The Philips Digital PhotoFrame stores up to 1,000 images.

Pretty pictures, digitally

With the capacity to hold hundreds or even thousands of images, digital photo frames can easily replace a row of family albums.

But it's the music functions, stylish frames and background colours and patterns that turn viewing photos into a sophisticated multimedia event, offering a new way to tell family stories. Perhaps that's why they're so hot and why so many models have been launched this year.

Philips Digital PhotoFrame stores up to 1,000 images from a memory card or from a computer via a USB port. It comes with picture managing software that guides the user through the process of loading images from a computer or other device to the frame.

The frame can be changed from portrait to landscape orientation by turning a handle on the back of the unit (the handle can be removed to hang the frame on a wall). The screen is eight inches (corner to corner), and can be framed with interchangeable magnetic mattes in silver, white, red and black. Like many models, it has a calendar/clock function.

This unit has just three buttons, which contributes to ease of use. Unfortunately, they're on the back – a design that forces the user to turn the unit around or keep peeking from front to back to hit the correct button when programming it. Prices start at about $200. For retail locations, go to philips.ca.

Following the trend of multi-functional technology products, LG's new digital frame also has an onboard DVD player. Because it's so easy to use right out of the box, this frame would be a good choice for the technologically timid. The flat matte black border on the eight-inch screen gives it a sleek look, while a fold-down stand provides a very stable base (important because you definitely don't want a digital frame to fall on the floor). Controls are on the top and back of the unit.

The LG has a three-in-one memory card slot and USB port, and enough internal memory for a 250-photo slide show. It comes with a pair of headset ports to allow two people to watch and listen to a disc at the same time, handy for keeping kids in the back seat occupied during a long car ride (the battery provides about 3.5 hours of run time). Suggested retail is $250. For store locations, go to lge.ca.

The screen of Kodak's EasyShare digital frame is 10 inches and touch controls are contained on the side and bottom of the frame. It too comes with software. With 128 MB of internal memory, the frame can store up to 300 pictures. More pictures can be accessed through two memory card slots or by copying files from a digital still camera, home PC or USB jump drive.

Interchangeable mattes in silver and burgundy (a great accent colour) with adhesive backing are included. They must be taken off and stored in a plastic bag when not in use. I initially wondered about their longevity, but I've been testing one by pulling it on and off regularly for about eight weeks, and it's fine, so far. MP3 music files can be played through built-in speakers, which have surprisingly good sound quality. The EasyShare sells for about $230 at Staples, Best Buy, Future Shop and Canadian Tire. For more information, go to kodak.ca.

Some of Samsung's new digital frames double as secondary PC monitors. LED touch controls are located on the front of all the units, which come in two cool finishes: wood, or a design of overlapping circles in black.

H-series frames have seven- or eight-inch screens and can store up to 3,000 photos. Prices for these start at about $120.

P-series are available in eight- and 10.2-inch formats, and can play MP3 files to provide background music. Prices start at about $170.

The WiFi-enabled V-series, which has eight- or 10.2-inch screens, allows users to look at files, use the Web, listen to MP3s and watch videos. Prices for these start at about $230. Various models are available at Future Shop and Best Buy. For more information, go to samsung.com.

Sony entered the digital frame category last month with the launch of five new frames. Prices go from about $150 for a seven-inch frame to about $300 for a 10-inch model.

Clever features include auto-rotation, which changes the picture from landscape to portrait orientation whenever the frame is turned. Some are Bluetooth-enabled. For details, go to sonystyle.ca.