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Digital picture frames are are a great way to view your favorite pictures, family vacation pictures, baby pictures, well, you get the picture. You can display either one picture, or run a slideshow of many pictures.

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This article explains the features you should keep in mind when purchasing a digital picture frame as well as give some interesting uses of how this handy device can be used in your home or business.

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Today's digital picture frames range in size from 2 inches to up to 40 inches! Yes, that's right, 40 inches! The most typical size purchased though is from 7 to 10 inches - big enough to display a 4x6 or 5x7 picture. The larger the size, the larger the price.

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Decide where you want to place the digital frame first (and make sure it's near a power source), then you'll have a better idea of how big the screen should be for viewing.

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With digital frames, you have the option of buying a standard 4:3 aspect ratio size or widescreen 16:9 ratio. The 16:9 ratio will stretch your photos and/or cut off your pictures. Most cameras produce pictures in the standard 4:3 ratio, so choose a picture frame with this standard.

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Digital picture frames come in all sizes and looks. You can buy ones with metal, wood, or even plastic looking frames. Many models now come with interchangeable plates (frames) so you can choose the look that best works with your decor. There are two types of picture finish, matte and glass. A matte finish works best as a glass finish can create glare.

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Resolution refers to how many pixels are on the screen. The more pixels the better the clarity and richness of the picture. Lately, there have been a lot of good deals out there for digital picture frames. Prices have really come down these past few years. However, check the specs on the picture frame carefully. Many of these "great deals" have low resolutions which means poor display quality. Ensure the picture frame you buy is no lower than 640x480 in resolution. Typically, a 7 inch frame should have resolution of 720x480, an 8 inch should have 800x600 resolution, and frames over 10 inches should have at least 1024x768 resolution.(1)

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The best way to ensure you'll like the digital frame is to test it out first. How does the picture quality look? Do the pictures look vibrant? Do the pictures load fast during the slideshow? If you back away 7 feet, can you see the picture fine? What if you move to the left and right, does the picture show well or is there glare? Most stores do not let you see the picture frame in action, so you might not be able to test this until you get the picture frame home.

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All digital picture frames need to be plugged into a wall outlet. Some models have an internal battery or allow for rechargeable batteries so you can pass your picture frame around the room to others without cables. To save money, look for an auto on/off feature in a digital frame. Frames with this feature can be programmed to come on only at night but turn off at a certain hour. This is a great feature and will allow your frame to be enjoyed more. Otherwise, you either 1.) let the picture frame run day and night or 2.) you unplug it when you're not using it - which is most of the time, thus not enjoying your frame and then you'll forget about it.

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Digital picture frames can do more than just display pictures. Many frames also play songs (mp3's) and videos. Consult the instructions on the box as to which type of formats the frame takes. Different brands accept different formats.

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By uploading mp3's into your frame, you can now show your picture slide shows along with your favorite music. The speakers in the frame offer decent sound and guests are often surprised by the novelty of seeing your pictures along with the music.

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Video is another cool feature you can upload into your digital frame. You can upload any videos (ensure the format is supported by your frame). The possibilities are endless - home movies, music videos, movies, tv shows, you name it. Nonetheless, the smooth playing of a video depends on the quality of the picture frame you purchase.

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The main benefit here is having your home movies readily accessible to watch at a moment's notice. If the frame's internal memory you buy is not large, this is not a problem. You can add your home videos to a large memory card and plug it into your digital picture frame. The video will still play very well.

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