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New Digital TVs are Junk

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by dr dij

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I was about to buy a new digital TV and read this:

http://weblog.infoworld.com/gripeline/archives/2008/02/theoretically_r.html

THis would be when my old Mitsubishi TV finally dies. Had it close to 15 years.

Turns out new digital TVs last only 18-24 months, 2000 hours and die from:
1) lack of spare parts for even recent TVs
2) tin whiskers due to lead being left out of solder now (affects data centers too)
3) more brittle solder without lead causing heat flex to crack off connections to ICs
4) capacitors that use corrosive liquid electrolyte that self-destructs

And extended warranties can be useless as they give you the runaround at times.

What is the solution?

I'm not sure but could include:
standardization by a mfgr of parts,
avoidance of short-life parts
new technologies that have longer lifetimes
maybe separate tuner and TV to increase modularity for replacement/ repairs?

I guess smaller LCDs are less prone to this due to lower heat buildup, less parts, etc.

4 replies

by w2ktechman

as to stay compliant with the EU, lead had to be pulled from the solder and nickel replaced it. But, nickel has proven to crack sooner/easier and tests show a shorter lifespan.
However, with computers, it is less urgent due to the average turnaround with comps (3-5 yrs).
I wonder if they are going to this model for TV's as well (replace every few years).

However, a short term solution is that for older TV's, a box can be purchased to make your old CRT compliant with the newer digital signals.
But in my case, I just dont watch TV, and dont subscribe to any...

by thechas

The root problem is economics.

One manufacture cuts their costs by using cheaper parts, and the others are forced to follow or loose market share.

As to the circuit cards, that is a related issue. With the production cycle of a new integrated circuit design measured in months rather than years, the manufactures can not build new boards even if they want too. Combine that with the drive to control inventory costs, and you have no support.

The only answer is for the consumer must be willing to pay more for a better TV (or whatever device) so that the manufacture can use better parts and create a larger spare parts inventory.

In the US, there used to be a law that manufactures had to provide support for product for 7 years after the end of retail sales, or replace the product. Sounds like it's time for the law to be either reactivated or enforced.

Chas

by w2ktechman

I have had 2 yr. old stuff that could not be fixed due to 'no parts'. Hmmm, are you saying I could have forced companies to send me new equipment?

by thechas

At a place I used to work, we had to make sure we could provide service parts to the equipment manufactures we sold our controllers to for a minimum of 7 years after the end of regular production.

We had a separate department that did nothing but evaluate returned parts and supply our customer with either new or repaired controls.

I'm not sure of the specifics of the law. It may only have applied to large appliances, furnaces and other significant purchases such as cars.

The fast pace of electronics obsolescence is a big problem for the avionics industry. They are still supporting flight instruments that were built in the 60's.

Chas

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