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I am looking  for a frame shop somewhere in the region that can frame two oil paintings for me. Anyone know of any such shops?

Note! I have noted that some shops in Pran Buri, where I live, specialise in framing pictures, certificates etc. with glass but that is not what I am looking for.

Most of my music I am listening to is through my HiFi set using CDs, SACDs or music DVDs. However, sometimes I am listening to music stored on my computer's hard disk, a mix of mp3, flac and WMA files, using a Squeezebox Duet.

I am not happy with the Squeezebox and am therefor planning to buy a HD media player to replace the Squeezebox. Although I would say I have a comprehensive knowledge on conventional HiFi sets and how to chose, I am a novice when it comes to HD media players.

My HD media player will mostly be used for audio play-backs so the sound quality has the highest priority. Having said that, I will also be using it for movies and music DVD play-backs so the player needs to have decent performances in that field too. The plyer should preferably also have a built-in jukebox or be able to accommodate a downloaded third party jukebox.

These are the players I have looked at more thoroughly on the web and any advice on types and brands are most welcomme:

• Popcorn Hour A-300, using Sigma SMP8647 chip-set and having HDMI type 1.3a
• IconBIT XDS1003D, using Realtek RTD 1186D chip-set and having HDMI type 1.4a
• Dune HD Smart D1, using Sigma SMP8642/43 chip-set and having HDMI 1.3 (3D video not possible)
• Dune HD Max, using Sigma SMP8642 chipset and having HDMI 1.3 ((3D video not possible and this model appears also to be outdated by newer models)
• Xtreamer Prodigy 3D, using Realtek RTD 1186 chip-set and having HDMI 1.4
• AC Ryan Playon! HD, using Realtek RTD 1185 chip-set and having HDMI 1.3 (3D video not possible)
• HiMedia HD900D, using Realtek RTD 1186 chip-set and having HDMI 1.4a

I am first of all interested in your personal experiences with the brands and secondly if there are any other models and brands you think I should consider. My aim is initially to narrow down the short-list to three types for a more thorough study.

Thank you in advance for you help.

Reason for editing: Correction of typing error

Dear TV members and HiFi lovers,

When moving to Thailand three and a half years ago I started to look around to see which HiFi brands where represented here, but found it difficult to get a solid picture of the availabilities, so I shelved my search for the time being.

About a year ago, the time when our new built house was ready to move into and it was time for me to buy my set, I commenced the search and also started to compile a list of Thai HiFi distributors and the brand they represented. It proved to be a massive work as there were so many websites that needed to be cross-read, and unfortunately many companies are rather poor when it comes to keep their sites up-to-date.

Also, in order to get as a complete list as possible I had to list all companies that I came by whether or not they are represented here. Else it would have been difficult to see if a particular company had been checked before. I taught I know quite a many brands but proved to be a novice as there are so many.

Hence, the list comprises two parts where the first part lists the Thai HiFi distributors in alphabetic order together with the bands they represents and, where available, the companies' web addresses.

The second part comprises companies and brands that I cannot find any local representation for. That said, representation may never-the-less be present, e.g. though local dealers and those I have been found have therefore been included in the distributors list.

The list is not strictly HiFi as many "lighter" system and parts that might be of an interest too, have also been included. The same is also true from some professional HiFi items, especially monitor loudspeakers, but there are no TVs or projectors as I have tried to keep the video part out as much as possible.

  Finally, representation changes ever so often, and I have probably also made some errors, so please do take the list for what it is, a HiFi buyer's aid for Thailand.

Between 24th and 27th of November 2011 What HiFi Thailand is organising a HiFi show at the Ambassador Hotel, Sukhumvit 1, Bangkok.

HDTV - What is HD Ready & Full HD TV?                                                                                                                                                                             

There are two main types of HD TV. HD Ready TV delivers twice the resolution of standard definition TV, with 720 horizontal lines of  information in every single frame – good for watching most HD television broadcasts. But for the ultimate high definition experience, Full HD TV delivers 1080 horizontal lines per frame, bringing you an extreme level of real-life detail - perfect for watching films on Blu-ray Disc™.

High Definition explained

What is it?

HD TV makes it possible for you to enjoy home entertainment with stunning picture quality and sound.

Whether you're watching an HD TV channel, enjoying a Blu-ray Disc™ movie, or playing a PlayStation game, characters and scenes spring to life on screen.

It's all down to the much higher resolution in HD TV sets, producing an incredibly clear and detailed picture.

What resolution?

Standard Definition TVs have 720 x 576 pixels, or 576 lines of 720 pixels.

High Definition TV screens have a lot more, starting with twice as many at 1280 x 720, and then up fivefold to 1920 x 1080 pixels, the more advanced you get.

So the more pixels, the better the resolution and the finer the detail you see in the images. But what else makes HD give you such amazing picture quality? It's the difference between a progressive (e.g. 1080p) and interlaced signal (e.g. 1080i). Simply, the way  the image is written and displayed on the screen.

How does it work?

With an interlaced format, the screen is filled in two stages, with odd lines first and then even lines.

While the movement is so fast the human eye can't easily see it, you may have experienced a 'flicker' quality.

A progressive signal is more advanced, it writes screen content all at once - meaning that you see all the details on the screen in one go.

What the logos mean

HD Ready

HD Ready is a format that allows double the resolution of standard definition TV pictures. TVs must be able to show 720 horizontal lines of information in every single frame. HD Ready will give a brilliant picture whether you are watching HD broadcasts, Blu-ray Disc™ movies or gaming on e.g. a PlayStation.

Full HD 1080

With 1080 horizontal lines per frame, Full HD represents the ultimate in HD viewing. When the format is combined with picture improvement technologies on a HD TV, the results are truly breathtaking.

A device bearing the Full HD logo displays Blu-ray Disc™ films without any re-scaling so you can watch movies just as the director intended on the studio set. It's also the format of choice for real gaming enthusiasts.