Selecting The Ideal Electronic Picture Frame For Your Needs

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3 July 2009

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Digital photo frames are becoming ever more popular, and it’s not hard to see why. They have much greater functionality than traditional frames which are only able to display one photo at a time and – when you consider the expense of printing out hard copies of photographs – conventional static frames begin to look like a more expensive option.

Many digital frames combine video, audio, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi and additional features may well be incorporated. All digital frames let you create your own slideshows, usually with transitions, which will let you display all your photos using one single frame. On a cost per photograph displayed basis, digital frames are considerably cheaper than conventional ones.

And, sticking with the subject of cost, the LCD technology used by these frames is coming down in cost which means that digital frames are now on sale at very reasonable prices. However, before you dash out and buy one, here are a few pointers that you may wish to consider:

Choose Your Frame To Suit The User
A large percentage of digital photo frames are selected as gifts, often for elderly relatives who might enjoy viewing pictures of their children and grandchildren. Some digital frames have high end features like full web browsers, internet radio, text news feeds, Wi-Fi etc. Apart from improving functionality, these additional features can also mean that the user interface is more complex – and quite possibly more confusing. Plainly all these extra bells and whistles also mean a significantly higher price tag.

So, if your target gift recipient is chiefly interested in viewing pictures, you may be better to go for a simpler frame which will not only save you cash but be more likely to be used on a regular basis. More technically aware users might enjoy web enabled features of course.

Don’t Forget: Brand Name May Not Be A Guarantee Of Quality
You would probably be surprised at the poor quality images displayed by some of the entry level models manufactured by some extremely well known high street brand names. On the other hand, you would probably be surprised (for different reasons) at the quality of some of the less well known brand names. Check out reviews – or see the frame in action prior to buying.

Choose The Right Resolution
The most commonly selected frame size is 7″. It’s a good compromise between size and cost – and it also corresponds with a typical conventional frame or photograph size. It’s what you might expect to see in other words.

With a frame of this size you probably need a resolution of not lower than 640 X 480 pixels. Anything lower than that will give you chunky, pixelated, images. There’s no point in saving money if the quality of the picture is too poor for your intended use.

Choose A Suitable Aspect Ratio
Digital picture frames generally come in two aspect ratios; 4:3 and 15:9. Most digital cameras generate digital images in 4:3 ratio so a frame with this setting will be ideal for displaying your images. If you go for a 15:9 frame then the top and bottom of your images will be cropped so as to fit on the screen. Alternatively you can manually manipulate your images prior to displaying them and crop them according to your needs.

The Image May Not Be The Total Picture
Top definition image display is important but you may have further aspects that require to be taken into account. Ease of use and functionality might also be noteworthy items for you. The menu system and user interface ease of use can differ widely from one frame to another and you might want to review that prior to making your final selection. Integrated Wi-Fi, which allows you to transfer pictures using your home wireless network, may also be something that you would consider worthwhile. If you are technically minded then you could think about setting up a frame at your parent’s home which has the facility to download images from file sharing websites. You may just want something as simple as a timer which turns the frame off when not in use or a frame which has its own internal battery for use when travelling perhaps.

These are no more than a few suggestions for you. Consider the end user and the probable application and take a little time to go over your options and you’ll be able to source a good, economical, frame which will show off your photos in a cost effective manner for many years to come.