Radio Shack in BKK?

[daveh]

A "Mintek" portable DVD player with 5.8 inch screen is available at Amazon.com and Target.com $299. This one

seems to have a good rating by users. I saw cheaper units at the Walmart online site. Brands include Apex 5.8 inch screen $280 and Initial 4 inch screen $198. I think these are all Chinese in origin. I suspect one could find some of these Chinese players in BKK, probably at better price.

 

Its handy to have a DVD/VCD portable. You can bring along on trips and besides hooking up to a big tv you can test DVD's, VCD's etc. Sometimes you get a copy of software that is blank or won't run. I hate coming back to Pantip etc., to return defective discs. Portables with a screen are best for this kind of testing. The BenQ portable at mp3 store is size of cd Walkman player but doesn't have internal battery or screen.

[lopburi3]

I suspect one could find some of these Chinese players in BKK, probably at better price.

---

I seriously doubt it. DVD is just starting to take hold here and have never seen anything in first world electronics priced lower here than in USA. The USA is THE market for price. Just too bad that they have to leave out the multi voltage to make the price lower.

[Sarisin]

Agree with your comment, lopburi. I know the things are portable with battery power, but having to recharge using a transformer for the 110 v is a real pain. I have not seen any 220 v or multi-voltage here in the US.

 

dave, thanks for your comments too. I agree that one of these would be extremely useful. However, I have not seen portable ones in BKK. I will have a look when I return. I have to run over to Emporium/Power Buy anyway as I want to get one of those NEC voice recorders/MP3 gizmos. They seem to have the best selection I have seen and the prices are competitive.

[daveh]

So in China DVD's are more popular than in Bangkok? Strange.

Seems to be plenty DVD movies floating around in Thailand.

Of course the factories in China are probably making more players for American and European markets. The issue of 220Volt over 120Volt is no big deal, just use appropriate DC voltage output adapter available at Radio Shack, etc.

I currently travel with a VCD portable player which works fine if copy of disc is good. DVD movies tend to be better quality though. The VCD player is excellent for Karaoke video music and seems to be more porn available on vcd currently.

[lopburi3]

So in China DVD's are more popular than in Bangkok?

---

I can not say anything about China but I do know that up until the last few months there were very few DVD's available here at consumer level prices (and believe they are still much higher priced than VCD). This was a VCD market and most sales are still in this area. But in the last few months DVD players have become available in the under 10,000 baht range for home units so suspect a shift has started. Perhaps a reason for delay is that VCD's could be made easier by the local producers.

 

Of course 120 - 220 is not usually much of a problem as long as nothing is tied to the "Hz" but it is still more stuff to buy/carry for the cent or two they save making it single voltage.

[Sarisin]

I was out looking at portable DVD players at a store called Target here yesterday. They had a number of Audiovox models that looked OK although their screens were rather small and they were 110 v. I hear what you and lopburi are saying, but still prefer 220 v or multivoltage as I am in the LOS 11 months a year.

 

As you do have a portable player now (VCD), I was wondering if you could tell me how long the batteries go without having to be recharged. Also, can you replace the rechargeable batteries when they die.

 

I bought a great Sharp MD player/recorder and the rechargeable batteries died. The only way to get new ones was directly from Sharp at more than $150.00, so I bought a new MD.

[daveh]

All the portable VCD players I've seen use 2 generic rechargable AA batteries. 1600maH types. They last about 2 hours in VCD and MP3 mode. The portable VCD players don't have screens. Some players have a save energy feature in CD mode. Radio Shack in U.S. offers an automatic adaptor 120-220Volt with adjustable DC output voltage. Its about $20. Current 300Ma. DVD players may need more current though. Its not difficult for makers to build a multi-input AC transformer. They will make more as demand increases.

I recently bought a small DIN type (7 inch width, 2 inch height) indash DVD-VCD-CD-MP3 AM-FM radio from Ebay auction as I have many Karaoke VCD's and MP3's. Could always add a flat screen tv like airlines use, but not really good idea for driver to be watching movies while driving! Auction cost was about $150 (refurbished unit) but can probably get for less now. Not a fancy unit but it works ok.

[Sarisin]

Thanks for all your information dave. You are a wealth of knowledge on these things.

 

I think I am going to give it a pass on buying a portable DVD here and see what I can find when I get back to the LOS.

 

I appreciate your assistance.

[daveh]

When I get over to Bangkok Dec 5th, I plan to investigate best deals on knockoff DVD portables. The VCD player I bought in Yarawat (Chinatown) was U.S.$65. Quality not as good as the original but worked ok. The vendors had knockoffs of Sony, Panasonic, Aiwa, all with the same styling, with detail even down to listing the serial numbers. The outside booth vendors had a much better selection than at Pantip. Apparently Pantip doesn't have much knockoff hardware. Maybe due to raids. I remember that the shops in downtown Hat Yai also had a good selection of knockoff items. Hear the story about fake Rolex watches? Some confiscated watches were run over with a cement road paver, some years ago but many watches continued to run, disappointing Rolex officials.

[Sarisin]

Keep us informed on what you discover in Chinatown, dave.

 

I am a regular there purchasing many of my toys, etc. for the bars, but have never looked for electronics.

 

You might also want to check out that place under the bridge, Saphaan Lek, that has lots of electronic goodies. I believe some of them 'fell off the back of the truck,' though, so you need to be careful.