How to Make a Digital Photo Frame
Digital photo frames come in a variety of styles and designs and are often very expensive. But the appeal of having what appears to be an endless stream of images for you and guests to view may be worth the effort of creating your own digital photo frame. Sitting on a coffee table or end table in your home, a digital photo frame will surely turn heads and be a topic of conversation. With a few basic items, you can make an affordable digital photo frame that suits your style and taste.
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Things You'll Need
- Digital photo viewer
- LCD screen
- Metal picture frame
- Hot glue
- Plexiglas
- Electric hand-held or table saw
- Metal hinge or clasp
- Two magnets
- Flash media card
Instructions
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Connect a cable from the video out port of a digital photo viewer to the video in port on an LCD screen, and then connect power to the screen and viewer together. The digital photo viewer is basically a black box that has a slot to insert the media card and can be purchased inexpensively through either eBay or stores selling electronic items.
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Attach the screen to the matting on the frame by using hot glue, once the photo viewer is connected to the LCD screen. Then attach the digital photo viewer to the back of the screen with hot glue.
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Cut a piece of Plexiglas to size for the backing of the frame with a hand-held or table saw. After it is cut to the appropriate size, attach the Plexiglas to the back of the screen by using a small metal hinge or clasp. Use two small magnets to attach the clasp to the back of the frame. The back of the Plexiglas can be painted, if so desired, with acrylic paints, which are formulated for painting plastic.
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Insert the media card that holds your digital pictures into the slot, and start enjoying your favorite photos.
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Tips & Warnings
Varying sizes of LCD screens can be used, but the screen should be large enough to see while inside the frame. The LCD screen should be at least 5 inches when measured diagonally. The frame and matting need to be big enough to hold the screen. The digital photo viewer should be equipped for composite video, or it will not transmit digital images. If the magnets slide off the back of the frame or a metal frame is not used, attach the clasp to the frame with hot glue. If the glue is not holding well, try epoxy, a hardener commonly used on plastic materials. Make sure that there is enough clearance between the frame and the photo viewer so that the media card can be inserted.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Paul Shannon: www.flickr.com
