Digital Photo Frame Market Info

consumer.digital-photo-frame-market.info

Home > DPF Selection

How to select a digital photo frames?

First, you have to answer the question, whether you want a model which just can display pictures or whether you want a multimedia device, by yourself. If you want to buy a simple, just picture version, you have to search for a simple function model, which displays JPEG. JPEG is the file format used for digital photos on your digital camera. When you want to buy a multimedia model, you first have to consider, what kinds of file types you want to play. All multimedia frames can display MP3. However, if you have many WMA songs, you have to look for a model, which supports that format. The same is true for the video formats AVI and MPEG.

The next step is to find out, what kind of memory card your camera uses. Usually, the name of the card is written on the card itself. The most widely used card is SD card (Secure Digital). Many digital camera manufacturers use SD in their products, such as Nikon, Canon, Kodak, Panasonic, Konica Minolta or Casio. If you should have a MMC (Multi Media Card), you just have to know that all DPF that support SD also support MMC. Another card, the MS (memory stick) is used by Sony and Sony Ericsson. A quite outdated card is SM card (Smart Media). It was used by Fuji and Olympus till 2001. Their maximum capacity is 128MB. In 2002 Fuji and Olympus switched to xD card. CF (Compact Flash) is an older and compared to the others, much bigger card. It is mainly used in professional cameras.
It should be considered that the more cards a model supports the better. Especially SD, MS and xD cards are commonly used. If your DPF can use those cards, you do not have to worry at your next digital camera purchase or when friends want to show their photos on your DPF.
Additionally, a USB slot is always useful.

As a digital photo frame is not only a electronics good, but also furnishing, the appearance is also important. Consider where you want to put your frame before you buy. Usually, the frames are made of plastic, aluminum or wood.

Furthermore, the panel is important. First of all, you have to decide the size. The most common models are 5.6 inch, 7 inch, 8 inch and 10.2 or 10.4 inch. The standard model is 7 inch. Most 8 inch or bigger models have a digital panel. Compared to analogue panels, the picture quality is better with digital panels. The resolution is an indicator of the quality of the panel. A normal 7 inch panel has a resolution of 480 * 234 pixel (= 480 * 3 * 234 or 1440 * 234). The higher the resolution, the better the picture quality.

Another question, which you have to answer yourself is whether your DPF should include an internal memory. DPF including an internal memory are usually more expensive, however, it offers you the convenient function to save pictures in the frame itself.

Summary:

Do you want a simple model (just picture slideshow) or a multimedia model?

What memory card does your digital camera use?

Where do you want to place your DPF?

How big should your DPF be?

Do you need internal memory?