to keep it in the pouch in your jean side or back pocket.
lucy @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Just exchanged my audiodream 1gb for zen micro after many arguments with dixons regarding cracked screen - eventually currys (sister company of dixons) helped and exchanged it with no questions. Having read many reviews on Packard Bell's audiodream I decided another one was not for me. Good luck in returning it - just a quick note every store in bristol could not give a replacement as any spare in store were all allocated to other people replacing thiers!
Angie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
So my sister got the Audiodream 512mb for xmas. Worked great until I tried to copy songs from my hifi, it turned itself off twice and now it won't go back on and I've tried everything, the firmware is the newest version available. So I'm stuck, any idea's? Smashing the damn thing would be a valid suggestion.
Please and thanks.
richie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I got the 1GB audio dream as a christmas present... but i found that the installion disk that came with it did not load up so i research the internet to get installion files which i then installed the wrong one as i clicked on the fm audio dream version. my audio dream would then not switch on but apart from this i find the mp3 player excellant and for anyone comparing it to an ipod is wrong!
Martha @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I recieved my new audiodream 512mb for xmas and all was working fine until a few days ago when the rock mode wouldn't play the songs (all other modes were fine though) and i also got the packardbell flashing over and over. the instructions are not clear and took me ages to find them but even when i had, they still wern't crystal. does anyone know how to put lyrics on?
i think this mp3 is very neat and compact but viewing the complaints obviously has lots of technical problems. apart from that, sound and volume are great once you have it on!
rogerzilla @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
People - if you get one of these, ensure you have the latest firmware and please, please, READ the instructions on the CD! Sound quality is superb, the display is pretty and the player is tiny, which is what you need. Some people have managed to break the glass on theirs so some care is advised, but this doesn't happen to the majority of users judging from the Packard Bell forum. For the record: you CAN upload MP3 files in folders, just drag and drop them. Then you don't have to skip through the whole lot to find the track you're after. There is a limit of 230 files (not 320 - typo by Dixons?) but with decent 256K MP3s you'll only get 160-ish tracks into 1GB anyway. My only real criticisms are that the controls are fiddly because most of the buttons have more than one function depending whether you hold them down or jab them (e.g. the combined volume/skip rocker) and even the CD instructions don't explain everything in detail.
jamEE @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
Hi, I got one of the pakard bell 1gb mp3 players. I think that it is good for it's size but it really sucks at storing lots of files. What is the point of having so much memory if the is a file limit of 230 (ish) i can't even get over 200 and it's only half full. If somebody knows a program or update that can get rid of the limit would they plllleeeesssseeee tell me how!?!
>:0
Rory @ Dec 19th 2005 12:04AM
I bought my PB while flying out of London back to South Africa on the 07/01/2005. Had all the problems with flashing logos. I cannot understand how a company like PB hopes to stay in business if they can't get the basics right. I have downloaded the 204 version of s/w and hope this cures the problem - one doesn't expect to buy something new and have such hassels!!!!!!