Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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102 of 105 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
So Impressed I bought a Second One, October 17, 2007
I just bought one of these and was so impressed I bought a second one.
I'd been toying with the idea of getting one of these for a while and the 10" ones are now a reasonable price.
I didn't install any of the software: just copied images to a CF memory card and plugged it in. The frame detects this and starts to play images from the card.
First thing I did before any of this, was to get the latest firmware from Kodak website.
Unfotunately, the documentation is poor. It mentions nothing about optimal resolutions. I finally batch converted all my high res images (using BreezeBrowser) to 800x480 pixels, 300dpi JPG (100% quality). These resulted in files of about 5-6MB each. Quality is great and images are bright and vivid, even in normal indoor daylight conditions. I've been using digital cameras for 6-7 years and I work in the graphic arts industry, so I'm pretty picky about image quality and color. It would be nice if Kodak supplied an ICC profile for the device, so at least you can preview how they'll look in Photoshop, etc. or convert to the device color space.
A lot of reviewers complained about the remote control. It's a bit clunky, but it works. It's a picture frame after all, not a TV. I just use it to setup slide duration, transition, etc.
I'm buying a second frame one for all my protrait orientation pictures, as they are too small when displayed in the frame in landscape format. So, I'll have one frame with landscape pictures and one with portrait. This way, each image will use the maximal area of the screen.
I also use the "fit" option, not the fill. I don't want my pictures cropped.
One of my biggest bug bears is that there is no resume function. I have 200+ images on the frame which change every hour. The timer is set to turn the frame on at 6pm and off at 11pm (so 4 pictures). Problem is, when I turn it on the next day, I see the first 4 again. So I have to forward to ones I've never seen. For this reason, I'll need to leave it on 24/7.
Pros
Great picture quality
Easy to use
Cons
No fade transition (just wipes and bars)
Only one on/off schedule (would like one for morning and one for evening)
Poor documentation
Can't select a default slide show/folder on SV model (but it will play memory cards first - so just put everything you want on the memory card)
No resume - Always starts from slide 1
(I would strongly recommend some kind of batch conversion software where you can set the image size, resolution, quality, etc. Maybe the supplied software will do it, but I never installed it, as I already have something to do this.)
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136 of 147 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My life was indeed rich in activities!, October 13, 2007
I was really looking forward to receiving this digital picture frame in the mail. I was like a little kid (and still am) when I opened the Amazon.com shipping box, to reveal the colorful Kodak packaging with the long awaited digital picture frame in it.
The digital frame was well packaged, protected with its own wrapping within the box, and a thin transparent sheet protecting the screen. Nothing the postman could have done could have damaged the product during shipping.
The digital frame comes with a CD, for both Windows and Macintosh, and allows you to install in ten different languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Czech, and Turkish. During installation, you will be prompted on whether you would like to check the internet for a newer version of the software. I found that a newer version was available, and that was automatically downloaded and then seamlessly installed.
The software is very easy to use and will automatically search your computer for all stored pictures. Within seconds (depending on how many pictures you have) you will have all your pictures neatly organized in one folder.
A remote control, with battery included, is also in the package. It has a separate stand that attaches to the back of the frame, making it convenient to store your remote control. The remote control is a must, and turns the digital frame into a user friendly product. In fact, I didn't even have to read the owner's manual. It is really very easy navigating the frame's menus and settings. It is much easier setting this digital frame than your DVD player or microwave! A few tips though: The remote buttons must be pressed hard and kept pressed for a good second; you must be within a straight line and not too far away from the frame. If you are experiencing problems, change the battery.
USB cables are also included to allow you to connect to your computer or directly to your digital camera. The USB cable will also allow you to upgrade the firmware on your digital frame.
In order to upgrade your firmware, go to www.kodak.com/digitalframesupport, choose your product, and then click on downloads and drivers. Once you download the new firmware, you must first unzip it on your computer, then connect your computer with your digital frame with the included USB cable, and transfer the unzipped `img' file by dragging and dropping it on your memory card (which is not included) inserted in your digital frame. Then it is a simple three step method of going to your frame's menu, then to `settings', and clicking on `upgrading the firmware'. Once the firmware is upgraded, you need to switch off your digital frame, wait 5 seconds, and then turn it back on. You should check every month for a new firmware for your frame and EasyShare software updates for your computer.
I noticed a few important improvements once the new firmware was installed. The pictures were clearer; there were no more any error messages while displaying the pictures, and more of the pictures were displayed when `fit to screen' was selected. I highly recommend you check for a firmware upgrade as soon as you receive your digital frame.
A unique feature is that you can also communicate wirelessly with your digital frame, allowing you to share your pictures with your home network. This is really a neat feature that is fun, convenient, and just simply cool! Your digital frame can also access the internet wirelessly and keep its internal clock set to the correct time. This is useful when you set your frame to switch on only at certain times. For example, you can schedule your frame to display pictures only during the day, and automatically turn off at night, only to resume displaying pictures again in the morning at a specific time you determine. This is a unique feature that is energy saving, and will give your frame a longer life than simply keeping it on all the time.
As mentioned above, no memory cards are included on which to record your pictures. The digital frame will accept the following memory cards: SD, MS, xD, MMC, CF, and MD. The frame has an internal 128 MB of storage, hardly enough for the savvy photographer.
The memory cards need to be formatted first before you record your images on them. I first formatted my Sony SD memory card using NTFS, but my digital frame was unable to read it. This was before I did the firmware upgrade. When I formatted the memory card using FAT32, the digital frame read my memory card and displayed the pictures. I am not sure whether future firmware upgrades would allow NTFS formatting, but this is not needed. Make sure you format using FAT32!
Some additional nice features of this digital frame: the possibility of choosing different picture wipes and duration during the slideshow; brightness control; ability to print pictures directly from your digital frame; audio background during picture display; video display; and fit to screen feature.
This is really a great and very easy to use digital picture frame. It is so nice to watch all my travels, adventures, celebrations, parties, and gatherings that span a period of many years on one digital frame.
Time really does fly! And as your pictures will testify, life is beautiful.
Peace and love to everyone, God bless you all, and may you have a long and healthy life preserved in pictures for generations to come to enjoy!
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225 of 248 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is EXACTLY the Digital Picture Frame I have Been Looking For!, April 24, 2007
First off, the picture quality is excellent and in my book, that is most important. Pictures look sharp and contrasty from almost all viewing angles.
The image size is similar to a 5x7 and the overall frame size is like a matted 5x7 photo.
This thing is flexible to the max!!
* You can view pictures on a memory card.
* You can view pictures on your computer (but you have to load Microsoft Media Player 11
* You can view all of your pictures and your friends pictures on the Kodak Gallery.
* You can download pictures to the built in memory from your computer via USB2.
* You can upload pictures from a memory card inserted in the frame to your networked PC (I'm not sure why you would want to do that.)
What's wrong with it? Not much but you will have to look in the manual at least once to figure out what the icons on the remote are all about. The menus aren't that straight forward, but once you go thru them they are good enough. Finally, I had to upgrade my old 802.11 B wireless router to a newer 802.11 G router to get the wireless stuff to work. No big deal, I bought a $35 basic router and it works fine.
Highly recommended!!!
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