Fun in the Sun #8: Audiovox Portable Digital Photo Frame Album Review & Giveaway

From the moment I became a mom, my camera has been within arms reach no matter where we are. You just never know when you're going to want to capture a memory...and that's especially true of Summer! This time of year means fun outside, family get-togethers, vacations, and many other great moments to cherish. I take hundreds of pictures of my kids, and although I'm not the best at printing them out on a regular basis...I am always looking for ways to share and display them.
What began in 1965 as a car sound company has expanded into one which offers the best in mobile and consumer entertainment products. Offering a large variety of high quality electronics products including those like satellite radio, vehicle security, digital camcorders, digital picture frames and much, much more...Audiovox is a name many have grown to trust and turn to time and time again. With an ever-growing family of brand names like Audiovox, RCA, Jensen, Acoustic Research, Advent, etc....it is no wonder they place in the top ten in almost every category they sell.

For those who have been reading here for a while, you know that I am a big fan of Audiovox and their amazing family of brands. With everything from car radios, MP3 Players, Digital Camcorders and more...they offer an extensive line of products and are a company people have grown to know and trust. Last year I had the opportunity to review an Audiovox portable DVD player and continue to be impressed with the quality and features. That's why I was thrilled to learn we were going to have the chance to review one of their digital picture frames.

We were sent the Audiovox Portable Digital Photo Album to review.

Features/Benefits:

• Built-in 128 MB memory stores over 100 photos
• AAA Battery Option for portable use
• AC Power Adapter for home use
• Compatible with S, MMC, MS, and MS Pro Cards
• USB Connection
• Built-in Speaker
• Play video slideshows created with muvee
• 7 Widescreen LCD screen with 480 x 234 resolution
• Includes AC adapter
• Protective folding flap

With lots of fun summer memories ahead, I couldn't wait to checkout the Portable Digital Photo Album when it arrived.

As I pulled it out of the box, I was happy to see that it included everything I would need to get the most out of my new digital photo frame/photo album. There was the photo album unit, instruction manual, the muvee software, a USB Cable and AC Adapter.

I was immediately impressed with the quality of the protective case. It's not only soft and well-made, but really gives it the look of an album with the word "Memories" on it as well. It's a fantastic way to keep the digital photo album protected.

Whenever it comes to electronics, I get a little nervous not knowing how much setup will be required. Thankfully, the Audiovox Portable Digital Photo Album comes ready to go! To start, simply open up the case and snap the flap under the unit. This gives it a great stand to use for displaying as a digital photo frame.

The digital photo frame can also be detached from the case by simply sliding it to the left.

I then plugged it in using the included AC adapter and it automatically turned on, bringing me to the main menu. If I wanted, I could also use it as a portable album by putting in 4 AAA batteries as well. I could see this coming in handy when we're visiting family and wanting to share our latest pictures.

After reading through the user friendly instructions, I found the menu was very easy to navigate and use. Using the buttons on the top of the digital photo frame, I navigated through the different settings and was able to customize everything...image display, slideshow transition, slideshow interval, brightness, date, time, etc.

At first I did not have a memory card in the frame, but was still able to see the way it worked. There are several demo images preloaded that were set up to transition through a slideshow. I was really pleased with the bright 7" LCD screen and how vivid the colors of the pictures were. Of course though, I wanted to see my own pics in the album...so I inserted my memory card into the slot on the side of the unit.

I then went to the appropriate media on the Main Menu and found that it began displaying my pictures in a slideshow right away. At first I thought the memory card had to stay in the frame to run my pictures, but quickly learned that there are many ways to edit them...including copy them right into the digital photo album. YAY! I could either copy one or copy all. There are also options to rotate, zoom, delete and enhance a photo. I enjoyed browsing through all of the features and learning all that it could do. If desired, one can even change their pictures to black and white which looks really neat too!

I was also happy to find that the photo frame can be hooked right up to a computer as well. Using the USB cable, simply hook it up and use the photo manager to find the photos you'd like to transfer to the digital photo frame. Although I also have a PC, I use my MAC most of the time so the one thing I do wish is that it was compatible with a MAC.

I really have enjoyed watching all of my pictures as they transition through the slideshow. I love that it's very much like a digital photo frame, but also a photo album. What a neat way to enjoy the memories we make as a family and share them with others!

For those with Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows Vista, Microsoft XP...there's also really neat software that comes with it called muvee. This allows you to create home movies from your photos and video by selecting a style and automatically having it synched to music.

Overall I've been very pleased with the Audiovox Portable Digital Picture Frame Album. It's a very convenient way to share and display special moments we've shared together. What sets it apart from other digital picture frames is that it can also be used as a portable digital photo album which I love. We often visit family who want to see current pictures of the kids and what we've been up to. This is the perfect way to do that! I would definitely recommend it, especially with summer just around the corner. It would also make a fantastic gift idea!

Buy It: You can purchase the Audiovox Portable Digital Picture Frame Album for $62.88 at Amazon.

Win It: One very lucky reader is going to win a Audiovox Portable Digital Picture Frame Album of their own!

Mandatory Entry - Like Audiovox on Facebook

Extra Entries: (Only valid after the mandatory entry has been completed. Leave 1 comment for each extra entry)

1. 1 extra entry- Enter the Acoustic Research Wireless Outdoor Lantern Speaker Giveaway at Thanks, Mail Carrier

2. 1 extra entry - Follow Audiovox on Twitter

3. 3 extra entries- Grab our Fun in the Sun Button and leave a comment with the URL where it can be found.

4. 3 extra entries- Blog about this giveaway (linking to this post and Audiovox) and leave THREE comments with the URL to that post.

5. 1 extra entry- Follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway (You can tweet once a day for one extra entry every day)! You can copy and paste:

Fun in the Sun 8: #WIN an Audiovox Portable Digital Photo Frame Album! http://bit.ly/mzBbkV Ends 6/24 #giveaway

6. 3 extra entries- Post my blog button or blog URL to your blog and leave a comment with the URL to your blog. (If it already is, leave me a comment letting me know)

7. 2 extra entries- subscribe to A Mom's Balancing Act via e-mail (found along the side column) and leave TWO comments letting me know.

8. 2 extra entries- 'Like' A Mom's Balancing Act on Facebook

9. 2 extra entries- Follow my blog publicly on Google Friend Connect

10. Enter any of my other Fun in the Sun giveaways running now. Leave me a comment on which one(s)....ONE entry for EACH giveaway you enter!!

Leave one comment for each entry you complete. Be sure to leave your email address with your comments or make sure it's visible in your profile so that I have a way to contact you if you win!

This giveaway will end June 24th and is open to the US Only!

**The products for this review and giveaway were provided for free by Audiovox. All opinions found here are my own and were not influenced in any way. The opinions of others may differ from my own.**