PIE United cranks out HD-0310 1080p Digital Photo Viewer

If you don't have quite enough set-tops sitting underneath your HDTV, we've got one more to fill that tiny gap over there on the right. PIE United has introduced a rather quizzical device aimed at folks who love to show off photos of their journeys around the world on the big screen. The HD-0310 1080p Digital Photo Viewer connects up via HDMI and supports 12 types of flash cards along with USB drives; in addition to photos, it'll play back video clips and MP3 files. Oh, and just in case you're fresh out of HDMI ports, this thing packs a single input in order to connect another HDMI device and switch between the two. Not too sure how much this will run the layman, but outfits looking to buy in bulk should be able to land a killer deal.

[BigD145 @ Oct 4th 2008 11:16AM]

Why is there a Canon 32MB SD card in there? I don't need a fancy HD viewer to show off 9 pictures.

[Josh @ Oct 4th 2008 12:32PM]

32GB SDHC? Doubtful, but possible!

[BigD145 @ Oct 4th 2008 2:06PM]

That does not look like a GB card. I happen to have that exact card right next to me. It's Canon branded and it's MB. It came with my camera.

[Christopher @ Oct 4th 2008 11:19AM]

Aaah, yet another device to use "HD" in its title in order to drive sales.

So the thing plays videos. I'm wondering what resolution video it will display. Surely not 1080p. I'll eat my shoes if this will play 1080p video.... then post it on youtube for all to see.

[Josh Warner @ Oct 4th 2008 1:02PM]

Decode 1080p video from any file container? Probably not a chance. But it is a heck of a lot easier to throw up a static picture with some sort of interface to allow zooming, etc.

This is for displaying pictures from memory cards, not playing back 1080p home videos.

[Jash Sayani @ Oct 4th 2008 1:43PM]

Photo Viewer !?!?!?! What a useless gadget !! Don't you guys have notebooks/desktops/decent cellphones/DVD players....?!?!?

[BigD145 @ Oct 4th 2008 2:07PM]

Most cameras come with cables that allow you to hook straight into a TV. There is no middleman.

[Electromodo @ Oct 4th 2008 1:56PM]

Not intending to show off, but my 1080p JVC HDTV already has a USB port and browses for photos.

The video playback is an intriguing feature though, but as others said, we doubt that the resolution will be 1080p. Also, what video formats does it support and what is the price?

[Salsa Shark @ Oct 4th 2008 3:24PM]

Unless it can handle RAW, I doubt this will be of use to many photographers...

[Josh Warner @ Oct 5th 2008 3:30PM]

Even if it did, it would still be pointless for photographers that shoot RAW. No control over development settings, and any 'profiles' wouldn't match the results generated either in-camera or in post-processing.

[nicholaelaw @ Oct 4th 2008 5:15PM]

Ok, strictly speaking, you can't call it a viewer if it doesn't have a screen of some sort, right?

[dotAaron @ Oct 4th 2008 7:10PM]

"PIE United"

WTF kinda brand name is that? I mean, what does the "PIE" stand for, just makes me think of pastry xD

[Bob Dober @ Oct 5th 2008 10:59PM]

What, no motion detector?

[JoeNES @ Oct 6th 2008 9:31AM]

In my case, the PS3 has card/USB readers, my TV has an SD slot, and my camera came with RCA cables. My next camera will have HDMI directly to the TV. I can't think of anyone who needs this product, but I'm sure there is someone, somewhere...