p.1 #1 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
EDIT: after this thread got started, some very helpful forum members came forward with downloadable firmware updates for the Memento frame--- one for the 35" version of the frame, and a different update for the smaller version of the frame. The relatively simple update process brings the Memento firmware version up to 6.02. These updates, which were completely hidden from public search engines, succeeded in making my non-functional frame work normally. Other people who have tried them have reported similar success. <end edit>
Hoping someone can help me with my dilemma.
As far as I know, the only large LCD digital picture frame with a 3:2 shape ---exactly the aspect ratio needed to properly display fullframe DSLR photos without cropping--- was a product out of Canada known as Memento. Memento was a gorgeous 35" 4K display, simply fantastic for exhibiting large numbers of images with eye-popping clarity. Its developers successfully launched the product in 2016 on Kickstarter. Soon after the company graduated to their own flashy website and seemed to be doing well.
One of the idiosyncrasies of this frame is that it must communicate with the company's server via internet in order to receive photos for display. There was no way to load photos directly on to the frame via a USB hookup, or a direct network connection to the photographer's laptop/wireless network at home. Instead, you had to install an app on your phone or tablet, connect briefly to the Memento to start the setup process, and then interact with the Memento server to upload your photos. No one liked this arrangement, but it worked...until the company behind Memento went out of business sometime in 2018 or 2019. They quietly stopped answering calls and emails and shut down their website. And, it appears, their servers were also shut down.
Planning ahead for an exhibit I was invited to give in May of 2020, I bought one of these frames "new in the box" from an eBay seller early in 2019. At that point it was not obvious that the company was dying. I had no need to unpack the frame right away, so it sat in my basement until now---last week, I finally decided it was time to stop procrastinating and develop a plan for my upcoming exhibit. So I unboxed the Memento, hoping to pack it with my photos... downloaded the app... started the setup process...only to discover that the frame cannot connect to the company server. It hangs with an error message to that effect, regardless of which version of their app I use (Android, iPad, Windows PC. I've tried all three).
So it appears the frame is now a very, very costly paperweight unless someone has a workaround, hack or some other solution. FYI, the frame has a USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 jack on the back, but those are its only inputs.
The ex-president of the company that developed Memento, a chap named David Lachance, has a Linkedin profile. I've written to him, asking for some help, and have not received a reply.
p.1 #3 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Have spent a couple days already dredging the 'web for answers. Sadly I reached the same "SOL" conclusion. But I remain intrigued by the two USB ports on the back of the panel. The frame comes out of the box with a dozen or so photos stored in its dedicated memory, and it displays those properly. There MUST be a way to access that memory. USB 3.0 has plenty of bandwidth to carry static 4k images to the screen. But how do I turn this "Smart" frame into a "dumb" screen for photos? Apparently before the company's servers shut down, there WAS a successful workaround involving a USB thumb drive. But supposedly that stopped working when the servers were turned off.
p.1 #4 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
hello
I am owning 2 frames and work still well. the servers are not down as I can still upload and display my photos
normally everything is set with the mobile or PC app which are still available
may be they don't register new user ?
I have one frame which has random issue where from time to time , he shut down.
I am interested then by the hardware and ready to buy your frame
are you interested to see me the frame ?
p.1 #5 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Hi philcous, and thanks for your reply.
Since I started this thread, I have found about 4 or 5 people like you who say their Memento frames still work, while lots of other people say they can't get their frame to connect to the servers any more. My theory is that the working frames (like yours) probably have a newer firmware version that permits them to connect. Could you please check your firmware version and tell me which version your frame has? Look under the "Settings" option in the Memento app. It will say "Frame version" and there will be a number there. My frame version is 3.04.
If I am correct, there is probably no way to get my frame working unless I can somehow install the newer firmware on it. There is no way to do this ---the firmware is not available anywhere on the internet.
I have a phone call in to the company that actually manufactured the LCD panel for this device, hoping they might have some advice.
If I run out of options, I will consider your offer to buy it--- but I don't think you'll be able to get it working if I'm correct about the firmware problem.
p.1 #6 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
I have the last firmware version (I think) I have updated with their instructions.
the firmware can be put on an usb key . I did it when i suspect issue and i was in contact with the after sales dept;
I can send you the firmware and the instructions .
send me a mail at [email protected]
p.1 #8 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Very interesting. One other person who has a working Memento frame also told me that their frame has version 6.02. And I would be VERY excited to try the firmware update you are suggesting! I will contact you via email as you have requested.
UPDATE: the version 6.02 firmware upgrade WORKED---my Memento frame now works perfectly! Undying gratitude to forum contributor philcous for providing the missing link, namely, a download link for the firmware. This should be very helpful for anyone with a 35" Memento frame that has stopped working. NOTE, I don't know if this firmware will also work on the smaller version of the frame--- it appears to be intended for the 35" frame only.
philcous kindly shared a document with simple instructions on how to properly download the firmware and install it into your Memento frame. In the document there's a link for the firmware download. Go here for the document:
UPDATE #2: thanks to a thoughtful member of another forum where I have posted a similar thread about Memento, we now have access to a firmware update for those of you with non-working 25" Memento displays. See thread and links/instructions here:
p.1 #10 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Good news/bad news on the 3:2 frame manufacturing bit.
The bad news--- there is simply no one making a 3:2 large, 4K digital picture frame since Memento folded. And I was wrong about one thing--- I thought the display panel inside the Memento was a custom-made, 3:2 screen. It's not----it's a pretty ordinary, 40" television panel, cleverly masked to look like a 3:2 panel (see details below).
The good news--- with some recent insights as to how Memento works, I think it will be feasible to make your own large-screen, 4K picture frame, in glorious 3:2 aspect ratio, with the help of some knowledgeable hacker communities online. And it will likely cost a LOT less than the original sticker price of $899 on the Memento
Since I started this thread, and several other threads like it in other photography forums, a respondent at OpenFrame.org to a posting I placed there tactfully pointed out that the display panel inside the 3:2 Memento frame IS, in fact, a standard 16:9 television panel, not a custom-made 3:2 panel--- they've "converted" it into a 3:2 display by hiding parts of the panel behind a matte. Starting with a 40-inch, 4K TV screen, they masked about 3" off both the right and left sides of the display using a simple artist's matte; the matte did not cover any part of the top or bottom of the screen. The result of hiding part of the display behind a matte is, it creates a 3:2 view of the display panel. The skillful part is coming up with the custom software/firmware/hardware that fits restrains any displayed image to the visible 3:2 viewing portion.
There are a few online sites dedicated to the hacking of various monitors, TVs, etc to create large digital picture frames--- look at dakboard, thedigitalpictureframe.com and Openframe.org. While I don't see anyone there who has produced a 3:2 frame just yet, I think it's just a question of time. good luck!
p.1 #11 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Ah, the plot thickens! I always thought that Memento would use that trick to achieve a 3:2 aspect ratio but had never found any proof. That would explain why their matte is quite big. Thanks very much for clarifying!
I have in fact been investigating ways to only use the 3:2 range of screens with Pi3D, an image viewer with very smooth crossfading effects and I guess it should be possible but I haven't bought a large 4K monitor yet as I was still hoping for a manufacturer with an at least 16:10 ratio. I guess, it's time to go back to the drawing table!
(BTW, I am the author of www.thedigitalpictureframe.com. My blog was born out of a passion for building the perfect photo frame.)
p.1 #12 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Hi sapnho, and welcome to our small family of Memento apologists and 3:2 aspect ratio devotees. I see you found my Memento autopsy thread we've got running over at OpenFrame.org. There are a couple of smart guys contributing ideas there right now, which gives me hope that someone with the necessary skills is going to show up and show us all how to make a 3:2 frame with plug-and-go, pre-cooked software and an HDMI-equipped raspberry pi, or something along those lines.
I looked at your frame project with admiration. Nice shop you've got there. And the frame looks like it will be quite handsome. Be sure to show us the finished product.
I have only the most rudimentary skills when it comes to this sort of DIY project. The last time I programmed something, it was BASIC routines to compute certain statistical tests on my research in college in the late 70's. Back then, compiling a program required submitting a deck of punchcards to the IT Department.
It would be great if one of the principals from Memento would appear, like magic, in our OpenFrame thread and give us some pointers. I've got what seems to be a valid email address for the CEO, but he has not replied to any of my queries.
p.1 #13 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
I am so glad, I found your thread(s) and fairly optimistic that we can come up with a solution.
In fact, the only issue that I haven't solved yet (because I don't have a large 4K monitor) is how to set the Raspberry Pi to a 3:2 resolution with pillar boxing and make it work with Pi3D. So turning 3840 x 2160 into 3.240 x 2.160. There are many ways to set the screen resolution of a Raspberry Pi and although this one isn't included out-of-the-box, I can't imagine that you can't tweak it.
But maybe someone here on this forum has already solved it?
p.1 #14 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Hello thank you for offering the updated software . I have a 35 inch Memento and at the moment it still displays images i uploaded previously .My problem is the app will not communicate with the frame . I am on version 5.03 . The update I notice is zip files does the memento accept these zip files ( i assume it does ) I am just a bit wary to try it in case i kill the memento completely . Thanking you in advance
Cheers Gary
p.1 #15 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Hi Gary. If you read the firmware installation instructions closely, no where does it say to open the .zip file. So when I updated my firmware (mine went from version 3.04 to 6.02), I followed the instructions to the letter--- that is, I copied the files, including the unopened .zip file, onto the USB thumb drive as is. Like you, I was skeptical about doing that--- but it turns out that the frame can apparently crack open a .zip file on its own, as my first attempt at updating the frame was instantly successful.
Updating firware is always a little scary, since there are lots of product that can be permanently "bricked" (ruined beyond any chance of repair) if the update somehow gets fouled up partway through the process. I don't know if that's very likely or even possible with the Memento. All I can say is, if even one other Memento owner gets their frame working as a result of this firmware update, I will feel that the months I spent looking for that firmware was well worth it.
p.1 #17 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Kerry
It would appear there is a God!
The update works and I can now update and delete images to my 35 .A great thing to do during lockup .I thank you again for the ability to do so . We were in Lancaster PA during Hurricane Irene in 2011.
I trust by now the place is cleaned up as there was a lot of damage to trees etc
Once again Big Thankyou from Sydney Aus
Gary
p.1 #18 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Hello all,
I bought my wife a memento frame several years back. I am military, as was deployed frequently so I was unable to help her set everything up. Now that I have time, I found that the company is out of business. I have read the above, but for some reason the firmware is not updating when I plug in the thumbdrive. The firmware version is 5.24. Is there any key details I might be missing? I appreciate any time and assistance.
Zach
p.1 #19 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Hi. Re/ the trouble you describe with the firmware update, note the following:
1. The update, if successful, should bring your Memento frame up to version 6.02.
2. The update is for the 35" Memento ONLY. As of yet, I have not seen an update for the smaller 25" Memento. (ADDENDUM: recently a firmware update for the 25" Memento WAS found! Links posted on another forum dedicated to hacking and DIY photo frame hobbyists. Go here, look for posts by Kimbabd:
3. Although it seems counterintuitive--- to me, anyway--- do NOT unzip the .zip files you put on the thumbdrive. Somehow the Memento is able to unpack the archive without out help. Not sure if this is important, but I made sure there were no other files on the thumbdrive I used.
4. Any chance you were playing with the USB wireless nubbin adapter (I know I was) and when you put it back in the Memento, you put it in the wrong USB port?
5. If all else fails, I would consider reformatting the thumbdrive or using a different thumbdrive.
p.1 #20 · Anybody out there have a Memento digital picture frame? Does it still work?
Ive had the frame working and operational for a couple of years now, but recently it has been powering off / getting stuck quite frequently. It always has done this, maybe once a month or 2, but it is now happening several times a week. Anyone had similar experience or know something that can be done about it?
