SanDisk Digital Photo Viewer (SDV2-A-A30, Retail Package) Reviews

• What they don't tell you in the instructions

  
  By A14JXCR6MR8UJI on 2005-03-06
  I recieved the unit and hooked it up to a 27" TV. I then plugged in the compact flash card and turned the unit on. This habit came from experience with card readers and operating systems before WinXP that used to threaten you with all kind of awful things when you inserted or pulled a card out without doing it "properly". Having a card in a reader and turning the power on had always worked for me in the past.
  
  The unit came up and displayed the SanDisk logo like it says in the instructions. However, the unit seemed to be locked up. I fiddled with it, checked cables, connections etc. Turned it off and on several times. Finally, I got frustrated and commented to my wife about how the unit wasn't working. The comments included several colorful adjectives that will not be used in this review. I then pulled the card out of the slot with the power still on and the unit displayed "insert a card".
  
  I did what it said. The little green light blinked. It read the info on the card and started working as advertised.
  
  If you read the instructions closely. Do exactly what it says in step six of the installation instructions. Then as it says - "you will see a message to insert a memory card".
  
  Bottom line is, if you forget to take the memory card out when you turn the unit off, it will not work correctly when you power it back up with a card installed in a slot.
  
  After I got past the power it up without a card in a slot exercise, the unit displayed JPG photos fine. It also played the sample MPG video of the gondola ride that you get with WinXP. It was a little jerky. Don't really know how it would work with digital video out of a video camera. The specs say MPEG-1 up to 8FPS.
  
  There seems to be a slight delay after you push a remote key before the unit responds. The unit reacts more like a VCR than a computer to a remote keypress. Once I realized this, I slowed down my double click instinct. All of the functions worked fine as long as you push the button and wait for the unit to respond.
  
  Pictures that are taken with the camera turned sideways (taller than wide) display smaller than pictures that are taken in normal orientation (wider than tall) The rotate and zoom functions will let you rotate, move around, and "blow up" the taller than wide view. The rotate picture funtion works OK but is a bit clumsy to use during a slide show.
  
  The unit will display only JPG format pictures up to 16MEGS in size. The pictures I displayed were about 2.3MEG JPGs (file size). The picture size was about 18MEGS. The unit showed a crisper picture when the settings were changed to display "original resolution".
  
  I bought the unit to show pictures directly on a large TV screen without any other hardware. If you don't have a TV with three input plugs (two for sound, one for video), you need to purchase a "modulator" to convert to coax cable output for older TVs.
  
  All in all, I like the unit. It is cheaper than buying one of the "digital frames" even when you add the "modulator".
  
  I plan on using the unit to display images on a TV for a relative in a nursing home. Using the compact stoarge media available today, it is possible to transport, store, and view of a lot more photos than you can carry in a suticase full of 3X5 photo prints. The pictures are bigger (better viewing for 80+ year old eyes) and everyone can look and comment on the pictures as you all view them together.
  
  In my opinion, the only thing keeping the SanDisk Photo Album from a five star rating is the lack of a "modulator" built in to allow older TVs to connect without another "gizmo" that adds tranformers, cables, plugs, & clutter to the unit setup.
  
  
  
  

• Affordable and Excellent after all!

  
  By A1LKOIZXPQ9VG0 on 2006-01-02
  The SanDisk Digital PhotoViewer (the actual model is more recent than the one pictured here) is far less expensive than the other digital photo viewers. At first, I couldn't get it to work, but then (like the other reviewer here) I went back, started over, and followed the instructions exactly.
  
  In my case, that meant plugging it in to the tv...not to the vcr and not to the tv with the vcr still plugged in. Instead, I unplugged the vcr cables and put the PhotoViewer in their place. I imagine that might not be necessary for everyone, but with my particular tv, it solved the problem completely. AFter that...turned it on...inserted my XD card...and it worked perfectly. It's a great little viewer--lots of fun for slide shows (I haven't tried them with music yet)--and very inexpensive to boot! Definitely recommended.
  
  

• It's okay when it works

  
  By A1FRYGWMG0Y87Z on 2005-01-09
  I wound up returning this item very shortly after purchasing it. It worked fine with a USB flash drive, but it wouldn't read the Compact Flash card from our Nikon CoolPix camera. Actually, sometimes it would start to read the CF card, but then the SanDisk Photo Album would completely lock up and not respond to any of the remote buttons. It may just be some incompatibility with the way the Nikon writes to the card, I really don't know. For my part, I'm going to seek out a similar device from another manufacturer and see if that works better. But the SanDisk will probably work just fine for others.
  
  

• Clever, useful

  
  By A36JACLFPY9TP9 on 2006-02-24
  A good solution to the "problem" of displaying digital photos, especially for those -- like grandparents -- who may not be computer savvy or want to look at photos sitting at a workstation.
  Attach this gizmo to any TV -- setup isn't hard -- plug in just about any size or shape of photo memory storage card and watch the slideshow.
  No need to be hooked up to a computer. No need for a computer in the house. Just send the memory card.
  
  

• Wonderful add on

  
  By A2RHL49BAX4VSW on 2007-01-03
  I have used this device on my old 36in Toshiba TV and it worked much better than I expected. Now I have a HD Plasma the images I get are fantastic. I would recommend this device to anyone with a digital camera. I have now purchased a second one for my son and he is as pleased with the ease of use and quality of images at his home.
  
  
• Not ready for prime time
  By A3DCLUEEGX7B22 on 2007-01-24
  I bought the SanDisk Photo Viewer for displaying on a TV, old photos I had stored on a USB key. I intended to do this in a nursing home, and wanted the option to include music. This unit promised operation by remote which would work for a person with limited mobility.
  
  First, after inconsistent operation from the USB, I realized that slide show operation required all pictures be stored on a CompactFlash card in the rear slot (I had to purchase this.) Pictures must be in TV mode (640w x 480h , 72 dpi), all with the same date, 99 or less in a folder, in order to play reliably with music.
  
  Since my files were from multiple sources, I tried to use the device to convert pictures to TV mode per the instructions, and move them from USB to CF card. After destroying one USB key and many frustrating hours of effort later, I instead laboriously converted files on a PC, then transferred them to the CF card, again using a PC.
  
  For the purpose purchased, this device risks pictures, cards (at least USB), and possibly TV speakers (sound output at times failed, locking up and emitting a loud continuous tone.) Remote operation is slow and mushy, and locks up if not used carefully and deliberately. Then the unit must be powered down by pulling the plug and restarted. I now know how to use the device within these very limited constraints but would not recommend its purchase at any price.
  
  Great concept - scary implementation. Needs more on-board memory (to avoid failure and lockup) and more consistent remote operation. Definitely NOT user friendly. Does not perform as advertised.
  
  
• Adequate; you get what you pay for, I suppose.
  By A2BII6C0B5LF9E on 2007-03-16
  I purchased this Photo Viewer as a temporary solution for viewing digital photos. Long term, I intend to put something a bit more elaborate together involving a flat-panel iMac, but that's several months down the line, so I wanted to be able to look at my photos now.
  
  Originally, I was hoping to find an affordable digital frame; nothing spectacular, just something for now. Those all turned out to be more money than I wanted to spend at this point. So, when I found the SanDisk, I thought I had it all worked out. Reviews had it as less than ideal, but again, this was a temporary solution for me.
  
  When it arrived and I carved it out of the blister pack (can we please stop with the blister packs? I'll gladly pay an extra 10¢ for a freakin' box!) I was very anxious to get it running, as we had a mountain of photos from a trip to Africa that we had barely even peeked at. So, I grabbed a handful, threw 'em on an SD card and fired up the Photo Viewer.
  
  Cannot display image.
  
  Hmm. That's odd. This thing has one purpose: displaying JPGs. Sure it has a few other features, but that's all it's really for. So, I try a thumb drive instead. No luck.
  
  Long story short, after much experimentation, I learned that it can't display progressive JPGs. Also, it gets really bogged down on JPGs saved for the web (with the extra info stripped out). Once I narrowed all of this down, it actually performed fairly well. The images "vibrate" a bit, kinda like a VCR on pause, but hey, for $35, I can see my photos on the TV screen.
  
  So, it does what it claims. It doesn't do it well, but it does it for $35. It would have been nice to include a sentence in the instructions about file format issues.
  
  
• Good product, but could be better
  By A2LPJPJRXJH4YD on 2006-07-17
  I bought two of these units, one for me and one for my grandfather and both of the A/V cable included were damaged within a week. It must be a cheap cable because the units were never moved from their original position.
  
  Overall is a good product but some features could be improved, Image quality is better when I plug my sony camera directly to my 42" plasma instead of using this.
  
  Also, since im using a TV that should not have still images played for a long time It would be awesome to offer visualizations or a screensaver when you're using the unit just to play music files.
  
  Of course, you can play your photos while hearing music but It only works for photos stored on the unit's MMC slot which for me is a disadvantage since I only own Memory stick.
  
  
• SanDisk Digital Photo Viewer
  By A2O4RDE1H559OH on 2007-01-10
  The viewer performs exactly as advertised. It was easy to connect to my TV set and it is very easy to operate. While I could view my digital photos on my computer, this viewer lets me share the photos on the 32 inch TV with everyone sitting comfortably in living room. You do want to insert the memory cards after the viewer is on and ready, as you will see on your TV screen. If you have friends and family you enjoy viewing digital photos with, this device is well worth the money-even full retail. I've had this for several months and used it frequently, especially the slide show function. Would and have recommended it to family and friends.
  
  
• digital tv viewer
  By A1Z3NAFQS0VDEF on 2007-02-16
  The SanDisk digital photo viewer shows pics AND video from my camera flash card to the TV screen.
  It was very easy to set up and did exactly what I had hoped for and expected.
  If only all digital equipment was this easy to use.
  Thank you
  P Squire
  
  
• Excellent Value
  By APEJKC4LKWFLZ on 2007-09-21
  This unit is an excellent alternative to (in my opinion) overpriced digital frames.
  
  Read the instructions, follow the instructions, enjoy your pictures.
  
  I shot some photos on my Sony 8 megapixal camera in highest quality mode. I downloaded them to my computer and then downloaded them onto a USB flash drive.
  
  The picture quality on my 62" 1080 TV was drop dead stunning. I zoomed in to maximum and could have counted the whiskers around my dog's mouth.
  
  I purchased 7 of these units (6 will go out as I expect very well received christmas gifts).
  
  I shopped around and bought a dozen USB flash drives to send pictures on. The total cost of this unit with 2 - 512MB drives each was less than $50.
  
  Compare that to the cost of a small (6-7"), low resolution (480X232), never heard of brand, of at best unknown quality, digital frame. Read the reviews and specs of the cheap digital frames. The only brand name frame of acceptable quality to me was the Philips at $120 for a 6.5" frame. That is a tiny picture for the 70-80 somethingish relatives I'm sending this to.
  
  The razor sharp image I'm looking at while I type this is 30.5" X 40.5" with a 51" diagonal.
  
  To me it's a no-brainer. Hope this review was helpful.
  
  
• Photo Viewer
  By A2OPVW1V1HGMYN on 2006-07-15
  This product was purchased as a replacement for an exact duplicate unit which failed. It works well, instructions are somewhat vague.
  
  
• works very well
  By A234GO3KZYKKTE on 2005-12-26
  The SanDisk Photo Album works very well with the various media that I have used with it. This is a very convenient way to view digital photos. Great product at a very good price.
  
  
• Works Great!
  By A1ZTFDELOSLKZ on 2007-01-04
  I have had great success with this product viewing pictures on both the computer and the television. Computer viewing is very easy and really self explanitory if you have ever used a computer for pictures. The television feature makes it easy to see and manage pictures especially if you are travelling without a laptop or if you don't have access to a computer. I have only had the product for about 3 months, but so far so good. I would recommend!
  
  
• Works pretty good
  By AXPP9AZA3U93J on 2007-02-23
  This is a good way to view your digital photos with friends and family. I just wish the resolution was better on my HD TV while viewing my pictures. Perhaps there's some settings I'm not aware of, but the pictures look very low resolution on the TV.
  
  
  
  
• Photo viewer-nice tool
  By A3FVROVMAE1GSB on 2007-03-08
  This SanDisk product is an easy to use and low priced additional tool in order to quickly look at photo's stored on a SD card.
  Hook it up to a TV, slide in the card and that's it, using the remote you can conveniently look at what is stored on the card, whether it are pics or clips.
  
  
  
• TV as picture frame
  By A2JX884LQWIQLX on 2007-07-28
  If you want to display a picture on your TV set this is the product that does it. The remote control makes it convenient to select among pictures and picture sets. But to set up the initial files is not an easy job. A variety of memory chips are accepted but must be preloaded on a computer first. The SanDisk Photo Viewer has not graduated from the MSDOS era and accepts only DOS names of 8 characters. Any shorter names are expanded with the wiggle and some numbers and any longer names are rejected. But use a dash in any of the names in the set, nothing will work anymore. If you liked MSDOS you will like this product otherwise find somebody who does.
  
  
• DOA
  By A26MVOCIYFB47A on 2006-11-10
  I found no signs of life in the viewer even though I carefully followed setup directions. After doing all that, I wondered if I had the flash card inserted properly. While testing alternative ways of inserting, I managed to shove the card completely inside the machine; it happened rather easily. It wouldn't come out and since I needed to use the camera right away, I opened the photo viewer and retrieved the card. I had now technically voided the warranty and since I was in no mood to be patient with some disbelieving techie, I threw the picture viewer in the garbage.
  
  
• Caution, poor product
  By A3BNMENV8S0VOP on 2006-11-19
  Despite following the instructions verbatim, this product stopped functioning the first time I used it. It is sitting in its box gathering dust. I would not recommend it to anyone.
  
  
• Works like a charm!
  By A14K68HYCFCTRJ on 2007-06-27
  Right out of the box I had this up and running in minutes. It far exceeded my expectations. Also love the fact that it is VERY compact and doesn't add clutter to my AV center. Great price too!
  
  
• Unique Item
  By A1S8IY2G6JLEE7 on 2007-10-15
  This item could use much improvement but really has no competition to compare it to except the much pricier Roku products. Images are clean and clear but unit is quirky and difficult to operate. It is worth what they charge for it but I would pay double or triple for a better unit. I would not pay what ROKU asks for theirs.
  
  
  
• Works good - Right price
  By A1JSS9DADV5Q9N on 2007-01-13
  Slightly clunky, but does respond, offers some setting customizations, and does what it's described to do, and all at a very reasonable price. Pictures show beautifully on 32" TV (non-HD, CRT type), but videos from my camera are apparently not compatible. Delivery was fast.
  
  
• Inexpensive-and it shows
  By AG0O5RMMBDP9D on 2007-05-25
  Bought one as a gift for my very technologically challenged parents,so they could view out digital photos on something bigger than a frame, glad I decided to try it out before giving it to them. The problem was with the cheap, flimsy plastic remote. The unit cannot work without it(no control buttons on the unit itself) and the remote on this one didn't work at all. After installing batteries and pressing power, the SanDisc logo should light up, as per the instructions. Well, after pushing the button about 100 times it finally did light up and that was all it did. Remote would not scroll, change programs, not even turn the unit back off. Plus it just had the feel of something cheap and inferior, so rather than exchange it for another I just opted for a refund.
  
  
• It Does the Job
  By AIQU15KDHMN2E on 2007-07-19
  I purchased this item to be able to show on our TV digital photos from a trip to Italy. Based on the reviews I read I followed the instructions carefully and was very pleased to have it work right out of the box. The only glitch was, I had to realize that it can't access a memory stick that is password protected. Once I ralized what the problem was, every thing worked fine.
  
  
• SanDisk Digital Photo Viewer
  By A3OCLFV0SEEKV1 on 2007-10-17
  Item works good, but the resolution quality is lacking. We get the same quality pictures from a low resolution picture as a high resolution picture. SanDisk's only recommendation was to check the TV setting, which are good.
  
  
• SanDisk Digital Photo Viewer
  By AY902Q64D1JAP on 2008-02-13
  After reading a bunch of reviews, I bought one of these. Amazon and Ebay had the best prices. I now have an entire tv assigned for my picture slide show. I love that I can finally see my digital pics more often. I plan on sifting through my entire collection to get the good ones.
  
  As for the working of the device. I have found it to work just as promised. On a other review someone mentioned to wait to put the memory card in until it asks for it. That was the only problem I saw on reviews. I love this technology and the device as well. There are a few photos that don't show up and I just need to figure out which formate those are in, I think TIF.
  
  I have a 36" plasma and the pictures are just brilliant!
  
  I may buy another one for a present. Sandra
  
  
• Get smarter vieweing photos... avoid the crowds...
  By A1H8D78JREKFAP on 2008-03-03
  This Sandisk product is fantastic. Really easy to install, fool proof to use and it just works beautiful. If you like to gather with your family and friends to look at your conventional photo album, sometimes you can hardly see the pics... this way is so good that everyone can take a look a t the same image at the same time (depending on the size of your screen) and everybody can comment about it and have great time.
  
  You'll love it. Works with any memory card out on the market and it can be used with PAL or NTSC format types, so no worries taking it to Europe or anywhere in the world.
  
  
• Very Important Information! (in order for this product to work properly)
  By AT3JD097CZAHJ on 2006-12-01
  You will need to format your images (via Photoshop or another image editor) to a 640x480 pixel, 72 dpi, "Baseline" JPEG file. You will be limited to 512mb "per" folder (which is important if you use a large USB drive or media card). As stated previously, you will need to connect the SPA to your TV and power supply, turn on the power via the remote, wait for the prompt, and then insert your media card. Following these directions will negate a need to contact Sandisk's online support which will first greet you with a form response but, after a follow-up query, responded quickly.
  
  So far, performance has been as expected and I'm glad to have the means to share some of the many photos I take with my parents and others.
  
  
• Excellent
  By A28Y8VB5YQGEPJ on 2007-02-07
  It is perfect for parties and family get togethers. Easy to install. Very Satisfied.
  
  
• SanDisk Photo Viewer = DUD
  By A3S69AS0M68XZD on 2007-05-10
  I purched this item as a gift for my wife and have returned it to SanDisk twice because it will not read a Compact Flash card. SanDisk assured me they would test one before they sent me a new one, but guess what? It will not read a Compact Flash card and the remote will not work with a Compact Flash card installed. At this point I demand a refund. The rating of 1 should read "0"
  
  

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