Digital Picture Frames: Transforming Photo Frames and How We Display our Photos

Digital picture frames will likely completely change the way we display photos in our homes, offices, and public places in a matter of years. This LCD technology is on the path of similar recent ones like flat screen TVs, laptops, and cell phones. As the technology advances, prices become more affordable, and people realize the obvious benefits over the long-standing previous technology, digital photo frames will become ubiquitous.

Displaying photos in frames is virtually as old as the camera and photography itself. In fact the business and art associated with picture frames has become a huge market itself. Photo frames come in all shapes, sizes, costs, and décor. But until these new digital frames came along, traditional photo frames had one distinct limitation: they are static.

Digital picture frames build on the concepts of traditional frames and albums but use 21st century LCD technology to move them from static to dynamic. Now by simply transferring pictures in their digital state from your camera or computer to a digital frame, pictures can be displayed in a slide show format in what looks like a traditional frame.

Digital photo frames have become possible through improvements in display technology, storage and memory, and transfer methods. LCD technology has become better and cheaper, so 5-inch, 7-inch, 8-inch, 10-inch, 11-inch, and 12-inch size frames that are crystal clear are possible and affordable. Digital pictures can be stored and transferred via affordable SD memory cards, SmartMedia Cards, Memory Sticks, and USB flash drives. Changing pictures on your frame easily via one of these devices, sometimes wirelessly with select digital frames, is the magic of dynamically changing frames.

Major consumer electronics manufacturers are capitalizing on the market for these digital photo viewers, including such players as Kodak, Smartparts, and Portable USA, and highly performing frames with many features. Digital frames also come in many décor and colors such from black, brown, white, cherry, espresso, and all kinds of wood. Soon endless new features such as variable frame decors and auto on/off features will become standard.

It was only a matter of time before the world of picture frames moved into the digital age.



The author is the operator is DigitalSmartFrames.com, where visitors can find some of the most highly rated digital frames available today.

Picking Out a Digital Picture Frame

Digital picture frames have evolved a great deal in recent years and can be a very nice way of displaying pictures. Of course, with so many frames on the market there is significant variation as far as quality, features, and cost. Here are a few things to think about when shopping for a digital picture frame:

The Display

The size of the viewing screen can vary from just a few inches to up to about 19 inches. The bigger the more expensive in most instances. The average of course, is around 7 inches; these are popular because they display the typical 4x6 image readily.

The quality of the image that the frame is able to display is also critical and probably the primary factor to consider. Similar to a television, if a person is unhappy with the quality of the picture, they will never be satisfied with the purchase. More pixels generally means higher resolution but it needs to be kept in mind that more pixels are also needed to maintain picture quality as the size of the display area increases. Thus, although 800x600 pixels is probably the minimum resolution desired on a 7 to 8 inch display, more would be recommended for a larger display.

As with any screen, seeing is believing. Thus, taking the time to view an image on the display is important prior to selecting any given frame. Is the picture clarity and brightness adequate, is color accurate, and is the viewing angle acceptable?

Cost

Obviously, for many individuals it is important to determine how much they wish to spend. The price range for a digital picture frame spans from around $60 to over $1,300.

Features

There are many features to consider, and like most electronics devices, digital picture frames can possess a variety of other functions that can enhance the experience of enjoying photos.

Digital photo frames vary as far as how many photos can be displayed. The majority are now capable of displaying multiple photos via a slide show type set up. Many have on/off timers and others are more sophisticated with motion sensors that power the display on after sensing movement.

Some of the handier photo frames will orient pictures vertically or horizontally so that they are consistently displayed in the appropriate format. Many will also re-size pictures automatically to assure that they fit on the screen to display the full image, while others allow the user to zoom in on an image when desired. Some digital picture frames also allow manipulation of the image via a remote control.

Another convenience feature offered by many frames is one that digital camera users should be accustomed to; the ability to display thumbnails of images to allow the user to sort through photos prior to setting up a slide show. For those who are more artistically inclined, filters are also available on some frames to allow the display of photos as black and white, sepia, or some other tinted presentation.

For a more complete entertainment experience, some digital picture frames allow not only the display of photos, but also accept movie and music files.

The Technical Aspects

Just as when purchasing a DVD player or any type of display device, buyers need to assure that they understand what types of files will be supported and how they will be transferred to the device. JPEG is of course a common format, but perhaps a user will also want TIF or some other type of image to display. Some digital picture frames have more storage than others; a potential user has to assure that a frame can accommodate the larger file sizes if needed.

As indicated above, some digital picture frames will also play movies and audio files so if such features are desired, it is important to be sure the appropriate format is supported.

Many digital picture frames have a slot for a memory card, in which case it is wise to assure that both the picture frame and the digital camera being used to capture images can accept the same format. Certainly, any device that can work with multiple formats is recommended.

Images can also be transferred via USB port, wirelessly, or via Ethernet connection.

A final technical aspect that a first time buyer might want to consider is the power source. Some digital photo frames get their power from wall outlets only. This can be economical as no batteries have to be purchased or replaced, but it does limit where the frame can be displayed. Batteries on the other hand are more versatile. Again, the ideal situation is to select a frame which is able to operate with either AC power or batteries.

Choosing a digital picture frame should not be a complicated process with a list of the right questions to consider. However, the color and design of the frame around the display should not be the sole consideration as the market has grown to be quite diverse as far as quality and functionality.



Christine Peppler is the webmaster of homemedias.info, an online home electronics store. Visit the site to learn more about a digital camera, camcorder, television or other electronics.