Customer Reviews

Smartparts SP1000 10.4-Inch Digital Picture Frame

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(6)

 

 

Researched Consumer Reports to see which digital photo frames they rated highly and SmartParts frames did well. After reading several reviews, I decided I definitely wanted one with at least 800x600 resolution (higher the better). Drew the picture size on a piece of paper for 7 inch, 8 inch, 9 inch, 10 inch and 15 inch frames and decided that the 10 inch frame was the right size - the 7 and 8 inch ones are not much better than a 3x5 and 4x6 inch prints, respectively so they aren't that big. This was a gift for an 85 year old so we needed something big but not huge. The 15 inch frames were just too big and finding a spot to place them would be difficult.

The frame functions very well - picture quality is excellent and loading it was very easy; however, I recommend you not bother using the software that was bundled with it - that does not work well at all. I simply hooked it up to my PC using the enclosed USB cable and copied photos from my PC directly to the memory in the frame (drag and drop). I have Windows XP and had previously downloaded from MicroSoft, a program that resizes photos into one of four selectable sizes. I used this ImageResizer to resize all the photos I was moving to the frame to save space on the memory card. One piece of advice, do not resize all the way down to 800x600. I found that using 1028x768 made the pictures look better. If you install an additional memory card in the frame then you really do not need to resize the photos.

I have not yet tried to use all the additional features like adding music to go with the slideshow or viewing video clips. For viewing photos, this product works great - you can replace all your photo albums with it.

I bought this frame about a month ago and was reminded that I wanted to post a positive review on it when guests to my house were oohing and aahing about it yesterday.

I bought the frame for display in my family room after doing a fair bit of research. First of all, some of the specs on this appealed to me. The 800x600 resolution with the 4x3 aspect ratio were what I was looking for. The compatibility with different media - particularly USB flash drives, is convenient, and I liked the fact that I could upload pictures into the frame's internal memory. There is ample memory (maybe more than the 256MB advertised) - I have 120 pictures uploaded into the frame and there is room for much more.

Visually, the cherry frame is very appealing and makes this look like a real wooden picture frame fitting in with our other furniture. The size worked out very well; an 8 inch frame was smaller than what I was looking for (I have that size on my desk at work), and the ones that were 12-13 inches (and up) seemed too big - 10 inches is a good size as its easily visible across the room (picture is about a 6" x 8"). The contrast and color is excellent.

From a usability perspective, one thing that could be better is the intuitiveness of the remote control (for example you have to hit the Exit button a couple of times to be able to navigate to the setup menu) but the UI is reasonably responsive. Uploading photos onto the frame isn't terribly quick, but it's manageable unless you're going to constantly be doing it (in which case I'd just recommend you used a memory card that you modified by plugging it into a desktop or laptop).

Overall, I'm very happy with this purchase.

Last year I bought a Pandigital 8 inch and was pleased; however, this 10.4 inch Smartparts frame costs less and is superior as far as clarity and ease of use. This frame exceeds my expectiations.

As another reviewer experienced, the frame started flashing the start-up screen after 10 hours operation. I have contacted the seller, and will up date this review once I see how they handle the replacement.

This frame arrived this morning but unfortunately as with other buyers, is defective. The screen just flashes up with the start up logo repeatedly and does nothing else. I have contacted the seller through Amazon and I am hoping to get a replacement or refund soon. I will update my review once they deal with this. I am dissapointed to have received a unit from a 'bad batch' as we have owned a smartparts digital frame before and was very pleased with its quality and performance. I hope it will be resolved soon and will add to this review with information about how they deal with this issue.

I got this frame as a gift just last month for christmas. It has been up and working now for about 3 weeks. It has suddenly quit working. It flashes its logo on the screen and I cannot access the menu, and when I hook it back up to my computer, my computer will not recognize it. I have tried emailing and calling the manufacturer, but the phone number is no longer in service and the email address is no longer valid. So I have a christmas gift that I cannot use and don't think I'll be able to get it fixed. How disappointing. My parents purchased the frame from amazon. Up until then, great frame, great picture quality. ***This was replaced by manufacturer.***

Ordered the Smartparts 10.4-inch digital frame directly from Amazon several weeks ago. Received the product a few days later and set it up. Unfortunately, there were several red stuck pixels on the display in the middle of the picture. Ug!

Called Amazon and they handled the return, though they didn't have any in stock. So, they offered to replace this through a third party, TheFatoryDepot, even making up the difference in shipping costs. Amazon is first class.

The unit from the TheFatoryDepot arrived in a few days, and then...you guessed it, more stuck pixels. This time blue stuck pixels near the middle of the display. I'm returning this unit, but TheFactoryDepot charges return shipping of course.

I had been looking for a digital picture frame for over two years. Most of these frames have mediocre reviews, except for this one and the Sony. The Sony is way overpriced, so I chose the Smartparts 10.4-inch digital frame. Though this frame looks good, they obviously have manufacturing problems. So I'm posting this review so that other buyers don't make the same mistake.

Purchased the frame for my daughter's Christmas present. Upon reading other reviews, I told her not to use the software that was included.
The Smartparts is one of the top photo frames on Consumer Reports, and the price is a lot lower than others frames.
Resolution, clarity and color is excellent. Frame can be mounted to wall or can be used as a tabletop frame.
I purchased this from Factory Depot (through Amazon). Shipping was very fast and item was packaged very well.

I purchased 3 of these frames and set them up for my Mother, Mother in law and Husband for Christmas. I'm ordering 2 more today, one for my Dad and another for our home. These frames are so easy to use and the picture quality is AMAZING. The wood frame is high quality. The easel on the back is made of heavy plastic but it has a rubber cover for the foot so it doesn't scratch furniture. Last but not least...the price cannot be beat!

My Son saw one of the ones I had finished setting up and he ordered one for himself and another for his wife as a Xmas gift.

I have not yet tried to add music or video but plan to after the holidays when I have more time. I'll try to remember to update at that point.

I really don't think you'll be sorry if you choose this frame. It's great!

**added Dec. 31, 2009...the frames were such a big hit that I've ordered 2 more for additional gifts in early 2010! Still have yet to try adding video and music. Will do so, soon.

Love it! This is my 3rd 10" screen purchased from SmartParts... kept 1, gave 2 as gifts. The gift recipients love watching their "memories" being displayed. Great conversation starter during parties, too!