Digital photo frames – What to consider when buying one

Gadgets today allow us to capture important and beautiful moments in our lives at the touch of a button. You no longer need to buy specialized cameras, or to develop pictures on paper. Everything can be saved directly on our smartphone, tablet or computer. However, when they simply remain stored on your hard drive, phone and etc., you rarely take time to revisit them and browse through them all. Digital picture frames give us the possibility to revisit the immortalized, key memories of our lives every day, because we see them displayed in front of us 24/7.

Digital photo frames are easy to use, come equipped with a variety of features and, compared to old, traditional photo frames, you only need one for all your pictures.

But what should you look at when in the market for a digital photo? Here are a few tips:

• The size of the frame. There are several available sizes on the market, ranging from 5 to 12 inches (diagonally). For landscape pictures, a larger frame is recommended, but then you also have to choose something with a bigger resolution, if you want your images to look crisp and detailed
• The resolution of the frame is of course another important aspect to consider. As with every other device, the higher the resolution, the better. Try to go for at least a frame with HD resolution, if not full HD or more
• Supported image and video formats. The more supported formats, the better. Your frame should at least support the most common formats, such as jpeg, bmp, png, gif, mp4, avi, mpeg, mov, mkv.
• Type of connectivity. Typically, digital frames work via USB, WiFi and Bluetooth. Depending on your preferences, you can opt for the option that works best for you
• Storage and storage capacity. Frames usually have a built-in memory, but some of them also include an SD card slot or USB port, if you want to use a memory stick or a card to store images.
• The aspect ratio of the frame. Most commonly, digital photo frames have an aspect ratio of either 4:3 or 16:9. The latter is usually used if you want to display videos, too
• Video and audio capabilities. These are two nice additional features to have in a digital photo frame, because they allow you to also display movies or to play music along with the images
• The power source. Regarding the power options, you can choose between wired digital frames or wireless ones that have built-in rechargeable batteries
• The user interface of the frame. Your digital photo frame should be easy to use, with a simple and organized interface. You have to be able to access all the controls easily, in case you want to adjust the brightness, contrast, set the time for the slideshows and so on
• This is an important aspect because you want a frame that is compatible with your device, be it phone or computer (Mac or Windows PC)
• Available mobile app for remotely controlling the digital frame. Once again, the mobile app should be compatible with your smartphone, be it iOS or Android-based.