Wi-Fi capable digital photo frames are able to connect to a wireless home network so you can load photos from your computer's hard drive. Some digital picture frames, like Ceiva and Kodak EasyShare Wi-Fi frames, offer their own photo-sharing sites. Others can snag photos from Flickr or Facebook accounts. However, reviews say all of these frames require some advanced technical setup on the user's part -- so if you're thinking of one of these as a gift for a far-away relative, you'll need to consider the recipient's level of technical know-how.

If you're looking to spare distant relatives from wireless setup issues, one solution is to skip wireless features entirely and go with memory cards. Almost all digital photo frames accept memory cards. You can load up the cards with photos and mail them to your relative -- not a particularly modern or slick solution, but it is simple. Kodak recently began offering to preload up to 100 photos on digital frames before shipping them to recipients. Some photo frames can also accept USB thumb drives filled with photos.

Reviewers say the following about shopping for a digital photo frame:

  • Think about screen size. The least expensive digital photo frames have a display area of about 5.6 inches (measured diagonally). While that size might be easy to view if you are sitting right in front of it, you won't see much from a few feet away. It's helpful to consider where you'll be placing the frame. Digital frames also need a power source -- so you'll have to place it near an outlet.
  • Resolution. Resolution tells you how many pixels are within a frame. Usually higher pixel counts mean higher picture quality. A standard 7-inch frame should have a resolution of 720 pixels by 480 pixels; an 8-inch display should have an 800-by-600-pixel resolution and frames larger than 10 inches should have a resolution of at least 1,024 by 768.
  • Aspect ratio. 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 will display pictures in a letterbox format. A few frames have 15:9 aspect ratio, which will either distort photos or display them with black banding, depending upon the frame's display options.
  • Consider connectivity. Wi-Fi features are touted in reviews and advertising for digital photo frames, but in practice, many users posting reviews had trouble setting up wireless features. If you're thinking about buying a frame as a gift, be sure to consider whether the recipient has a wireless network at home and their level of technical comfort.
  • Verify 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 for added cost.
  • Do you want music and video playback? 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. In reviews, video and MP3 playback in general seems spotty.
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