(OUT OF STOCK) Kodak Smart Picture Frame back at Computer Geeks for $99.00

[O2L]

They can apply the coupon code over the phone if you forget to add it on the web.

1289 left. If you read this after they're gone e-mail me and I may have an extra that you can have. I bid on one earlier today, but I don't need it any more. Hopefully I won't win, but if I do you can have it at my cost.

 

[wesbc]

Add what coupon? the %10? But this does not apply here right? Well I did add the Jamit coupon...

Yea just rushed and ordered 2... didn't realize there was so many left...

 

[O2L]

The guy I spoke with took the 10% code.

 

[GTJacket]

Anyone want to PM me the code for the 'MasterCard Exclusives' 10% discount?

 

[wesbc]

Damn, they're closed... will have to call tomorrow!!! Any idea who you spoke with?

 

[O2L]

Unfortunately, no. I forgot to ask his name. It was just the first CSR that picked up.

 

[Kwad Guy]

I got my Kodak frames yesterday...My observations:

1) Nice looking real wood frame. This will look nice on almost
any mantle. Great gift.

2) Trivially easy to use. At first, I was kinda disappointed they
didn't offer USB connectivity to upload photos, but after playing
with it a bit, I couldn't care less. You can store around 200
pictures on a 16mb compactflash card (+/- will depend on the
composition of the pictures), assuming you reduce the pictures
to 640x480 before loading them to the card. That means you can
store around 3200 or more pictures on a 256mb card (if you were
so inclined). That's basically a lifetime's worth of decent shots
for most people!

3) Very good picture quality. This uses a TFT screen which can be
viewed from an angle, is bright and clear. Resolution is a true
640x480. Only gripe is the piece of glass that sits in front of the
LCD is textured which, to my eyes, makes the picture just a wee
bit less clear than it would otherwise be.

4) In slideshow mode, the fastest you can switch between photos is
5 seconds. Even in manual mode, it takes around this amount of time
to go from picture to picture (for pictures on the compactflash card,
anyway). This can get to be somewhat annoying if you're trying to
search for a particular picture and you have a lot to look through.

5) In menu mode, you can browse through the photos to pick the ones
you want to copy to the frame or the ones you want to delete.
In order for the thumbnails to show up, you MUST have photos with
EXIF data intact. This info is written by digital cameras, but is
generally stripped off when you convert your photos to a smaller
size. The only convenient batch converting program I could find that
maintains the EXIF data is Ulead PhotoExplorer 7 Pro. Programs like
IrfranView, etc. strip off the EXIF, which means you won't be able
to see the thumbnails in menu mode. Personally, given the limitations
(speed, number of thumbnails you can see at once), I'd do my editing
on the host PC and not the frame. But this is something to consider.

6) This frame is so much better than the Kensington "$50" frame, it's
pathetic. The Kensington uses a poor quality passive matrix
320x240 resolution LCD. The Kodak uses a TFT active
matrix 640x480 screen. No competition. Not even
close. Even the most undemanding, uncritical user would choose the
Kodak. The Kensington has fixed memory that can only hold 12 pictures.
The Kodak can hold 36 photos in built-in memory, and an almost
unlimited number in compactflash. The Kensington depends on software
and drivers that are specific for the Kensington. I wouldn't hold
my breath for future driver support. The Kodak software is built
into the frame. The only thing it requires is a compactflash card.
As long as compactflash card/readers are supported by your computer's
OS, you'll be fine.

Bottom line: This is terrific.

(And Kensington sucks the big wad).

Kwad

 

[VaG]

You guys are 100% right they can take the coupon code over the phone but let me tell FIRST HAND they will charge your credit card the full price. I was able to use the code while placing the order on the web from first batch. I phoned in another order from the second batch. The CSR I talked to assured me 3 times that she had applied the code but they charged my card for the full amount on an order of 50. You can do the math. Not exactly chump change. I called them to tell them the mistake. I was on the phone going around in circles with them for over 1/2 hour. He said that CSR's have no way to enter the code so if your purchasing with the code over the phone your taking your chances. If anybody has info too the contrary I would like to hear about it.

 

[hk29]

Back in stock

738 left!!...

 

[winryan]

I ordered 15 of these on the first shipment hoping to sell them on ebay. Big mistake because there are about a million auctions now for these things. Guess I'm not the only one lookin to make a buck. When the puppies arrive, gonna be fun refusing shipping . Oh well. On to the next hotdeal.

 

[bob92]

<< 5) In menu mode, you can browse through the photos to pick the ones
you want to copy to the frame or the ones you want to delete.
In order for the thumbnails to show up, you MUST have photos with
EXIF data intact. This info is written by digital cameras, but is
generally stripped off when you convert your photos to a smaller
size. The only convenient batch converting program I could find that
maintains the EXIF data is Ulead PhotoExplorer 7 Pro. Programs like
IrfranView, etc. strip off the EXIF, which means you won't be able
to see the thumbnails in menu mode. Personally, given the limitations
(speed, number of thumbnails you can see at once), I'd do my editing
on the host PC and not the frame. But this is something to consider.

>>



For a good freeware program that allows you to do batch resizing while retaining EXIF info, try Photo Studio. It will even let you add EXIF thumbnails to images that don't have them (e.g. scanned images or images pulled from the web).

EDIT: Scratch that...turns out Photo Studio DOESN'T allow batch resizing. The option is there in the menu but is not implemented in the current version. The program does allow batch insertion of EXIF thumbnails, however.

 

[bob92]

<< I ordered 15 of these on the first shipment hoping to sell them on ebay. Big mistake because there are about a million auctions now for these things. Guess I'm not the only one lookin to make a buck. When the puppies arrive, gonna be fun refusing shipping . Oh well. On to the next hotdeal. >>



Ouch...I seem to recall someone saying that CompGeeks would charge a 15% restocking fee even on unopened returns.

 

[Kwad Guy]

<< Ouch...I seem to recall someone saying that CompGeeks would charge a 15% restocking fee even on unopened returns. >>



As well they should. I mean, some nimrod buys a bunch and then
refuses them because he realizes he's not gonna make the big score
he'd hoped for on eBay? Dock him 15% PLUS all shipping. And to be
honest, that's letting him off easy.

If you're ever worked in sales, you know these kinds of people
are the lowest of the low. They're the reason that those stiff
restocking fees exist.

Kwad

 

[Netgeek]

Back in again as of 12:27 EST. 600+ in stock

 

[DButtry]

Thanks. This is a cool deal!

 

[Rally1]

OK how do we hack these bad boys, I want that thing dialing and downloading from my FTP site by tonight


Also I picked up this tip: If you think it looks a little blurry, remove the wood frame (two tabs on the bottom of frame, and pop it off), and then take out the clear plastic piece. You might even replace it with a better peice from your local hardware store. (I have no idea why the peice they include is so blurry). But now your LCD wont be protected.

 

[bob92]

<< OK how do we hack these bad boys, I want that thing dialing and downloading from my FTP site by tonight >>



I've been thinking the same thing, but I wouldn't even know where to begin.




<< Also I picked up this tip: If you think it looks a little blurry, remove the wood frame (two tabs on the bottom of frame, and pop it off), and then take out the clear plastic piece. You might even replace it with a better peice from your local hardware store. (I have no idea why the peice they include is so blurry). But now your LCD wont be protected. >>



I think it's textured to make it more scratch- and smudge-proof, but replacing it with a clear piece sounds like a good idea.

 

[wesbc]

No dice with applying the coupon. The CSR I spoke with was too knowledgable for her own good...

Anyway, someone need to change the Heading for this or Make a new post so AT members can spend more money!

 

[Homerboy]

Batch resizing can be done with ACDSee 4.0
If anyone does ANY digital picture juggling (resizing, renaming, editing...) this is THE software for it.
I strongly suggest everyone checking this program out. Integrates nicely into the shell too... produces a VERY useful <right click> window
Test it out, you won't be disappointed.

 

[DonBlack]

Kwad: Excellent review. Can't wait till I get my 5 on Monday. All of my Kensington's have already sold on eBay. $15 profit each! Good riddance.

 

[Rally1]

I am playing with mine at work, but without a CF card here it's hard to fully test out.

For some reason I thought it would be bigger.
However I am very impressed with the picture.
Using the stock images that came with it, the colors are great and very sharp.
I thing the plastic screen (which I have now removed) helps with glare.
It's annoying that everything is reset if you unplug it, but I guess it will end up sitting in one place once I am done testing it.
I like the fact that it will turn on and off at preset times, to lengthen it's life.

If you have not already seen it, read this review . Just ignore the bits about the modem feature!

I can't believe people paid $300 for these things, but for $100 you can't go wrong.

EDIT:

the person who asked about the CF card and a slide show:
if you read the next part of the FAQ it says:



<< Pictures displayed from an inserted COMPACTFLASH Card default to the 20-second rate (or more, depending on resolution) regardless of the Slide Show Rate you've set for pictures stored on the Frame. >>

 

[Technocrat]

Just ordered one too!

 

[Homerboy]

Is there a Smart Media to CompactFlash adapter avialble? I can't seem to dig one up.

 

[Kwad Guy]

ACDsee 4 is supposed to include the EXIF info in any processed
images, and it does do so to a point. But there is a bug (or else
their method of keeping the EXIF stuff is a kludge), because if
you try to use pics processed with ACDsee 4 in other programs that
know how to handle EXIF info, it does not get properly passed on by
those programs...in other words, it does not adhere to the strict
EXIF standard, whatever that is...By contrast, the EXIF info
in PhotoExplorer processed images is fine...

If you are only going to use the photos in the Kodak frame, it doesn't
matter--the ACDsee processed photos should work fine. But in
the more general case, I recommend Photo Explorer over ACDsee.

Kwad

 

[bob92]

<< Is there a Smart Media to CompactFlash adapter avialble? I can't seem to dig one up. >>



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