Digital picture frame?

[danc]

Does anyone own one? I have one last Xmas present to buy and I'm thinking of buying one.

 

Is there anything I should be looking for as far as features and quality goes?

 

Thanks..

[bigfish1965]

I've seen so many out there...lots of different makers but I haven't seen any big names doing them. I would think that you'd just want the ability to add a SD card to the back somewhere and to control the transitions...unless you put the transitions onto the card..I dunno. You sure could have fun with that though. Seven pictures of the same face with the eyes following across the room!!

But they sure are cool.

[tbayboy]

I did some digging around and picked one up for my parents. There's two things to look for (at least I found):

 

1. 4:3 ratio - for some reason quite a few are widescreen which is fine if you're playing video but makes framing most pictures kind goofy looking (big bars or stretched pictures)

2. resolution - most of the 7" and many 8" are 320x240 which is just too low.

3. Viewing angle - take a look at it from the sides and from a distance - many don't do a great job on angles. The one I got looks much better vertical (wall mount) than angled (on its little stand)

 

I got one thats 800 x 600 and I'm pretty happy with it though it's not perfect. It doesn't play video but thats ok - I copied over some family pics and a christmas song so as soon as my dad plugs it in he's good to go.

 

Insignia 8" digital photo frame

[fishnsled]

This is from Canada AM

 

Canada AM

 

While digital picture frames have been on the market for a few years updated versions are now available that make transferring your photos from your digital camera a snap. Technology expert Kris Abel has more details.

 

 

1. Philips PhotoFrames- (sizes range from 7" - 9")

 

(PRICE RANGE: 7" Acrylic PhotoFrame) - $250

 

9" Metal PhotoFrame - $320

 

The big change in digital frames is that, for the first time, we're starting to see screens that can match the quality, the resolution of paper prints. At just 7", for example, Philips' frame displays 88 per cent more pixels per inch than a 17" computer monitor.

With a digital frame, you add pictures by either popping in the memory card from your camera or you can connect it to your computer with a USB cable and download files to the frame.

Once loaded with pictures, these frames can play slideshows, with music from MP3 songs, and even play short video clips.

Philips frames can even display the time and be used as a clock and you can even set a timer to have the frame turn off and power on at pre-set times during the day.

When guests come over, you can unplug the frames and, thanks to a rechargeable battery, hand the frame around and guests can use the button controls to sift through your pictures like you would do with a photo album.

The 7" model comes with swappable, magnetic frames for different colours.

2. Kodak EasyShare Frames (sizes range from 7" - 10")

 

(PRICE RANGE: 7" Standard SV710 (no wireless) - $150

 

10" Wi-Fi EX1011 - $330

 

Kodak Canada has taken the idea a little further by creating a line of widescreen picture frames.

And they have models that include a built-in Wi-Fi connection, making it easy to update your photos through any wireless source (eg. computer, iPhone, PDA, website etc.).

Their 10" models even include some basic photo-editing software, and finally, they come with their own remote so you can control the slideshow from across the room.

These are highly recommended

3. eStarling 2.0 Wi-Fi Photo Frame 7"- www.thinkgeek.com

 

(PRICE: 220$ US- 230$ CAN)

 

This digital frame can use its Wi-Fi connection to go online and grab new photos either through its own e-mail address or from an RSS feed.

It can connect to Flickr, for example, and look for photos based on a search term.You can type in the phrase "cool Japanese robots" and it will automatically collect photos that match that phrase and create a slideshow with them.

This is perfect for companies who are keen to see if there's photos out there that feature their products (imagine if your the head of Roots Canada, Canadian Idol, or Nike shoes, etc.) And yes, you can e-mail photos to it from your cellphone.

 

4. 15" Gigantor Digital Photo Frame"- www.thinkgeek.com

 

(PRICE: 250$ US- 260$ CAN)

 

This product has just been announced. The Gigantor breaks the 10" size barrier by offering the first high-resolution display (1024 x 768) at 15".

It offers the same basic features (eg. slideshow, music, video clips, infra-red remote control), but thanks to its size, it can also support 12 megapixel pictures (in case you have a 12 megapixel camera).

It features with a cherry wood frame and can be mounted on a wall.

[danc]

That's some very good advice guys. Thanks so much. I have an idea where to start now.