How do Wi-Fi digital frames work?
Wi-Fi digital frames are digital picture frames that use Wi-Fi to send and receive content and updates. Wi-Fi is a key component of a Wi-Fi digital frame’s functionality; many frames can’t work without an active Wi-Fi connection.
While Wi-Fi digital frames are designed to be used online, some of the top frames like the Pix-Star have extensive offline functionality. You can create and play slideshows, change settings, organize and manage the frame’s storage, play puzzle games, and more. This offline capability is mainly due to the Wi-Fi digital frame’s internal storage.
This lets you store all the photos and other media that were synced, updated, or downloaded while the frame was connected to Wi-Fi. In Pix-Star’s case, this even includes web albums that have been previously synced from connected social media accounts and photo-sharing platforms.
Wi-Fi digital frames work through a combination of email, mobile apps, a web interface, and cloud storage. You can send media to the frame through most of the above methods. Your media is then saved to the cloud for safekeeping. Additionally, you can manage this cloud storage through the web interface. It’s worth noting that some of the top Wi-Fi digital frames charge additional recurring fees to access cloud storage (or expand cloud storage).
Most Wi-Fi digital frames let you send photos and videos to the frame via inserting a USB or SD card directly into the frame. This is a very common feature of offline frames, and usually the only way they can receive media to display.
Wi-Fi digital frames often come with more unique features like remote control capability, weather apps, calendar & reminder apps, access to the radio, and more. These types of features are typically unavailable on non-Wi-Fi digital frames.
What to look for when buying a Wi-Fi digital frame?
Buy the best value Wi-Fi digital frame is all about choosing a frame that makes the most of its Wi-Fi compatibility. This versatility should be combined with ease of use, a good build quality, and a vibrant display.
The first feature to look for is how you can send media to the Wi-Fi digital frame. A simple and easy-to-use mobile app is a must, especially since almost everybody carries a smartphone with them these days. The frame’s ecosystem should also let you send media to the frame via email, USB, SD cards, and through the web interface.
Web album support is another very useful feature in a Wi-Fi digital frame. Web albums are photos synced to the frame from social media networks and photo-sharing sites. Some of the top frames like the Pix-Star let you set the frame to display photos on your social media account (and many others) and update them automatically.
The display size should be at least 8” – though 10-15” offers a better viewing experience. Resolution should be at least 800×600, though 1024×768 is preferable. You should be able to view the screen from different angles and not have to stand directly in front of it to see the display.
Mounting the frame to the wall, or resting it on a mantelpiece or table should be easy. For wall-mounted Wi-Fi digital frames, look for a standard VESA mount type. There should also be a sturdy but aesthetic stand that lets you rest the frame without it falling over easily.
Remote controllers are better than touchscreen – even though they seem a little awkward at first. Touchscreen Wi-Fi digital frames tend to be more fragile and you have to get up to swipe between pictures and change settings. Remote controllers avoid you putting fingerprints all over the display – and the inevitable scratches that come with touching the screen.
Is the Pix-Star a good Wi-Fi digital frame?
Pix-Star makes some of the best Wi-Fi digital frames on the market. They have one of the largest sets of features while still being very quick and easy to use.
From sending media to the frame with the mobile app, to viewing weather reports and setting reminders, Pix-Star’s Wi-Fi digital frame is very versatile. You can choose any of the several methods to send media to multiple frames at the same time, and even link to multiple accounts on the same social media platform. This keeps you up to the date by showing you the latest photos and videos shared by your friends and family.
One of Pix-Star’s biggest selling points is its free-for-life policy. Pix-Star’s main competitors like the Skylight frame and Nixplay have recurring fees for additional cloud storage and to unlock certain functions – Pix-Star offers all this for free. You get free-for-life cloud storage and all the features on the frame are unlocked and not behind a paywall.
Pix-Star’s Wi-Fi digital frames have bright and sharp displays with broad viewing angles. Multimedia playback is supported and videos have a longer maximum limit than most of the competitors’ frames.
Considering the price and versatility of Pix-Star’s Wi-Fi digital frames (and no additional fees), it’s easy to see why they’re one of the best on the market.
How to control a Pix-Star digital frame remotely?
Head over to pix-star.com and click “Login” at the top of the home page. Input your log-in information on the pop-up window that shows and click “Login”. Make sure your Pix-Star Wi-Fi digital frame is turned on and connected to Wi-Fi. The “My Pix-Star is:” should be marked in green as “online” before moving on.
At the top of the page, there’s an option called “Configure Frame” in red. Click on that option to be taken to the remote control page. Here you can change a bunch of different settings, start slideshows, and even update the frame’s firmware.
Pix-Star lets you link and controls up to 25 frames from a single user account. This means you can set up and manage your grandparents’ or parents’ frames in just a couple of clicks.
Can Pix-Star Wi-Fi digital frames play video and audio?
All Pix-Star Wi-Fi digital frames support video and audio playback. Videos need to be shorter than 2-minutes to work on the frame. Audio is played through the frame’s inbuilt speakers. Videos can play with their originally recorded sound, giving you an immersive and personal viewing experience.
Pix-Star frames can also connect to external speakers if you need a louder and higher quality audio playback experience.
