Smartparts SP72 7-Inch Digital Picture Wood Frame with Beige Matting (Espresso) by Summit Technology Group
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Digital camera reviews of Smartparts SP72 7-Inch Digital Picture Wood Frame with Beige Matting (Espresso)
Digital camera Review: A Very Average Digital Frame From an Unpredictable Company
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I have been testing, using and reviewing digital picture frames since they first hit the market a few years ago. My previously tested frames have ranged from 7 to 15 inches and most had a 4:3 aspect ratio. The lowest resolution I have experienced, until now, has been 640x480. All of my previous digital frames came with a remote control. Overall I have found most frames do an adequate job of displaying your favorite photos with decent visual quality. Unfortunately the SP72 by SmartParts is one of the least impressive frames I have ever tested.
First of all, a 7-inch digital picture frame is rather small and only adequate for an office desk or other small area where you would be sitting or standing very close to the frame. My biggest disappointment with this frame is the fact it has a wide screen aspect ratio, with a very low display resolution of 480x234. That resolution makes for a very odd aspect ratio and it was extremely difficult for me to crop my pictures, to make them look good and display without black bands on this frame. The frame boasts the ability to adjust the size of your photos to match the resolution of the frame, but I found the results to be quite poor. Pictures either have black bars on the edges or parts of the pictures end up being cut off (usually on the top and bottom). Because the resolution is so low, standing extremely close to the frame allows your eyes to pick up on just how poor the displayed image quality really is. As you move further away the picture quality seems to improve but since it's only a 7" frame, with a wide screen aspect ratio, the pictures become almost too small to really see clearly within just a few steps away from the frame.
The internal memory is only 128 MB, so you will certainly want to invest in a memory card. The SP72 will accept the following flash memory cards:
* Secure Digital - SD
* Multimedia Card - MMC
* xD card
* Memory Stick MS
The brightness and contrast of this frame also leaves much to be desired. I found that most of my photos looked too bright and rather washed out. The colors of my photos just don't pop on this digital picture frame like they do on other models by Pandigital, Sony, HP and even Kodak. The stand, as many other reviewers have pointed out, seems very flimsy and doesn't prop the frame at a very good angle. I found that the frame would tip over very easily if bumped, due to the fact that the frame sits in an almost perfectly upright position, making it very unstable.
Overall the SmartParts SP72 isn't too bad for a first time digital frame user. It is small and has an odd aspect ratio, with a rather low resolution. However, the frame itself looks fairly attractive and looks good sitting on just about any desk or end table. There is no remote control, the stand is quite flimsy and the internal memory of the frame is somewhat inadequate. But then again, the cost of the frame is low and it is extremely easy to get setup and working. I found that the pictures seemed too bright and the colors seemed a bit washed out, but from a slight distance the overall image quality is quite passable. So if you are looking for a low cost digital picture frame, are not looking for a lot of bells and whistles, and don't mind your pictures being altered or cut off to fit the odd wide screen aspect ratio of this frame, then the SP72 from SmartParts may be a good model for you to try for yourself. But if you are serious about displaying your digital photos with accuracy and clarity, you will likely agree that the SP72 is an average product at best. There are definitely far better performing digital frames on the market, but just remember that as quality increases the price usually increases as well.
On another note, many sources are reporting that SmartParts is going out of business very soon. A few other reviewers have noted that contacting SmartParts for technical or customer support is nearly impossible. I did not have the need to contact the company directly but it is certainly a concern to think that they may be closing their doors in the near future. That may mean support and maybe even warranty policies would likely evaporate when and if the company dissolves. So would I recommend this frame, given its weaknesses and the fact that the company currently has an unpredictable future? The answer is clearly "No!" Sorry but I really feel you would be better off to invest your money in a higher quality frame by a more reliable company.
Digital camera Review: ALERT ALERT ALERT
Summary: 1 Stars
THE REVIEWS IN THIS SECTION ARE NOT ALL FOR THE PRODUCT INDICATED (SP72). THE SP72 DOES NOT SUPPORT SOUND OR VIDEO!Digital camera Review: Adequate (if Available)
Summary: 3 Stars
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
As a threshold matter, it is not entirely clear whether this company remains in business as of the date of this review. If they are (or resurface), I think this picture frame is adequate for the price. I found the picture quality and aspect ratios adequate for my needs, although it is not a display or frame that will become the centerpiece of your living room. Mine rapidly became the property of my daughter, which allows her to horse around with her own digital pictures without me worrying she will damage something more expensive. Despite some fairly rough handling it has held together well, and she enjoys using it.Digital camera Review: Bad Product
Summary: 1 Stars
I have never written a review for anything before. I am so disappointed with this product. I bought it for my mom for Mother's Day. I liked the wood finish and matting. That is the only good thing about it. When copying pictures from a memory card, the pictures were cut off at the bottom. This was after they were "optimized." I then tried to load the software onto my computer and the software would not load. I will not buy this brand again.Digital camera Review: Basic picture frame
Summary: 3 Stars
We purchased this frame for a 93 year old mom. It will be fine for her but shuffle is a feature I would want for myself. We needed help from computer knowledgeable family for entering the pictures (some were on CDs and some were emailed to us) but once all were entered we were pleased. Clear, decent quality picture.