Coby 8-Inch Photo Frame with Multimedia Playback DP870 (Contemporary Design) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got one digital frame (which is very very bad, it doesn't even show the complete pic)before I bought this product. I am absolutely satisfied with the clearity and color, I should see excellent pics. What I didn't expect is the high quality of sound effect, which is a surprise. Also, the operation system is easy and thoughtful. It has a remote control, and the voltage goes between 100-240 V, which is good to give as a gift use in other country. All in all, I want to give my highest recommendation to this product, you will never regret for buying it!!!

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Pandigital PAN7000DW 7-Inch Digital Picture Frame (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)The Pandigital PAN7000DW 7" digital photo frame is the best digital photo frame I've found yet. I've purchased 4 other models in different sizes from Axion, Phillps, Smartparts, and Opteka. All of these others had various issues (16x9 when I wanted 4x3, didn't always start picture show automatically, buggy software).
The PAN7000DW is reasonably priced (about $65 from Amazon as of 11/9/2009) as compared to the Sony models which are all much more expensive.
The PAN7000DW display is excellent -- showing 800x600 pictures crisply and vividly. The software is very good with a reasonable user interface and useful options. I like displaying my photos using their original dimensions (the optimized view attempts to maximize the amount of display used but will chop off edges to accomplish this) - you can pick the view mode you want.
The frame accurately shows the EXIF photo date/time if you want to display it. It will also optionally show the current time. It has a nice calendar w/ picture view as well as the normal full frame photo view. And it seems to show ALL your photos eventually (I had a strange problem with an Opteka frame not showing all the photos, only a subset). The remote is small and is held on the back of the frame by a magnet. The remote works well (some remotes I've used have buttons that are hard to press or control). The menu structure (frame software) is logical and well arranged.
The clock functionality and auto turn on/off functionality is useful if you have power available to your frame at all times. However, I've hooked my frame up to a motion sensing power strip in my office and the time/date gets whacked when the sensor shuts off for the weekend (the time/date seem to survive for a few minutes or hours without power but not over a weekend). So if you use your frame with a motion sensing powerstrip, forget using the clock/calendar feature.
As I've discovered with many photo frames, if you want to display pictures in a particular order, they must exist in flash memory written down in that order - this is not a visible ordering - it does not depend on file name or file creation time. If you start with a totally empty flash card (or internal frame memory) then it will be the order in which the files are copied to the memory device. Macintosh and Windows file copy routines are the fastest way to copy files but the order in which copying takes place is not under your control if you move a large number of files all at the same time - the operating system parallelizes the copying for speed but this places the pictures in different physical memory order. It is too bad that most photo frames do not allow you to display in creation date order or EXIF date order or even file name order.
The best way to lay down the photos in sequence is to start with an empty flash device. Then copy the files either one by one by hand or using an automated method that copies files only one at a time. A cmd file on Windows that can do this is like:
-------
dir /b /od>c:\junk.txt
for /f "delims=*" %%i in (c:\junk.txt) do copy "%%i" f:-------
[...] (you need to change this script to fit your exact situation)
Alternatively you can use Photoshop Elements or some other photo management tool to export photos in sequence directly to a memory card or your picture frame.
Hopefully future photo frames will become a bit more intelligent and allow you to pick your display order.
Overall I've found the PAN7000DW to be a good value and to work as you would expect.


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The world's first 7" frame displays in 4:3 aspect ratio for no stretching, cropping or distortion. Digital screen displays up to 6400 images on 1GB of internal memory. Transfer images, audio and video from a memory card via 5-in-1 card reader or from PC with a USB cable (Not included). Customize the look of your frame with the interchangeable white and charcoal mats. WiFi/Bluetooth compatible.

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Panimage PI8004W01 8-Inch Digital Picture Frame (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This review is for the Pandigital PanImage 8" Digital Picture Frame Model Number PI8004W01. Purchased 1/19/2010.
First, I should share that I am very technically oriented and a perfectionist. I won't put up with a poor quality or pporly engineered product. Second, I just cannot for the life of me understand some of the comments in the negative reviews for this product based on my experience. I am not sure whether Pandigital has upgraded the product but maintained the same part number or what but there are some clear differences between those posts and my experience. The product I received does have a full 1GB memory and does display photos in a clear and crisp full 800 x 600 resolution. I was almost impressed with the playback of a video. In fact, out of curiosity the first thing I transferred was a 150mb video file that played perfectly sound and all.
Features I really like:
+ The ability to schedule the frame to turn on and off at predesignated times as I am giving this as a gift to my wife who will be putting it on her desk at the office.
+ The ability to select "auto convert" which converts the images being imported to the ideal image size for display (saves storage and saves time from having to do it myself manually on a PC).
+ 8" display as the 7" just seemed a little small to me.
+ 4:3 aspect ratio. I was actually planning to go with something that had 16:9 but then realized most cameras still use/produce 4:3 so this will display most images perfectly vs. having black bands on the right and left (like watching non-HDTV picture on an HDTV.
+ Connectivity - Supports most memory card sizes, USB cable connection to a PC, direct access to a USB drive, and more.
+ Sound - the ability to play a video and hear the sound or even background music if desired.
Last but not least, I was considering a Sony as an alternative but found that many user reviews are complaining about the inablity to load and play a photo that was edited by PC software. I retouch and/or edit photos using photoshop and other tools so I decided to avoid the Sony product.

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The Panimage 8-inch frame holds up to 3,200 compressed images can be stored on 512 MB of internal memory. Transfer images directly from a memory card via 6-in-1 card reader or from PC with included USB cable. Customize the look of your frame with the interchangeable white and charcoal mats. WiFi/Bluetooth compatible.

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Sony DPF-V1000 10-Inch Digital Photo Frame Review

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(More customer reviews)Having upgraded from a smaller Philips digital photo frame, the Sony DPF-V1000 is a welcome surprise.
Before getting in to the meat of the review, I feel it's worth pointing out a couple of improvements in the product right up front.
A lot of reviews here complain about three common gripes:
- the illuminated Sony logo on the frame
- when you're in date/time mode, the frame only displays the date and time the photo was taken
- non-camera images don't display
I bought my frame on June 28th 2009 and all these items have either been fixed, or the other reviewers didn't read the manual far enough. The illuminated Sony logo can be turned off via the setup options now. There is a smorgasbord of date and time modes available too, most of which will display the current date and time rather than the date and time the photo was taken. And finally, the non-camera images problem seems vastly reduced now. I filled my frame with all sorts of images including straight-from-the-camera JPGs and ones that had been altered via Photoshop. Out of 400 images, only two didn't display, and they turned out to be TIFF images I'd put on by mistake. Otherwise, images taken from 8 or 9 different makes and models of camera all showed perfectly, as well as those taken from 5 different cellphone cameras.
So on to the frame itself - what's it like. Oddly, bigger than you might think. OK so you can read the dimensions in the product specs but when it arrives, the box is huge, and the frame is much larger than you might imagine. The quality of the LCD panel seems to be top notch with a bright, clear display and a pretty wide viewing angle. The screw-in "foot" which makes up the frame's stand is quite long (for stability) which means that you can't push this frame up against a wall when placing it on furniture - it's going to stand out quite a way. You can hang it on the wall though - it has keyed notches in the back for that purpose. The frame can be oriented in landscape or portrait mode and it auto-rotates the pictures to suit. The picture display itself can be "original aspect" which shows the whole picture with black bars padding the screen where necessary, or it can be "zoom to fit" in which case the image is zoomed slightly to entirely fill the display.
The frame comes with 1Gb of built-in memory as well as memory card slots for most types of card. There is one gotcha here though which isn't mentioned in the manual, and is buried deep in the product FAQ on Sony's website : when you connect this frame to your PC via USB, you can ONLY upload images to the frame's inbuilt memory. Any cards plugged in do not show up - you either need to load them up separately, or copy images to them using the frame's inbuilt copy tools. Whilst this isn't a biggie, if you don't have a separate card reader for your chosen type of memory card, it's a pain having to shuffle images everywhere. Having said that, 1Gb of onboard memory holds a respectable number of images - enough that you might not need an expansion card. Realistically, I think the card slots are there for straight-from-the-camera image viewing, rather than long-term storage.
There are plenty of setup options to keep the both the nerdiest photo frame enthusiast and the absolute beginner happy. One thing I was pleased to see was the option to set the inbuilt clock to 24 hour mode. Why anyone still uses AM/PM in this day and age is a mystery to me, yet so many consumer electrical products insist on the 12 hour format. Not so in this case. As well as the clock, there's a calendar built in too, and in many of the display modes, you can show the clock and/or calendar along with the photo. Another nice feature here - you can set the date display to American or rest-of-world - ie. month-day-year or day-month-year respectively. The clock has an alarm mode which can be turned on or off using a slide switch on top of the frame. Seems a little pointless to me, but then I have a clock radio to wake me up in the morning.
The included remote control is a nice feature. My old Philips frame had no remote so all changes needed to be done using the frame's hardware buttons. With the Sony remote, you can fiddle with the photo frame remotely, including all the setup and display features. It has hidden benefits too - for example if you've got the frame set to refresh every half hour and you decide you don't like the current picture, you don't need to wait - just click 'next' on the remote and on you go.
As with most digiframes, this one has an auto on/off function where you can tell it when you want it to turn itself on and off. It has a simple and complex mode of operation for this feature. In simple mode, you just give it an on and off time and that's it. In complex mode (the default setting) you can set multiple on/off times for individual days of the week. A little too much gravy for a photo frame if you ask me.
The slideshow modes have the usual array of fades and swipes, as well as sequenced or random image mode. For the most part, you'll typically end up in random picture mode, and random fade/swipe mode. The slideshow delay has several preset options from every 3 seconds right up to once a day for the picture change. Common choices like 5 minutes, 10 minutes and half an hour are all present and correct.
You can do some rudimentary image editing in the frame although any serious amount of image touchup is out of the question. It has a scrapbook mode where you can frame the pictures with backgrounds and other add-on graphics although it does seem a bit pointless to buy a large digiframe and then deliberately shrink the images you're displaying on it ....
In short - this frame has more than enough features for the technophile, whilst being pretty easy to just pick up and use for those who want to throw some photos on and be done with it. You can't argue with the clarity of the LCD panel either. All in all, a good choice if not a little pricey. Sure you're paying for the Sony name, but if they did an identical model with all the frills removed - ie. no touchup mode, no alarm, no scrapbook mode and no card slots, that would be a product with more mass-market appeal. That being said, I don't think you'll regret this purchase - it simply is that good.
So why 4 stars and not 5? Well the internet is full of people who either think product X is the best thing since sliced bread, or have an axe to grind with the manufacturer. Those two review types account for 5-star and zero-star reviews. Very few products warrant a full-on 5-star review because most products have one or more features that a chunk of the buyers won't like. So 4 stars is my rating here - ie. it's a bloody good piece of kit but it's not perfect. I don't think the perfect 5-star digital photo frame exists yet.

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LCD panel size: 10.2" (222.7 x 130.5mm)
Actual viewing area size: 217 x 130.5 mm
LCD panel resolution: WideSVGA 1024 x 600 (viewing area 1000 x 600)
Display type: TFT
Display back light type: CCFL
Max. viewable number of colors: 262,144 colors
TruBlack: No
Clear Photo LCD: Yes
Viewing aspect ratio: 15:9
Contrast: 400 (Typ.)
LCD viewing angle: 130degrees (H) / 110degrees (V) (Typ.)
LCD brightness: 300cd/m2 (Typ.)
Lifetime (at 50% brightness): 20,000hr (min.)
Screen angle adjustment: No (Fixed)
Screen angle: 12 degrees (Landscape / Portrait placement)
File system: FAT12/16/32
Available file format: DCF format
Max. number of image files to handle: 9,999
JPEG: DCF Ver. 2.0 compatible, Exif Ver. 2.21 compatible, JFIF* (*Baseline JPEG with 4:4:4, 4:2:2, or 4:2:0 formats)
TIFF: Exif Ver. 2.21 compatible
BMP: 1, 4, 8, 16, 24, 32 bit Windows format
RAW: SRF, SR2, ARW (2.0 or less, preview only*) (*RAW files are displayed as thumbnail preview.)
JPEG file decode speed *1: 1.6 sec *2
Max. pixels available to decode: Up to 8,192 x 6,144 (48 megapixels)
Compatible memory card: Memory Stick, Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO, Memory Stick PRO Duo, HighSpeed Memory Stick, HighSpeed Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick Micro (M2) (available with optional adaptor), MagicGate Memory Stick, MagicGate Memory Stick Duo, Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo (8-bit parallel transfer of Memory Stick PRO-HG Duo is not supported), SD card, mini SD card (available with optional adaptor), micro SD card (available with optional adaptor), SDHC card, mini SDHC card (available with optional adaptor), micro SDHC card (available with optional adaptor), MMC, RS-MMC (available with optional adaptor), MMC Plus, CompactFlash Type I, CompactFlash Type II, xD-Picture card, xD-Picture card Type M, xD-Picture card Type H
Auto orientation sensor
Alarm
Auto dimmer
Search function
HDMI output
Operati

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FrameWizard 8-Inch Digital Picture Frame Includes MatteMagic, ElementEffects, and MovingMemories (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I was really excited to get this in the mail. The front of the frame is glass and the pictures are very clear. My complaint, and reason for 2 stars, is I installed the DVD and was ready to add effects to my pictures and the software is missing Moving Memories effects to alter people or pets! This is the main reason I got the frame. It has effects for fire, water, sky and lights and that's it. If you go on the website, their FAQs only have 3 simple questions and the website only works about 50% of the time. The software is buggy. It crashed on my multiple times in the hour I have messed around with it. If they can fix this so that the software does what they advertise, I will definitely change my rating, but until they do, they only deserve 2 stars.
***Update***
I changed this to one star because I failed to try out the pictures I spent an hour editing and sending to my frame. I followed the directions exactly and used the remote to select "slide show" on the frame. The frame flashes, then goes back to the main menu. I couldn't get it to do a slide show at all that way. So I selected "pictures" and not a single picture I selected to add to my frame, actually transferred. When you add the effects to a picture, they make you preview the picture first. That takes forever. Then when you decide you want it transferred to your frame, you have to wait forever again for it to transfer. You then get a screen that tells you to unplug your frame from the power source to reset the frame. I do that, and again, nothing on the frame. When you edit your pictures in the software provided, you cannot save any effects you add. My hour spent editing photos and transferring them to my frame...completely wasted. The only way I have found that I can add pictures to this frame is by opening up the frame under "my computer" and dragging the photos from my folder, to that folder. If that's all this thing is good for in the end, DO NOT WASTE YOUR MONEY ON IT. I bought this frame for the effects. I cannot get a single effect to work. I honestly feel like I was ripped off.
***Update again***
I know some people may not think my review of this frame is very professional because I keep changing my review, but I emailed the company about missing software. There was some confusion about the product and how it was advertised at the time I purchased it. I didn't purchase this off of Amazon, I purchased it on Woot. Apparently on Woot, it was supposed to be known that the one on there wouldn't have the additional software. It was not advertised and the company wrote me a long email explaining all of this. They are going to send me a disc with the software that has the effects I had bought this frame for. When I get the disc (they let me know this can take up to two weeks)I will give this item a 5 star reveiw.
I also found out through using the software, you have to give a name to every picture you want to upload to your frame. If you do not do this, it will not give it a default name and it will not show up on your frame. I was able to get the pictures to load. It is a long process, but the end result is amazing. I really do like this product and after all of this confusion, it will still be worth all five stars. I do hope to update this review one last time in a week or two, to five stars.

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The only digital picture frame that makes your still images come alive. FrameWizard 8" DPF with its included full software suite – Moving Memories, Element Effects and Matte Magic creates life-like movement for people, pets and objects. Also, moving motion environments and weather effects and the only matte software created specifically for digital frames. Frames come with 2GB internal memory.

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HP DreamScreen 100 10.2-Inch Wireless Connected Screen Review

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(More customer reviews)The HP DreamScreen is at its heart, a digital photo frame that's begging to be much more.
As with so many of 2009's consumer electronics, the DreamScreen is yet another example of a company trying to bolt on extended connectivity to popular sites. This time around, we have access to Facebook, Pandora, and Snapfish via built-in wired and wireless networking.
Setting up the DreamScreen is fairly painless. It quickly found and connected to my WPA2 network without any problems, and the built-in applications all ran as I had expected them to, albeit, very slowly. I thought that the slowness may be due to the product being so new, and immediately checked for a firmware update. Sure enough, there was one. However, it didn't seem to improve the response time.
The DreamScreen is quite large. Probably larger than what I'd want on my desk, and a bit too large for a normal end table. And while the back has slots to accept every type of flash media under the sun, it also makes the unit itself quite deep, making wall mounting an unattractive option.
As I had said previously, the included applications all work pretty much as I had expected them to. Facebook is a passive stream of status updates or photos. Snapfish can be pointed to someone's account, and Pandora seems to do the right thing if you already have a Pandora account with stations set up. The weather application updates quickly and often, and is visually appealing. The inherent problem with all of these, is that they aren't integrated or well executed.
So, mixing photos between any of the applications is just not possible without navigating between the different applications. On one hand, I can understand that the DreamScreen doesn't claim to do it, but if you're going to bundle multiple photo options, being able to see them all in a rotation seems like a natural function to me. And while Pandora works, the controls are not well thought out (e.g. making the music stop) and as you'd probably expect from a device like this, the audio quality is not very good.
Ultimately, you end up with a product that you'd normally "set and forget", but that really needs a lot of interaction to make any of the features work. I could see having this mounted somewhere that I could enjoy glancing at the pictures, and notice every once in a while that it's telling me what the weather's like, or that one of my friends has posted new pictures on Facebook. But in execution, I'd need to go find the remote, and navigate to each function. If I'm going to take the time to do that, why wouldn't I just grab my computer? (Or if I didn't have one, why wouldn't I spend about as much money on a netbook?)
The image quality is decent, but not nearly as good as what you'd see on the similarly sized Sony DPF-V900 9-Inch Digital Photo Frame (and a popular choice, now that I see it on another review). Again, it does what HP says it does, but it doesn't do it as well as it could, and seems almost an afterthought.
The DreamScreen really begs the question: "What need does this fulfill?"
If you're looking for a photo frame, you have better options from Sony, Kodak, and others.
If you're looking for an easy link to Facebook, the interface and one-way nature of the device puts a wet towel on that.
If you're looking for a portable media center, the audio quality is a serious barrier.
If you're looking for a "keep Grandma updated with something easy to use" device, you're hitting limitations with the interface (and wireless availability).
I just can't think of a single reason to buy this over another product, other than to say "Hey, check out this frame. Look at everything it can do."

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The HP 10-inch DreamScreen makes it easy to enjoy photos, music, video, as well as weather, clocks,calendars, Facebook, and more.

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Coby DP700BLK 7-Inch Digital Picture Frame (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)I think this frame is great, it's a great little gift for someone that doesn't have alot of room or for an office desk. I think the resolution is great and the features are great too. It's very easy to work, I didn't need the instruction book at all. My slideshow shows every pic on my sd card so I'm not sure what other peoples problems are when they say it only holds 10 pics. This is not true. Great deal for the price!

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Sony DPF-D82 8-Inch LCD WVGA 15:9 Diagonal Digital Photo Frame (Black) Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a review for the 8" Sony DPF-D82 digital photo frame. The frame looks good, is well designed, very easy to use. The photos look great. I loaded the pictures on a Kigston SD6/4GB SDHC memory card, plugged it in the unit, and the frame operated flawlessly. You can display the photos a number of different ways, controlled by a remote. A bit more expensive than some of the competition, but worth it.

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