We’re over memory-card-only digital picture frames. The Vaio Wi-Fi Photo Frame suck down photos over Wi-Fi. An Internet connection grabs your latest images automatically from RSS feeds or a picture-publishing service. Even friends and relatives can upload pictures from anywhere.
However, this big-picture idea is problematic.
This minimalist frame looks good on a desk, and its image quality is even better. Because the screen is a modest 7 inches, the pixels pack together densely, creating sharper images than the other larger frames we tested. The bright, crisp images look great. But for all the options on the CP1—there are elaborate timers and slide show settings—the RSS process is nearly worthless, and the frame often takes a moment to respond to commands.
The mobile phone–style joystick sped us through the setup process, reaching online through our Wi-Fi network. The device connects to Picasa image hosting by default, which worked for us, showing our shared images. But the frame faltered on every RSS feed we tested. Instead of automatically displaying photos from a Flickr or MobileMe feed, the frame showed us a file directory of new images. We could only pick one, which then slowly loaded in its Opera Web browser. Forget automated, online slide shows.
Sony’s Vaio frame offers style over substance. Its high-quality display partly offsets the terrible RSS handling and sluggish controls.
Great picture quality. Opera browser can load webpages. Sets schedules for different slideshows. Plays MP3s.
Can’t play slideshows from RSS feeds. 16:9 aspect ratio wastes edges or zooms on nearly all pictures. Often feels sluggish.