Being the current owner of two Sony digital frames, I’m extremely excited for this new set of digital frames from Sony. Dubbed the S-Frames, Sony is bringing out 3 new models for the holiday season. The DPF-XR100 and DPF-VR100 models are the new 10.2-inch LED frames that can not only display your photos, but also play back full AVCHD video. This is a fantastic new feature as many people tend to take videos with their camera to only have them put on the computer and never be seen again. Now with the DPF-XR100 and DPF-VR100, not only will your photos transition through, but your videos will as well. For those like me who also have a Sony camera that can do panorama shots, both S-Frames are capable of Panorama playback as well. Both units will launch in November, with the DPF-XR100 priced at $250 while the DPF-VR100 carries a $200 price. The difference?

 Sony’s exclusive TruBlack™ technology improves how your content looks on the S-Frame XR100 by reducing reflection and enhancing contrast to ensure more natural tones. 

Now, the 3rd of these new S-Frames is the DPF-D830, a 8-inch unit with a $150 price tag. Although it does not do the HD video like the above units, the frame comes with a built-in rechargeable battery that is capable of displaying pictures for 100 minutes. The idea goes that if friends and family come over, you can easily unplug the frame and pass it around while they view the photos on the frame. Pretty freaking awesome. Expect this unit to launch in November as well. All three units will also come with 2GB of internal memory and of course expandable via Memory Stick.

There are two things you can bet on. One, that I will be getting the DPF-XR100 this November to display some of my upcoming Hawaii videos and two, if you hit the ‘More’ button, you will get a full press release from Sony in regards of these new frames.

 SONY’S NEW DIGITAL PHOTO FRAMES AREN’T JUST FOR PICTURES ANYMORE

New S-Frame™ Models Include Video AVCHD Playback, Other Innovative Features

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 1, 2010 – Sony today announced three new S-Frame™ digital photo frames (models DPF-XR100, DPF-VR100 and DPF-D830) that let consumers keep their favorite memories close with innovative, high-quality features, including video playback and battery operated capabilities.

The DPF-XR100 and DPF-VR100 models offer AVCHD™ video playback capabilities, allowing consumers to view detailed, realistic video with vivid colors and contrast directly on the units’ high-resolution WSVGA LED backlight LCD screen.

The DPF-D830 model is Sony’s first battery operated digital photo frame, allowing for easy portability in the home.

“Our new digital photo frames offer consumers a variety of options for showing off their favorite images and now video in any room of the house or at the office,” said Koba Kobayashi, director of the digital imaging accessory business at Sony Electronics. “Sporting the styling, innovations and intelligent features of our Cyber-shot® cameras and BRAVIA® LCD HDTVs, these frames give consumers a way to showcase their photos and videos conveniently and with amazing quality and clarity.”

Innovative Design

The high-end XR100 and VR100 offer AVCHD video playback via media card, allowing you to conveniently enjoy your favorite HD videos without a television. The 10.2-inch (diagonal) high-resolution WSVGA LED backlight LCD screen provides detailed video and life-like images with vibrant colors. An advanced image processor inside the frames scales and displays content up to 256 megapixels, making these frames capable of handling footage taken with even the most advanced digital cameras or HD camcorders.

The frames also feature stereo audio, a convenient alarm mode and Sweep Panorama™ playback, helping you easily view and showcase those beautiful panoramic photos taken by Sony Cyber-shot® cameras.

Sony’s exclusive TruBlack™ technology improves how your content looks on the S-Frame XR100 by reducing reflection and enhancing contrast to ensure more natural tones.

The D830 is Sony’s first digital photo frame powered by a built-in rechargeable battery (up to 100 minutes, based on photos only), so the frame can become portable and easy to show off anywhere in the house when you have family or friends over.

Featuring a high-resolution SVGA LED backlight LCD display, photos locked away on your computer will now come to life on the photo frame’s brilliant 8-inch (diagonal) screen.

With 2GB of internal memory, each of these three frames can store thousands of images. Maximizing internal space, the models offer auto-resizing that downsizes photos so you can store them within the device and return your memory card back to your camera. Additionally, they’re equipped with three preloaded music tracks, but allow users to copy their own MP3 files to the internal memory.

Feature-Packed Frames for Every Budget

Sony has also included eight additional S-Frame models (models DPF-A710, DPF-D710, DPF-D810, DPF-D75, DPF-D820, DPF-D1010, DPF-D95, and DPF-D1020) to its line of digital photo frames today, offering a range of options for consumers on any budget. The frames vary by screen size and internal memory, and range in price from about $70 to $150. Models including DPF-D820, DPF-D830 and DPF-D1020 are also compatible with Motion JPEG (AVI and MOV) files.

All the frames introduced today offer convenient features such as slide show variations, an auto orientation sensor to detect if your frame has been placed horizontally or vertically, clock and calendar views, and index modes so you can preview several photos at once. You can also conserve energy by using the auto power on/off setting to program when you want the frame to turn on in the morning and off at night. Functions of the digital photo frame can be managed using the included remote controller.

Digital images can be loaded onto the internal memory of the digital photo frames from several types of media cards, including Memory Stick PRO™, Memory Stick PRO Duo™, SD and SDHC Memory Card, and MMC. Photos can also be transferred to the frames from a computer via a USB cable (optional). All models support JPEG and RAW (thumbnail preview) image file formats.

Pricing and Availability

The S-Frame DPF-XR100, DPF-VR100 and DPF-D830 digital photo frames will be available in November for about $250, $200 and $150, respectively, direct at sonystyle.com, at Sony Style® retail stores around the country, and through the Sony Retailer Network nationwide. Pricing and availability for the additional models are as follows:

* DPF-A710 – available in October for about $70
* DPF-D710 – available in October for about $80
* DPF-D810 – available in October for about $100
* DPF-D75 – available now for about $100
* DPF-D820 – available in October for about $120
* DPF-D1010 – available in October for about $130
* DPF-D95 – available now for about $140
* DPF-D1020 – available in October for about $150