XIAS Launches Wireless Frames

Two new wireless digital picture frames have just been launched by XIAS.

The XIAS PF-821WF 8 Inch digital picture frame and the XIAS PF-1021WF 10 Inch digital picture frame both feature a resolution of 800 by 600 pixels. Playback modes supported include single image, slide show or 12 images at a time (thumbnail mode).

Support will apparently be offered for most digital camera memory card formats.

It seems wireless digital picture frames are the way of the future. This is the second manufacturer to announce built-in WiFi support recently. I think the nature of the digital photo frame lends itself to wireless technology. And with other makers integrating their services with online photo sharing platforms, this will become the norm for sharing your photo collection with friends and family.

Smartparts Optimplex SP8PRT

Smartparts has just released what it claims is the first digital picture frame with built-in color photo printer - the Optiplex SP8PRT. Integrated into the body of this lcd digital picture frame is a color printer capable of producing 4x6 inch glossy photo prints.

The idea is that by integrating the printer into the frame, you can eliminate one of the reasons for needing a PC. Just take the memory card straight from you digital camera, plug it into the Optiplex SP8PRT and you can produce quality prints of your favorite photos.

The printer uses an ink and paper cartridge which is loaded into the rear of the frame. The cartridge is capable of producing 36 prints. Replacement cartridges can be purchased but I haven't been able to get any idea of pricing yet.

The Optiplex SP8PRT is an 8 inch digital picture frame with a screen resolution of 800 by 600 pixels. The frame support most popular memory card formats. It has built-in speakers and is capable of playing video and audio.

At $279, the Optiplex SP8PRT is not the cheapest digital picture frame reviewed here, but the in-built printing capability does make it one of the best digital picture frames I've seen so far.

Read more digital picture frame reviews.

RealEase Shogo Touch Screen, WiFi

RealEase have recently announced their new Shogo digital picture frame. The new digital picture frame comes with built-in WiFi and Touch Screen technology. Shogo should be available sometime during spring of 2008.

The touch screen technology will make it easier for people to use this digital frame. I haven't comes across this technology yet in any of digital picture frame reviews. On screen display along with touch screen technology should be a winner.

Also in the works is myshogo.com. This service is an internet portal that will facilitate the sharing of your digital photos by allowing you to publish them to your friend's and family's digital picture frames. Apparently myshogo also integrates with photo sharing sites like Flickr and others.

Apart from the touch screen and WiFi capability, Shogo will have the capacity to store thousands of photos in the internal memory. And to make Shogo truly wireless it also containsd an integrated battery.

I think Shogo coupled with the myshogo service is where the digital picture frames are headed in the future. Enabling content sharing for those that don't have access to a PC is great. It will of course by limited by the availability of WiFi access.

I look forward to writing a more complete digital picture frame review of Shogo once it's been released.

Venturer

People seem to be looking for Venturer digital picture frame reviews, so today I will look at the complete range. For those that haven't seen or used a digital frame before, they're well worth a look. They let you display all of you digital photos without the need for a PC or laptop. Some even support music and/or video.

The Venturer range of digital picture frames has 4 models:

• DPF561SE - 5.6" Digital Picture Frame
• DPF562SE - 5.6" Digital Picture Frame
• DPF712SE - 7" Digital Picture Frame
• DPF811SE - 8" Digital Picture Frame
  

All models listed contain a TFT Panel LCD Screen - the DPF561SE and DPF562SE with 4:3 aspect ratio and the DPF712SE and DPF811SE a 16:9 aspect ratio.

Each of the frames above support Compact Flash, Secure Digital, Multi Media Card and Memory Stick Pro memory card types. In addition the DPF712SE supports Extreme Digital type cards as well as USB flash drives.

None of the Venturer models come with on-board memory. This means the frame will only work with a memory card inserted. Other manufacturers produce some models with internal memory to store images (as well as video and music) on the device. This capability gives such devices much greater flexibility.

The DPF712SE supports video playback with background music through MP3 support. If you put all of your photo, video and music files on a USB drive, you can plug the USB device into the frame. You can then play your movies with sound or show a slideshow with background music playing. MP3 is the only supported music file format and AVI the only supported video format.

All of these frames come packaged with an AC Power Adapter, Stand and Instruction Manual.

Also available are a set of "snap on frames". This set of steel, silver and wood (maple) frame outers can be used to customize the look af your frame.

Read more digital picture frame reviews...

Philips

The Philips range of digital picture frames is the subject of today's digital picture frames review. The lineup comprises 4 models in 2 lines - the modern line and the wood line. Each of these lines contain a 7 inch and a 9 inch frame.

The modern line range consists on the 7FF1M4 7 inch frame and the 9FF2M4 9 inch frame. The outer ornamental portion of the frame is interchangeable with a set of black, red and silver outers available.

The Philips 7FF1CWO 7 inch and 9FF2CWO 9 inch frames comprise the wood line of frames. Like the modern line, the outers are interchangeable with black, silver and milk-white available.

All frames contain high pixel density LCD screens with a resolution of 800 by 680 pixels.

The 9 inch frames both have the capability to operate in standalone mode for up to 1 hour through the use of a rechargeable battery. The 7 inch models both have a run time of just under 50 minutes. All frames have the option of running directly from the AC main power adapter. There is also a timer function so you can set automatic startup and shutdown times for you frame.

All of the Philips digital picture frames have on-board memory with the 7FF1M4 and 7FF1CWO having enough capacity for more than 50 pictures and the 9FF2M4 and 9FF2CWO being able to hold 110 to 150 pictures.

Pictures may be viewed directly from a CF, MS, MMC or SD memory card. The 9FF2M4 and 9FF2CWO frames are also support XD format. This means you can take your memory card directly from your camera, plug it into the frame and start showing off your photography skills. In addition, there is a USB interface so you can load images from your computer directly into the internal memory.

Both the 9FF2M4 and 9FF2CWO digital pictures frames come with Smart Album and PhotoEffect Wizard software. The Smart Album provides functionality to create and maintain photo slideshows directly through the user interface on your frame. PhotoEffect Wizard allows you to edit photos directly on the frame. Tou can do things like rotate and zoom (among other things) without the need to go back to your computer.

All frames come with USB Cable, User Manual, Quick Start Guide, PC Software, Stand and AC/DC Power Adapter.

Read more reviews of digital picture frames...

Smartparts SP56 5.6 Digital Picture Frame Review

The Smartparts SP56 5.6" Digital Picture Frame is the Smarparts entry level digital photo frame. The SP56 is one of an extensive range of 13 frames available from Smartparts. In the coming weeks we will be publishing reviews of other digital reviews from the range. Today's Smartparts SP56 5.6 Digital Picture Frame Review is the first of those.

Summary of Specifications:

• Screen Size: 5.6 Inches
• Aspect Ratio: 4:3
  
• Cards Supported: MMC, SD, MS and xD memory card formats
• Resolution: 320 x 234 Pixels
• Image Formats: JPEG
• Video Support: None
  
• Audio Support: None
  
• Internal Memory: None
  
• Warranty: 1 Year
  

Features:

The SP56 is an entry level digital picture frame. With this frame, you can plug your digital camera's memory card directly into the frame. There is no need for a PC or other device.

You can use this frame to show an automatic slideshow of your latest digital pictures.

Limitations:

Being an entry level model, the Smartparts SP56 5.6 Inch Digital Picture Frame doesn't support Video or Audio playback like some of it's more expensive counterparts. Also, there is no interface for connection back to a PC or other computing device.

This frame is well suited to someone who just wants to take their card straight from the camera and show their friends and family their photo collection.

To the best of the author's knowledge, all information in this review were correct at the time of writing.