Digital photo frames usually connect to a computer via a USB cable.
Digital photo frames are electronic photo frames that display one or more digital images on an LCD screen. Digital photo frames vary in size and memory. The more memory the frame has, the more photos it can store. Some digital photo frames also support digital video.
File Formats
Digital photo frames accept only certain file formats. If the images are not in a specific format they will not be displayed. Some photo frames come with software for converting images to compatible formats; most do not. The most commonly accepted format is JPG or JPEG. Some frames accept only this file format. Other frames might accept TIFF, GIF, BMP, PSD and PDF. Converting picture formats is not hard to do with most graphic design software.
LCD Screen
Over time the LCD screen can burn out. If the frame does not cycle through photos and only one picture is displayed constantly, that image can become burned into the screen. Repairing an LCD screen is difficult, and it is cheaper to replace the digital photo frame if the LCD screen goes. Keep at least two or three images on the hard drive so that one image does not become burned into the screen. Avoid touching the LCD screen or pressing on it; this too can damage the screen.
Connector
Most digital photo frames connect to a computer via a USB cable. The user then loads photos from the computer onto the frame. If the connector port on the frame is damaged, then the computer can not upload the photos from the computer. The connector port can be damaged by trying to use other types of connector cables or by over/rough use.
Hard Drive
All hard drives eventually fail. The hard drive in the digital photo frame might take many years to fail, but eventually it will stop working. Make sure that all images on the hard drive are backed up somewhere else. Some digital photo frames have replaceable hard drives, others have USB drives, and other drives can not be replaced.
Power Source
Digital photo frames are powered either by a battery or a wall outlet adapter. If the batteries are low quality or are not replaced often, the battery can leak and corrode the battery terminals inside the unit, ruining them. Use brand-name batteries and change them often, or take the batteries out when the frame is not in use.
Memory Cards
Many digital photo frames have slots for memory cards, such as SD and flash cards. This lets the frame display photos directly from the memory card without being connected to a computer or a camera. Problems can arise if the wrong kind of memory card is inserted into the slot, if it is inserted the wrong way, if it is not inserted all the way in, or if the card becomes stuck in the slot. Some frames will not properly display any images that a card stores in RAW format.
Tags: photo frames, digital photo, accept only, become burned, become burned into, burned into