Philips Recalls Almost 12,000 Flat Panel TVs

wh0pper writes "Arcing capacitors have caused Philips to recall select Ambilight flat panel (read plasma) TVs. Because the TVs make use of flame retardant materials, damage was only sustained to the TVs and not homes. This is the first time I've heard of TVs having this type of issue. How safe are LCD and DLP TVs from this type of thing?"

Plasma?!?!

[brohan]

The plasma's leaking all over Engineering Seal off engineering with a level 10 forcefeild and jettison the warp core^W^W TV.

CRT

[MyLongNickName]

Ever see a CRT go up? A nice big flash followed by some of the worst stench outside of a Linux convention ;)

Seriously, I think the hazard from the toxic chemicals is worse than the danger of something catching on fire.

Re:CRT

[voice_of_all_reason]

The tingle just means it's working!

Re:CRT

[MyLongNickName]

I'd just like to say that the "Linux convention smell" is obviously directed at all the Microsoft employees who sneak in to see what they are up against. In no way was I refering to our Open Source Overlords' bathing patterns.

(bye bye karma)

Philips... Ambiflame

[Alien Being]

images so realistic you won't be sure your wall's not on fire.

HDTV

[Taimat]

"WOW Dad.. you were right about HDTV - Those flames in Ladder49 look real!"

Re:Isn't Plasma...

[theurge14]

No, it's something you donate by sticking needles in your arm.

Now we know where pillip is building there stuff.

[Anonymous Coward]

China still uses the capacitor formula that they "aquired" from a japanense firm. Of course, the firm detected the theft and allowed the spy access to an old formula from the 60's. Sadly, the formula fails after about 2 years. Hence the reason why so many motherboards fail after just 2 years (capacitor leaks and arcs).

No...

[Kittie Rose]

Someone's been watching too many 90s Spider-man cartoons with Michael Morbius in them. Plasma is something found in blood, but it's also a kind of high energy gas.

proper safety protocol

[megacia]

As demonstrated by Mr. LaForge, proper safety protocol when dealing with plasma is the same in the 24th century as today: stop, drop and roll under the door.

Re:Isn't Plasma...

[pallmall1]

The fourth state of matter you get from Super-heating gas? Clouds of highly charged particles and that?

Sounds like a really ripe fart.

Wouldn't you kind of expect that to be dangerous?

Only if you try to light [wikipedia.org] it.

Re:Ambilight is...

[zakezuke]

I say BS, because being honest, how many people watch movies with the lights on?

I would prefer to use my monitor with the lights off but some bastard keeps on turning on the sun.

Oh, hell...

[k4_pacific]

What is it with people these days, back in my day, I had a 21" black and white console Zenith TV that caught fire once. Yup, one of the wax capacitors arced over and up she went. I blasted it with a dry chemical extenguisher and replaced the bad capacitor with some rolled up wax paper and alumninum foil and she still worked!! Hell, I'd still be using it if Rexall still carried vacuum tubes. The 6U8A that drives the sound went out, and I don't have a glass blowing kit to make a new one. Product safety, hummmpphhh!! Damn yuppies.

Could be worse ...

[rlp]

At least it's not one of those hazardous TV's with three guns that shoot beta particles at you!!

After further study...

[SEWilco]

It has been determined the real problem is that there is nothing on.

Re: Fire Retardant Material

[SaidinUnleashed]

I don't think that term is politically correct.

Shouldn't it be "ignition challenged" material?

It's a "feature"

[JRGhaddar]

I use mine to roast marshmallows...

Re:CRT

[the grace of R'hllor]

I don't think 'once' can be claled a pattern.

IT crowd

[Graemee]

Dear Sir stroke Madam.

Fire, exclamation mark. Fire, exclamation mark. Help me, exclamation mark.
123 Carlignton Road. Looking forward to hearing from you.

All the best, Maurice Moss.

Timing, people!

[tbone1]

Having this come out during the opening weekend of the NCAA basketball tournament is not a way to endear your brand most Americans. You should try during an event that no one in this country cares about, like The Stanley Cup Finals or The World Series.