Digital Video Helpful Guideline

June 13, 2010 lenses No comments

These NIX frames have really captured consumer interest in a hurry since being introduced on Amazon. Understandable, since they deliver a lot of features for a modest price (in fact, Amazon’s is lower than the manufacturer’s on a competitive website). Formerly, I recommended the even less expensive XO7B frame, but my preference now is decisively in favor of the X08A for one overriding reason: the 4:3 dimensions, which is not the case with the X07B (it would be helpful were it labeled as such). Even with auto rotation and split screen features, the extra wide (16:9) screens, or aspect ratios, of some of these “stretched” frames introduce problems because of the different orientations of shots and the cropped or distorted shapes that frequently ensue upon tweaking an image to fill a frame. But there’s more . . .

The picture of the 8″ model, I’m convinced, has sharper definition and brighter, more pleasing colors–very close, if not equal, to a high-definition computer screen. Additionally, the slide show and transitions are performing more consistently, with the photos even showing more regularly in their correct–horizontal or vertical–orientation. And the size of the frame is such that a vertical photo, even though appearing in a frame that’s slightly wider than it is high, does not look disproportionate. In fact, with this frame it’s highly unlikely you’ll turn the frame vertically to activate its “automatic orientation” feature. Finally, unlike the XO7B, which comes with a quick set-up sheet, the XO8A comes with a more informative and complete little booklet, including a trouble-shooting section (the instructions are perhaps less clear than those with the 7″ model, but the frame is practically “plug and play,” not requiring close examination of the manual. (If you do any tweaking, I’d recommend trying the automatic “crop” feature. It may reduce some of the area of your photos, but it won’t distort or diminish size, consequently making it all the easier to keep the frame in a single, fixed position. I’m so satisfied with what this frame does for the photos taken with my Canon Elf (SD-780), I haven’t even bothered to try out the video and music features. Frankly, they’re not the reason I was in the market for a digital frame.

For either frame, it would undoubtedly be a good idea for many purchasers to order an inexpensive 2 GB flash card at the same time and to “dedicate” it exclusively for use in the frame (try to avoid the apparent “bundled” deal, which could cost you extra in postage. Instead, enter the item in “search” and order it from Amazon Prime, which offers a nice Kingston card for about five dollars). Finally, before calling or writing the company about a missing back-rest for this frame, notice that, unlike the 7″ model (which employs a separate, detachable plastic piece), this 8″ model has a handier, embedded telescoping silver rod. Simply use your thumbnail to pull it out of the back of the frame and you’ll find it plenty sturdy for this lightweight frame.

Just a couple of caveats: First, the generally well-equipped audiophile is unlikely to make much use (if any) of the built in speakers and MP3 player (the X07 has a potentially more useful alarm, clock and calendar). Second, the cost to the company of these added, perhaps mostly unused, features is likely reflected in the price. In that case, better the extra features were eliminated altogether or their expense devoted to the one feature that every user would certainly find most useful of all–a rechargeable battery, enabling cordless operation. These frames are currently undergoing rapid changes on the part of all manufacturers, so expect to see more cordless models, more onboard memory with convenient computer interfacing, and lower prices in the near future. But as anyone who has acquired any consumer technology in the last ten years knows all too well, such obsolescence goes with the territory (no longer is it a wise idea to spend a thousand or more on a TV set–these are not appreciating assets–in fact, quite to the contrary).

[The price appearing above my review is appreciably higher than that listed by the frame. The title of my review is not in reference to what appears to be a sudden rise in price.]

RE: NIX Customer Support: I sent an e-mail with questions related to this model as well as a couple of others. The response was swift, extremely detailed, entirely personal (not an automated response), and very informative and helpful. (By contrast, Logitech offered to replace an entire keyboard with a bad key providing I e-mailed proof of purchase. I was extremely impressed and pleased, since I had hoped for, at most, a single replacement key. However, despite my 3 attempts to mail them my Amazon invoice–everything from a Jpeg to PDF to screen shot–I received the automatic response: “Your requested evidence of purchase is inadequate. Use a different format.” If that’s a company’s version of “customer service,” I’d rather receive service from another company, or no service at all, rather that repeatedly feel like someone is jerking my chain.)]

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Digital Video Helpful Guideline

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