What they are: Digital picture frames are electronic alternatives to traditional presentation of photos in picture frames, photo albums, or scrapbooks. In essence they are displays, similar to laptop computer screens, that draw images from a memory card or built-in memory and display them, either singly or (more often) in slideshow fashion. (A few models, such as the Pacific Digital MemoryFrame MF-810SW, now even receive images wirelessly.) For more information, read our free report on digital picture frames.

We looked at two recent models, the Kodak EasyShare SV811 and the Westinghouse DPF-0802. Both have large, nonreflective 8-inch displays with resolutions of 800x480 and 800x600 pixels, respectively. Both have a built-in memory of 128 megabytes and card slots that accept most types of memory cards: CompactFlash, MicroDrive, Secure Digital, Memory Stick, xD, and MultiMediaCard.

The two models also have a mini-USB port that allows them to import images and videos from computers (Windows and Macs), as well as a full-sized USB port to connect to digital cameras, camcorders, and USB flash-memory drives.

Both have extendable stands for desktop placement or can be mounted on a wall. As with traditional picture frames, both frames can be used in either "landscape" (wide) mode or "portrait" (tall) mode.

If you are a ConsumerReports.org subscriber, you can follow this link to our Ratings of other digital picture frames. Here are the other points our testers noted while examining the picture frames:


Kodak EasyShare SV811

Price: $180

HIGHS

Some useful features. It features an automatic on/off feature, which works with selectable viewing times. That means the frame doesn't have to be powered on all the time and displaying pictures (and needlessly wasting energy) when no one's around to view them.

Versatile features. The unit comes with a USB cable and Kodak EasyShare computer software, allowing for easier image and video transfers. It also can print pictures directly to a PictBridge-enabled printer. An included wireless remote control stores in a handy caddy behind the frame.

Dynamic display. This frame produced very good picture quality and had a good viewing angle, which rivals a previously tested model (Pacific Digital MemoryFrame MF-810SW) costing twice as much. (See our Ratings, available to subscribers, for more information.)

Not just pictures. This model can play back MP3 audio files through built-in speakers or a headphone jack for private listening. The audio can be played as a soundtrack accompanying a slideshow or separately, without images. The Kodak picture frame is able to display digital video files saved in MOV, AVI, MPEG1, and MPEG4 formats.


LOWS

Lacks basic display controls. There are no buttons to adjust color, contrast, or tint.

Limited connections. Kodak's model lacks the video connections (such as S-video jacks) that would allow them to connect to other devices (such as DVD players or DVRs) to display videos or act as a second display for desktop or notebook computers.

Partial picture formats. The frame can display JPEG and EXIF images only. Incompatible formats, such as GIF, TIFF, and RAW, are simply ignored and the screen doesn't display an error message warning that it has encountered an unsupported image file.


Westinghouse DPF-0802

Price: $160

HIGHS

Many display options. The DPF-0802 features a trademarked "MosaicView," which simultaneously displays up to four images, in random order. The frame also allows users to designate an image as a "favorite," so the picture shows more often in the slideshow.

Similar to its sibling. This picture frame produced good quality pictures, on par with an older model (the DPF-0801) that we tested previously. And its viewing angle is good.


LOWS

Lacks convenient features. Unlike the Kodak and other previously tested picture frames, the DPF-0802 doesn't include a remote control and it can't play back or support audio files.

Lacks basic display controls. There are no buttons to adjust color, contrast, or tint.

Limited connections. The Westinghouse frame lacks the video connections (such as an S-video jack) that would allow it to connect to other devices (such as DVD players or DVRs) to display videos or act as a second display for desktop or notebook computers.

Few files supported. This frame can display only JPEG still images and AVI Motion JPEG, MPEG1, and MPEG4 digital video file formats. Incompatible formats, such as GIF, TIFF, and RAW, are simply ignored and the screen doesn't display an error message warning that it has encountered an unsupported image file.


THE BOTTOM LINE

The Kodak SV811 and the Westinghouse DPF-0802 picture frames are reasonably easy to use. Once powered on, a slideshow automatically starts and you are able to view the pictures from the memory card or internal memory. Both frames accept almost all types of memory cards and do not need a computer to operate.

The picture quality for the Kodak was very good and the Westinghouse was good. Both are adequate for displaying your digital photos without resorting to paper printouts. But with its more convenient features such as the ability to play MP3 files, the Kodak SV811 is the better choice of the two. For more choices, see our Ratings of digital picture frames.