Digital Picture Frame Recommendations Sought

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cyberia

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
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I am thinking about getting a Digital Picture Frame like the Ceiva. For only $99, I am willing to give it a try. But... I don't see myself paying a monthly fee.

I'd like to get a similar frame in the $150 range that can be loaded over Wi-Fi or Ethernet or via a memory card.

Any suggestions or first hand experiences?
 
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gordita

Golden Member
Mar 24, 2001
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interesting thread. I'm on the lookout for the same.
The new philips looks like the best of the lot
 
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Lorax

Golden Member
Apr 14, 2000
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looked into this as a christmas present last year, everything out there at the time seemed to have a really crappy resolution or other small quirk (such as subscription) that prevented me from getting one.
 
jonnyGURU

jonnyGURU

Moderator <BR> Power Supplies
Moderator
Oct 30, 1999
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I bought a couple of the Westinghouse units at Best Buy for Mother's Day. Has a memory card reader that takes any card and can be uploaded to via USB too. Frames can be switched out: Black, silver, natural.

Drawbacks: Has to be plugged in. Rechargable battery would be nice.
 
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DBL

Platinum Member
Mar 23, 2001
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Originally posted by: Lorax
looked into this as a christmas present last year, everything out there at the time seemed to have a really crappy resolution or other small quirk (such as subscription) that prevented me from getting one.
Click to expand...

That's the problem with them. No one wants to spend big $$ on them but then you are left with 640x480 resolution. A good picture frame really requires a very high PPI, which just is not economical at this point to be soley used for displaying pictures . I would love a 1800x1200 8x12 frame.
 
nakedfrog

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
62,444
18,436
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Originally posted by: pontifex
people actually buy these?
Click to expand...

If I had a few, it would save me a lot of hassle whenever the woman decides it's time to update the picture wall. We could have less pics, too.
 
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cyberia

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
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I ended up buying this one: Royal 8" Digital Photo Frame from Target.com. It is on sale again for $150, and there is a 10% off coupon out there.

I really like the concept. You basically get to display all the pics you have in a space normally taken by a single frame. And changing them is as easy as copying them to a memory card. It was certainly a great gift for my wife for the Mothers' Day.

The LCD resolution, quality, brightnes and whatever else sucks big time. I don't feel that it detracts from the overall idea though. I strongly believe that if you do end up buying one, get one with an 8" screen.

Recently, I have been thinking about getting a portable DVD player and returning the picture frame. I could burn a slide show on a CD/DVD and paly it. There are portable DVD players with "built-in"/integrated screens and drives (as opposed to ones with "flip-up" screens). Those are the ones that can be easily used as digital picture frames. Plus, you do get the DVD player functionality.

Any opinions on this approach?
 
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PaNsyBoy8

Golden Member
Jul 19, 2001
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what about bulding your own using an old laptop.

i made one using an old laptop. now i'm just looking for good slideshow software so I can jsut dump pics in a folder and have it load automatically.
 
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tfinch2

Lifer
Feb 3, 2004
22,114
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Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8
what about bulding your own using an old laptop.

i made one using an old laptop. now i'm just looking for good slideshow software so I can jsut dump pics in a folder and have it load automatically.
Click to expand...

Why not just put a slideshow screensaver with a whole desktop system?

The point of it is to look like a picture frame.
 
nakedfrog

nakedfrog

No Lifer
Apr 3, 2001
62,444
18,436
136
Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8
what about bulding your own using an old laptop.

i made one using an old laptop. now i'm just looking for good slideshow software so I can jsut dump pics in a folder and have it load automatically.
Click to expand...

I've still got a couple Virgin Webplayers laying around that this might be cool for...
 
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cyberia

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
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Originally posted by: tfinch2
Originally posted by: PaNsyBoy8
what about bulding your own using an old laptop.

i made one using an old laptop. now i'm just looking for good slideshow software so I can jsut dump pics in a folder and have it load automatically.
Click to expand...

Why not just put a slideshow screensaver with a whole desktop system?

The point of it is to look like a picture frame.
Click to expand...

I don't have an old laptop laying around. I thought about hooking up a (not very) old 17" LCD to the media center PC in my family room, but it would look out of place (and a laptop might have too). The LCD picture frame is just that - a picture frame. It feels right and "cozy" there.
 
jonnyGURU

jonnyGURU

Moderator <BR> Power Supplies
Moderator
Oct 30, 1999
11,815
104
106
Originally posted by: cyberia
I ended up buying this one: Royal 8" Digital Photo Frame from Target.com. It is on sale again for $150, and there is a 10% off coupon out there.

I really like the concept. You basically get to display all the pics you have in a space normally taken by a single frame. And changing them is as easy as copying them to a memory card. It was certainly a great gift for my wife for the Mothers' Day.

The LCD resolution, quality, brightnes and whatever else sucks big time. I don't feel that it detracts from the overall idea though. I strongly believe that if you do end up buying one, get one with an 8" screen.
Click to expand...

I think it's just because the Royal sucks.

I saw the Royal after I bought the Westinghouse. Initially, I felt "burned" by the price difference, but when I saw the Royal in action I was pleased with my decision.


 
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GoingUp

Lifer
Jul 31, 2002
16,720
1
71
I bought one at CVS pharmacy for $50. Even plays videos and MP3s. I don't use it too much, but its a neat little toy.
 
jonnyGURU

jonnyGURU

Moderator <BR> Power Supplies
Moderator
Oct 30, 1999
11,815
104
106
Originally posted by: cyberia

Recently, I have been thinking about getting a portable DVD player and returning the picture frame. I could burn a slide show on a CD/DVD and paly it. There are portable DVD players with "built-in"/integrated screens and drives (as opposed to ones with "flip-up" screens). Those are the ones that can be easily used as digital picture frames. Plus, you do get the DVD player functionality.

Any opinions on this approach?
Click to expand...

Actually, I got a chance to see some "picture frames" with RF/RCA/Svid input that can do video while at Computex.

8" @ $300 retail, though.
 
W

WW

Golden Member
Jun 21, 2001
1,514
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0
Originally posted by: jonnyGURU
Originally posted by: cyberia
I ended up buying this one: Royal 8" Digital Photo Frame from Target.com. It is on sale again for $150, and there is a 10% off coupon out there.

I really like the concept. You basically get to display all the pics you have in a space normally taken by a single frame. And changing them is as easy as copying them to a memory card. It was certainly a great gift for my wife for the Mothers' Day.

The LCD resolution, quality, brightnes and whatever else sucks big time. I don't feel that it detracts from the overall idea though. I strongly believe that if you do end up buying one, get one with an 8" screen.
Click to expand...

I think it's just because the Royal sucks.

I saw the Royal after I bought the Westinghouse. Initially, I felt "burned" by the price difference, but when I saw the Royal in action I was pleased with my decision.
Click to expand...

sams club (online) had the 5.6 inch royal for $97. I've never seen it, but I'd expect the same poor photo quality.

Years ago I bought a kodak smartframe for $99....that was a great deal, we still use it.

Ceiva looks nice, and the remote photo sharing would be nice for grandparents, etc without a computer.
 
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cyberia

Platinum Member
Oct 22, 1999
2,535
0
0
Originally posted by: RudeBoie
Bump for more thoughts and suggestions. Thinking of getting one for my mom, about to go overseas for (at least) a year, though it would be nice to have if I send pictures over.
Click to expand...
I am absolutely positively certain now that a portable DVD player is a better option. I am looking for a good deal on one.

OD had a great 10" DVD player with a bunch of accessories and features on sale for $160 or so AR but before a coupon. It even had a swivel screen (which I think should be close to #1 on your list if you are serious about setting it up as a picture frame). I got it but... the LCD quality was worse than p*ss-poor (Link).

Radio Shack has an excellent model (in terms of physical configuration) for $160 AR. Its screen is located on the top of the DVD well cover. So, it looks EXACTLY like a picture frame. It even has a stand that attaches to the back, like a picture frame does. But I kind of chickened out after the Mustek. I might hold out for a few months for a better breed of players to hit the market. (maybe this)
 
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