from one card to the next and then on to the internal memory). Like most frames, you can't set it to work through multiple sources of images (i.e. If you choose random, the frame may display images twice before working its way through your entire set of photos. You can also choose to play the photos in order, or randomly. In slide show mode, you can set the amount of time each photo is displayed (3, 5, 10, 30, or 60 seconds) and choose from 10 different transition effects, or eschew transitions altogether and opt for none. I saw a mild amount of false contouring in some out-of-focus areas of my images, but it wasn't as much as I'd expect from an LCD in this price range. Colors look accurate and aren't overly saturated, though there are saturation and tint controls if you feel the need to tweak them. Using the built-in brightness and contrast controls, I was able to set a good grayscale for the dimmed lighting in my office, though the frame was very close to an appropriate level right out of the box. The frame does a surprisingly good job of displaying images. Now that I've addressed everything else this frame can do, it's time to talk about the main reason you buy a digital photo frame-photos. To its credit, the frame easily played back MP3 files, though the built-in speakers are rather tinny, so I wouldn't suggest using it as a main audio source. The worst part is that when the frame rejected my video clips, it would display a message saying, "Not Supported," and would lock up, forcing me to turn the frame off with the buttons on the side of the frame, since the remote wouldn't work in those situations. However, I couldn't get the frame to play any of the video files I tried, which included, among other things, videos created by Canon, Fujifilm, Casio, and Sony compact cameras. Pandigital says that the PAN-150B can playback AVI Motion JPEGs, MPEG1, and MPEG4 video files. While most digital frames claim some level of video playback, actually getting them to play your video files is always a crap shoot. The frame will scale your images down to fit the frame's screen, so if your files are larger, they should still display properly, without cropping. This ensures optimum display quality, and maximizes the number of images that you can fit in the frame's memory. You can also very easily copy images from memory cards to the internal memory, though the frame doesn't automatically size the images down, so you should size the images yourself using image-editing software to match the 1024x768-pixel array of the screen. There's also a standard-size USB port that accepts thumbdrives, as well as a mini USB jack for use with the included USB cable, so you can download files from your computer into the frame's 256MB of internal flash memory. You'll find slots for SD/SDHC, MMC, Compact Flash, xD, and Memory Stick/MS Duo cards. On the left side of the frame there's a memory card reader that lets you use images, video, or MP3 audio files stored on memory cards. I can't figure out why they chose to do this, since they easily could have designed a cover that uses thumbscrews or just clicks into place like so many millions of battery door covers on portable devices. You have to remove a panel on the back of the frame that is held in place by a tiny Phillips-head screw. The silliest part of setup is connecting the power supply. I'd just stick to setting the frame up horizontally. However, you'll also have to rotate your images manually, either in the frame or in photo-editing software, so they display properly. You'll have to remove the plate with the slot for the stand, which attaches with four thumbscrews, and turn it 90 degrees so it'll accept the stand. If you want to set the frame vertically, instead of the horizontal default, things get tricky. You may have to play with the angle a bit, since there is a second piece of plexiglass in front of the screen that can create a bit of glare depending on the room you use it in. The adjustable stand slides into a slot on the back of the unit that has a few click stops to let you set the angle of the screen. Setup is pretty simple if you plan to set the frame on a table. We were surprised at how heavy the frame is, so if you do plan to wall mount, you should consider a real mount instead of just using screws. Keyhole slots on the back let you mount the frame on the wall and are arranged in a standard VESA (75mm x 75mm) pattern, so you can use a proper mount should the mood strike you. In this case, the frame comes with a black wood bezel preinstalled and you can switch it out by removing four large flat-head screws that hold it in place. Like some other frames, this Pandigital comes with an extra bezel, so you can change the color of the frame to match your room.
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