The Kodak EasyShare P720 digital frame is a generation beyond the earlier models. Its user-friendly touch border interface allows you to access slide show setup directly from the frame. The interface is easy to use even for someone not entirely comfortable with new technologies.

The frame comes with a black frame and two colored mattes (burgundy and silver) to match your home’s decor.

Transferring pictures from your PC to your P720 is quick. Photos can be introduced either through a USB device or a memory card. Old digital frames used to have individual slots for the different kinds of memory cards, but the EasyShare has a single one that accommodates SD, XD, MMC, and MS cards. The included CD with EasyShare software is for Windows only; however, Mac software is available on the Kodak site. The best part of this frame is that you don’t need the software to use it right out of the box. Simply stick in a memory device, turn it on, and the frame begins displaying. The only features this frame is missing that some more advanced models have are wireless connectivity and MP3 playback.

The frame can be oriented for horizontal or vertical use. Because the device “letterboxes” photos not laid out in the same manner as the frame, the best look comes from a selection of photographs taken in the same manner — for example, all horizontal photos for the horizontal display option. Choose from two different angles for table top display or mount it on the wall (hanging hardware not included); the white power cord is meant to be unobtrusive against a light background.

The frame displays pictures in HD format (16:9 aspect ratio) using Kodak Color Science. The images are color tuned to Kodak’s standards and use Kodak Color Science for vibrant colors and pleasing skin tones and crisp detail.

Easy, absolutely no-fuss and with no need to be technical savvy, this digital picture frame is totally cool. 

Keep in mind that the frame does not come with a memory chip. Obviously, all digital cameras have a memory chip, but if you use that then you won’t be able to take more pictures! The USB drive option will not only hold more photos, but makes it really easy to change out your selection. So if you are planning to give it as a gift, I would recommend packaging it with a USB flash drive like the Kingston 8GB DataTraveler USB flash drive – High Speed USB, maybe already loaded up with some pictures.

Kodak EasyShare P720 Highlights From the Manufacturer

 
Simple to use

• Back lighting–the touch panel features yellow lights that illuminate to tell you exactly where to touch, leaving the screen fingerprint and smudge-free.
• Create, edit and view slide shows–at the touch of your fingertips

Smart, intuitive media

• Start viewing your pictures right away–just insert a memory card or USB flash drive and enjoy
• A frame full of features: slide shows your way, thumbnails, copy, delete, and print
• Selectable viewing hours featuring automatic on/off settings
• Easily access and transfer pictures
• Kodak Easyshare Software, Digital Frame Edition, makes it easy to access all of your pictures and transfer them from your computer to your frame
• Create multimedia slide shows on your desktop using pictures, videos, and music and easily transfer them to your frame
• Easily browse and edit your albums
• The convenient drag-and-drop feature is perfect for transferring pictures for slide shows
• Store more pictures Store more pictures with two SD card slots.

Excellent viewing experience

• View your pictures on the 7-inch. (25.4 cm) 16:9 wide screen
• Kodak Color Science for vibrant color and crisp detail.

Accessorize your pictures

• Display your frame on a tabletop or on a wall–vertically or horizontally
• Add style to any decor with accessory faceplates (optional)
• Your frame comes with two decorative mattes in silver and red that allow you to personalize your look and compliment your home decor
• Discreet cord design–barely visible

 

Read more about Electronic Picture Frames and How to Choose a Digital Photo Frame.

In the age of digital cameras, electronic picture frames are the logical next step. Why be restricted to displaying a single picture? No wonder, more and more people are opting for digital photo frames.

Digital photo frames have become one of the most popular electronics gifts for teens, parents, and grandparents. For a special gift, pre-load the frame’s memory card or USB device with memorable pictures and insert it in the frame before wrapping. This will allow your recipient to enjoy the gift straight from the box!  

There are so many frames on the market at this point ranging widely in prices that you may find it difficult to decide which one to buy.  Here are some points to consider when making your selection.

How to Choose the Best Digital Photo Frame for Your Needs

Ease of Use
Electronic picture frames are becoming feature rich. Some of these clever devices allow you to integrate video, sound, bluetooth, wi-fi, and a variety of other technologies – such as Internet browsers, Internet radio streaming, and displaying text news feeds.

However, some of the digital picture frames on the market have so many features that they may be confusing to inexperienced users. Many people just don’t like to fiddle with complicated menus and read manuals. They just want to upload the pictures and enjoy them. 

On the other hand, more sophisticated users will enjoy advanced features, such as the ability to e-mail photos or see up-to-date weather forecasts. Features like dedicated e-mail addresses make basic Wi-Fi frames, a good fit for anyone with a wireless network.

Digital frames also need a power source — so you’ll have to place it near an outlet.

Don’t base your decision on brand name alone
Sony, Kodak and Samsung are all excellent brands, but some lesser known companies make excellent electronic picture frames too. One brand that is recommended by many is Pandigital. Their PanTouch 8-inch Digital Photo Frame delivers a great value. It is a touch-enabled frame that provides a good viewing experience for the money. The frame offers picture adjustments for brightness, contrast, tint, and color for fine-tuning almost any photo to perfection. So the best advice is to read reviews before you buy.

Screen size
The most affordable electronic picture frames have a display area of about 5.6 inches (measured diagonally). While that size might be easy enough to view if you are sitting right in front of it, you won’t see much from an angle or a few feet away. So it’s helpful to consider where you’ll be placing the frame. Large picture frames can measure up to 15 inches. 

Resolution
Don’t save on resolution: 640×480 pixels or higher is best. Low prices on some frames (below $80), may make them attractive, but be aware that you’ll be sacrificing quality of your images. Resolution of 480 by 234 pixels is too low to display sharp details, so images may look boxy and pixelated! In my opinion, you should consider only frames with a resolution of 640-by-480 or higher.

Aspect Ratio
Photo frames typically come in one of two aspect ratios, 4:3 or 15:9. Most digital cameras shoot in a 4:3 aspect ratio and a frame with a matching 4:3 ratio is ideal. Frames with a 16:9 widescreen ratio will crop or stretch photos to fit the format to the screen, or display them in a letterbox to fit the image on the LCD screen.

On the other hand, a 15:9 aspect ratio will give your pictures a widescreen feel. For example, one of the great digital frames, the Sony DPF-V900 9-inch Digital Photo Frame, displays in 15:9. That, together with its slick design and intuitive software, makes it look and feel like a mini HDTV.

Connectivity
Wi-Fi features are proudly mentioned in descriptions and advertising for electronic picture frames, but in reality, many people posting reviews find setting up wireless features difficult. While wireless connectivity seems great in theory,even those who consider themselves computer savvy have had trouble getting Wi-Fi frames to communicate with a home wireless network. If you’re thinking of buying a frame as a gift, be sure to consider whether the recipient has a wireless network at home and their level of technical skills.

Memory-card compatibility
Although most digital frames support multiple memory card formats and have USB slots, confirm that the memory card you use is supported. A memory card adapter can be purchased separately, but it’s an additional expense.

Music and Video
Do you want to play music and video? Many digital picture frames can play MP3 files. Some play video files, but supported formats vary. Kodak frames play MOV files, others play AVI or MPEG4. However, when you read reviews, video and MP3 playback in general seems spotty.

Read more about Electronic Picture Frames and Can Electronic Picture Frames Replace Photo Albums?.