solo siam

I would recommend a digital Coaxial from the DVD player to the Surround AMP (SP/DIF), Speaker wire x 5 to all of the 5 speakers. Another (RCA type) lead to the subwoofer from the amps subwoofer out.

DVD player would be best hooked directly to the projector via DVI or HDMI these are digital leads.

Good amps would be;

Marantz, Denon, Yamahao, Onkyo

The Projectors are auto switching (Voltage), come with a UK/HK plug but just buy an adaptor for 50 baht.

Wouldn't bother officially importing one, duty will be 20-30% + VAT. for around 10,000 baht you can fly over to Hong Kong and spend a night there.

Alternatively get someone to bring it in for you, Projector easily fits in a hand holdall.

I wouldn't worry about the Lumens ratings, they aren't quoted reliably and most budget projectors use the same bulbs so will all be within a fairly close range. For example the Panasonic next to the Sanyo in that link is in reality an almost identical model, yet quotes 1,000 Lumens.

Ambient light is detrimental to all projectors, if you cant control it (curtains etc...) to some extent and don't want to spend bug bucks then get another type of technology (plasma or LCD Screen). I can just about watch my z2 with the main light on, but any direct sunlight and it just washes the screen out.

The Z3 is an LCD Projector.

The higher reolution will ALWAYS make the picture look better as the individual pixels are smaller, the projector should scale all sources to its native resolution.

The shop in Hong Kong will guarantee 0 dead pixels (make sure to ask) I'm pretty sure they won't in Thailand. Personally I think the warranty from Hong Kong would be a better option than the Thailand warranty, Have you ever tried to return electronics here.

That same Projector (the z3) that retails for 56,000 baht in Hong Kong was on sale here in Thailand for 119,000 Baht last time I looked.

If you get a 4:3 format projector (800x600, 1024x768 etc..) Then you are always going to get visible grey bars at the top and bottom of the screen.

Also as you correctly stated some DVD's use the resolution of 852x480 how will a projector with an 800x600 resolution scale that image considering it wont be able to 'fit' either into its resolution range, it gets distorted.

I would suggest sticking to a Projector with a widescreen (16:9) resolution, especially if the majority of use is going to be films/UBC.

for example a 1280x720 resolution projector will have nearly twice as many pixels as an 800x600, so less chance of being able to see individual pixels - Also when High Definition DVD player become available the 16:9 higher resolution will be necessary to get the best out of it.

Hi,

We run a company specialising in Home Cinemas and the ilk.

I would strongly suggest that you buy the projector in Hong Kong or maybe Malaysia, Prices are almost half of what you pay in Thailand. The surround sound stuff isn't quite so expensive here, so you may as well source that here in Thailand.

In regards to a projector, I could recommend a Sanyo Z3 as a starting point - It has 1280x720 resolution and is probably good for up to 100" screen depending on where you are sitting. The price in Hong Kong from these guys http://www.hivizone.com/local-shop/projector.htm is $1,400 US.

In terms of hooking it up to the source (DVD player, PC etc..) your best bet is to use a DVI cable (10m one will run you about 8,000 baht), Soken do a cracking DVD player with DVI output (at 720p) for I think 7,000 Baht.

I use almost exactly this set-up but with the previous incarnation of that projector (the z2) and am very happy with the results - Blows a plasma picture out of the water (in light controlled room). Its up to you how big you want the picture but the bigger it is the more you will see pixels etc... and it will be less bright.

Spend a bit more money and the BenQ DLP's are quite nice, start at 2,500 US$ from the above named HK shop.

If you want help sourcing a screen, Cables, Surround system etc.. then Pm me.

All in all 150,000 Baht will probably give you a very nice starter system.

Oh the UBS will look crap on it, They compress the signal way too much here and the best quality lead from the UBC box is an S-Video lead - best thing to do when watching UBC is to shrink the image to say 60" or so which is just a case of changing the zoom. on the lens.

Might be better of buying a new one, they start at around 27,999 baht for a pretty good spec.

Anything in Thailand second hand seems to be way, way overpriced.

been here 4 years and never seen either of those meals you describe, its not that amazing to think about though - I mean they even have Indian restaurants in the UK now I hear.

To the OP

If you are not happy in the relationship/marriage from day-one its most likely to end up with her getting EVEN more hurt at a later date.

In regards to the tattoo, you didn't ask her to do it and TBH its a little bit scary, perhaps a glimpse of whats to come!

She's had Farang boyfirneds before and will again, you cant marry someone so as just not to upset them, you only get one life - live it for yourself.

Yeah Thanks, You just woke my 3 week old baby up!

Its British, made by Unilever.

Invented By a Scotsman in Canada for the French Army.

They took the beef out of it a few years ago I believe, replacing it with Yeast extract. Unilever I think may own Best Foods so it might be worth looking somewhere where they stock lots of Best foods.

Tesco's should have it I reckon.

try teh new recaldent gums, it contains a milk derived extract that actually builds up your teeth, much the same as Fluoride.

No matter what you do with your gum (within limits) its got to be better for you than smoking.

Patongs always been about shopping and nightlife, Hasn't changed in the 4 years or so I've been here.

No-one goes for a "hassle free quiet time holidaying in Patong" I mean why would you, what does Patong possibly offer the tourist looking for a quiet time?

What about gardening? is that illegal?

You mean I've got to wait a year before my baby starts saying anything!

it means you should find a new girlfriend :-)

Lemongrass House do some great natural products here in Thailand, made fresh, their line includes Thanaka face scrubs/creams, aromatherapy shampoo's, conditioners and soaps, shower gels etc...

Bangkok - ChataChak Market (3 outlets)

Phuket - Surin, Chalong and Phuket City Hotel

Some Thai's dont eat beef, which is why they may blanch at the suggestion of eating buffalo.

Think its an inherited thing from India, where cows are generally considered sacred, Seeing thats where buddhism comes from I'd guess thats where it comes from. Thats why there are so many pork burger type things in Mcdonalds (even though most Thai's think that the beef patty in a hamburger etc... is actually pork).

Are you specifically looking for South African Bovril?

Not sure of land prices there but you would need to find out if there was any sort of bank loan taken up against it.

Got to be careful though I just saw a 30" BenQ LCD for sale in Powerbuy for 89,990 baht - WHich is BenQ's price from last year.

Yeah, I'm looking forward to teh X-Box 360 and HD DVD's.

BTW are you running a DVI DVD player to your Benq, The Soken DVI player is great at 5,990 baht (Its called the Oppo in the USA), but your probably using your PC I'm guessing.

The pricing still sounds complicated, especially when you ahve two-tiers.

Why not charge a fixed fee (2,000 baht) and include 10 free drinks, shots or beers, easy to do with coupons.

Yeah Tesco Guy is very cool, He also sells the Sandisk 1Gb memory card for 4,500 baht

BenQ LCD 32" TV's are pretty good, we stock them at the moment - Suggested RRP is 69,990.

We offer full design for brochures, although probably can't help with the printer I'm afraid.

http://www.h3-digital.com/home_print.htm

Our designer has worked on brochures for Yamaha, the FA and Marshall amps among others.

That price the best you should aim for is a Geforce 6600, Pretty good card and should hold its own with games for a few years.

You still need to know if its AGP or PIC-Express (I would hazard a guess that its AGP though).