Old-school picture frames are so last century. After all, they don't do much more than show off one shot (that you have to print). Snore.
Digital photo frames, on the other hand, let you create slideshows with cool transitions to display all of your vacation pics. And some frames add video and audio playback, Wi-Fi, and/or Bluetooth. The best part? LCD technology is finally becoming affordable enough for these frames to be had at reasonable prices. Sure, you can land a killer deal on a solid frame, but you need to know what to look for. Here are five rules to follow to help you pick the perfect digital picture frame.
Rule 1: Consider the UserSome of the frames we've reviewed, such as the $250 (street) Sony VAIO Wi-Fi Photo Frame VGF-CP1 and the $100 (street) Kodak Pulse Digital Photo Frame, have fancy features like Wi-Fi, full Web browsers, streaming Internet radio, and text news feeds. Web-connected features can also add complicated menu options that may be confusing to novice users. If you're focused on viewing photos and little else, it's probably best to keep extra features to a minimum, and you'll likely save money that way.
On the other hand, more sophisticated users will enjoy Web-enabled features, such as the ability to e-mail photos to the frame or see up-to-date weather forecasts. The well-connected, easy-to-use Toshiba DMF82XKU 8" Digital Media Frame ($175 street) can stream images from a variety of sources through a Web service called FrameChannel, which lets you upload images online and also displays photos from Picasa, Facebook, and other sources.
If you want an Internet-connected photo frame, but don't have a Wi-Fi network, the $180 (street) Pandigital 8-Inch Photo Mail Digital Photo Frame is an interesting solution. It's always connected to AT&T's cellular network, so there's no setup reuired, and wherever you can get an AT&T signal, you'll be able to e-mail photos directly to the frame. And you don't need to pay for a service plan.
Rule 2: Don't Buy Based on Brand Name AloneThe $250 (street) HP DreamScreen 100 has a big brand name and a big price tag to match, but just because a frame is expensive and comes from a reputable manufacturer doesn't automatically make it a winner. Though images looked great on the DreamScreen, in our tests, the user interface was slowimages took as long as 9 seconds (!) to load. Always make sure to check performance by reading reviews before you buy.
On the flip side, the lesser-known Pandigital uses an excellent display in its 8" PanTouch Clear Digital Photo Frame ($85 street), a touch-enabled model that has video support and delivers good-looking images. The frame also offers a wide color gamut and an intuitive touch experience for less than half the price of the HP DreamScreen.
Rule 3: Never Settle for a Low ResolutionRegardless of PriceRock-bottom prices on some frames may render them mighty attractive, but beware of subpar images. Only consider frames with a resolution of 640 by 480 or higher, or you'll get boxy, pixelated imagesno bargain.
Rule 4: Select Your Aspect RatioPhoto frames typically support either a 4:3 or 15:9 aspect ratio. By default, most point-and-shoot digital cameras capture photos in 4:3. A frame with an aspect ratio of 4:3 will be the best fit for your photos, as 15:9 frames will have to crop a piece of the top and bottom of your photos to fit the image on the LCD. On the flip side, a 15:9 aspect ratio gives your images a pleasing widescreen feel. One of our favorite frames, the $120 (street) Sony DPF-D70 7" Digital Photo Frame, displays in 15:9. That, together with its slick design and intuitive software, makes it look and feel like a mini HDTV.
Rule 5: Digital Photo Frames Images Are Only Part of the PictureSuperior image quality isn't the most important feature to everyone. Sure, you want to see your pictures clearly and sharply, but there's more to consider. Do you need an accelerometer so you can use the frame in both portrait and landscape mode? Want to watch video in addition to viewing photos? How about setting your photo slideshows to music? Want extra features? Our latest Editors' Choice, the $100 (street) Insignia NS-DPF8IP, for example, incorporates an iPod dock. Bottom line: Not all frames are created equal when it comes to features.
iAutoblog the premier autoblogger software
0 (mga) komento:
Mag-post ng isang Komento