How to Choose the Best Digital Photo Frame

The best digital photo frame is the perfect way to share your memories without making prints if you've got a digital camera. A digital photo frame also provides variety-instead of a single photo on your desktop or mantle, you can have an ever-changing display of favorite pictures.

A digital photo frame is a small display panel, similar to the ones found in HDTVs, that is bordered by an attractive frame. Images are loaded into the digital photo frame's memory from a USB storage device or a memory card. You can choose to display a single image constantly, or you can rotate the display through several images using built-in timers and transition effects.

Digital Photo Frame Resolution
Without question, the key consideration when shopping for a digital photo frame is the quality of the display, or the screen that shows the images. Digital photo frames with low-quality displays are not a worthwhile investment, as the photo displayed may be fuzzy, blurry or poorly lit. The displays on digital picture frames are measured in pixels. Traditional 4" x 6" photo displays should have a resolution of at least 640 x 480 pixels in order to display your photos properly.

Look for a digital photo frame with a high-contrast TFT or LCD screen if you intend to use it in a brightly lit area. Most digital picture frames have limited viewing angles, which is the distance you can see the image to the left and right of the frame before it becomes washed out. Since the majority of manufacturers don't advertise the viewing angles of their digital photo frames, you should check online reviews and user comments before you buy.

Digital Picture Frame Size and Design
Digital photo frames are available in sizes ranging from 1.5 inches at the small end to more than 20 inches at the large end. The seven- and eight-inch frame sizes are the most popular, so this is where you'll find the best values. The largest digital photo frames are the most expensive.

If you are shopping for a larger digital photo frame, be sure that the resolution is proportionally higher to ensure a high-quality display. An 8-inch digital picture frame should have a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels, while better 10-inch and larger frames will offer resolution of at least 1024 x 768 pixels.

If a manufacturer doesn't specify the resolution, look for another digital photo frame. Pay careful attention to measurements, as some digital picture frame manufacturers use the size of the frame, not the screen, to determine size.

You can find a digital photo frame to match any kind of home décor. Traditional wood, metal and plastic finishes are available, and some digital photo frames include interchangeable faceplates that let you customize the look of the frame to different rooms. Fancy metal and hardwood finishes can add a lot to the cost of a digital photo frame but they do nothing to improve display quality, so make sure you've got the best screen for your money before you start comparing finishes.

Storage and Image Transfer
The majority of digital photo frames use removable digital storage devices, such as Secure Digital (SD) cards or Compact Flash (CF) memory sticks. It's best to have a digital photo frame that supports a broad range of digital storage cards, but at a minimum, make sure the digital photo frame you choose supports the same kind of memory card that's in your digital camera.

Some digital photo frames provide a USB, Ethernet or FireWire connection to retrieve images from your computer. Wireless digital picture frames go a step further and can pull images from your favorite photo sharing Web site, such as Flickr or Picasa, or from RSS feeds. You need an active wireless Internet connection to take advantage of this feature. Check to see if there are additional fees associated with this service, as some digital photo frames charge a monthly fee for this service.

Power Options
Digital photo frames are powered either by batteries or an electrical cord. If you're choosing a battery-operated digital photo frame, look for one that includes rechargeable batteries or purchase them separately for a lower lifetime ownership cost.

If you want a digital photo frame that plugs into a wall outlet, remember that the cord length will affect the placement of your frame. If you want to wall-mount your digital frame or display it in the middle of the room, a power cord could be a conspicuous intrusion on your décor.

Whether you purchase a battery-powered or corded digital frame, look for power-saving options, such as timed operation or auto-off features, which are especially useful to preserve battery life. While it seems basic, a power switch is worth looking for, as some digital photo frames don't have them. High-end digital picture frames should include a motion-sensor that turns the frame on when someone walks in the room.

Additional Features
Most digital photo frames offer a slideshow function that lets you display a sequence of images within the frame. Transition effects let you add some pizzazz to the slideshow by having images slide off the screen or dissolve. Look for slideshows that give you the option to set the interval between each transition.

Some digital photo frames let you to add audio to the slideshow, so that you can narrate your photographs or play music in the background. There are also a small number of digital photo frames that have the option of displaying video as well as still pictures.

If you want to display your digital photo frame on a mantle or mount it on the wall, look for one that includes a remote control, which makes it easier to turn the frame off and on or change images.