Astar LTV-3001 30-Inch LCD Flat Panel HD-Ready TV
By: Astar/KDX Average Rating: 4.0 Total Reviews: 4
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 On: 2007-03-24
I purchased this TV April 2006, I had no problems until December of 2006. The TV would lose its picture and sound almost every day. I contacted the manufacturer, they said the TV was still covered under warranty. They told me to bring it to one of their authorized repair shops, the only one was over 30 miles away, I asked if I could ship it back to the manufacturer, and was told no. My TV has been in the shop for over 3 months, ASTAR keeps sending the wrong parts to the repair shop, and will not provide them with any support. I contact ASTAR weekly to find out what they are doing about my TV, I just get the run around. ASTAR has made no effort to back their product. Their customer service department seems non-existent.
I recommend buying a brand name product... and so did the TV repair shop!!
 On: 2006-05-18
I bought this tv elsewhere for a cheaper price, but just had to come and give it a good review. The only thing about the cheap price is the low black quality but really it doesnt make a huge difference. Its qualitly is excellent and the tv itself is just beautiful.
 On: 2006-04-28
I managed to find this TV for less than $700, and while it is certainly not as good as a $1500+ Aquos LCD TV, I dont think its worth the $800 price difference. Like the previous revewer said, I cannot see any particular reason this is so cheap, it is built sturdy, and has all the typical inputs and features of other LCD TVs of this size.
The only problem I have see nso far, is that black levels are not good on this , even for an LCD TV (I have 2 other LCD TVs so I have a good basis for comparison here). Although proper tuning of the settings does alleviate this somewhat (mostly with the gamma corrections setting, plus for me, making it a little BRIGHTER seemed to help).
Also, if you leave the backlight switch on, but not the TV itself, there is a small whine that can be heard. Its close to inaudible, just sound sound of the TV on at mute drowns it out (its very, very soft), but I suppose it could be annoying to some. My simple solution, turn the backlight switch off when you are done watching it (which you are supposed to do anyway).
On: 2006-02-02
If youve decided on an LCD HDTV, this unit has a cool design and no evident shortcomings to explain its low price. The disadvantages of this unit are similar to those of LCD TVs in general -- black levels are not as good as CRT, plasma, or some projection TVs. Fine details in dark scenes can be washed out in a field of dark gray. At the lowest brightness and backlight levels (which are separately controllable), true black can still not be obtained (and at those settings other scenes will be too dark). Bright scenes, however, look fantastic with excellent detail and color reproduction. For most viewers, the black level issue should be only an occasional annoyance, if that.
Screen proportions can also be changed easily with a button on the remote, allowing you to optimize screen fill for standard vs. HD broadcasts, or wide-screen vs. standard-view DVDs. The design of this unit is unique and pretty cool. The speakers are mounted on a glass plate that surrounds the base unit. The unit also has a removable steel plate on the back that can be used to do a simple flush wall-mount (its not a swiveling or adjustable wall mount unit, like those often sold separately).
In five years, improved flat screen display technologies will probably make you want to replace this unit and move it to a bedroom. But for those who want an HDTV today, this unit offers an excellent combination of quality and price.
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