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Digital Photography

Digital Photo Frame Displays Gain Popularity by Alfred DeBat Although many photographers enjoy having prints made of their digital photographs, new technology permits images to be transferred to digital photo frames. Article rating: 6.00

These “picture” frames usually accept camera memory cards directly or by USB ports, so that individual photos can be downloaded. They then permit a continuing “slideshow” of images on the frames’ large LCD screens. In other words, a whole album of family photos can be shown over and over again in the frame.

Industry sources predict that more than five million digital photo frames are expected to be sold in 2007, making it one of the most popular digital photography accessories.

A wide range of display sizes is available from a handheld 3.5-inch model to a wall-size 19-inch version (as measured by the diagonal of the LCD screen). The most popular sizes are the 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-inch models.

In addition, different models have different features. Some have the ability to play MP3 music files and show video clips, as well as a chain of still images. Many have interchangeable picture frames so that frames can match home décor styles, such as a modern-looking clear Lucite frame or a traditional wood frame. Some are powered by battery or AC. Many digital frames require photos in JPEG file format. Others operate by remote control units and also function as DVD or music players.

Among manufacturers of digital picture frames, the following companies are noteworthy, and you can check out their websites for additional details:

The most expensive and largest size models come from PhotoVu (www.photovu.com), which offers a wall-size 19-inch display ($999), as well as a 17-inch ($799) model – both employ USB ports to transfer images or from a wireless Wi-Fi PDA device. The company also markets 15-inch ($249) and 10.4-inch ($149) models that employ popular camera memory cards to download images, plus use a handheld remote for controls. All four units operate on 110-volt AC.

Continuing by size, Smartparts (www.smartpartsproducts.com) also offers a 15-inch digital picture display with wood frame, which operates with an AC adapter. It is capable of playing video and MP3 music files through built-in speakers or connected external speakers. Smartparts also sells 10.4- ($180), 8.4- ($150) and 7-inch digital picture frames, which have built-in card readers for popular memory card formats. The 7-inch digital frames come in two different models, a still photo only model ($70) and a still photo/video player model with MP3 music capability ($100).

Pandigital (www.pandigital.net) announced a $299 15-inch digital photo frame that is offered with either a black or cherry wood interchangeable frame and is equipped with a remote control unit. Available as accessories is wireless equipment for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The company has five other digital frames, including 6-, 7-, 8-, 9.2, and 10.4-inch models, which also have interchangeable picture frames.

Westinghouse (www.westinghousedigital.com) markets a 14-inch digital photo frame. Also in its collection are 5.6-, 7-, 8-, and 10.2-inch models. The 7-inch model has a “widescreen” format, mimicking the new HDTV screen format, plus wireless connectivity. The Westinghouse line has the unique MosaicView function, which makes it possible to display one, two, or three images simultaneously on a LCD screen. With a built-in card reader that supports most popular memory cards, the units support AVI Motion, JPEG and MPEG-1 files.

It is difficult to offer readers a reference price for digital photo frames in the 5.6- to 10.4-inch size range because individual photo specialty dealers advertise their own “street prices.” But, these categories of digital frames usually are found in the $50 to $280 price range depending on size and features.

You’ll see some familiar photographic brand names among the manufacturers, but often other companies come from the electronics industry. For example, Kodak (www.kodak.com) has two lines of digital photo frames with the EasyShare EX1011 and EX811 models, which are 10-inch and 8-inch respectively; both have wireless Wi-Fi capability and play MP3 music files through the frames’ built-in speakers. The Kodak EasyShare SV811 and EasyShare SV710 models are 8-inch and 7-inch respectively, and do not have the wireless connectivity. They do play MP3 files through their built-in speakers.

Polaroid (www.polaroid.com) has a 7-inch digital photo frame that is currently bundled with a Polaroid 5-megapixel digital camera and two 1 GB SD memory cards at a sale price of $200. The company has an assortment of 7-inch digital frames in both standard and widescreen formats, plus a variety of different interchangeable colored frames and designer-styled faceplates. Also available is a 10.4-inch frame in a traditional wood finish, and an 8-inch frame with built-in alarm clock and calendar.

eMotion MultiMedia Player by MediaStreet (www.mediastreet.com) is a combination digital still photo viewer and a portable DVD and MP3 player ($299). Powered by a removable and rechargeable Li-ion battery pack, the freestanding unit can operate on the go. The eMotion player accepts all popular memory cards, as well as DVD movies, CD and MP3 music sources. It also has video/audio in/out ports, so the unit can be hooked up to a TV, VCR, camcorder, stereo or MP3 player.

CEIVA Digital Photo Frame (www.ceiva.com) offers its digital frames with a unique service plan that permits users to send and store photos on the CEIVA Network and receive up to 50 images every day from other CEIVA owners via the photo frame – without the use of a computer. Two different PicturePlans are bundled with the frames. The $350 twin pack provides two 8-inch CEIVA digital photo frames with two wireless adapters and two six-month PicturePlans. The $250 package includes a single 8-inch digital frame with wireless adapter and one year service. The system is designed for customers who want to exchange photos without computers using the photo frames.

As mentioned earlier, there are dozens of firms marketing digital photo frames; however, the space here does not allow us to go into detail on their individual products. The following list of companies offer consumers digital frames in the 7-inch to 10-inch range. If you require individual specifications, please visit their websites: Axion (www.axiontv.com), Coby (www.cobyusa.com), Digital Foci (www.digitalfoci.com), Fidelity Electronic Digital Office Frame (www.fidelityelectronics.com), Impecca (www.impeccausa.com), Mustek (www.mustekdirect.com), Parrot Photo Viewer (www.parrot.com), Portable USA (www.ritzcamera.com), Royal (www.royal.com) and Sungale (www.sungale.com).

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	I think this is a fantastic way to show off your photography at home or office. Hopefully they will come down in price. At this time I feel they are a little pricey, Posted by: Rick Jun 29, 2007 @ 9:24 AM EST
	I think this is a fantastic way to show off your photography at home or office. Hopefully they will come down in price. At this time I feel they are a little pricey, Posted by: Rick Jun 29, 2007 @ 9:25 AM EST
	it is nice Posted by: aime leafar R. sarmiento Jul 7, 2007 @ 2:48 AM EST
	Hello I have visited your website many times and read the details carefully, I think your online store is beautiful, and notice your business record is good, I would like to do business with you. We are producer of LCD digital photo frame with wonderful wooden frame around, it displays digital photo in memory card freely, we are expert in the industry, our factory locate in south of China, if you are interested in re-selling our product, I will e-mail you the detailed information after receive your reply, our frames are very popular, I am sure you can benefit a lot of if we work together. Posted by: chenqi Mar 31, 2008 @ 10:14 PM EST

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