How to Make a Digital Picture Frame

Digital picture frames are an innovative way to display multiple pictures in one frame. A digital picture frame saves space and is easily modified to show new pictures. Making a digital picture frame takes a basic knowledge of electronics, but don't let your modest skills stop you from trying to create your own frame.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Shadow box, 1-by-1-1/2 inches thick
• 5-inch LCD screen with power adapter
• SanDisk digital photo viewer
• Photo mat
• Soldering iron
• Wires
• Power switch

1. Remove the back of the shadow box.

2. Place the photo mat over the LCD screen. Trace the viewing box. Cut the viewing box's shape out of the mat. Place the mat into the shadow box.

3. Connect the LCD screen to the picture viewer with the cable provided.

4. Remove the power jack from the back of the LCD screen. Remove the wires from the power jack.

5. Solder one of the wires into the back of the LCD screen where it is marked GND or Ground. Solder that wire to a connector on the back of your power switch. Run the power wire from the picture viewer to the power switch. Cut off the end connector and solder the wire into the switch. These wires must be soldered to the output connections. Solder one wire from the input connections to the outside connector on the power jack.

6. Solder two wires to the positive adapter in the middle of the power jack. Run wires to the photo viewer and the LCD screen. Solder the wires into the positive area on the back of the LCD screen, sometimes marked "Ext V." Attach the wire from the back of the photo viewer to the positive port.

7. Place all of the components inside the shadow box and move them around until they fit. Place the photo viewer on the back of the LCD screen to hold the screen into place.

8. Cut out the back of the shadow box to fit the power switch power jack and to reveal the buttons on the photo viewer. Screw the back of the shadow box back onto the frame.

9. Insert the power plug into the power jack.

Tips & Warnings

• Purchase LCD screens online or at well-stocked electronics stores.
• To add pictures, unscrew the back and insert the memory card into the viewer. Replace the back of the frame and plug in the power cord.

[josande]

on 11/26/2008 Isn't 1 foot by 1 foot a little big to only have a 5 in. LCD screen? Can you use any bigger LCD screen?