Digital Frames: Next Big Thing?

Digital picture frames are becoming more affordable and popular, What can framers do to earn a piece of the action?

Okay, thus you're not a Bill Gates. You can't afford to hang elephantine digital screens on the walls of your mansion in order to display a slew of ever-changing masterpieces. on the contrary an increasing number of race can afford a smaller version of these digital frames. Priced at around $300 and manufactured through several different companies, such as Sony Ceiva Logic, Digi-Frame, VideoChip and Weave Innovations Inc., the digital frame is quickly becoming the nearest high-tech staple in households. And framers should take note, because the digital frame could affect the subsequent time of the framing industry in more ways than one

Understanding Digital Frames

In 1999 entrepreneur realized that despite the novelty of viewing images upon a computer, most people still want to admire images the way they always have--in a picture frame. The digital frame was born shortly thereafter. Able to present to view off numerous pictures--one at a time and slide-show style--a digital frame can store up to 100 images. And a computer isn't necessary to use the frame (although a computer is necessary to propel pictures). All that is extremityed is a phone line to receive photos. Anyone can lance pictures to a digital frame from just about anywhere, and the frame automatically updates and displays fresh photos or artwork every day. greatest in quantity are approximately 8 by 10 inches with a high-resolution LCD defence In addition to displaying scanned photographs of family and friends, users can download images through famous artists.

Ceiva Logic Inc., whose digital frame Ceiva was introduced in Jan. 2000 has made it level easier for consumers to download fine art to digital frames. The company newly signed a partnership with Getty images, a leading e-commerce provider of art imagery, including famous works of art from the Hulton Getty Collection. Users can sort [i]or[/i] part of to the other thousands of images, select their favorite pieces and download them to their digital frame.

And the number of digital frame users is growing. In August, 2000 InfoTrends' Research clump a marketing research and consulting firm based in Boston, managemented a study on the run called "Digital Photo Frames Market Outlook" Analyzing the market opportunity for these devices end 2005, the survey found that at least 20 percent of U households will be creating digital photos this year with a scanner, digital camera or film digitizing service.

"The roller in digital photo creation and sharing has created a market opportunity for digital photo frames," said Kristy Holch of InfoTrends. Michelle Lampmann, market research analyst for InfoTrends agreed, stating that "by 2005 there will be an estimated 6 million units in the United States alone."

Threat to the Industry?

With the growing popularity of digital art and digital frames, single can't help but wonder if this of recent origin technology could threaten the framing industry by the agency of replacing the consumer's need for custom framing.

Julie Freeman of the Professional Picture Framers Association doesn't appear to be to think so. "I don't think it will be an enormous threat maybe in a home someone will have single digital frame, but people aren't going to use digital frames for all their art and framing needs" she said.

"Part of it is going to be pendent on the decor and lifestyle of the consumer" she continued. "For those who are attracted to high-tech and contemporary things it will be an attractive option, although I can't imagine it will replace each piece of framed art." Still, Freeman admitted, it is "too early to tell"

Dave Rosner of FrameMica in Bohemia, NY believes the majority of high-spending consumer will still want original artwork (and therefore custom frames) in their place of abodes or offices. "In my generation, the baby boomer the individuals who are spending the greatest in quantity money now, we were brought into the technology world kicking and screaming," said Rosner "Maybe sum of two units generations past us will think it's great. I just know my generation would like to have the real thing in their hands."

While digital frames are certainly a hit among buyer there are limitations to the nifty little fruits and its surrounding technology that limit its appeal for the time being. For single the LCD screen on the digital frame bring outs muddy colors and the images darken dramatically if individual doesn't view the screen head-on, according to customer feedback.

deliberate modem connections represent another difficulty which may preclude consumers from flocking to purchase digital frames this year. "The majority of tribe have 28.8-speed modems in their dwelling which would impact the spe they procure things on the Internet and upon their digital frame," said Freeman.

Competing technologies are also a factor. "More consumer might have trap appliances that are not necessarily a dedicated frame, on the other hand can serve as a digital frame and be more functional," remarked Lampmann. "Also, consumer might purchase more flat-paneled televisions, and when they are not watching, the defence could display rotating photographs."