Digital photo frame recommendation

Shakey · 06-06-2014, 11:43 AM

I'd like to purchase a large digital photo frame for my family room...enjoy some of my newbie photos and flubs as I go down the path of learning. Can anyone recommend a good digital photo frame? I've looked at previous posts but they are a couple of years old. I have looked at them on the net but I'm not able to judge quality from the limited info.
Or...is there a way to turn a digital TV into a photo frame?

Thanks - I'm looking forward to leaning more about this.

kdf9511 · 06-06-2014, 11:51 AM

Some TV's do have this feature. You might also look into a DVD player that has a usb port. I have a pioneer unit that I can put pics on a flash drive and then play them as a slide show on my TV. It's great for partys and family events.

DeadJohn · 06-06-2014, 12:00 PM

Welcome to PF, Shakey.

Many TVs have a USB port. Look at the back and sides (or, gasp, read the manual). Copy JPG images onto a USB memory stick, plug it into the TV, and the TV will play a slideshow. Details vary from TV to TV.

Many digital photo frames are cheaply made and have low quality displays compared to high def TVs. Buyer beware.

**RGlasel** · 06-06-2014, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by Shakey

.is there a way to turn a digital TV into a photo frame?

As the two previous posters have mentioned, all you need is a USB port to put a memory stick with your photos on it. Many Blu-ray players will also work as media players, giving you an easy way to connect to Netflix, etc. as well as displaying your digital photos, and for us old fogeys who like to play discs instead of streaming, they will play movies as well. Or if you are looking for an excuse to upgrade your TV, go buy a "smart" TV. Smart Blu-ray players start at $70, so that's probably your best bang for your money.

OregonJim · 06-06-2014, 02:06 PM

Raspberri Pi. It's a full-blown Linux computer, the size of a cigarette pack, for $25. HDMI out, USB, plus an SD card slot. And, you can run XBMC on it for multimedia. An extra $10 gets you Ethernet.

Raspberry Pi

**Just1MoreDave** · 06-08-2014, 02:16 PM

I keep checking back into digital photo frames and keep being disappointed. The ones with apparently a reasonable screen and a handful of features cost more than a new laptop or tablet. The laptop or tablet has all the connectivity and storage features, and with free software is more flexible displaying shots. If you had an older tablet, it might work a lot better.

calculator01 · 06-08-2014, 05:08 PM

I got a ten inch samsung three years ago for the fiancee, it looks great sitting in its box.

but when it was in use, two houses ago... It was awesome. Great for the office area where a tv was not practical.

A coworker of mine has some Sony seven inch, it looks like crap. That is probably due to the photos on it though

tim60 · 06-08-2014, 05:14 PM

Like all things here - discussion of what to buy - everyone jumps in with opinions based on their own experience and objectives.

I use the 50" TV as the best way to blow the pictures up big, but I use it like the old 35mm slide show - it is an event.

The small frames are suitable for continuous display as a reminder or atmosphere creator (but not an artwork).

So, what is it for?

Shakey · 06-08-2014, 06:19 PM

Originally posted by tim60

Like all things here - discussion of what to buy - everyone jumps in with opinions based on their own experience and objectives.

I use the 50" TV as the best way to blow the pictures up big, but I use it like the old 35mm slide show - it is an event.

The small frames are suitable for continuous display as a reminder or atmosphere creator (but not an artwork).

So, what is it for?

I had intended to use it for continuous play...maybe an 18" so I could actually see it from a chair 8-10' away. I thought I would change photos periodically. We have the Kodak type that people can email photos to but its really small...maybe 7".

**RGlasel** · 06-08-2014, 07:01 PM

There are a few options for HDTV's under 20 inches diagonally (Samsung makes a 18.5/19" LED TV that accepts HDMI and USB inputs), or if you have an computer that isn't being used for anything else, you could connect it to a 18.5 inch monitor, which are relatively inexpensive. Media players typically only have HDMI outputs, which limits your options for a smaller monitor to connect it to. The aspect ratio will typically be 16:9 which means you will have either wide borders on the sides or serious distortion and/or cropping of your 4:3 photos.

OregonJim · 06-08-2014, 07:10 PM

Originally posted by RGlasel

The aspect ratio will typically be 16:9 which means you will have either wide borders on the sides or serious distortion and/or cropping of your 4:3 photos

Unless you utilize the Ken Burns Effect between transitions.

tim60 · 06-08-2014, 11:59 PM

Originally posted by OregonJim

Unless you utilize the Ken Burns Effect between transitions.

My 50" TV presents the pictures in the aspect ratio of the picture. In practice the height of the frame is the limiting factor for both landscape and portraits. I will try it one day on a non-standard aspect ratio picture and see what happens.

06-06-2014, 11:43 AM	#1
Shakey Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 211	Digital photo frame recommendation I'd like to purchase a large digital photo frame for my family room...enjoy some of my newbie photos and flubs as I go down the path of learning. Can anyone recommend a good digital photo frame? I've looked at previous posts but they are a couple of years old. I have looked at them on the net but I'm not able to judge quality from the limited info. Or...is there a way to turn a digital TV into a photo frame? Thanks - I'm looking forward to leaning more about this.

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Sony Introduces the World's First Full-Frame Compact Digital Camera	Jack	Photographic Industry and Professionals	3	09-12-2012 04:19 PM
full frame digital	beaumont	Pentax SLR Lens Discussion	55	01-30-2011 06:31 AM
Digital photo frame - recommendation required	tigershoot	General Talk	2	01-05-2010 05:44 AM
Photo sharing website recommendation	klh	Troubleshooting and Beginner Help	12	12-01-2009 09:32 AM
Digital Picture Frame Recommendations	poochie99	General Talk	6	11-29-2008 09:04 PM

06-06-2014, 11:51 AM	#2
kdf9511 Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Weatherford, Oklahoma Posts: 206	Some TV's do have this feature. You might also look into a DVD player that has a usb port. I have a pioneer unit that I can put pics on a flash drive and then play them as a slide show on my TV. It's great for partys and family events.

06-06-2014, 12:00 PM	#3
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,834	Welcome to PF, Shakey. Many TVs have a USB port. Look at the back and sides (or, gasp, read the manual). Copy JPG images onto a USB memory stick, plug it into the TV, and the TV will play a slideshow. Details vary from TV to TV. Many digital photo frames are cheaply made and have low quality displays compared to high def TVs. Buyer beware.

06-06-2014, 12:43 PM	#4
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,229	Originally posted by Shakey .is there a way to turn a digital TV into a photo frame? As the two previous posters have mentioned, all you need is a USB port to put a memory stick with your photos on it. Many Blu-ray players will also work as media players, giving you an easy way to connect to Netflix, etc. as well as displaying your digital photos, and for us old fogeys who like to play discs instead of streaming, they will play movies as well. Or if you are looking for an excuse to upgrade your TV, go buy a "smart" TV. Smart Blu-ray players start at $70, so that's probably your best bang for your money.

06-06-2014, 02:06 PM	#5
OregonJim Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 1,327	Raspberri Pi. It's a full-blown Linux computer, the size of a cigarette pack, for $25. HDMI out, USB, plus an SD card slot. And, you can run XBMC on it for multimedia. An extra $10 gets you Ethernet. Raspberry Pi

06-08-2014, 02:16 PM	#6
Just1MoreDave Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Aurora, CO Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,340	I keep checking back into digital photo frames and keep being disappointed. The ones with apparently a reasonable screen and a handful of features cost more than a new laptop or tablet. The laptop or tablet has all the connectivity and storage features, and with free software is more flexible displaying shots. If you had an older tablet, it might work a lot better.

06-08-2014, 05:08 PM	#7
calculator01 Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Edmonton, Alberta Photos: Albums Posts: 817	I got a ten inch samsung three years ago for the fiancee, it looks great sitting in its box. but when it was in use, two houses ago... It was awesome. Great for the office area where a tv was not practical. A coworker of mine has some Sony seven inch, it looks like crap. That is probably due to the photos on it though

06-08-2014, 05:14 PM	#8
tim60 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,758	Like all things here - discussion of what to buy - everyone jumps in with opinions based on their own experience and objectives. I use the 50" TV as the best way to blow the pictures up big, but I use it like the old 35mm slide show - it is an event. The small frames are suitable for continuous display as a reminder or atmosphere creator (but not an artwork). So, what is it for?

06-08-2014, 06:19 PM	#9
Shakey Senior Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 211 Original Poster	Originally posted by tim60 Like all things here - discussion of what to buy - everyone jumps in with opinions based on their own experience and objectives. I use the 50" TV as the best way to blow the pictures up big, but I use it like the old 35mm slide show - it is an event. The small frames are suitable for continuous display as a reminder or atmosphere creator (but not an artwork). So, what is it for? I had intended to use it for continuous play...maybe an 18" so I could actually see it from a chair 8-10' away. I thought I would change photos periodically. We have the Kodak type that people can email photos to but its really small...maybe 7".

06-08-2014, 07:01 PM	#10
RGlasel Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Saskatoon Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,229	There are a few options for HDTV's under 20 inches diagonally (Samsung makes a 18.5/19" LED TV that accepts HDMI and USB inputs), or if you have an computer that isn't being used for anything else, you could connect it to a 18.5 inch monitor, which are relatively inexpensive. Media players typically only have HDMI outputs, which limits your options for a smaller monitor to connect it to. The aspect ratio will typically be 16:9 which means you will have either wide borders on the sides or serious distortion and/or cropping of your 4:3 photos.

06-08-2014, 07:10 PM	#11
OregonJim Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Willamette Valley, Oregon Posts: 1,327	Originally posted by RGlasel The aspect ratio will typically be 16:9 which means you will have either wide borders on the sides or serious distortion and/or cropping of your 4:3 photos Unless you utilize the Ken Burns Effect between transitions.

06-08-2014, 11:59 PM	#12
tim60 Pentaxian Join Date: Apr 2011 Photos: Albums Posts: 8,758	Originally posted by OregonJim Unless you utilize the Ken Burns Effect between transitions. My 50" TV presents the pictures in the aspect ratio of the picture. In practice the height of the frame is the limiting factor for both landscape and portraits. I will try it one day on a non-standard aspect ratio picture and see what happens.