How to Play an MP4 on a Digital Photo Frame
By Marshal M. Rosenthal
Digital photo frames can display video or still pictures. The highly compressed and visually optimized MP4 digital video format is the video of choice for these devices. The procedure is on par with the steps necessary for playing an MP4 on a cell phone or mobile media device.
Insert the USB flash drive into your PC. Click "Start," "My Computer" and then "Devices."
Double-click on the icon of the USB flash drive that is in the column beneath the "Removal devices & storage" tab in the window that appears.
Drag the MP4 video you want to play on the digital photo frame from the computer's hard drive into the open window of the USB flash drive.
Wait as a copy box appears and fills in from right to left. The copy box will disappear as soon as it is completely filled in.
Right-click on the icon of the flash drive and select "Eject" from the pop-up menu. Remove the flash drive.
Insert the flash drive into the USB port on the back or side of the frame. Turn on the frame.
Press the "Menu" button on the front or side of the frame. Navigate to the "Settings" icon using the direction pad on the front or side, or the left and right arrow buttons on the front or side.
Select "Memory" from beneath the "Settings" icon. Select "USB" from the list of choices beneath "Memory." Press the "Enter" or "OK" button on the front or side.
Navigate to the "Video" icon. Select "Video" or "Play video" from the list of choices beneath "Video." Press the "Enter" or "OK" button to start the MP4 video.
References
Tips
- Some digital photo frames require that the MP4 video is inside of a "Video" folder in the USB flash drive.
Warnings
- Not every USB flash drive is compatible with every digital photo frame. Check the instruction manual of the frame first.
Writer Bio
Marshal M. Rosenthal is a technology maven with more than 15 years of editorial experience. A graduate of Brooks Institute of Photography with a Bachelor of Arts in photographic arts, his editorial work has appeared both domestically as well as internationally in publications such as "Home Theater," "Electronic House," "eGear," "Computer and Video Games" and "Digitrends."