What should I look for in a digital picture frame that’s large?
Large digital picture frames are becoming more common as time passes. Due to how we’re so used to large and brilliant displays on tablets, TVs, and large smartphones, the large digital picture frame market is on the rise. That being said, if you don’t know what to look for, there’s a good chance you’ll waste money and regret the purchase. Luckily, that’s quite an easy mistake to avoid with a couple of useful tips.
First, you should look at the resolution of the screen. As you increase display size, you need to raise the resolution, or pixel density drops below a point and becomes noticeably blurry. As a rule of thumb, for displays larger than 10” in diagonal length, you need a resolution above 800×600. A great resolution for a balance between price, performance, and viewing experience is 1024×768 pixels.
Closely linked with screen resolution is the aspect ratio. When it comes to digital picture frames that are large and support multimedia/video playback, a 4:3 aspect ratio is arguably the best. While 3:2 might be – strictly speaking – the best for photos, it’s very uncommon and hard to find. 4:3 offers the best balance between displaying photos and videos and avoiding unnecessary cropping or photos surrounded by black bars.
You then have to look at the features the frame offers. If it’s possible, avoid large digital picture frames with touchscreens as they are less durable and significantly more expensive. Controlling the frame with a handheld control, or remotely via the web interface offers you all the ease of use and control you’d need. It’s also easier for elderly users and improves the viewing experience (as fingerprints and scratches won’t be an issue).
Other important features like being able to send photos via a mobile app, email, USB/SD card, and the web interface vastly improve versatility and functionality. Some of the best large digital picture frames let you remotely control connected frames, change their settings, start slideshows, and more.
One major function to look for is the ability to link the large digital picture frame with social media and photo-sharing platforms like Facebook, Google Photos, Dropbox, and so on. While you don’t need access to every platform, a couple of your favorite ones can make your experience exceptional. Some frames like the Pix-Star offer this web album feature and even store the synced photo albums on the frame’s internal storage for offline use.
There are other lesser features like viewing the weather, listening to the radio, mini-games, and in-built speakers. While these aren’t very important on paper, they might be necessary for you – so it’s worth considering.
Is a digital picture frame that’s large worth the higher price?
The answer to this depends on how you plan to use the large digital picture frame. If you intend on showcasing artwork, family photos, or just want a more alluring display that draws attention, large digital picture frames might be the right choice for you.
They’re especially good for large rooms and for wall-mounting to fill up and improve on empty spaces. You’ll usually find they have a broader viewing angle and brighter screen, meaning you and more people can view the display at the same time.
So long as the resolution is kept above what we discussed in the above section, the image should be clear and crisp. It’s also worth considering the design of the frame and its screen-to-body ratio. If you want an immersive experience, digital picture frames that are larger are your best bet. With a good 4:3 (or similar) aspect ratio, you’ll get a very immersive viewing experience.
In summary, if you avoid large digital picture frames that use touchscreens, you’re more likely to get good value for money. The difference is price often isn’t too significant. If it’s within your budget, and you’ve got the space for it, large digital picture frames are an excellent and immersive choice.
Are touchscreens better on large digital picture frames?
Touchscreen becomes less and less feasible as you increase the size of the display – mainly due to their significantly higher price. You’ll usually find touchscreens on smaller 5-8” digital frames, and very seldom on digital picture frames that have large displays.
There are also concerns with durability and viewing experience. Fingerprints are one of the main drawbacks as they are easily visible and need to be frequently cleaned. You also have to consider scratches and the fact that touchscreens aren’t as durable in the long term.
If it’s possible, you should avoid touchscreens on digital picture frames larger than 8-10”.
What’s the best way to send a large number of photos to my digital picture frame?
Mobile apps generally offer the fastest and most versatile way to send photos to digital picture frames in large quantities. Digital frames like the Pix-Star come with great mobile apps that don’t have many limitations. You can send photos to multiple frames at the same time, browse through your phone’s gallery, and natively capture photos or videos – directly in the app.
All the selected photos can then be reviewed and sent directly to your frame, or multiple frames at the same time.
Other good methods include sending pictures through the commonly used email function. Simply attach the photos to the email and send them to your frame’s dedicated address. Alternatively, you can load a bunch of photos and videos onto a USB or memory card, insert them into the frame, and copy them to the frame’s internal storage.
Can I use a TV in place of a digital picture frame that’s large?
The only way that TVs beat large digital picture frames is in screen size, resolution, and better video support. Large digital picture frames offer plenty of ways to send photos and videos including mobile apps, email, web interface, and via USB/SD card.
While you get some of these features with a TV, you’re still limited in terms of slideshow settings and style. You also have to consider the higher cost of TVs and their size/weight. Unless you need a screen that’s over 30”, large digital picture frames are probably the better choice for displaying your favorite photos.
