Here in HK, some models of LCD TV with dvd player, USB, VGA, Xcard, not sure what else, 1366x???, now retail for HK$2500 (about baht 10,700). What are prices in Bangkok of decent 19 - 20 in LCD TV with at least VGA connector retailing for? If I purchase a PAL/NTSC unit in HK and bring it to Thailand, will there be any problems viewing TV channels/cable in Thailand? I want to use the unit as both TV and as monitor for my ancient Mac Powerbook G3.

Who is a decent, cheap internet service provider in Bangkok, and cost? What is cost of cable TV service, offering normal CNN, ESPN, HBO, etc service?

This will not be my primary residence, so wish to keep everything simple and economical.

Thanks in advance.

I don't know why a LCD TV would need a USB connection, and it's extremely hard to find any with a DVD player, and I have no idea what an Xcard is. However, you can see the prices of TVs and other appliances at http://www.sinsiamelectronics.com/.

Hong Kong uses Pal-I, while Thailand uses PAL B/M. There is no difference in picture, but for certain TVs you might not be able to hear broadcast sound (there is no problem with inputs like S-video or component, only broadcast RF inputs). It really depends... for example if you bought a TV from the UK (which is also PAL-I), chances are it would pick up sound in Thailand, since most modern TVs sold in Europe are compatible with the major PAL variants. But, if you don't understand Thai, I wouldn't know why you would want to watch the Thai channels.

Decent? Cheap? If you take a look at the complaints about ISP providers in this forum, you will find none that fit the description. You might find a good, but very expensive provider, or a lousy but cheap one.

As for cable TV, there are only two options (other than satellite): UBC or "regional" cable. Regional cable is a joke, so you'll have to get UBC (http://www.truevisionstv.com/index.aspx). If you get the DTH (satellite) UBC service, you need to know that it will not work when there are clouds or rain, and that happens most of the time in Thailand.

FireFoxx: thanks for your post. Of all the LCD TV's I saw in HK, only this one brand (don't remember name, but domestic brand, made in China) had built in DVD player, plus a slew of connectors; don't really remember whether USB was actually one of the connectors, but certainly VGA was one, so could be used as computer monitor.

An Xcard is the 1 gbyte card now used for digital cameras in the 7 - 10 megapixels range. Even if Thailand uses PAL-B/M and HK is PAL-I then it would seem multiformat TV's (PAL/NTSC/Secam) should work fine in Thailand. Even though I am not fluent in Thai, some TV shows are still enjoyable even though listener may not understand all that is spoken; for example, most sports programs, some news or human interest stories, etc. And thank you for the link to sinsiamelectric; some of their LCD TV's are in the 12,000 baht range, which is within range of the prices in HK. But in looking at the prices of air conditioners from that site, they seem quite a bit more expensive than comparable units that I saw in Siam Paragon, for example. Perhaps difference is in whether installation is included or not; not sure.

Thanks again.

Just for info, there are many brands of LCD TV's with special deals available in HK now, most made in China. A 19 inch Levia brand, with HDMI, 1440x900 resolution, VGA connector, is now on sale at HK$1790 (baht 7,700) The panel's size is 18 in x 14 in with the base screwed off, so it fits into carry on luggage on plane. A comparable model on the sinsiamelectronics site is baht 12,000 for a Samsung unit, so there's quite a difference in price. Don't know where the Samsung unit is made.

Based on one bad experience, I would never buy a combination TV-DVD player. I would buy them as separate components. Is that reasonable?

Ended up buying a LG made in Korea 19 inch LCD TV for HK$2940 (baht 12,600), with HDMI, VGA, resolution 1440 x 900, etc and a separate Rogers dvd player for HK$250 (baht 1100). What sold me on the LG unit was the size of the panel 18 in x 14 in (unmounted) which would fit in hand carry on luggage, it's lighter weight than other models, the made in Korea sticker, plus the fact that it had the HDMI, whatever that does. The Rogers dvd player was a store display model and closeout and was probably half price of a normal unit.

PB: the built in feature of a dvd player wasn't of a great concern to me, as most computers come with built in dvd players and seem to work well. I just prefer separate units so that problems can be isolated, repaired, or exchanged more easily.

In HK, I just purchased a unit for HK$500 (baht 2200) about the size of an external harddisk that's basically a TV receiver that allows you to plug in your computer monitor (via VGA connector), your computer speaker (via walkman-type plug), an antenna wire/plug, and any external DVD/VCR player via component plugs, and you now have a complete TV/video/audio system. Seems to work well. I'll be setting up this system in my BKK condo that I just took title on.