Digital photo frame

[TomaS]

Wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a LCD photo frame. I would like to get good resolution and 35mm (2/3) aspect ratio. 8x12 would be ideal size, but all I can find thru online searches are 8x10 or smaller with low resolution. It appears to be somewhat ignored technology.

Thanks in advance,

[saurora]

Seems I recall Andy posting a link a while back to some larger (higher end) LCD frames, but I can't find it when I do a search. Seem price is the main reason this seems to be an "ignored" market. They don't come cheap! :D

[ivar]

Seems I recall Andy posting a link a while back to some larger (higher end) LCD framesYou mean this one?

http://www.dgrin.com/showthread.php?t=33002

[saurora]

Yep! That's the one! I guess searching with "LCD" didn't do the trick!! Google is not always my "best friend"! It can't seem to read my mind....:scratch

[ivar]

Google is not always my "best friend"! It can't seem to read my mind....:scratchIt can't read mine either, so that's why i use my keyboard :D

Man, that would be cool though.

[TomaS]

Thanks Saurora & Ivar! That is is exactly what I had in mind. Except for the price! :D

I wonder what the status of the SM discount is? I did not see an update on that.

[docwalker]

I am really interested in these for advertising my photos. I have a few locations that would allow me to put one up with a CF card full of photos running on auto. I can see placing a stack of business cards in a holder underneath for people interested in buying a photo. I could go in once a month and rotate the photos out. Security is not really a concern due to the type of location and the people working there. I am just looking at this as another form of pseudo word of mouth advertising.

Price is a factor. The photovu is a nice unit. But the price is out of my reach for now.

Please let us know if you find a good price on one.

[TomaS]

Hey doc,

That was basically what I wanted to do with one too. Upscale resturants, coffee shops, etc. would be good candidates to 'rent' one from me and display my biz cards. Not sure why they are so expensive. A quality LCD display is down to $300 or so. Add in a network feed, dedicatedl CPU, memory, and some firmware and you got it. I was hoping for 19" for about $500, but that does not appear to be realistic right now.

I revived the original thread in 'Wide Angle' to see if there is any news since the last post back in the summer.

[ziggy53]

Just thinking out loud, but I think the "cheapest" way to do what you want is to use an LCD display with analog video inputs, and then hook a regular DVD player to it. Using DVD software, you can loop a DVD using "Repeat Title" or some such after the current title finishes to return to the beginning.

You can get a fairly decent 19" LCD display for around $200USD and a cheapo player for less than $50.

Granted, this is a "kiosk" sort of solution, but it should get you where you want to go, if you can site the kiosk properly.

ziggy53

[TomaS]

Very true Ziggy. And that might be a good low cost way to market pictures in some situations.

But if you think about an upscale resturant, they want 'art' on the wall, not a sales kiosk type of thing. Just having a clean 'frame' that hangs on the wall and does not require any other hardware, intervention, or wires would be soooo much more desirable in most retail establishments. Add to that an 'invisible' update of images by changing an online gallery. Ah.... THAT might be a hot item.

Just thinking out loud, but I think the "cheapest" way to do what you want is to use an LCD display with analog video inputs, and then hook a regular DVD player to it. Using DVD software, you can loop a DVD using "Repeat Title" or some such after the current title finishes to return to the beginning.

You can get a fairly decent 19" LCD display for around $200USD and a cheapo player for less than $50.

Granted, this is a "kiosk" sort of solution, but it should get you where you want to go, if you can site the kiosk properly.

ziggy53

[docwalker]

Add to that an 'invisible' update of images by changing an online gallery. Ah.... THAT might be a hot item.

That is actually what the photovu frame offers. They have a wireless feed option. My problem is that the locations I am looking at do not have internet or a wireless network to build on. So it will have to be standalone CF cards, CDs, or hard drive. As for the frame vs LCD I agree that the art aspect is the biggest selling item for the host.

My main criteria is something that is self sufficient, can be programed to turn off and on at specific times, decent resolution, and capable of having new photos loaded quickly.

Oh and price is a big factor :rofl

[DoctorIt]

Ha - I was just about to ask for some help on this too - only I'm not interested in marketing/advertising/kiosk - rather for home use. I'm just looking for a good holiday gift for my mom. A search only revealed the PhotoVu frames.

Anyone out there in dgrin land have any good experience with a sub $100 digi-frame? Doesn't have to be big either.
:ear

[Stormdancing]

For those adventerous souls - have you seen this?

http://www.applefritter.com/hacks/duodigitalframe/

[DoctorIt]

For those adventerous souls - have you seen this?

http://www.applefritter.com/hacks/duodigitalframe/good idea, but not gonna work so well for mom or grandma...

apples talk?!

:lol3

[Stormdancing]

good idea, but not gonna work so well for mom or grandma...

apples talk?!

:lol3
What? You mean you don't have an A+ certified TechnoGranny?

[TomaS]

I just saw one at Sam's club for $109. It is 7" (diag) and I think it was 420 horoz resolution with a wide (16/9) aspect ratio. It was not operational, so could not evaluate the quality. Had 128KB mem built in, USB interface, and you can plug in mem cards too.

Might be the ticket for Granny.

Ha - I was just about to ask for some help on this too - only I'm not interested in marketing/advertising/kiosk - rather for home use. I'm just looking for a good holiday gift for my mom. A search only revealed the PhotoVu frames.

Anyone out there in dgrin land have any good experience with a sub $100 digi-frame? Doesn't have to be big either.
:ear

[wholenewlight]

good idea, but not gonna work so well for mom or grandma...

apples talk?!

:lol3

Not sure if they still have them but Staples had a 5X8" for $69. Son-in-law is a Staples General Manager. He ran out after Thanksgiving but said he got more in last week.

[wholenewlight]

Just came in my email inbox:

http://content.costco.com/Images/Content/Product/11178342.jpg

Costco - NV-560 Digital Picture Frame 89.99 (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11178342&cm_mmc=BCEmail_Hot_Electronics-_-25-_-Cameras-_-Spectrum_Digital_Picture_Frame_BCEmail_Hot_Electro nics), Shipping Included
$10 Off
Digital Spectrum 5.6" Digital Picture Frame
White or Black


The NV-560 Digital Picture Frame is the newest in a line of photo players from Digital Spectrum. The NV-560 sports a high resolution, bright 5.6” TFT screen that displays digital photos in vivid color. The contemporary design features a white or black bezel in a clear acrylic frame. Set up as a slide show and play directly from a memory card. The number of images is only limited by the capacity of the memory card being used. The NV-560 accepts CF/SD/XD/SM/MMC/MS cards for maximum compatibility with major digital cameras. The unit is light, portable and easy to use. A great companion to your digital camera and an excellent way of showing off your pictures to family and friends. An easy to use on-screen menu is used to access the different control functions, giving you full control of the slide show and player functions.
Link (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11178342&cm_mmc=BCEmail_Hot_Electronics-_-25-_-Cameras-_-Spectrum_Digital_Picture_Frame_BCEmail_Hot_Electro nics)

[colourbox]

The reviews of the Digital Spectrum frames on Amazon are not encouraging.

[TomaS]

Doc,

These guys (http://www.dsicentral.com/) are coming out with wireless enabled frames for less than PhotoVU in January. Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/Digital-Spectrum-MemoryFrame-MF-1500-Wireless/dp/B000H743WM/sr=1-5/qid=1165525913/ref=sr_1_5/102-7660964-1556953?ie=UTF8&s=photo) has them for pre-order at $399 and $499. I think I will wait and order one of them. Their current models get mixed reviews, but I can always return it if it is crap.

Target seems to have a good selection of sub $150 frames online.

I am really interested in these for advertising my photos. I have a few locations that would allow me to put one up with a CF card full of photos running on auto. I can see placing a stack of business cards in a holder underneath for people interested in buying a photo. I could go in once a month and rotate the photos out. Security is not really a concern due to the type of location and the people working there. I am just looking at this as another form of pseudo word of mouth advertising.

Price is a factor. The photovu is a nice unit. But the price is out of my reach for now.

Please let us know if you find a good price on one.

[DoctorIt]

Doc,

Target seems to have a good selection of sub $150 frames online.That's the ticket - thanks, I'll check 'em out.

[Trasmc]

We just bought the Kodak version at Target (less than $150). The thing the Kodak version has that some don't is a "shuffle" mode for the slideshow - something the intended recipient will like.

The images look decent enough for our purposes, although if you are viewing a mix of portrait and landscape images with the frame arranged on your table or wall for landscape, the portrait images won't use the entire screen size.

Good luck!

[NJCOWBOY]

Wondering if anyone has a recommendation for a LCD photo frame. I would like to get good resolution and 35mm (2/3) aspect ratio. 8x12 would be ideal size, but all I can find thru online searches are 8x10 or smaller with low resolution. It appears to be somewhat ignored technology.

Thanks in advance,


JUST READ YOUR POST TODAY. IF YOU'RE STILL IN THE MARKET FOR DIGITAL PHOTO FRAMES, YOU MAY WANT TO TRY THE FOLLOWING SITE:

http://www.ceiva.com

[wholenewlight]

JUST READ YOUR POST TODAY. IF YOU'RE STILL IN THE MARKET FOR DIGITAL PHOTO FRAMES, YOU MAY WANT TO TRY THE FOLLOWING SITE:

http://www.ceiva.com

I saw these a couple of years ago. I liked the idea of no pc to do updates (for mom far away) but didn't like the idea of having to keep the frame connected to a phone line. I see that they now have optional wireless adapters. Better. I like the idea of a cheaper frame with a card reader best.

[controld]

I saw these a couple of years ago. I liked the idea of no pc to do updates (for mom far away) but didn't like the idea of having to keep the frame connected to a phone line. I see that they now have optional wireless adapters. Better. I like the idea of a cheaper frame with a card reader best.

Not to mention that you get hosed for a $100 a year "PicturePlan" to be able to load photos remotely. I wonder if the unit is easily hackable to pull from a Flickr feed or somesuch.

Anyone actually bought one of these units?

- Mike

[colourbox]

FYI, came across some photo frame reviews in the middle of this page (http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/14.03/play.html?pg=11).

[TomaS]

I ordered the PhotoVu (http://www.photovu.com/products.html) 10.4" frame on 1/1 (a holiday) and received it 1/3. It is way better (sharper, more features, nicer framing) than any digital frames that I looked at in stores, AND a better buy too. This company is first class! I will be ordering the 19" soon.

The only downside is the aspect ratio - the current models is .75 for the 10" and .8 on the larger screens. They tell me that they are working on a .66 AR wide screen model.

[ziggy53]

... This company is first class! I will be ordering the 19" soon.

...

$1000USD for the 19" model. Yikes!

ziggy53

[colourbox]

The appropriateness of the aspect ratio depends on how many vertical photos you're showing, I suppose. Tall photos don't look so great in a widescreen frame. I've thought about buying at least two digital frames, some mounted wide and some mounted tall, and only loading photos with the appropriate orientation into each. But that's not in my budget just yet...

[andymillson]

Thinkgeek (one of the best site for anything geeky :rofl ) has these available

http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cameras/898a/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cameras/7edc/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/cameras/8ad9/

Check availability for these on their website, that have been out of stock lately, but should be coming back in soon

Andy

[BradfordBenn]

Okay I know that this is an old thread but I figured I would ask here... so what is the concensus after all this? I am leaning toward the Philips (of course right after the coupon expired) but figured I would ask.:dunno

Any "I am really happy with...." or "Stay away from ...." comments? I could look at Amazon also but figured see what this group thinks.

[z_28]

I ordered the PhotoVu (http://www.photovu.com/products.html)

Nice - but for $999+ you can buy decent 17" laptop,
show pics as slideshow or just one frame at the time
and use it as a computer too :D

[swintonphoto]

I just bought a Digital Spectrum 15" frame for $300 and it looks great. I did a lot of looking around and am very impressed with the image brightness and color reproduction. They also make a 17" and 19" version. I also like them because there is a mat and frame, not just a frame around the LCD screen. I have my new frame on display at the local mall as part of an advertising stand. The resolution on them is really good as well. The prices are good - the 15" is $300, the 17" is around $400, and the 19" is around $500. I got mine on amazon. They sell them on B&H as well. Each one comes in 3 different frames - Black, Silver, or Gold.
http://www.dsicentral.com/

[BradfordBenn]

Hmmmm thanks for the info

[ChrisJ]

So what did the original discussers of this thread end up buying (TomaS, DocIt, docwalker)? I'm looking at one for grandparents, so it needs to be super easy to use and $150 tops! The Phillips' seem to have the best reputation right now.

[docwalker]

I bought a cheap unit that had a good image, loaded a bunch of photos on it. The person I gave it to to display for me never turns it on... That was a bust for me.

I would like to research it more and find one that takes RSS feeds but my time has been limited.

[ChrisJ]

I bought a cheap unit that had a good image, loaded a bunch of photos on it. The person I gave it to to display for me never turns it on... That was a bust for me.

D'oh, that's frustrating. My target recipients have no internet, so RSS is not an option.

[wholenewlight]

Okay I know that this is an old thread but I figured I would ask here... so what is the concensus after all this? I am leaning toward the Philips (of course right after the coupon expired) but figured I would ask.:dunno

Any "I am really happy with...." or "Stay away from ...." comments? I could look at Amazon also but figured see what this group thinks.

I just noticed this thread coming back for the Holiday season . . .

I bought the Phillips 8" digital frame for my wife for Christmas. I read a bunch of the reviews and it seemed it was on of the better choices for under $200. When I bought it it was on the shelf next to the Pandigital models and looked MUCH better than those. I paid $150 at Costco.

The only thing I didn't like about it was the "easel stand" in the back (that keeps it upright) - it seems to keep it too vertical - I'd prefer a little more lean.

[thoff]

Is why no one has come up with an adaptor that has a card reader in it and a hook up for a standard PC monitor whether it be DVI or VGA and a card reader. I an no electronics person but I would not think it be that difficult. A small box with a decent video card, a card reader and a program to loop the pictures. They can make a PC that it is all in place in a monitor, why not something like that only scalled down. I am most likely way off base but just a thought.
Tom

[BradfordBenn]

Grandtec makes such a box. However it is easier to go with a Picture Frame IMHO. less programming, works out of the box.

I went with a Philips 9" unit and have been pretty happy. There have been two things that have me scratching :scratch my head.

1) Programming auto on&off. Just as soon as I think I have it figured out... it stops working
2) No place does it tell you the best resolution to use for the pictures

[ChrisJ]

Just FYI,

I picked up a Westinghouse 8" Frame (DPF-0802) at Best Buy for $120. It does 800x600 resolution which is hard to beat at that price. My only complaint about it is the contrast is set a bit too high and there's only a brightness adjustment.... It has card slots for the major types, and has 128Meg built-in memory. It will even do video of some sort (haven't read the manual yet).