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Digital Picture Frames

If you have a digital camera, you will know that there is one big problem with them; you end up with hundreds of pictures saved to the hard drive of your computer, but you never get to see them.

This is where a Digital Picture Frame comes in. A Digital Picture Frame (or digital photo frame) is a picture frame that displays digital photos without the need to print them out or to use a computer.

Digital picture frames come in a range of sizes from 6” to 19” and over. The size of the frame corresponds to the measurement diagonally from corner to corner of the screen.

Your digital picture frame will display your pictures in a slideshow format, so that you can rotate a number of pictures over and over again rather than having to look at the same old photograph in a frame! You can usually choose the timing of this slideshow, and maybe even choose the way the pictures change – sideways, downwards, peel off, rolling, pixilated or merged.

You can usually view photos directly from a memory card so you do not need a computer to load your pictures onto the frame. The most commonly accepted memory cards are Memory Stick (MS), Secure Digital (SD), XD-Picture Card (xD), Compact Flash(CF) and Multi-Media Cards (MMC). Most will include a USB connector so that you can download photos from your PC or Microdrive (MD).

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a frame is the screen resolution; the higher the screen resolution, the better the image quality will be.

Another nice addition to some frames is the ability to play a soundtrack along with your pictures. The files usually can be uploaded in MP3 format and give extra atmosphere to your favourite images. Some can also short video clips. Your digital picture frame may also come with a remote control so that you can change the picture – or the sound – without even leaving the comfort of your chair.

Smaller digital picture frames are usually designed to be free standing, and are provided with a ‘leg’ so as the frame will stand up. It’s usually pretty sturdy, as it has to support a fair amount of weight, however some frames will also have fixings supplied so that it can be hung on a wall, just like an old-fashioned glass picture frame.

Many of the best-known electronics manufacturers have a range of digital photo frames, including Phillips, Mustek, Kodak, IT Works, Nu Vue, Perfect Technology, Toshiba, Sherwood and Yaraku.

Digital picture frames come in many types of design. As this is a sophisticated piece of electronic equipment the styling is most often contemporary, with sleek modern styling. However there are some available with wooden frames, which will fit in with a more traditional style of decor. Some offer, for example, a choice or dark mahogany or pale beech wood. You can also find digital picture frames with interchangeable frames giving you a choice of colour to match your decor whatever room you put your frame in.

One of the most popular digital picture frames on the market is the Philips 7FF1AW 7" Frame, which has won the iF, Good Design Award and Reddot Design Award. One of the first frames available, it has a high specification, classic styling, solid construction and a high resolution of 720 x 480. Phillips also make a version of this frame with four different coloured interchangeable frames, called the 7FF1M4, which is a 7” frame. There is also a 9” version of this frame available.

As they have become more popular they have also become more affordable, and it is now possible to get a digital picture frame under £50. Even at this price point the frames can still store 1,000 images and display them as a slide show.

The most exciting new development in this technology is Wi-Fi digital picture frames. These frames have all the features of an ordinary digital picture frame, but they can also send pictures via email to a Wireless Digital Picture Frame that’s hundreds of miles away, or just in the next room. Some of these frames can also receive text messages.

A great example of these new Wi-Fi enabled frames is the Kodak Easyshare 10" Wi-Fi Digital Picture Frame EX1011. Its 10" frame has a resolution of 800 × 480 pixels with a huge 128 MB of internal memory. It is also easy to download pictures from friends to your frame. If you sign up to Kodak Easyshare, friends and family can send their pictures to your account on their website, and you can download them automatically to your frame without needing to put your computer on.

These frames have also gone portable with the advent of Digital Picture Frame Key Rings. These are tiny frames with a screen of between 1” and 1.5” with a strong key ring fixing. You can enjoy your digital pictures anywhere, and show your holiday snaps to your mates!

Digital Picture Frames are a great way to show off your photos, and an attractive addition to any home.

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