Below is a list of features that makes the ziga frame unique:
WHAT’S HOT
Screen
:
The brilliant 5.6" TFT display, with a resolution of 640×480 and
a contrast ration of 150:1, sharply displays content when viewed from
a distance of around 3 feet or further.
Media
: As mentioned, the ziga frame can playback
Integration
MPEG-I and II video, JPEG-video, and MP3 audio. Although this isn’t
the device to watch a movie on, quick clips taken with a camera can
easily be played back. This frame was partly designed to give digital
photographers without a computer an opportunity to view their camera
media by simply inserting their memory card in the frame. The ziga frame
also has audio and video out, so that the user can view images on a
television or other source with an S-video input and listen to movie
or MP3 audio through external speakers. The ziga fame has internal stereo
speakers, but they are adequate, at best.
Media
: The ziga frame accepts all major media card
Card Slots
types, including Compact Flash, Microdrive, MemoryStick (pro and duo),
SmartMedia, MultiMediaCard, and SecureDigital. You are able to load
as many cards as there are slots, and switch between each via the onscreen
meny.
Images
: You are able to zoom (for higher
Playback/Manipulation
resolution images, the ziga frame can display up to a 12mp image) and
rotate any image. Playback options allow you to specify the time and
transition types between images during a slideshow. In addition, music
files can playback during slideshows, which could be great when the
family is over.
BOX CONTENTS
The
box describes all the features of the frame, and shows an image of each
media cart format it supports.
If
you had wanted to drop your ziga frame box from a seven story building,
ziga makes it possible.
Included
in the box is the ziga frame, credit card sized remote, power adapter,
user manual, and S-video cable.
PRODUCT
FEATURES
A
profile of the frame reveals that it is indeed rather thick, but when
displayed on a shelf or desk, it’s depth is difficult to decipher. The
button on the bottom is power.
The
frame has two sets of card slots that can house up four different cards
at a time (I’ve yet to try this). The buttons above are tough to use
when the frame is upright, because the button labels are the same white
color as the product, and are thus difficult to read without turning
the frame around. I used the remote for all operation. Notice the nail
hook on the rear for wall mounting.
The
left side of the frame has the video and audio out, along with the contrast
slider adjustment. I kept contrast on max.
The
remote is thin, and has all the functions that the buttons on the frame
does. I found it often difficult to get the remote to function – at
times it would operate from several feet back, while during other instances,
I needed to be within a few inches. Either way, the IR signal needs
to be line-of-sight to work.
When
you select Menu and have various media cards inserted, the frame will
ask you to specify which you want to access.
The
entire menu system is very intuitive, and requires virtually no learning
curve. The main menu let’s you toggle between the three media formats,
or view all in a file explorer.
In
photo mode, thumbnails are displayed of each image on the selected media
card. Depending on the size of the file, the thumbnails may be slow
to display.
In
the Music section, all songs are displayed, and begin to playback when
selected. Track time is listed on right.
When
you select a song, it is played back in the above screen, displaying
an equalizer (with a slow refresh rate) and other track information.
In
the Video section, each video will begin to playback as a thumbnail
when highlighted. When selected, it will play full screen. Frame rates
seemed smooth during video playback.
The
File Library displays all media types, and shows or plays previews for
each. Above, a music video is previewed with file information displayed.
Above,
an image preview is displayed.
By
selecting the Setup button, you can adjust basic media playback parameters…
…and
specify interval time and transition type for image slideshows.
VIEWING
IMPRESSIONS
The
image brightness and clarity varies depending on the angle and distance
you view the frame from. Most further viewing distances reveal a clear
and accurately-colored image. Above is an image of a 3mp file. Pressing "zoom" will bring us in closer…
….and
zooming in again brings it even closer…
…and
so on.
Above
is a shot of a beach scene taken from a different perspective. It’s
difficult for the camera to capture the sharpness and brightness of
the ziga frame, it really stands out.
Click
the above image to see a macro shot of the screen.
Besides the lack of screen specifications
HELP SUPPORT
(which I gathered from the company), the user manual is complete and
easy to read. Over at
ziga’s product page, there is a great demo video.
I’ll
BUGS AND WISHES
be honest – this is the first time that I’ve come across a digital picture
frame. But based on my usage, and based on the impressions of friends
and family, I see some things that could be improved upon.
The
ziga frame keenly allows a user to rotate his images, and yet the frame
itself cannot be oriented vertically. A change to the frame leg (that
sits it vertically) could remedy this issue.
There’s
a nail hook on the rear of the ziga frame for wall-hanging, but because
it is powered with AC power, it could become ugly suspending the frame
from a wall with a cord. Indeed it does look interesting when attached
to a wall, as it has a hovering appearance because of its thick profile.
I’d like to see the ziga be able to run on batteries for wall hanging
– it would require some sort of high capacity rechargeable battery to
avoid having to charge often.
The
frame itself is generally attractive with its transparent "flaps" that spread outward – but the white color may not go with everyone’s
decor. Having the ziga frame offered in black could cover most everyone’s
color scheme.
ziga
PURCHASING
does not sell the ziga frame through their site. They link to several
online electronic stores. I found the best deal to be at NewEgg.com,
where the frame was being sold for a very reasonable $165.
PROS
- Bright,
clear screen - Video
and audio playback - Video
and audio outputs - Intuitive
menu system - Multi-format
card reader - Reasonable
price
CONS
Hit-or-miss remote
Cannot orient frame vertically
Only offered in white
In sum, the ziga frame is an ideal solution
OVERALL IMPRESSION
for a dorm room, office, or for a user who doesn’t have a computer but
uses a digital camera regularly. ziga has made it possible to afford
a technology that once was thought to be futuristic and only reserved
for those who liked to spend on "Do I really need that?"-type
electronics. The ziga frame’s integration of audio and video, with its
intuitive menu system, makes it a great value for anyone looking to
finally own a digital picture frame.
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