This is the second digital picture frame that I've made (see Cheap 'n Easy Digital Picture Frame). I made this as a wedding present for a very good friend of mine, and I think it turned out very well. Granted the cost of digital picture frames have come down significantly in the past year alone, but that wouldn't be handmade, customized, or particularly interesting to read on Instructables.com, now would it?

Step 1: The Parts

I think that this model of digital picture frame will be easier for others to follow than my first digital picture frame. I learned a lot making my first one and it showed when making this one. Please look at my other Instructable "Cheap 'n Easy Digital Picture Frame" for pictures of the wiring since all I have are "finished" pictures of this new one.

So, here is the "parts" list:

*Shadow Box for $12 from Hobby Lobby (needs to be about 1 1/2" thick to house the guts)
*Sony 5" PSOne LCD screen off of eBay for around $40 (make sure to get the power adapter that comes with it too because you'll need the...)
*Sony PSOne LCD power adapter (or any power adapter rated from 7.2v to 9v that provides 1 amp of current or more)
*SanDisk Digital Photo Viewer (about $12 from eBay if I remember correctly)

- The second picture seen below is from my first digital picture frame's Instructable page. The picture viewer takes many types of memory cards and automatically plays a slideshow on your tv via composite video or S-video. We'll be using composite for simplicity's sake.

*Matting cut to your frame's dimensions
*Power switch
*Power jack from the Sony PSOne LCD screen
*Soldering iron, solder, flux, wires, etc. (if you don't have these and don't know how to use them, check out all the great tutorials found on this site and all over the internet. Google is your friend; the purpose of this Instructable is not to teach you how to solder or the basics of the basics of electronics.)
*Something to cover the back with, such as the original back to the shadow box or a large piece of plastic or wood or something. More on this in the construction step.

Step 2: Wiring

The wiring is about as basic as electronics go. You have a screen, picture viewer thing, power jack, and a power switch.

On the PSOne screen, connect your power to the spot near the bottom of the board on the back marked "7.5v" - don't worry, it takes anywhere from 7.2v to 9.6v so you don't have to be totally exact, just within that range. Connect ground to any spot on the back marked "Gnd 1" or "Gnd 2" or something like that.

For video, connect video out of the photo viewer to "EXT_V" on the back of the PSOne screen.

Step 3: Making the Back

I used some high impact styrene plastic that I had on hand, although many other materials may be used. I originally planned on using the back of the shadow box that came with it, but the guts on the inside were just a bit too thick so I needed to make something that was flush with the very back and not on the interior ledge. I used black because most picture frames have a black back to them - it's inconspicuous.

Suggestions for materials to make the back with: Wood, plexiglass, plastic, cardboard (not if it's a gift, you tacky person!), whatever you can get your hands on.

I hot glued/expoxied some "threaded spacers" I got from Westlake Ace Hardware into the corners. I then used some paper as a template and marked where to drill the plastic backing for the screwholes and where to cut the hole for the power switch, power jack, and a hole to reach the buttons of the picture viewer.

Step 4: Operating Instructions

Man, this one is a toughie:

1) Unscrew back
2) Insert memory card
3) Put screws back in
4) Plug in power cord
5) Turn on, sit back, and be mesmerized by the awesomeness of your handiwork!