does anyone know if there's a tool out there that will allow you to add, say, 50 photos and be auto-cropped to fit the full screen of the 8100? as opposed to doing it 1 photo at a time?

ImageMagick is best IMO for such tasks.

ImageMagick: Convert, Edit, and Compose Images

yeah, but how do you use it? sheesh.

wow, all command line stuff with very little help files. i don't want to install visual studio, as this suggests!!!!!!!

Siennaberry, rather than complaining and whining about the suggestion from Perfect Storm, a simple thank you would have been sufficient.

Photoshop will automate those tasks, as well.

It takes as much time to google as it does to complain.

ImageMagick: Command-line Tools: Mogrify

Navigate to the folder with all your images and use something similar to the second.

You're welcome by the way

Thx Perfect Storm this will come in handy