Digital Picture Frame Hacking Roundup
With all the nice hacks on digital picture frames scattered around the web, I decided to put them all in one place for reference. Due thanks to all the hackers out there who put their work out for everyone to see. It’s the joy in reverse engineering. For some of the hacks I’ve included a compressed file with the code and webpage archived in case the original site goes down. If you are the author an would not like it, please let me know.
PHILIPS Picture Frames
[v]incent was able to display his images directly to the frame by writing a little script which prepends a binary header to the JPEG file. There is a detailed writeup on how he reverse engineered the picture frame format.
Detailed info:
- Models: 7FF1AW, 7FFICMI
- Webpage[Archive]
- jpg2frame Script
SAMSUNG SPF-83v Frames
The frame parses feeds and regular html pages for images and displays them. You can use the frame’s i-net-functions to serve it data.
[t]obe from Infolexikon uses PHP to gather data and writes it all to an image using gd. These images are then pushed to the frame at regular intervals.
Detailed info:
- Webpage
- Script-[Original][Archive] Thanks for the update [d]p
- Buy – Amazon – Samsung SPF-87H 8-Inch Touch of Color Digital Photo Frame
CEIVA Picture Frames
The CEIVA runs on a Cirrus Logic Maverick(EP7212) controller. It’s based on a ARM720T core with 2Mb Flash and 4Mb DRAM.
Initial hack done by [c]olin. The frame runs on Linux. Necessary patches and images are provided. [b]rad keeps a worklog here
New code can be loaded via a serial port on the PCB through a simple level converter.
Detailed info:
- Models : Not Specified
- Webpage
- Webpage and Code [Archive]
KeyChain Displays
[j]eroen from Spritesmods maintains a wiki of compatible keychain displays with his firmware hack. He and a couple of guys regularly update it with new displays. Most of the displays use the SITRONIX ST2205U controller in them. I tried my hand in doing the same with the Hannah Montana Vu-Me photo frame. I got close, but bricked it in the end.
Their code is maintained at Google code
Detailed info:
- Models:
- TomTec
- Coby DP-151SX/DPKEY
- HK unbranded
- Keypix
- Dealxtreme SKU5218
- Innovage
- Dig-291
- Innovalley
- Webpage
- Wiki
- Google code
DIGITAL SPECTRUM MemoryFrame
The MemoryFrames run on WindowsCE5. [r]etoor from mozy.org managed to crash the frame using a keyboard, mouse and following a sequence. The frame runs on an ARM920T – a 32bit Arm9 processor. The following is an excerpt from his “YouTube’s more info…” link:
…”Basically you need both the mouse and keyboard plugged in, scroll down past the “Settings” option, scroll back up, and click the word “Settings” with your mouse. There is no enter key on the keyboard so you have to click the mouse….”
Detailed info:
JUICEBOX Digital Frames
[j]oevennix managed to rip out the LCD from a Juicebox and enclose it in his own custom frame. He didn’t have the mp3 kit at that time( although you can get it online), so he soldered a SD card slot into the cartridge connector. His webpage is down. The following is an archive of his work.
Detailed info:
- Archive
If you find this interesting or have some new ideas or links on frames, please post in the comments. Don’t forget to Subscribe [email]for more followups and hacks. To get updates on this page, subscribe to the comments below.
Nice list and good info. Good enough to get started.
ah good. nice posting guys. thanx a lot
These are some nice hacks, is there any possibility of your doing a serial terminal from a cheap photoframe, for things like routers, tivos, and or other embedded devices? I would think that some of them already have serial interfaces, but lack alphanumeric sets (maybe they have them?) and might just need a keyboard and connectors along with firmware hacks.
@Charles.. The not so good thing about these frames is that they are System on Chips(SOCs). They develop everything as a one chip solution and program the chip( which maybe one time, I’m not sure). I was unable to a find serial terminal in any of them. But using the hack done by sprite, like the keychain displays, you can upload a fresh hacked firmware.
I’ve got a frame that I’d like to hack, to get rid of the date that it superimposes on the pictures. No idea if it will be possible!
Hi, I have a LG PF391 picture frame. The standard firmware really lacks of features. I’m looking for some open source alternative, even a hardcore version would be better than this.
Thanks to all of you for your work!
nice work. I’m looking to do this to some of the smaller (keychain size give or take) frames. fingers crossed I find a way to do it to some of the least expensive ones. I’m working on a project that will require a lot of them.
The script for the SAMSUNG SPF-83v Frames is now available at:
http://static.evigo.net/infolexikon/.media/files/2009/09/10/wgis.zip
Thanks for the update dp. I’ve updated the Samsung frame section.
Does anyone know anything about the Camnex efr@me (efw209a)?
There is firmware available for download and appears to be Linux, from my limited knowledge.
Could it be CEIVA based?
FYI, the product info and FW pages are here:
camnex.net/i-39-eFrame_12_1_Digital_Photo_Frame.html
and
camnex.net/cp-3-ManualsDrivers.html#frame
Does anybody have any info on Pandigital PanTouch frames.it looks very interesting .it has included touch screen surface witch looks like is usb driven (USB mini).
here is link:
http://www.pandigital.net/galleries/254
Sweet thanks for gathering the info, I have a Kodak frame that I will start on soon, will let you know if I do any good.
Any luck yet?
I really like the Phillips one. Very stylish.
Dears,
I Have a dead Kodak M820 digital frame.
It’s possible to do some kind of Jtag on it to reinstal the firmware?
Anyone knows how to do it?
Thanks
I dont have that frame with me. If you could post a high resolution pic of the board, it would help.
sorry by the ignorance, but how do I upload a picture here?
No worries. You can upload it to image hosting sites like imgur.
Here it’s
http://i.imgur.com/0v172.jpg
@Rogerio
Header J18 near the controller looks interesting. Looks like an ICSP(In Circuit Programming) connector to me.
What controller is that?
Can’t see by the pictures I have.
I’ll try to figure out tonight (at work now).
Thanks for now
Dear bluehash
Here is a closer pictures of the controller area.
Hope it helps to find some way to recover it.
http://imgur.com/aXmWx.jpg
Many Thanks
Rogerio
@bluehash , Sorry to insist , but do you see any way to recover my frame?
Rogerio, have you tried the following link:
http://selfservice.kodak.com/external/en/urg/urg_00863/GLB_en_urg_00863_manual_ATG/urg00863c4s4.html
bluehash , there is no way to try it, there is no comunication with the frame through USB.
And when I turn it on, the system doesn’t load and the screen turns to white and stay freeze.
Hi Rogerio,
I have a kodak M820 and I am experiencing the same problem as yours.
It never worked.
I was wondering if you came up with a solution.
Please if you resolved the problem give me some instructions.
Thanks
I’ve been surfing the web for weeks now collecting information about this hack. Most of it is sparse and incomplete. I’ve filled a page of bookmarks just collecting as much as I can. Today, I stumbled on your page. Thank you for doing the work so guys like me an spend more time hacking these devices and less time just trying to get the necessary info and resources.
Well done mate!
Looking for Kodakpulse hack – Looks like has not been done yet.
trying to get access to a So you 3.5 telefunken digital frame.
anyway to read the files ?
Another frame hacking project you might want to add to this page.
https://sites.google.com/site/repurposelinux/df3120
This project creates an SD-card switch, so an SD card can be connected to a picture frame (e.g.) to display data. But a computer can disconnect the SD-card, write new data, then reconnect it to the frame.
http://www.circuitcellar.com/archives/viewable/209-Davaine/
Not a picture frame hack per se, but a potentially useful way to use a picture frame (or other SD-card) device as a display.
I was wondering….
I have a picture frame, coby because it was cheap, works fine. What i want to do is hook it up to a 15″ screen, they are both tft lcd, the monitor is a vga, but can the ribbon from the frame screen plug into the bigger screens ribbon port, bypassing the the vga input?
Sorry.. you won’t be able to do that.
I have unbranded digital photoframe which has display only .jpg picture. no movie, no mp3 & no other facilities except calander & alarm.no speakers!!!
it has hair Hi1018A & EtronTech ******836 165**** chip/ IC on pcb.
can anyone help me to add voice/speaker. also want to see video on my DPF. thanks in advance.