Digital Foci rolls LED-lit photo frames
updated 02:55 pm EST, Thu December 27, 2007
Digital Foci Image Moments
Digital Foci this afternoon previewed several updates to its Image Moments digital photo frames that promise better image quality and features than most displays of their type. The Image Moments 6 (pictured) and 8 are some of the first frames to include an LED backlight in place of the typical cold-cathode fluorescent (CCFL) version. The technology improves color accuracy -- a crucial component of any photo frame -- while also reducing the power draw and eliminating toxic chemicals like mercury, the company says. The range-topping Image Moments 15 also brings a 16.2-million color LCD into the line and achieves a 700:1 contrast ratio while still using CCFL to light its image.
The 6-, 8-, and 15-inch displays are all given traditional frames to blend into home decor and now have 200MB of built-in flash memory, providing storage for roughly 1,500 average-size photos without having to buy additional media, Digital Foci estimates. For those that need more, the upgraded frames include a multi-format card reader with support for very high capacity formats such as SDHC that hold 8GB or more. Stereo speakers are tucked into each model for media playback, which includes support for formats rare on photo frames such as AAC or OGG audio as well as MPEG-4 video. USB provides a direct connection for loading the memory from most computers.
Digital Foci also includes a built-in auto-rotate orientation sensor, which detects the orientation of the Image Moments frames so that images are properly displayed. Image Moments can also read the EXIF data resident in the image to determine the proper photo orientation.
The photo frame maker anticipates releasing all three displays in March at prices of $149, $199, and $399 respectively.
