Should I buy a Pix-Star or a Philips digital photo frame?
Pix-Star’s frames are some of the best you’ll find on the market. They’re packed full of useful features and functions, have a clean and smooth user interface suited to elderly users, and have a bright and sharp display. On the other hand, the Philips digital photo frame is one of the cheapest on the market. It doesn’t support multimedia playback (meaning you can only view photos on the frame – no video or audio) and has a tiny 7” display. A narrow viewing angle, awkward aspect ratio, and low-resolution display don’t help the viewing experience much either – though that’s expected at this price point.
Pix-Star frames make extensive use of Wi-Fi through features like remote control capability, listening to the radio, and even viewing weather reports. Pix-Star’s digital photo frames can also send media through a variety of different methods. From email and mobile apps to linking web albums (from social media and photo sharing platforms) through the web interface, there always a quick and easy way to get media to your Pix-Star frame. You also have the option of loading a USB/SD card up with media and copying it to the frame’s internal storage (or leaving them plugged in).
Philips digital photo frames aren’t Wi-Fi compatible – so you don’t have access to any of these features. The only way to send photos to your frame is through a USB or memory card. The internal storage isn’t very large and you’ll likely need to leave them plugged in at all times. Philips digital photo frames don’t have nearly as much versatility and functionality as Pix-Star’s frame – but you shouldn’t expect much from one of the cheapest frames on the market.
There’s also the issue of durability and build quality. Pix-Star has a sturdy frame with a stable stand. The screen is very resistant to scratching and the frame can take its fair share of damage without showing it. Philips digital photo frames have long-term durability issues most likely due to poor quality control. While this doesn’t mean every frame has issues, it’s worth keeping in mind.
In summary, when it comes to digital frames, it’s generally better to avoid low to mid-range models. It’s hardly ever worth the money you save due to the lack of Wi-Fi connectivity and versatility. It’s worth paying more for a solid, functional, and reliable frame that offers more features without being too complicated to use. This is what makes the Pix-Star frame one of the best choices out there.
Are Philips digital photo frames budget frames?
Philips digital photo frames are some of the cheapest on the market. Their cheap build quality and small, low-resolution display help to keep costs as low as possible. The lack of Wi-Fi capability also helps to keep the frame as basic as possible. There are only a handful of features and functions on these frames and you have very limited control over the settings and how content is displayed.
These, and other, budget frames make up the lowest end of the digital photo frame market. They’re meant to be cheap and easy to use – but due to quality control issues and often poor attention to detail – their real-world use is far from simple and easy.
Are Philips digital photo frames any good?
You need to know what to expect when buying a cheap digital photo frame like the Philips frame. They aren’t designed to be versatile or offer a bunch of useful functions. They’re designed to offer the most basic way to view photos on a screen that’s as cheap to make as possible.
You shouldn’t expect a sturdy build quality or a frame that will last for years. You’re also not going to get a top-of-the-line viewing experience from Philips digital photo frames. They’re not very easy to use and you’ll likely run into a lot of compatibility and user interface issues.
Cheap frames like the Philips digital photo frame still have their space on the market – though it’s getting smaller and smaller. With top-of-the-line digital frames like the Pix-Star offering multiple times more features while still being easier and quicker to use, it’s hard to justify buying a budget frame. Premium frames are getting more affordable and offer the viewing experience you’re used to having with your smartphone and computer. Budget frames like the Philips digital photo frame are a long way from offering a similar viewing and user experience – and this is immediately noticeable when you use the frame for the first time.
In summary, Philips’s digital photo frames are not too bad considering their price. It’s just hard to justify buying one when a frame like the Pix-Star offers so much more (through Wi-Fi connectivity and cloud storage) without being unreasonably priced.
Can I play videos on a Philips digital photo frame?
Philips digital photo frames cannot play videos. This is a little surprising, especially considering that some other similar prices low to mid-range non-Wi-Fi frames let you play short video clips. Philips digital photo frames can only display photos. There is currently no multimedia support for video clips of any length or audio files.
Are Philips digital photo frames good as gifts?
Even though Philips digital photo frames claim to be simple and quick to use, their real-world experience is quite different. The user interface is hard to navigate and the frame doesn’t give you much control over how content is displayed.
It’s especially tricky for elderly users as you’ll often need to manually resize and crop photos to match the Philips digital photo frame’s native resolution – or deal with often poorly auto-cropped pictures surrounded by black bars. This makes the already-small screen appear even smaller.
The lack of Wi-Fi capability is a big drawback. With frames like the Pix-Star, you can set them up remotely and display content, manage settings and storage, and more – from anywhere in the world. Features like listening to the radio and viewing quick video clips make the frame much more personable and fit into family life better. This usually isn’t the case with Philips digital photo frames. They’re not a great choice as a gift, especially for grandparents, other elderly users, and anybody that’s not very tech-savvy.
