Digital Picture Frame Numero Dos!

by Brian Henderson

69K9928

Intro: Digital Picture Frame Numero Dos!

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!


28 Comments

ewilhelm 16 years ago

Digital picture frames are a really popular gift project here on Instructables, and lots of people are searching for digital picture frame how-to's. So, in addition to this great project, check out this guide to some of the best digital picture frames we have:
Instructables Digital Picture Frame How-to Building Guide

sthomas2216 14 years ago

You are pretty good at making these picture frames!!  Nice work!

jeffreyf 17 years ago

You should add this to this month's contest!

kreationism 17 years ago

but this isnt really recycled materials...it is nice nonetheless. but the contest ur speaking of, thats not the camera/squirt one is it? thank you very much. im almost done my first instructable and i am interested in entering it into the popsci contest, so please just let me know if this is the right place or not.thanks

jeffreyf 17 years ago

It depends if the PS1screen is new or not. I thought it was salvaged from an old PS1, which would make it recycled. It looks like it's new on closer inspection. I'd say an argument could be made that it's still re-purposed, but it's borderline.

jeffreyf 17 years ago

Regardless, btw, it's a great Instructable.

Brian Henderson 17 years ago

The screen was bought from a used game store if that helps : ) Besides, aside from the frame these were all supplies I had on hand. I make portable Super Nintendo's and such as a hobby, so at any point in time I have two or three LCD screens and extra plastic laying around. Go to the benheck.com forums and look for me if you don't believe me! Honestly though, I'm not really concerned about the contest. I actually already won a project of the month award for my first picture frame and got a way cool pocket knife (which I use all the time by the way). Thank you for the compliments, guys.

jeffreyf 17 years ago

You're welcome. And I certainly believe you. You should upload a portable Super-Nintendo Instructable! That's certainly reused parts, and a cool project too.

Brian Henderson 17 years ago

Hmm, well I am planning on making a new SNES portable over spring break... Would anyone like to see a "how to" via Instructables? I'm warning you though - I'd be plugging the benheck.com forums a lot (I'm a pretty regular member there - it's my fave). Here's a link to my "finished" thread for my first SNESp. Would anyone like to see an Instructable over how I build another one? If I take a whole lotta pics then it shouldn't be too hard to do a write up.

jeffreyf 17 years ago

I can't speak for anyone else, but I certainly would. Plugging the benheck forums is just fine, as long as you plug us there in return :) Your SNES portable is pretty damn awesome. I think it would be quite popular here.

Brian Henderson 17 years ago

"Plugging the benheck forums is just fine, as long as you plug us there in return :)"

I'm way ahead of you man. Thank you very much for the compliment! That was a very fast response by the way.

jeffreyf 17 years ago

We're customer focused here at Instructables!

Brian Henderson 17 years ago

Hey, don't blame me for trying to get free stuff. I'd settle for a sticker!

Aeshir 17 years ago

We do! We do! Arrrrr! *covers eyes with hand*

egreen767 16 years ago

I think I'm going to make this out of one of our old portable DVD players. That has a 7.5 inch screen so that would be kinda cool.
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