DIY Digital Picture Frames

Welcome to DIY Digital Picture Frames - a Resource for DIY'ers

2009-05-15T15:31:00.000-07:00

Want to create your own Digital Photo Frame? I created one from an old Sony Vaio Laptop and to help out others who are creating their own digital photo frames, I've created this website to catalog digital photo frames I've run across to help you out with ideas of projects and how to do it.

I'll be posting newly found do-it-yourself digital photo frames regularly.

You can find the Linux-powered digital photo frames database here

Windows-powered digital photo frames database is here

Apple-powered digital photo frames database is here

Compaq Digital Photo Frame

2007-08-08T21:40:00.000-07:00

Sarah Lemarié Created her own digital picture frame using an older Compaq Laptop. She posted the progress photos on flickr. Here are a few photos from the set:

For the full photoset, go to Sarah's flickr digital photo frame album

Slickr Internet Enabled Digital Frame

2007-08-08T05:46:00.000-07:00

Here's a Home-made Digital Picture Frame made from an old laptop. It uses Windows XP and Slickr for the software. Built for his parents so he can upload photos to flickr and it will automatically show up in the rotation for viewing. Nice 9X12 inch screen.

Found via flickr

For A Comprehensive List of Windows-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects including links READ HERE
A Comprehensive List of Linux-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects including links READ HERE
For A Comprehensive List of Mac-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects READ HERE

Dynamic Picture Frame - Add Photos Using Standard Web Interface

2007-08-06T08:04:00.000-07:00

Scott Lenger has his new Digital Photo Frame finished and has taken a different route then many others for the interface to load photos. He used a 14″ WiFi enabled Winbook C140 to make this frame. Scott says:

Building an old notebook into a picture frame has already been done many times before, what makes mine unique is that instead of pulling pictures off of a disk, hard drive, or flickr account, mine is built using standard web tools (XHTML/CSS/Javascript/PHP) so that myself and others can add and edit photos remotely through a web browser!

He has built a web (php) interface that makes image uploading to the frame easy for anyone to do is pretty straightforward. The interface uploads the images with php, resizes them to 1024×768 and adds a thumbnail image as well. It will even rotate the image using javascript. Below is a screen-grab of the web interface he built. If you're interested in this, he is willing to share the code used to make the web interface.

Scott offers up some good suggestions for those considering making one of these. This is his second try at building a Digital Picture Frame as his first one ran into some hardware problems.

Check out the full how-to with photos at Scott's site.

Stunning Digital Photo Frame Styled after Clock

2007-08-03T06:48:00.000-07:00

Jeffrey Stephenson has created one of the most beautiful digital photo frames I've ever seen.

He calls it the Skyscraper Photo PC. The design is based on a 1931 Hammond Gregory clock,

and made the casing for the frame entirely of basswood with a mahoganny veneer. The PC innards include a Vantec Stealth fan, an LCD scavenged from an automotive rooftop-mounted DVD player, a via motherboard and a 2GB CF flash card.
The results are simply stunning. It makes my digital picture frame seem almost ordinary!
Read the entire build process with loads of pictures at Slipperyskip.com

Found via Gizmodo

Non-DIY Digital Photo Frame

2007-08-01T06:36:00.000-07:00

Don't have the time to make your own digital photo frame? GeekAlerts is highlighting a nice 15-inch frame that has a 1024x768 resolution, ability to use USB drives, play back slide show with MP3 music in the background and comes with an IR Remote control to give you full control over all the functions.

Damn Small Linux Digital Picture Frame

2007-07-31T22:00:00.000-07:00

Here's a very detailed how-to where a Pentium 166 Laptop was converted into a digital picture frame with Linux. .

For lots of photos and many details of how it was done Click Here

Making a Digital Photo Frame in One Hour

2007-07-29T20:58:00.000-07:00

Over at Xandi.eu, they describe taking an Acer Laptop and converting it into a Digital Picture Frame in one hour!

Steps he took:

1. Cut into laptop case so the lcd cord would make it to the motherboard with the lcd turned backwards

2. Cut pressboard for the casing

3. Add styrofoam to hold it in place

4. Cut and fit frame

5. Paint Frame

6. Glue Frame together with hotglue gun

That's it. It looks great and only took him an hour to make - plus drying time for the paint. Check out the entire how-to with photos

For A Comprehensive List of Windows-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects including links READ HERE

A Comprehensive List of Linux-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects including links READ HERE

For A Comprehensive List of Mac-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects READ HERE

How to Disassemble, Upgrade or Repair a Laptop

2007-07-27T07:50:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in building a digital picture frame out of an old laptop, you will likely be disassembling at least part of the laptop to complete the project. In my case, I had to repair and replace a bad power connector that had become dislodged from the motherboard of a Sony Vaio Laptop before I could complete the picture frame project. Here are some of the resources you can use for laptop disassembly, upgrades and repairs:

Disassemble Manuals with Photos by manufacturer: Repair4Laptop

Tools You Need to Disassemble a Laptop: IrisVista

Laptop Repair Resource: Ask Laptop Freak

Manuals in PDF format for various electronic and computer devices All Manuals

Soldering and Desoldering Photo Guide: Make Magazine

Soldering Guide: The Electonics Club

Soldering Tips: PDF by Tom Hammond

I've found that one of the best ways to play your project is to read about DIY Projects that others have done. Follow this site for many new how-to's and examples by subscribing to the sites Feed HERE

Lenovo from Ebay to Digital Picture Frame for $150

2007-07-25T06:42:00.000-07:00

For about $150 Chris bought a used lenovo laptop for $100 on ebay, added a wireless card and converted it into a nice looking digital picture frame. This is one of the more detailed how-to's I've seen with lots of pictures and a narrative of how he did it. End result was a very nice gift for his mother.

Laptop Parts

Attaching Laptop to Shadow Box

Everything in the Shadowbox

End Result Looks Nice

Check out the entire article on how he did it with lots of pictures of the process at MDChris's Site

For A Comprehensive List of Windows-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects including links READ HERE
A Comprehensive List of Linux-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects including links READ HERE
For A Comprehensive List of Mac-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects READ HERE

IBM Thinkpad 600 Digital Picture Frame

2007-07-24T08:59:00.000-07:00

A DIY digital picture frame made from an old IBM Thinkpad 600 laptop. The frame is equipped with a USB WiFi card and updates from Flickr automatically using Slickr. Also included is VNC to control the laptop remotely if needed.

This is a shot during the build process

This is a Shot After Completion, before hiding the cord. Beautiful Result!

Found on Flickr and Inspired by This Frame

Converting an LCD TV/DVD Player into a Digital Picture Frame

2007-07-18T18:11:00.000-07:00

This is a unique one. Here a guy converted a Mintek HD LCD TV/DVD player into a digital picture frame that does other things too. He built the frame into his entertainment closet door. It can be run from an infrared remote control and has a built-in DVD Player, card reader and USB port for pictures. It also doubles as a monitor for his 8 security camera DVR system.

Read more about it over at Coolest Gadgets.

For A Comprehensive List of Windows-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects including links READ HERE

A Comprehensive List of Linux-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects including links READ HERE

For A Comprehensive List of Mac-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects READ HERE

Converting a Toshiba Satellite 4080XCDT to a Digital Frame

2007-07-15T05:49:00.000-07:00

Andre Gunther discovered that disassembling a laptop involves many "secret", hidden screws placed under plastic covers. Laptops, especially older ones were not made to disassemble easily.

Andre outlines the build process, installs Damn Small Linux and VLC. The end result is a digital picture frame that can do photos as well as video.

For the full build process with pictures and a video of the end result, check out Andre Gunther's Photography site.

For A Comprehensive List of Windows-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects including links READ HERE

A Comprehensive List of Linux-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects including links READ HERE

Quiet Wireless Digital Picture Frame

2007-07-14T06:17:00.000-07:00

Starting with an old model, HP Pentium 166 laptop PC, Stephane converted this laptop into a nice looking and functional Digital Picture Frame.

The Laptop was totally disassembled and mounted to a frame with only the necessary parts including the LCD screen, Motherboard, Wireless Card and Video Controller.

With the necessary parts reassembled and mounted to the frame, the software was set up to access the photos from another server PC in the house wirelessly. This way the hard drive didn't need to work as hard and silence was achieved.

The end result is a very nice looking digital picture frame!

Check out the full details of the build process at Stephane's site.

For A Comprehensive List of Windows-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects inlcuding links READ HERE
A Comprehensive List of Linux-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects inlcuding links READ HERE

Today's Digital Picture Frame - Laptop Converted to Digital Picture Frame

2007-05-25T07:53:00.000-07:00

An IBM Thinkpad 600 laptop computer was converted into a rotating digital picture frame. The Tacos N Tonic website has a great project page outlining how he did it, lots of photos during the build process and the materials used. Check it out at Tacos N Tonic

For A Comprehensive List of Windows-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects inlcuding links READ HERE

A Comprehensive List of Linux-Based Laptop to Digital Photo Frame Projects inlcuding links READ HERE

Windows - Based Digital Picture Frames

2007-05-18T12:47:00.000-07:00

Windows Slickr, Internet Enabled Digital Picture Frame - Found on Flickr

Windows IBM Thinkpad 600 - with Slickr

Windows Dell 7500 Digital Picture Frame - Called the Junktop Revival, there are very detailed instructions of how this frame was made.

Windows Lenovo Digital Picture Frame - Using a lenovo laptop purchased at Ebay, this frame was made as a gift for his Mom.

Windows Digital Picture Frame - Fotobox -- with a great how-to and list of software used. This was one of the primary inspirations for my digital photo frame.

Dell Latitude Picasa Frame - They transformed a Windows XP Dell Latitude into a digital frame that uses Picasa Web Albums

Dell Inspiron 3500 Frame - Wireless, Slickr Powered Frame using a Windows 98 laptop and a custom screensaver

Quick Laptop Frame - Using a laptop with a broken lcd hinge, this is a quick, how-to on building a laptop photo frame

Thinkpad Frame - A very slick build using a cheap, old IBM thinkpad 380

Thinkpad 600 Frame - Wireless, Windows XP Frame. This site had many pictures of the build process with a great how-to as well. A good read.

HP Pentium 166 Wireless Frame - A Wireless frame that only uses the hard drive to boot. Once started, it gets the photos wirelessly from a server in the house to minimize Hard Drive noise.

Mac Powered Digital Picture Frames

2007-03-15T08:30:00.000-07:00

A collection of links to all of the Mac-based Digital Picture Frames. Many of these have great how-to's, pictures of the build process and other ideas for your project.

A Mac G3 converted to a Digital Photo Frame - and better yet, it functions as a server also. Definitely worth checking out.

The AppleFritter Frame - A Powerbook Duo 280c converted into a nice digital photo frame

Linux - Based Digital Picture Frames

2006-05-16T22:11:00.000-07:00

A collection of links to all of the Linux-based Digital Picture Frames. Many of these have great how-to's, pictures of the build process and other ideas for your project.

Linux Digital Picture Frame - Adam Franco's blog post on how he converted a laptop into a digital picture frame Linux Thinkpad Frame
Linux Wireless Frame
Linux Dell Inspiron 3500 Frame
Linux Dell Latitude CSx Frame - This one was mounted on the wall thus called the WallTop
Damn Small Linux Digital Photo Frame

If you have a digital picture frame you would like highlighted on this site, let me know in the comments & I'll add it!