Traveling with the kids is always a barrel of fun. Here are some tips from The Los Angeles Times that will keep vacation costs down without spoiling the family's good time.
Cheap Digital Photo Frame Reviews, Best Cheap Digital Picture Frames
Filed in:
Computer Accessories,
Digital Cameras,
Digital Photo Frames,
Electronics,
Family,
Gadgets,
Photo and Video,
Photography,
Vacations
Price Range
Cheapism
Mid-range
High end
$30
$70
$200...+
Contents |
|
||||||||||
Cheap Digital Photo Frames Buying Guide
Digital photo frames are the best way to move your digital pictures off the camera or out of the computer and display them for the enjoyment of family and friends. The array of frame choices available can seem daunting, with sizes ranging from 1.
What to Look For: Cheap Digital Photo Frames Features
Cheap Digital Photo Frames Resolution.
Resolution is an issue that surfaces in any discussion of computer monitors, TVs, DVD or Blu-ray players. So it is with digital photo frames, where the higher the number of pixels in the display, the clearer and sharper the (framed) picture will be. In the world of digital picture frames, size also matters: that is, the larger the display area, the higher the resolution needed to keep the picture crisp. The resolution suitable for a 7-inch frame (size refers to the frame's width), for example, will not produce the same sharp results on a 14-inch or 20-inch frame. For a frame between seven inches and nine inches -- the most commonly-purchased size -- don't settle for resolution lower than 640x480. The Coby DP850 8" Digital Photo Frame (starting at $69) with an 800x600 resolution and the pricier Kodak Easyshare P820 Digital Photo Frame (starting at $90) with resolution of 800x480 prove that good resolution doesn't have to be a budget buster. Another cheap digital photo frame, the Digital Spectrum NV-800 (starting at $50), also offers the resolution (640x480) found in more expensive models.Some of the newest digital photo frames, like the Digital Foci Image Moments 6 Photo Frame IMT-063 (starting at $69, Amazon
Discount Digital Picture Frames Aspect Ratio.
Aspect ratio refers to the horizontal and vertical dimensions of your pictures. Experts say a digital picture frame ratio of 4:3 displays most pictures at their best regardless whether the picture is landscape or portrait oriented. This makes sense given that the auto-aspect setting on most compact (a.k.a. point-and-shoot) digital cameras is 4:3. Pictures from these cameras display on digital frames with a 4:3 aspect ratio without any distortion and require no cropping; the Coby DP850 uses a 4:3 aspect ratio as a standard setting, as do many other budget-friendly digital photo frame models. The more complex digital SLRs (single lens reflex cameras) typically shoot with an aspect ratio of 3:2, and pictures taken with these cameras display with far less distortion on a frame with a 4:3 aspect ratio than on a frame with a 16:9 aspect ratio.Some inexpensive digital picture frames, like the Coby DP-758 7-Inch Widescreen Digital Photo Frame (starting at $70, Amazon
If you can't make up your mind, you can have it both ways. Some widescreen digital frames, such as the Coby DP-758 and the 7" Widescreen PhotoShare 7XL Portable Digital Photo Frame (starting at $50, Amazon
Bargain Digital Photo Frames File Format Support.
Digital picture frames can do so much more than display a single picture. They can produce a slideshow of many pictures to musical accompaniment. Some models zoom in on the picture or transition from one picture to the next with special effects. Some show movies in addition to still shots. In short, the functionalities offered by any particular digital frame depend on the file formats it supports.Because you want to maximize compatibility between your inexpensive digital picture frame and all your other electronic gear, be sure to check which file formats the cheap digital frame supports. Compact digital cameras produce pictures in JPG (the most common file format), BMP, GIF, TIFF, RAW or PNG. The most common audio file formats are MP3, WAV or WMA. Movie file formats include AVI, DIVX, WMA, MOV, or MPEG. If the digital picture frame supports only one or two formats or formats incompatible with your digital camera, computer, memory cards, or flash drives, managing your pictures will be very frustrating.
The Coby DP850 and GiiNii Wedge support a range of picture, audio, and movie formats. If you plan to use your cheap digital picture frame only to display still photos, expansive file format support may not be a deal breaker and a frame that supports JPG, like the Kodak Easyshare P820, should be just fine. If you want to draw upon a large collection of digital music or movies, digital frames such as the Mustek PF-A700BM (starting at $44, Amazon
Low-Priced Digital Picture Frames Memory Capacity.
Digital picture frames usually come with a certain amount of built-in memory so you won't need to attach peripherals, such as a memory card or flash drive. The number of pictures you can display at any given time depends on the amount of memory, as well as the size (resolution) of the files. An inexpensive digital frame with 128MB of memory can hold up to 100 medium-to-high resolution JPGs just fine, and some affordable options have so much more: the Digital Foci IMT-063 has 450MB internal memory, for example, and the Coby DP850 features a whopping 1GB. (Movies take up more space, but roughly speaking, a 30-second AVI file shot on a compact digital camera is about 8-10MB in size.) Changing pictures stored in the internal memory of your inexpensive digital frame is a snap. All you do is connect it to your camera or computer with a USB cable; many digital frames at the upper end of the market connect via Wi-Fi. Some less expensive digital frames, such as the Kodak EasyShare P820, don't have internal memory. In situations like this, you store pictures on a flash drive or memory card that is inserted into a port on the side or back of the frame. Some consumers consider a lack of internal memory an advantage, preferring to organize and group pictures on different peripherals they can switch out for particular audiences or occasions. One satisfied owner of the Synaps 7" Digital Picture Frame (starting at $39, Amazon
Inexpensive Digital Photo Frames External Memory.
Even digital photo frames with substantial internal memory may not hold all the pictures you want to display. You can extend the frame's capacity by using an external memory card or a USB flash drive, which means you need a frame that accepts these peripherals. If you already have memory cards or flash drives for your computer or digital camera, it's a good idea to buy a frame that supports that same standard. Quite a few cheap digital frames have very robust external memory supports and are compatible with an array of the most common card and drive formats and/or have multiple ports or card slots. The best digital photo frame Coby DP850 and the Kodak Easyshare P820 support the most common peripheral memory formats and have multiple external memory connection options; the Kodak Easyshare P820 has two SD card slots and a USB port, and the Coby DP850 has four card slots and three ports, including one for a mini-headphone.Cheap Digital Picture Frames Optional Extras.
Higher-priced digital picture frames, like the Portable USA PU-10WB (starting at $130, Amazon
), let you wirelessly transfer files from a PC, Mac, or cellphone. With the Kodak EasyShare W820 Wireless Digital Frame (starting at $125, Amazon
) you can email pictures directly from and to the frame and get updates on the news, weather, and sports. These and other features, such as built-in clocks, phone-charging outlets, and picture editing software don't affect the quality of the picture display (digital frame reviews on Amazon of the Polaroid XSA-00770S, which starts at $39 and comes with several of these features, say the picture image is poor and the product itself made with shoddy materials), but they can knock the frame out of the Cheapism price range. Still, you'll find some budget models equipped with extra features. The budget-priced Coby DP850 lets you navigate the frame's varied functions with a remote control, create custom slide shows, and enjoy the audio through stereo speakers.
Back to top »
What to Expect: Cheap Digital Picture Frames Performance
Budget Digital Photo Frames Picture Clarity.
There's no need to lower your expectations about picture clarity when you purchase an inexpensive digital picture frame. Consumers are impressed with the picture quality on the Coby DP850, according to digital frames reviews on Amazon. They also like the Kodak Easyshare P820, which one user post on Amazon says is crisp and vivid. Testers at digital frame review sites such as Frame Reviews and Qwowi give the GiiNii Wedge 7" high marks for the bright, crisp display and the range of display choices.When consumers complain about cheap digital photo frames, poor resolution is one of the most frequent gripes. Polaroid XSA-00770S reviews by users on Photographyreview.com call the 480x234 resolution level "archaic" and one Amazon budget digital frames review pans its dim images and poor contrast. The Widescreen PhotoShare 7XL is compatible with a range of file formats and boasts extra features like headphones and a clock, but consumer postings on Amazon say the pictures look washed out. Ditto for the Coby DP702 7-Inch Widescreen Digital Photo Frame (starting at $45), according to user comments on Epinions.
Budget Digital Picture Frames Accessibility and Ease of Use.
You don't need a degree in electronic engineering to figure out how to use cheap digital picture frames. The Kodak Easyshare P820, which sits a short distance beyond the Cheapism range, wins high praise from consumers on digital frames review sites like Product-Reviews.net for its straight-out-of-the-box operation. This basic model supports only a couple of image formats, and with no involved set up, you plug in to an electric outlet, plug in your memory card, and you're set. The Coby DP850, on the other hand, requires a bit more focused attention. Users write on Amazon that trial-and-error is the best strategy for learning how to use this cheap digital frame because the instruction manual isn't easy to follow. The GiiNii Wedge 7" lets you change settings with on-screen programming, although some consumers, including one reviewer of inexpensive digital frames on Amazon, find the menu system requires getting used to.Low-Cost Digital Photo Frames Durability.
How well do low-cost digital frames stand the test of time? Purchasers of the Pandigital 8-Inch LCD Digital Picture Frame (starting at $59, Amazon
), for example, may have thought the wide range of supported file formats, video and audio capabilities, and USB cable included with the frame were worth the price, but several digital frame reviews by consumers report on Amazon and Tigerdirect.com that the frame stopped working after a month or two. Many of the newest frames -- including two on our recommended list -- haven't had a chance to prove their longevity, but reviews of older models may provide some helpful information. Editors at Framereviews.com and bloggers say the GiiNii Wedge 7" is solid, sturdy, and made with good materials. Inexpensive digital picture frame reviews on Reviewstream.com, NewEgg, and Amazon favorably cite the Digital Spectrum-NuVue 5.6" LCD Digital Photo Frame (starting at $32, Amazon
) and Panndigital PAN7000DW (starting at $64, Amazon
) for their durability and shelf appeal.
A final note:
When digital picture frames first appeared on the scene, they were dismissed as very small and unattractive computer monitors or perceived as a novelty or fad that would soon run its course. Neither view has proven correct. Designers married new technology to traditional frame design to produce frames that look like they belong in your home. And consumers found that digital frames provide hours of low-cost entertainment. Back to top »
Best Cheap Digital Picture Frames
Coby DP850 8
A feature-rich model, with 800x600 resolution, support for the popular movie and audio files, 1GB memory, VidShare for custom slide shows, stereo speakers, remote control, and clock; consumers like the vibrant picture quality, versatility, and storage capacity but gripe about the hard-to-follow user manual.
Cheap Deals
|
Good Cheap Digital Picture Frames
Kodak Easyshare P820
This basic, no-frills model is a bit outside the cheap category, but features like 800x480 resolution, a 16:9 aspect ratio, good external memory support and operational control by touching the border instead of the screen make it a contender; despite its limited display functions and too-short electric cord, users appreciate the user-friendly "plug in and play" qualities.
Cheap Deals
|
GiiNii Wedge 7
Now in limited distribution, the GiiNii Wedge 7" is another feature-rich model that supports a range of movie and audio files and boasts 800x480 resolution and 512MB memory; consumers like the attractive wedge design and good picture quality, and the price is right if you can find the product online.
Cheap Deals
|
Inepensive family travel
Inexpensive summer activities
What screams summer louder than ballgames, movies, and amusement parks? Too pricey for me this year, you might be thinking. But wait, there are deals to be had -- read this posting from ABC News.
Cutting personal technology cost
OK, so your friends are all showing off their newest electronic toys. Just how do you keep up with that and not spend a fortune?? ABC news has some money-saving ideas for you.
Products Mentioned in This Review
Polaroid XSA-00770S 7-inch Digital Picture FrameKodak Easyshare P820
GiiNii Wedge 7
Coby DP850 8
Thrifty Resources
Article Sources
Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association PC Magazine CNET Consumer Reports PC World Optics Planet dpreview.com Epinions About.com Photographyreview.comFinancial Advice
Better BudgetingFrugal Advice
Wise BreadPrice Comparison
Gas Price WatchReview sites
Consumer ReportsCheapism.com on Facebook
© 2010 Cheapism
We do not accept payment or other gratuities from manufacturers or retailers to recommend or discuss their products on Cheapism.com. Nor do we accept any payment or other gratuity from websites to blog about their news stories or posts.
