ViewSonic VFM836-54 information from Consumer Reports

ViewSonic VFM836-54

Approximate retail price:

$68.95

Summary: A 7.9 inch digital picture frame with a 4:3 aspect ratio. It has 4000MB internal memory and a remote control.

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Type: 6- to 8-inch display digital picture frames

About - ViewSonic VFM836-54
The ViewSonic VFM836-54 is part of the digital picture frame test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, digital picture frame models like the VFM836-54 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below. Picture quality: Picture quality includes image clarity, color accuracy, and contrast. It's based mainly on the judgments of a panel who viewed photographs on each device, as well as lab measurements including viewing angle. Viewing angle: Viewing angle indicates the quality of images when viewed from 45 degrees of the center line both horizontally and vertically. This is important if you are standing above the frame and looking down, sitting at an angle to the frame, or sitting with the frame positioned above you. Viewing angle is calculated into the picture quality score. Versatility: Versatility mainly includes characteristics that aid in versatility and convenience. Those include the presence of hardware and menu-based navigation features. Also considered are the number of memory-card and USB slots; built-in memory; brightness, color, and contrast controls; removable picture frames and any extra frames included; audio and video playback; audio and video connections; PC-to-device image transfer speeds; number and duration of slideshow timings; the ability to delete images; and handling of non-compatible image formats.

About - ViewSonic VFM836-54

The ViewSonic VFM836-54 is part of the digital picture frame test program at Consumer Reports. In our lab tests, digital picture frame models like the VFM836-54 are rated on multiple criteria, such as those listed below.

Picture quality:: Picture quality includes image clarity, color accuracy, and contrast. It's based mainly on the judgments of a panel who viewed photographs on each device, as well as lab measurements including viewing angle.
Viewing angle:: Viewing angle indicates the quality of images when viewed from 45 degrees of the center line both horizontally and vertically. This is important if you are standing above the frame and looking down, sitting at an angle to the frame, or sitting with the frame positioned above you. Viewing angle is calculated into the picture quality score.
Versatility:: Versatility mainly includes characteristics that aid in versatility and convenience. Those include the presence of hardware and menu-based navigation features. Also considered are the number of memory-card and USB slots; built-in memory; brightness, color, and contrast controls; removable picture frames and any extra frames included; audio and video playback; audio and video connections; PC-to-device image transfer speeds; number and duration of slideshow timings; the ability to delete images; and handling of non-compatible image formats.

About This Brand
The monitor and TV maker has frames as small as 3 inches and as large as 10 inches.

About This Brand

The monitor and TV maker has frames as small as 3 inches and as large as 10 inches.

Features & Specs - ViewSonic VFM836-54
Dimensions WxHxD (in.) Dimensions represents the size of the overall frame, measured to the nearest 10th of an inch. Dimensions WxHxD (in.)	8.9x7.3x0.9
Viewable display size (in.) Viewable display size is the size of the display screen, measured diagonally to the nearest 10th of an inch. Viewable display size (in.)	7.9
Display resolution Display resolution is as stated by the manufacturer. It's the number of pixels, horizontally by vertically, that the frame can display. Most 7- and 8-inch frames we tested have a pixel resolution of 800x600 or 800x480, which produces a visual resolution of about 100 pixels per inch. In our tests, most of those frames had good or very good picture quality. But when visual resolution went below 100 pixels per inch, picture quality was not as good. Display resolution	800x600
External memory formats External memory formats are the type of memory media the device can accept with a card reader. Those include Compact Flash (CF), Micro Drive (MD), Secure Digital (SD), Xtreme Digital (xD), MultiMedia Card (MMC), USB stick, and one or more of Memory Stick (MS) types-Memory Stick, PRO, Duo, and PRO Duo. External memory formats	SD, MMC, USB
Internal memory (MB) The total amount of non-removable memory that comes built into the device. Internal memory (MB)	4000
USB computer interface USB computer interface shows whether the device has a full or mini USB port, USB 2.0, a slower USB 1.1, or no USB connection capability. USB computer interface	USB 2.0
Aspect ratio The ratio of the width to the height of a graphic display, usually expressed by two integer numbers as in "16:9" or "16x9" (the aspect ratio of HDTV). Aspect ratio may also be expressed as a decimal, such as 1.78, with an implied ratio to one. The aspect ratio of a typical photo taken by a digital camera is 4:3 giving the image a "squarish" appearance while a 16x9 image gives an image a "widescreen" appearance. Aspect ratio	4:3
USB cable Includes a USB cable to connect the device to other USB-equipped devices such as a computer. USB cable	Yes
Remote control The frame includes a remote control. Remote controls typically give control over common capabilities such as power, menu options, slideshow options, picture advance, and rotate. Remote control	Yes
Slideshow autostart Slideshow autostart means that the frame will immediately start presenting images in a slideshow when turned on. Slideshow autostart	Yes
Audio playback Audio playback indicates that the model can play back digital audio formats such as MP3 or WAV files either through its built-in speaker or a connector that allows you to connect an external audio device such as speakers or a set of headphones. Audio playback	Yes
Video playback This indicates that the model can play back digital video file formats such as MPEG-1, MPEG-4 or motion JPEG. Video playback	Yes
More features and specs

Additional Information (The information below has been supplied by an external source.)

General Information
Manufacturer	Viewsonic Corporation
Manufacturer Website Address	www.viewsonic.com
Product Model	VFM836-54
Product Name	VFM836-54 Digital Photo Frame
Product Type	Digital Frame

User Reviews - ViewSonic VFM836-54

Consumer Reports User Reviews

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By JB

from Montreal, Canada

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

2 is enough

12/20/2012

Pros

Attractive Design

Price

Cons

Don~~~apos~~~t Work

Hard To Use

Best Uses

Desk

Gift

Photography Display

Comment:

The first one lasted two months and quit, I grew it in the garbage, din't want to go through the loops to get it replaced or fixed. Six months later got an other one !! (not smart) it quit also after one month I sent it with the first one. Went back to Sony as always, never fails. I do not recommend it!!

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

By Paleogirl

from Metairie, LA

(28 of 30 customers found this review helpful)

1.0

Waste of time and money!

12/26/2011

Pros

8" display as described

Cons

Hard To Use

No Internal Memory

Not compatible with MAC

Slideshow doesn't work

Best Uses

Comment:

After discovering that the machine wasn't compatible with Mac, I went out and bought an SD camera card and uploaded over 1,000 pictures to it. This was a gift for my dad, so I wanted to have it ready for him to use when he opened it. I tried to adjust the settings to make it do the slideshow with a 2-second interval, but after showing a few photos, it got stuck and wouldn't proceed with the slideshow. Tried the remote. Nothing. Tried the manual controls on the machine. Nothing. Restarted it. Same thing happened again. Reread the instructions. Started over. Same problem. I bought this model because it was rated #1 by CR. Obviously defective. Very disappointed and frustrated with this purchase.

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line

No, I would not recommend this to a friend.

By frustrated framer

from Cape Cod MA

(33 of 35 customers found this review helpful)

3.0

VFM836-54 NOT Mac compatible

12/20/2011

Pros

Attractive Design

Cons

Best Uses

Comment:

Bought 4 units of this make/model based on CR's positive review, and CR statement that this unit is compatible with MAC. My wife spent many hours loading up the Viewsonic frame from our Mac. Nothing played. View sonic tech support informed us in writing that the Viewsonic is a basic device and will only play PC based content. It will not play MAC content. Many hours and $$ wasted based on CR misinformation in their review.

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Bottom Line

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