[brj]

Has anyone researched or played with wireless (internet connected) digital photo frames enough to have a firm recommendation?

I've been researching them as a gift idea, but haven't found a clear winner that's reasonably priced.  (PhotoVu products look amazing, but they better be for the price - and even they use a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio instead of the more appropriate 4:3.)  At a minimum, I'd like to find an 800x600, 8", 4:3 aspect ratio frame with good off-angle viewing, good reliability, and simple, no-fee Internet connectivity in order to pull photos off the web (via Flikr, Photobucket, Picasa or whathaveyou).  I'd love to find an even larger, higher res option, but none seem to have the desired quality.  The DSI MemoryFrame MF-8104 Premium and Merkury Innovations MI-DF1500 frames were early leaders in my search, but reviews seemed to show some quality issues.  I also ran across the eStarling, D-Link and Shogo frames, but their reviews were mixed as well.  The Aequitas iGala frame looks interesting, but is so new that there is no history behind it yet.

So... does anyone have any first-hand experience with these units?

Many thanks!

[JohnR]

No, but I think last time a similar subject came up there was some discussion that an old computer and a new screen would get you a much bigger screen for less. I've been thinking of trying it myself, actually...

[brj]

I've actually seen various projects to turn old laptops into the type of device you describe, some with really impressive workmanship.  Considering how inexpensive even high quality LCD monitors of much higher resolution have become, there are even more options out there now along these lines.  For myself, I'd be tempted to try this, but not as a gift to those that don't particularly enjoy fiddling with technology, and not 3 weeks before the holiday deadline!

[ted_b]

Just be careful with them!     A coworker told me the embarrassing story of his neighbor and their LAN-based (wireless I assume) photo frame.  Somehow someone's porn downloads ended up in the random picture generator they were using, and as he and his wife sat in the living room one night they were accosted by a slideshow that turned into quite an issue.    

[brj]

Well, chalk that up to yet another reason to protect / encrypt your wireless network!  (And, presumably, to double check which photo directory you point the frame toward!)

[brj]

Well, for the sake of documentation in case others are interested, it looks like the best currently available 4:3 aspect ratio options for a wireless Internet photo frame are the previously mentioned iGala (still with no reviews, a rather unfriendly looking return policy, and no company history, as this is their first product) and the Samsung SPF-85V.  (Be careful with images of Samsung's photo frame lineup... their product pictures and many on the web are inaccurate, as most of their frames actually have a widescreen aspect ratio.)

I have to say that I really wish I had the time before the holiday to build one myself from an old laptop, as that really does sound like the best option for someone with the requisite skills or access to them.