Why 7” inch Digital Photo Frame are really cheap?

If you own a digital camera, you will know that digital picture frames are available to display your lovely pictures . These digital picture frames typically feature a colour LCD screen and display a slide show of your digital pictures. Currently, there are several such digital frames on the market, and each caters a different taste. Considering the size of the digital picture frames. The electronic picture frames come in different screen sizes starting from 5.6 inches to 19 inches

The main component of a digital photo frame is the LCD screen, the higher the resolution of this LCD screen better the output of your pictures. However resolution is not that only matters when it comes to a digital photo frame. Aspect ratio of a digital photo frame is also an important factor when considering a digital frame. Most digital cameras take pictures in 4:3 aspect ratio, if you want your pictures to appear on a digital picture frame with out distortion, you need to pick a 4:3 frame. These frames normally come in sizes as 5.6 inches, 8 inches or 10.4 inches. However some digital frames like the Philips frames which are not in 4:3 aspect ratio can adjust the picture automatically so that the edges of the images are cropped to fit the frame size.

These 7” digital frames are really cheap. They are even cheaper than 5.6 inch frames. There should be a reason why they are cheaper. They have a low resolution 480x234 pixels. One of the few reasons are, the aspect ratio of these picture frames is 16:9. Which means all your images that you load in them will look elongated or squashed. However you can make it fit the frame by cropping using a computer and software. Plainly it is not as simple as inserting your memory card and getting a wonderful picture as you would get from a 5.6, 8 or 10inch screens. The other reason is the viewing angle of the 7 inch frames is very narrow. To illustrate the importance of viewing angle, consider that you are placing a photo frame on your mantelpiece. If you are setting naturally on your sofa, your line of sight to the frame will be at an angle. Unless the frame supports wide viewing angle, your picture will appear blurred in most cases you will not be able to see much. So if you are going for a cheap frame, think about its usage, are you going to place it on your desk and view it from a close distance or will it be a decorative piece for a visitor to appreciate. Electronic Photo Frames like the 7 inch with narrow viewing angle produce acceptable quality of the picture when viewed from less than 1m from the frame, almost a distance that you need to hold them in hand. Many of the cheap 7 inch photo frames do not support audio or video playback. The support for different memory cards is also limited in case of cheaper frames. To appreciate quality difference you need to see the same picture in a 7 inch frame and then view it in a 8 inch frame. The 8 inch frame or the frame with higher resolution Digital signal and 4:3 aspect ratio panel will always be much better than a 7 inch digital photo frame with low resolution and 16:9 aspect ratio.

The screen size is a factor dependent on where you want to place your frame. A 5.6 or 7 inch frames may suit your desk. As these frames have a low resolution in the range of 480x234 pixels. With these low resolution screens, the colours will not reproduce as well as you would see them on your computer monitors. For a frame to be used as a decent photo display, you need to look for a frame with 640x480 pixels or more.

There are different additional features supported by digital picture frames apart from displaying static pictures. Many support audio and video play back. However some of the cheaper frames and the current Philips models do not support audio or video play back. Slide show with background music. Audio and Video Out, this feature is rarely useful unless you would display the pictures on your television. Some photo frames come with a built in memory, but now a days flash memory cards are inexpensive, so don't pay a high price just for built in memory frame. Most frames support the following memory cards.

• Secure digital
• Memory Stick
• Compact Flash
• Many frames require an adapter to support the following cards
• MMC
• Memory stick Pro and Duo
• Mini SD

Before choosing on a digital picture frame, you may want to consider the following aspects.

1. Screen size and Aspect ratio
2. Screen resolution Min. 640 x 480
3. Support for different type of memory cards.
4. High-speed host USB i2.0
5. Audio play back support, most picture frames support MP3 play back. But make sure they do as some high price branded frames don't have this feature.
6. Video playback, does the picture frame support MPEG1,  MPEG2 and MP4 play back
7. Play favorite files
8. Interchangeable Frames
9. Real-time Clock
10. Alarm
11. Calendar
12. Advanced timer turns your Digital Photo Frame on and off at your choice for power saving
13. Certifications RoHS, WEEE, CE, FCC, UL
14. 2 years warranty
15. Does the photo frame come with a remote control

Read Reviews  about 7” Digital Photo Frame

Piece of crap!

I bought this 7" Digital Photo Frame last night and was very excited to have on my desk at my new job. I am a part time professional photographer on the weekends. I read the entire manual from cover to cover. Very small, but very easy to read and very simple. The picture display was horrible. They all seemed a little stretched and fuzzy. I would be completely embarrassed to show someone my photos in this manner.

I am returning this today. I bought this because it was the ONLY one that they had at Staples and I had a coupon. I guess I'll do some research before I buy another.

You get what you pay for
Cheap, plastic and poor image quality

This item is relatively inexpensive but you end up with a cheap product. The photo quality is pretty awful which is really what the product is all about. It also looks cheap with the plastic parts. The user manual is lacking and does not give clear instructions for use.

Don't expect much

Picture quality is poor: low resolution with too much contrast. Manual doesn't specify screen resolution.

I guess for Euro100 this is what you get, poor to mediocre pictures with a poor manual. Nowhere does it tell you how to tailor pictures for display in order to avoid brainless cropping. The software does its best but has no way of knowing which part of a picture to display

Cheap quality

Digital Photo Frames with 7inch screen are really cheap but you get what you pay. Poor image quality. It is fit if you don't really care about quality and all is interested in some thing cheap

Read Review  about SUN-SG8 8” Digital Photo Frame

Written by Dennis Hissink letsgodigital.org

"The SUN-SG8 Digital Photo Frame is one of kind. There are more digital displays on the market, but till now I haven't seen any display that has so many goodies built-in. The interchangeable frames give you the opportunity to integrate this display smoothly in your living room, bedroom, office, store and many other situations. The Digital Photo Frame distinguishes itself by the amount of features it offers. You can't think of it or the SUN-SG8 Photo Frame is capable of serving you. Insert a Flash memory card that contains all those favourite moments, audio, video or photos, in the free memory slot and copy your files to a CompactFlah memory card. With the Digital Photo Frame you are able to manage your files via the display and the remote controller which I believe is very convenient. The optional 12V cable lets you even use the Frame in a car or on the boat. One of the other excellent features is the option to set the frame with the built-in timer on and off at your convenience; a perfect tool for the retailer who would like to display his business to potential clients. I am very enthusiastic about the multimedia character of the display. The way it let itself controlled by is just so convenient. Choose your favourite photos, mark them and start the slide show and enjoy the multimedia show. If you are looking for a special gift for a special friend, or a display that helps you promote your product; the SUN-SG8 is it. The Digital Photo Frame has an affordable price and simply gives you good value for money!"