Digital photo frames

	The SDP818 model from Inlife of China features a stereoscopic function that converts 2D images to 3D.

Functions have evolved from static display and basic slideshow to 3D imaging and automatic position adjustment.

Product homogeneity and a market nearing saturation are compelling China suppliers of digital photo frames to innovate form factors and introduce more features in the latest releases.

Manufacturers are directing R&D at stereoscopic imaging. The technique creates the illusion of depth, essentially rendering 2D pictures as 3D.

Inlife Handnet Co. Ltd, for instance, is mass-producing the SDP818 auto-stereoscopic model. The company specializes in solutions for 3D video capture and display. Capitalizing on the popularity of wireless devices, suppliers are likewise turning out more Wi-Fi digital photo frames.

Unlike conventional types that play back images from a memory card, these can access the host PC’s HDD, thereby increasing the number of photos displayed. They also let users share albums through the Internet.

Many makers are likewise adding to their range Bluetooth-enabled models that can receive photos attached to an MMS message directly.

Some devices are embedded with a GPRS module that allows transferring images from a mobile phone to the frame. Others, meanwhile, have a GPS function.

To enhance ease of use, suppliers are increasingly adopting touchscreen displays instead of the usual glass panels. This makes it possible to engineer streamlined housings with slim profi les as it reduces, or in some cases, eliminates the need for push-buttons and keypads.

Some companies offer units with a built-in mobile TV to boost the user’s audio-visual experience. Other designs even show weather conditions in different time zones.

Thanks to the technology’s availability, a few suppliers are venturing into models adopting a display-position sensor.

This feature automatically adjusts the image to landscape or portrait mode, and vice versa, when the unit is moved.

Most of these functions are limited to upscale units, particularly those that require a processor and memory chips, although they are forecast to breach the mainstream in the short term.

Manufacturers are willing to invest in feature-packed digital photo frames because they bring in higher profi ts. Moreover, competition in the high end is not as stiff as that in the entry-level segment.

	Best Wisdom of China offers the 7in BW-F703A model with a 480x272-pixel resolution and NAND fl ash memory.

China’s most common digital photo frame exports have 7 or 8in LCD panels, although 6.5 and 7in versions are the best-sellers in the US and Western Europe, respectively. Even so, 8in designs are expected to take up the biggest share of the latter’s supply, to increase 40 percent by 2013.

Despite stable demand for small to midsize products, margins continue to be thin due in part to the unstable economy. It is also because LCD panel costs have increased slightly in April 2009 as demand slowed.

Companies believe that the cost of small and midsize panels is on its way to a downturn this year. Moreover, most other components experienced a decline at the tailend of 2009. As such, prices of digital photo frames are expected to remain at current levels if not drop moderately in coming months.

Meanwhile, to differentiate their products, a handful of tier 1 suppliers have started using OLED panels, which are thinner, lighter and more fl exible than LCD. These do not require backlighting and therefore emit brighter light and consume less power. Despite these advantages, however, the outlay is inhibitive and the equipment required expensive.

	The DP610 model from Victorwood of Hong Kong has a digital alarm clock and weather station. It displays humidity and temperature reading.

The digital photo frames range in China covers all price points. Models typically have 640x480- and 800x480- pixel resolution. A memory card reader and USB port are common.

Erstwhile mainstream 1.1 to 2in units are now offered mostly as novelty items or premiums. These only have the standard features and display a limited number of pictures.

Units with 10 to 22in screens, meanwhile, are still regarded as emerging products.

Entry-level products support JPEG, GIF, BMP, WAV, MP3 and WMA and have a basic slideshow function. These come with earphones and speakers, and have a USB 1.1 port and an SD/MMC/CF slot. The internal memory is 4 to 64MB.

Midrange units support AAC, MPEG-1/2/4, DivX and AVI. A remote control and A/V-out function are typical. These play background music and come with stereo speakers and earphones. A multilingual OSD facilitates a built-in calendar, e-book reader, FM radio and games. A USB 2.0 drive and an MS/xD reader complement the 1GB internal memory. Some versions are Wi-Fi-enabled High-end digital photo frames can run M-JPEG and Xvid formats. An internal memory of 8GB and higher supports 3D stereoscopic display. Sleek designs incorporate a touchscreen and a touch-sensitive keypad. A mobile TV and GPRS or GPS functions are optional.

Amid slowing sales, suppliers in China are stepping up production of midrange and high-end designs while leveraging their price advantage over foreign counterparts.

The midrange segment is expected to comprise the bulk of turnout in six to 12 months.

Companies will likewise focus on the domestic market even as they continue to strengthen their foothold in Southeast Asia, the Middle East and South America.

The industry is composed of about 300 makers, roughly 80 percent of which are small and midsize enterprises that turn out 10,000 to 30,000 units monthly. Large companies’ output exceeds 120,000.

The majority of suppliers operating in a medium scale are engaged in OEM business. Bigger players, meanwhile, have strong ODM capabilities.

Regardless of size, makers invest 5 to 10 percent of annual sales in R&D. In-house product development work, usually handled by 15 to 30 personnel, centers on housing structure using Pro/E and AutoCAD.

Most companies own electronic circuit engineering, software and hardware design.

As with most electronics industries, Guangdong is the main production hub for digital photo frames in China. The province hosts about 80 percent of suppliers, the majority of which are exporters.

Zhejiang province, however, is gaining strength, abetted by a vertically integrated supply chain.

Ningbo, in particular, boasts mature subindustries that support the digital photo frame segment.

LCD panels and modules are readily available from the area, as are driver ICs, capacitors, resistors, triodes, diodes, and power modules.

Most components providers are based in the Ningbo Free Trade Zone and Ningbo Economic and Technical Development Zone.

The former is one of the largest production centers for LCD panels and modules in China, and is headquarters to Ningbo Chimei Electronics Co. Ltd, one of the country’s major makers.