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The Smartparts SPX8 8 inch Digital Picture Frame comes from the Smartparts SyncPix line of signature digital frames, and is loaded with features. The line of frames come with SyncPix software loaded on the frame, doing much of the work you normally do on your computer directly on the SPX8. When combined with its crisp, 800 x 600 resolution LCD display, it makes for a great digital photo frame.

The Basics

The Smartparts SPX8 has a generous 8 inch screen and enough resolution and color to show off pictures as they would look in high quality prints. If you are shopping for a digital frame, most recommend getting at least a 7 inch frame, but the jump to 8 inches is well worth it. The frame is made from real wood and is expresso-toned, and has décor that is best described as ‘contemporary’.

The frame comes not only with an AC adaptor but Smartparts has stepped up to the trend of including remote controls with their digital frames in models like the SPX8. It also has an adjustable stand so that you can change the angle at which your frame is viewed on a table top. The SPX8 also easily hangs on the wall.

Another feature you will love, and frankly owners don’t think about until they own a digital picture display, is the automatic on/off feature. Smartparts does it through motion sensor, in other words it will go to sleep automatically when no one is in the room.

SyncPix: Eliminating Your Computer From the Picture Transfer Step

If you own a digital frame you probably have figured out that its often better to transfer photos from your camera to your computer first, do any editing, organizing, and format coversion, then transfer them to your digital picture frame using a memory device. Smartparts attempts to eliminate this step through its SyncPix software and by running it directly on the digital picture frame itself, such as the SPX8, and performing this functions directly on the frame.

With the SPX8, you can insert your memory card (Secure Digital - SD, Compact Flash, Multimedia – MMC, xD, Memory Stick all work) and immediately begin transferring pictures. The Syncpix software then takes over, first by resizing pictures so they display correctly in 800x600 format, then organizing them into albums. Granted, transfer time will be slower than you are used to with other frames, but remember you are doing more than just transferring your pictures. Also note that your pictures on your memory card remain unchanged.

The SPX8 contains 256MB of memory, so depending on picture resolution you can store up to 3000 pictures on your SPX8 digital photo album.

There’s nothing stopping you from using your computer and your favorite photo editing software for managing pictures on your computer before transferring them to your frame. The SPX8 frame also has 2 USB drives for transfer purposes as well. But for those who want to quickly rip-and-stick pictures from camera to frame, SyncPix is a plus.

Displaying Photos, Slideshows, Audio, and More

Once photos are on the frame, slideshows are run by selecting the albums. You can set slideshows to display in various modes – anywhere from 1 to 4 pictures at a time, and at various speeds. One of the best features of the frame is the ability to store MP3 audio files, which can be synched to your slideshows.

In addition to music, the SPX8 is also video media compatible. You can store Motion JPEG AVI and MPEG-1 files in the same albums you store your pictures and music files, and the video plays beautifully on the screen. You will also like the slide show controls feature of that Smartparts has added to the SPX line. The “Smart Strip” navigation is a feature that allows you to sort through your pictures to look for a specific one even while a slideshow is playing – in other words no need to stop a slide show to look for that specific picture you want to show.

About the only fault we can find with the frame are the picture formats. You’re limited to JPEG with the SPX8, which granted is a very common format, but many other digital photo frames in this category allow other formats as well.

Ratings

The SPX8 gets good reviews and ratings from various sources. Consumer Reports specifically gave it a 71 point rating which was in their "very good" category.

Here are our final ratings for the Smartparts SPX8. We give it 5 stars.

	Smartparts SPX8 8-Inch Syncpix Digital Picture Frame List Price: $179.99 Sale Price: $46.00 Used From: $29.95 Average Rating:
	8" LCD DIGITAL FRAME W/MOTION SENSOR