When will we have digital picture frames that look like a picture?

[StageLeft]

$70 buys a nice digital picture frame now but they still so clearly look like a screen. Are there or will there be frames like this without the backlighting? Similar in concept to the e-readers now? I remember that non-backlit laptops and gameboys looked terrible, but I wonder if a really crisp and clear non-backlit screen could truly make these picture frames look non-trashy when put on a wall or something.

 

[jtvang125]

I think it's the resolution of the small lcd screens that are holding back them back. The good ones are 800x600 and the larger and better ones are only 1024x768. If we can squeeze in even higher resolutions they'll look a lot more crisp and detailed.

 

[0roo0roo]

oled and yes, higher res. the pixel density of the ones sold right now is weak

 

[StageLeft]

I think it's the resolution of the small lcd screens that are holding back them back. The good ones are 800x600 and the larger and better ones are only 1024x768. If we can squeeze in even higher resolutions they'll look a lot more crisp and detailed.

But it's not image quality that is the issue. I want a digital frame to be able to change pictures but look like a non-lighted standard picture. I.e. in the dark you see nothing, with lights on you see a picture...

I want a normal chemical-picture type appearance, not a screen-type.

 

[Fear No Evil]

But it's not image quality that is the issue. I want a digital frame to be able to change pictures but look like a non-lighted standard picture. I.e. in the dark you see nothing, with lights on you see a picture...

I want a normal chemical-picture type appearance, not a screen-type.

Umm.. I may be way outside the box here.. but why not just use a regular picture then?

 

[vshah]

Umm.. I may be way outside the box here.. but why not just use a regular picture then?

because it doesn't change?

OP...put the photo frame on the same circuit as the lights

 

[Kelemvor]

because it doesn't change?

OP...put the photo frame on the same circuit as the lights

:thumbsup:

 

[GodlessAstronomer]

e-Ink is expensive and the colour stuff just isn't there yet. Probably in a few years as eBook readers become more popular, but the e-Ink frames will cost a lot more.

 

[SunnyD]

Digital picture frames confuse me. "Here's your gift of memories... hope it doesn't break."

They're only slightly below giving someone the gift of a bill for the holidays. "Merry Christmas! I got you a cell phone!!! Oh, and here's your first bill to go with it..."

 

[Red Squirrel]

I suppose some kind of LCD technology could be used, one where you can see the crystal colors without needing backlight. When the backlight of a monitor goes dead you can slightly still see, so if they could somehow make it so you see it more, maybe it would work. Kinda like the old game boys, but with color.

 

[dighn]

I suppose some kind of LCD technology could be used, one where you can see the crystal colors without needing backlight. When the backlight of a monitor goes dead you can slightly still see, so if they could somehow make it so you see it more, maybe it would work. Kinda like the old game boys, but with color.

transflective LCDs don't look good enough to be used for photo display. they just aren't very efficient at reflecting light. color e-ink is already somewhat viable technically and we'll probably see more of it in the years to come.

although, i don't see why frames that create their own light (backlit LCD, LED) are "trashy".

 

[Homerboy]

Digital picture frames confuse me. "Here's your gift of memories... hope it doesn't break."

They're only slightly below giving someone the gift of a bill for the holidays. "Merry Christmas! I got you a cell phone!!! Oh, and here's your first bill to go with it..."

What?
Digital picture frames are ideal for grandparents and the like.

 

[thirdeye]

This is the reason I don't own one yet. I bought my wife a nice one last year for Mother's Day made by Philips that actually has a pretty decent screen on it. Much better than most you find now but I also spend over $150 on it.

 

[TimeKeeper]

sorry wrong place.