Astar LTV-3001 30-Inch LCD Flat Panel HD-Ready TV
Good value, good design, decent HDTV image
If you've 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.<br /><br />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 (it's not a swiveling or adjustable wall mount unit, like those often sold separately).<br /><br />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.