How do Polaroid digital picture frames work?
There are a couple of different Polaroid digital picture frames on the market. Polaroid has a well-known brand name – though just not in the digital picture frame market. They’re known for their classic polaroid cameras and print as you capture concept. Unfortunately, that ingenuity doesn’t carry through to their digital photo frame range.
Polaroid digital picture frames come in a 7-inch and a 10.2-inch size. There are other sizes available, but many of those models have been discontinued. These are budget frames and only offer basic functionality. They don’t have great ratings on platforms like Amazon due to their poor build quality and near-total lack of features.
These frames work off a combination of their 512MB internal memory (the 7-inch model doesn’t have internal storage space) and USB/SD card compatibility. To get photos onto the frame, you need to load them to a supported USB/SD card (less than 16GB if possible, to avoid compatibility issues). Insert this card or USB into the frame’s relevant port and start a slideshow.
Slideshows on Polaroid digital picture frames are not versatile. You don’t have any control over the playback order and over the frequency at which certain photos are displayed. This is worsened by the 16:9 aspect ratio and ultra-low-resolution display. Pictures seldom display on the screen as you see them on a computer. In almost all cases, they’re cropped or distorted as most cameras and smartphones capture pictures in either 4:3 or 3:2. Neither of these aspect ratios is friendly with 16:9 and 16:10 displays. This makes photos appear even smaller and makes the already-small display even less immersive.
With the lack of Wi-Fi connectivity and a feature set that’s almost non-existent, these digital picture frames are almost always not worth the money. Despite having a recognized brand name behind them, there isn’t much on offer here. We’d almost always advise you to go for a premium digital picture frame like the Pix-Star – or any frame that features Wi-Fi & cloud capabilities. Learn more about Wi-Fi digital picture frames and what they can do for your home & family here!
Are Pix-Star frames better than Polaroid digital picture frames?
Pix-Star’s digital frames are some of the most popular on the market. These premium frames come in either a 10-inch or a larger 15-inch version. They offer extensive Wi-Fi features, come with a mobile app & web interface for sending pictures to the frame from anywhere, free-for-life cloud storage, and much more.
Pix-Star’s frames are Amazon top-sellers. They were the brand that created and led the development of a digital picture frame with an email address. Since then, Pix-Star’s frames have quickly become some of the most versatile and functional premium frames. They’re excellent for big families & elderly users – all without losing functionality for the individual user.
Pix-Star’s frames let you view weather forecasts, offer versatile and highly customizable slideshows, and include video & audio playback support. You can link & sync photo albums from social media, photo-sharing, and online storage platforms directly to your Pix-Star frames. Supported platforms include Instagram, Facebook, Google Drive & Photos, Dropbox, Flickr, and more. These albums can be set to automatically update and sync to all connected frames when new photos are added to them. Learn how to view Facebook photos on your Pix-Star digital frames here!
From the 4:3 display (1024×768) to extensive Wi-Fi & cloud features, Pix-Star’s frames offer far more versatility and user-friendliness than Polaroid’s digital picture frames. You can view weather reports, customized slideshows, watch video clips, listen to audio messages, set alerts & reminders, link web albums from social media, and even remotely control your Pix-Star frame.
The remote-control feature lets you adjust the frame’s settings, start slideshows, update firmware, and much more – from anywhere in the world. Photos can be sent through the mobile app and web interface from anywhere in the world in just a few moments.
Are Polaroid digital picture frames good for families?
Due to the polaroid digital picture frame’s lack of Wi-Fi and/or cloud capabilities, these frames are very limited for multiple users and families. Unlike frames like the Pix-Star, Polaroid frames can only receive photos via USB/SD card. There’s no way to send photos wirelessly to the frame and it requires you physically hand the user a USB/SD card with the desired photos.
An old and outdated interface, combined with the poor-quality display and narrow viewing angle, makes the Polaroid digital frames not the best choice for families. You’ll struggle to see the display from across the room and the frame doesn’t have the features to cater to the needs of a family. Here’s a great quick guide on finding the right digital picture frames for your family – and if they’re worth it!
Can Polaroid digital picture frames play videos?
Like most other budget or cheap digital picture frames, Polaroid’s frame doesn’t feature video playback. Usually, you’d be able to load videos by putting them on a compatible USB/SD card in a supported format. Premium frames like the Pix-Star offer extensive video playback options and even let you include videos in slideshows (they can be set to play muted too).
It’s worth noting that almost all digital picture frames have limits on the video length that’s accepted. In some cases, you even have to pay for an annual subscription package (as with Skylight frames) to unlock video playback support and sending videos via the mobile app. Most cheap to mid-range digital photo frames don’t offer video support – so there’s no surprise that Polaroid digital picture frames are no different. This is one of the reasons why we recommend you go for a premium digital photo frame – you get so much more value for money.
Are slideshows on Polaroid digital picture frames any good?
Slideshow settings and customizations are severely limited on Polaroid digital picture frames. While you can start slideshows directly from an inserted USB/SD card, you can’t control the order they play in. Some photos will show up often, while others will rarely be displayed. This is a common issue with cheap & budget digital picture frames and results in a poor and frustrating viewing experience.
Premium frames like the Pix-Star let you control the play order and frequency of photos in slideshows. You can set the frame to play slideshows from specific sources or folders – and even include videos, weather forecasts, and other on-screen information. Slideshows can be played with audio and radio stations to touch on extra personalization.
Pix-Star’s slideshow settings are quickly accessed without needing to leave the slideshow – simply by pressing the “Menu” button while in a slideshow. Here you can rotate, delete, and manage all the adjustable slideshow settings & styles. Learn how to start slideshows on a digital photo frame with this quick guide!
