Tag: reviews

Nixplay-2K-Photo-Frame-main-image-digitalphotoframe-review

This is a review from thedigitalpictureframe.com. Read their other Nixplay reviews here.

This is the third Nixplay WiFi photo frame that I have reviewed. I believe there is a good reason why the company is the global market leader for digital photo frames: They just have the best soft- and hardware in the mid-size frame segment that they are in.

In this review, I will take a closer look at the 9.7 inches Nixplay Smart Photo Frame, which is the 2K model of the “Smart” product line. This means that you can expect the screen to be tack-sharp.

What people expect from digital photo frames

With the Coronavirus in 2020, “keeping in touch” became a predominantly virtual matter for some time. Video conference tools gained in popularity because it gave us all a much better feeling of working together than just listening to group phone calls. And yet, easy to set up video-conference software has been around for over twenty years. But only now, they became fully accepted.

I’d like to think that the same is true for digital picture frames. They have been around for ages, but the quality of the hardware and the user-friendliness of the software left a lot to be desired. But recently, they seem to pop up everywhere.

Although different customer segments will have different requirements, the average consumer first and foremost expects ease of use. And since many photo frames are given as a present to parents and grandparents to keep in touch with the family, people expect a way to service them remotely.

This is where many sins have been committed. The software was an afterthought in many companies when it should be the first step in the design.

What Nixplay consistently does right

So it was no surprise that many companies have appeared on this market and quickly left again. The mid-size segment has been especially crowded with brands slapping their logo on some white label “China” frames with no genuine passion for photo frames.

Don’t get me wrong. The best electronics manufacturers are in China and other Asian countries. But if the objective is to bring down costs to the minimum, the quality will suffer.

I currently see only one brand that is starting to become a household name in mid-range wifi photo frames and that is Nixplay.

Personally, I am not even much interested in a digital picture frame that is smaller than 24 inches, and I like to build them myself. But when friends & family ask me which brand to buy in the mid-size segment, I recommend Nixplay.

There are two reasons for my judgement.

One the one hand, they overall have the best software for digital picture frames. It is (relatively) easy to use and has all the bells and whistles that you need. Especially, it can remotely control other frames, i.e., to add pictures and change the settings. This works as long as the other frame is connected to WiFi.

On the other hand, the hardware is solid. Nixplay has come up with a very clever patented solution for the cable problem of picture frames and turned it into a stand. And no USB card can break or is hard to insert. And third, the design is available in several styles, so everyone should find something compatible with their style.

There are two things that you have to be comfortable with: You need a WiFi connection, and your photos are stored in the Cloud. If you don’t like either, you have to look at non-wifi frame models. Nixplay also has those, but they are not available on their homepage but on Amazon.

The 9.7 inches Nixplay 2K Smart Photo Frame

I was recently given a review unit of the 9.7 inches Nixplay Smart Photo Frame which is the 2K model of the “Smart” product line.

2K means that the screen has a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels , the “2K” always refers to the long side of the display.

This frame is part of the Nixplay Smart Photo Frame series that come in sizes of 9.7, 10.1, 13.3, and 15.6 inches.

Only the 9.7 inches version has the ultra-high-resolution 2K display. I guess this is why it’s also just as expensive as the 15.6 inches model which only has a display resolution of 1920 x 1080px.

However, the screen size is only one difference. Just as important is the aspect ratio of these models.

The 2K model has a ratio of 4:3, which is typically what a photo that was taken with a mobile phone has. Since most of today’s photos are taken with a mobile, it makes a lot of sense to have the same screen proportions as otherwise too much of your image would be cropped in full-screen mode.

The 10.1 frame has a 16:10 aspect ratio, which is about what a DSLR (3:2) is at. The 13.3. and the 15.6 models both come with 16:9, which is great for videos but not so much for photos. I could talk about hours about this subject but let me just say, there are many reasons why I prefer 16:10 or 4:3 displays.

A tack-sharp display

The funny thing with high-resolution displays is that you don’t notice the difference immediately. But the more you look at a high-resolution (Apple calls them “Retina”) display, the more details you discover. And when you then go back to a low-resolution screen, you’re ready to go to the optician because you think there is something wrong with your eyes.

So, a word of warning here. Once you get used to a high-resolution display, there is no way back. Just try to take an Apple iMac 5K away from someone and give him a 1920×1080 monitor (which used to be considered HD!). Good luck!

The screen of the 2K is super sharp and you will discover many details on your photos. It is glossy but it is not prone to showing reflections.

This frame is currently the best in its class in terms of display quality. And the fact that it has an aspect ratio of 4:3 makes it ideal for family & friends photos taken with a mobile phone.

If you are a photographer and you need a small WiFi photo frame, you may be better served with the 16:10 ratio found in the slightly larger 10.1 model. But then again, in your profession, you would probably want a 40 inches 4K frame anyway.

The 2K screen comes at a premium of about $100. Is it worth it? Maybe not because the other Nixplay models also have great displays but, personally, I can’t have enough pixels!

The Nixplay software is still the industry benchmark

I have talked a lot about the Nixplay software and have even written two articles to get you started with a computer or a mobile device.

The good thing is that Nixplay hasn’t changed much in that software since I first published the articles in 2019. And why should they? It is very user-friendly and offers plenty of options the way it is.

What is especially well thought through is the initial setup process after you first unbox the frame. The only thing you need to have nearby is the password of your WiFi network. Once that is entered via the remote control, you can continue on your mobile phone.

The Nixplay software lets you manage all your Nixplay frames with one account and app. This means that you can share your playlists on all connected frames, regardless of where they are in the world. The only thing that matters is that they are connected to a WiFi signal. They do work without WiFi as the images are downloaded to the frame, but you need the signal for photo updates.

As far as the management of your photos goes, you can either access your phone’s photo app, the Nixplay Cloud Albums, or connect it to Google Photos.

The software still offers the same selection of beautiful image transitions and has many features for customisation.

For a full overview oft the software, please check my setup tutorial for the Nixplay Seed 10.1 frame.

If I could make a wish for one future software feature, it would be the ability to see the image that is currently being played on a remote frame. Sometimes you may want to share a particular photo with your family and with a feature like this, you could all be sure that you are looking at the same thing.

Conclusion

The Nixplay 2K Nixplay Smart Photo Frame has the potential to spoil you for all other photo frames. The super sharp display is something that you take for granted quickly.

The proven quality of Nixplay’s hard- and software remains the key recipe for the company’s market success. But before you buy, check which display aspect ratio is the right one for your needs. I would argue that this is even more important than pixel density.

The frame is available in metal and black finish.

The Nixplay Digital Frame: A Digital Picture Frame for the Modern Age

By Andi Willis

On November 24, 2018

In Customer Testimonials

This review is written by Andi Willis of Good Life Photo Solutions, a digital photo organization service dedicated to preserving and protecting your family’s memories. Read the original post and join their Nixplay Frame giveaway here.

Fifteen years ago when my children were very young, I gave Mema, my mother-in-law, a digital picture frame. At that time we did not live close by, and it was a way for my in-laws to see a variety of photos of my children and other family members.

However, there was a catch: They could only see the photos that I had pre-loaded onto the frame. And because we lived far away, I could only update the photos once or twice a year.

After a few visits, I noticed the frame sat on my mother-in-law’s desk, unplugged and unused.

Fast forward to three years ago. I was working as a personal photo organizer and in love with everything photo-related. Sitting with a group of colleagues at a photo organizing master class in Nashville, I wished out loud for a Wi-Fi enabled digital frame. That’s when one of my colleagues said there was such a magical picture frame that she loved. It was called Nixplay. I wrote the name into my notes, to be researched later when I returned home.

By this time, my father-in-law had passed away and my mother-in-law’s memory was starting to fade. I didn’t want her to forget our faces since we now lived even further away. A Wi-Fi picture frame seemed to be the answer.

Sharing Photos with a Nixplay Digital Frame

Let me tell you that I loved what I found out. I quickly bought a frame to give to my mother for Christmas (she’s always my guinea pig). I created a Nixplay account, loaded photos through the website, and voila, there they were on her frame! The Nixplay frames were so much easier and so much more convenient to use than their predecessors. This was definitely a digital picture frame for the new age.

Since that day, I have given a variety of Nixplay frames to many family members, in addition to setting them up for several of my clients. Everyone loves them.

Let me share with you how I use the Nixplay frame for my mother-in-law. Several years ago I convinced my husband and his siblings to give his mother a Nixplay Seed 10-Inch frame for Christmas. I had the frame shipped to me and I went through the setup process, including adding her frame to my personal Nixplay account. This allows me to have complete control of the frame, down to even the smallest settings like how long a photo is displayed on the frame and when the frame goes to sleep at night. This is helpful in case of a technical glitch when the frame is 300 miles away.

Using digital photos that I already had, I created a playlist for her and uploaded the photos onto the frame using the Wi-Fi connection. The frame was repacked, wrapped, and mailed to my mother-in-law to be opened on Christmas. On the other end, my brother-in-law was responsible for connecting the frame to her assisted living home’s Wi-Fi network.

After just a few minutes of setup, Mema’s frame was up and running and she was enjoying her family photos. Even today, the frame sits on the table next to her recliner and she spends a large part of her day watching the photos.

My Favorite Features of Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud Frames

One of the features that I really like about the Nixplay system is that I am not the only one who can add photos to the frame. Within my Nixplay account, I can add or invite family members to become friends. Friends can either set up a Nixplay account (it’s easy, quick, and free!) and send their own photos through the app directly from their phone. They can also simply send the pictures to a special email address that is generated specifically for your account.

When inviting your family members, you also get to choose which playlist the photos go to. This is helpful when you have several different frames on your account. The best part is that there’s no more messing with SD cards and USB drives. The photos show up almost instantly, depending on the Wi-Fi connection.

This has worked out well for our family. In addition to me, my husband, my sister-in-law and her sons and their girlfriends/fiancees all share photos with my mother-in-law. Now Mema can keep up with the activities of her children and grandchildren.

Recently we had a little snafu when the girlfriend of one of the grandsons was sending some photos to my mother-in-law. Somehow the photos ended up in my playlist. I was sitting on the couch one evening when I happened to look at my frame to see a picture of Jake and his girlfriend Brandy, who was flashing an engagement ring. That was how we got the news of their impending nuptials. How exciting is that!

Another feature that I really like is the ability to add captions to the photos when they are uploaded. For someone like my mother-in-law who has memory issues, it’s very helpful to have a name and description on the photos when they show up on her Nixplay frame. These little notes help jog her memory or clarify points of confusion, like the fact that all the males in their family look alike when they hit a certain age.

Another one of the greatest features of the Nixplay frames is their ability to quickly change out the photos on the frame. For example, at the beginning of December, I will remove my main playlist of favorite photos and replace them with my “Christmases Past” playlist for my own Nixplay frames. I love seeing holiday pictures throughout the month, and using my Nixplay frame for this is perfect. I also change the photos in my mom’s Nixplay Seed at the same time to display the same Christmas playlist. I have even surprised a client who had just returned from an African safari with a new playlist of their great animal photos. She hasn’t stopped talking about it yet. What fun to revisit those older photos again and again!

In conclusion, when I am asked for a unique gift idea, I always suggest the Nixplay Wi-Fi Cloud frames. They are truly a gift that keeps on giving every day.

You can get your own Nixplay frame from the Nixplay online shop.

nixplay amazon customer testimonials september 2018

Amazon Review Roundup: September 2018

By Mars Salazar

On October 9, 2018

In Customer Testimonials

Here at Nixplay, we value your feedback. Here are some of the reviews that really touched our hearts last month.

“Worth the money”

Product: Nixplay Original 15 Inch
Reviewer: Anonymous
“I really love my Nixplay frame! I’ve had it for about a year and it works perfectly. I love that I can view the pics I choose from years past as well as recent pics. I have 3 small kids and I don’t have time to scrapbook or make albums anymore, but of course, I have so many pictures of my family that I enjoy looking at. This frame has been the perfect way for me to do that with minimal effort. There are many ways to get your pics to Nixplay, but what I do is store all my pics on Google Photos and add my favorites to an album on Google Photos and just transfer that album to a playlist on my frame. You can have many different Nixplay albums, too. I am very happy that I got the 15″ frame. I like the larger size and feel it was worth the money. I find my children watching the frame and trying to [guess] who the baby in the picture is! I also got a frame for my parents and love that I can upload pics straight to their frame from my own home. Also, I recently discovered that Nixplay has excellent customer service. I just chatted with Joey through online and he was quick and very helpful!”

“The sensor is another great feature”

Product: Nixplay Seed 10 inch Widescreen
Reviewer: A. Mora
“An excellent product. Many options to choose from on your phone. Easy uploads from your device. You can upload photos from your phone, whenever. A nice clock option when asleep. The sensor is another great feature as well. As soon as you walk in the room it [begins] to shuffle. The only improvement it could use is a better way to stand the frame. The cord provides a decent stand, but it could be improved. Definitely worth the buy. I would purchase another.”

“I find myself often stopping to watch it”

Product: Nixplay Seed 10 Inch Widescreen
Reviewer: Danny
“I have had my Nixplay Wifi Photo Frame for about three years and absolutely love it. It now contains a wide variety of family pictures essentially creating a digital history of about three generations of our family. I find myself often stopping to watch it change to picture after picture, each with a special memory to offer. It performed flawlessly until recently when it suddenly failed to load after a power outage. I contacted Nixplay support today and was very ably and pleasantly assisted by Joe, who quickly diagnosed the problem and proceeded to lead me through its resolution. If you are looking for a convenient way to store and enjoy your photos, with the added benefit of being able to update them on-line, I would certainly recommend Nixplay.”

“My most favorite things in my home”

Product: Nixplay Seed 12 Inch
Reviewer: Robert Voiss
“I love my 3 Nixplay Frames. They are my most favorite things in my home! They all play continuously displaying both long ago memory photos as well as current photos allowing me and all my friends and family to [reminisce] about all the great times we’ve all had in the past!
My girlfriend and I give Nix-play frames as our go-to to gift for birthdays, holidays and any chance we get, love’em!”

“Very easy to set up out of the box”

Product: Nixplay Original 15 Inch
Reviewer: Rumata2003
“This is the third Nixplay frame I bought (gave one to my parents and another to my in-laws).

PROS:

Very easy to set up out of the box. Only took 10 minutes from unboxing to the moment when photos started displaying on the frame (though it will take longer if it’s your first frame: you’ll need to upload photos to the cloud and create playlists).
Works consistently and without any glitches as long as connected to wi-fi
The interface is user-friendly for users with multiple frames: you can create and drop specific playlists onto specific frames you own. So even though our frame, my parents’ frame, and my in-laws’ frame get fed from the same cloud, they all display different playlists that I had set up.
You can control settings for each frame separately. For instance, my parents and in-laws leave in different time zones from us–I can set up from my account when the three frames wake up and go to sleep based on the respective time zones
I LOVE the integration with Dropbox–so convenient! You can just drop new photos into a designated folder on your laptop, which will update the corresponding Dropbox folder, which then will send new photos to the frame. So you actually don’t even need to get into your Nixplay account to get new photos to play on a frame
The motion sensor works well. From my experience, it will turn the frame on if it detects motion as far as 10-15 feet away within a field of vision of 120-150 degrees (no clue if these are the actual specs–my guesstimate entirely).

CONS (very few):

I believe the account comes with only 10GB of space on the cloud. In this day and age, this is nothing. I have close to 20,000 photos saved on my hard-drive. 10GB is only enough for about 10% of that. I think a more reasonable amount of space would be 100GB–storage is so incredibly cheap these days.
The frames are NOT cheap, but worth the price

Overall, VERY happy with these products.”

Mars Salazar

Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.