Almost everyone has a smartphone with camera capabilities. This means that there are hundreds of pictures cluttering up computer hard drives. A digital picture frame displays those photos in a loop with music or video. Instead of displaying one or two photos in picture frames in the home or office, a digital picture frame lets people show their favorites and change the pictures periodically as new events happen in their lives.
Getting Started
The first thing to consider is the recipient and the size of the frame. The frames range from the smallest keychain size frame, which is less than 2" long, up to a 17" screen size. Unless there is a specific reason for a large screen size, most common frames are approximately 5" to 7" when measured diagonally. The number of digital frames out there along with the features and sizes can be incredibly confusing. This buying guide should help sort the picture frames based on features and explain things like resolution, screen size and aspect ratio.
Features
Resolution
A digital frame is an amazing gift for yourself or a loved one, but if the resolution is low, they will see nothing but grainy photographs. The resolution is based on pixels per inch of space. The higher the pixel resolution, the clearer the image. Frames should be at least 640 x 480 to give the best images.
Memory
Internal memory will dictate how many images can be loaded into the frame. The memory for each frame differs from megabytes to gigabytes. If you want to expand the number of photos or add music and video, memory cards can be added to most frames. Memory cards can be taken directly from cameras and inserted into the frame.
Aspect Ratio
The aspect ratio is much the same as the ratio on your HDTV. Photographs are more likely to fit into a standard 4:3 ratio. If you're planning on showing videos, the widescreen option of 16:9 might be a better choice for you.
Design
The outer parts of the frame and the style are a personal choice based on your home or office decor. If you're choosing it for a gift, think about where the person will display the digital frame and the decor of that room. There are wall frames as well as desk frames. There are some frames that come with web browsing capabilities and Internet radio.
Brands
Many companies that make cameras and digital equipment make digital picture frames. Companies like Sony, Viewsonic, Coby, Motorola and Philips developed picture frames to accompany their line of electronics. The company you choose can be based on personal preference, reviews or features.
Shopping Tips
Consider the Recipient
The gift should fit the person receiving it. If it's a person who might not understand electronics, consider a model with an easy setup of the frame. Check the features to be sure it's a frame that doesn't need extra memory too. In some cases, the frame has minimal internal memory and will need a memory card, which you may need to provide.
High Resolution
Make sure the resolution is high enough for crisp, clear photos. Otherwise, you might as well get a regular picture frame with traditional photos. The amount of pixels displayed is extremely important for a clear photo. The frame should have a resolution of at least 640 x 480, but a higher resolution of 800 x 600 will produce beautiful photographs.
Price
The cost of the picture frame will be based on the features like the resolution of the photos. The higher the resolution, the bigger the cost. The size of the display area will impact the cost too.
Author
