Acoustic Solutions ASTV-1615 HDS

Author's product rating:   

How is the Picture Quality?	Excellent
How is the Sound Quality?	Good
Ease of Installation	Very Easy
Range of Features	Above Average
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Good quality image for very little money
Disadvantages:	ugly design

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

Not really sure where to start with this TV. It was a last minute purchase to replace a dead 15 traditional portable. I think the first thing that I was sold on was the price. I paid £150 (through Argos) so was expecting a TV to match the price and lets face it, in the world of LCD TV's its in the lower end of the market.

Not being a techie I was a little concerned that connecting it to my free-view box would be rather a challenge, and that I would end up spending more money buying cables. I was however very pleased to see that it came with all the right cables (and at a decent length) so it took just minutes to get it up and running.

The screen quality is really surprisingly good. I have noticed that some reviews note it as being HD ready whilst others like Ciao say its not. Well I am still totally confused about the whole thing and to be honest even if its not its a damm good quality screen for the price.

So onto the more technical stuff. The control is cheap looking but as I said with the title, as far as this screen is concerned its not all about looks. Although the buttons are a little small, the layout is easy and uncomplicated.

Onscreen functions are really rather good. There is a selection of preset colour, contrast settings as well as a setting to allow the user to save their own. The same goes for the sound. Not too fussy, just enough to compensate for most room accoustic issues.

One of the best things for me has been the quality of the image. Small copy and detailed lines are clear (not fuzzy) and B&W films look crisp and clear. High action movement is also well covered. In some other LCD screens I have seen things start looking a little bit odd when movement picks up.

Onto the down side about the screen. I actually don't think its that big of an issue unless you are more about the looks than the quality. It is a bit of a box. With its clumsy looking speaker placed at the bottom of the screen and general plastic feel, you could be forgiven for disliking it on first view. But if you can get past the first impressions then you are onto a winner. I actually think this is a really good value screen.

As a side note - I was told but someone working in one of the large highstreet shops, that Accoustic Solutions is actually a sony in disgise. Not sure if its true but I could be forgiven for thinking it is.