SmartParts SPDPF70EW (Centrios) 7" digital picture frame review

SmartParts SPDPF70EW / Centrios 7" digital picture frame is about as simple and bargain-basement a frame as you can get.  (Sold as SmartParts in the USA, Centrios in Canada.)  There is no included software (although you can download the OptiPix application from the net, using your frame's serial number).  There's no separate power switch, instead hold down Play/Pause to power it on and off.  There's no way to change the slideshow interval and there's no choice of slide transitions.  It doesn't support Compact Flash, it can take SD/MMC, Memory Stick, and xD.  No remote, no speakers, no MP3s, no video, no format other than JPEG.  The resolution is only 480x234, made even worse by the aspect ratio issue, which means if you want to preserve your digital photo's 4:3 aspect, you really should size your pictures to 312x234, and you will have black bars on either side of the screen (a problem common to all widescreen digital picture frames).

So, it depends who will be using the frame.  If it's for a non-technical user, it might be good.  Other frames have elaborate remote controls and many menus with preferences settings, which could be overwhelming.  This frame is basically fool-proof in that way.  Play/Pause, Prev, Next, Rotate and Switch Display Mode are the only options.  As soon as you put in a memory card it immediately starts running a slideshow.

Side-by-Side

Here is the SmartParts frame (wood frame, left) next to the higher-end Kodak SV811 (black plastic frame).  The difference in the resolution (sharpness of the image) is noticeable (the SV811 has a 800x480 display).

Displays

SmartParts screen close-up

(click to view larger image)

Kodak SV811 screen close-up

(click to view larger image)

OptiPix

Basically the sole function of OptiPix Pro is to help you load the memory card, it again is about as simple an application as you could get:

1. Select Photos

2. Process and Save Locally

It will "optimize" the photos, oddly what it appears to do is resize large images down to 1024x768.  I don't quite understand how this is an optimization, considering it is still more than double the resolution that the frame can display.

3. Copy to picture frame (removable storage)

It is nice that it walks one through the basic steps, but after it copies to the removable storage, it doesn't provide any instructions on safely stopping/unmounting the drive, so one may end up with improperly disconnected or unclosed file systems.

Also the image quality is not great.  In addition to the low resolution, the display is unusual for an LCD in that it has the appears (under careful examination) of either being underdriven in terms of refresh rate, or being run in an interlaced (alternating lines displayed) mode.  If you look quickly up and down the screen as the display is running, you can actually discern the lines on the screen.  This is quite different from other frames I have seen (e.g. the Kodak SV811 and KSPF-2000 which have smooth, rock-solid LCD displays).

If the price difference were huge between this and higher-end frames it would perhaps be justified, but it's in roughly the same price space as e.g. the Kodak SV710 7" frame (Kodak Easyshare SV-710 7-Inch Digital Picture Frame at Amazon.com), which has a lot more features, albeit the same 480x234 resolution.

I do like the wood frame on the SmartParts.  But to me I would select the SmartParts frame only if it's on sale at a great price, or if you want an absolutely dead-simple frame that's basically impossible to screw up, and if you're sure whoever will be looking at it isn't going to be bothered by (or notice) the flicker in the display.  The frame is bright and the image is certainly acceptable from a distance.  If you want to show off your photos in a more serious or professional way, you're definitely going to want a higher-resolution frame.

Comments

[Brian]

I bought this frame with the sole intention of loading it up with pictures and setting it out for all to see. The first thing I noticed was there was no cable included with the frame. So, now for the million dollar question: How do you connect this frame to your computer???? Yes, there is software available (Optipix) that helps you optimize the photos, but it does no good if you can't tranfer them to the frame! On the back of the frame there is a USB port (type A head - standard USB connector), which means that in order to link the frame to my computer I would need a cable that has a USB type A head on both sides! If you've never tried looking for this type of cable, let me save you the trip - you have a better chance of seeing a unicorn than finding this cable. I went to five different stores looking for the illusive cable and only succeeded in acquiring a headache. In the end, I had to buy a flash drive, load it with my photos, and keep it plugged into the back of the frame at all times. What genius designed this setup?? The frame was nothing but a problem for me!