Why modern TVs have such a short lifespan?

[Szabo2]

Hello there.

I know that the replacement cycle of modern TVs in US is very short nowadays, so people generally don't keep a TV long enough to see it die. However, I wonder why the modern TVs have such a short lifespan. It seems most of them don't last 3 years, breaking much sooner than that, and it's not worthy repairing because it's so expensive. I think the electronics are of bad quality, but it seems it's more related to the actual 'age' of the TV rather then the time it was turned on. Perhaps they have an internal clock that is programmed to overheat the CPU after some months . It's ridiculous how the manufacturers claim their screens last 100,000+hours, while in most cases the TV will be dead much sooner than that.

Also, I wonder if in countries like Japan and Germany the TVs don't last long also, or if they have better products... Being grandson of a German, and seeing how my Grandpa expects his 93 Toshiba laptop, his 93 Ford sedan, and his 93 Toshiba TV to last forever (it seems they will), I find it hard to believe that in Germany they are okay with their TVs dying after a couple of years... I think they at least have decent national brands or the products from international brands are not the same sold in the rest of the world. Unfortunately I don't have much contact with Germans and don't want to annoy my Grandpa with such questions (he could write to our relatives in Germany).

Any opinions on this subject?

[_Al_]

My TV monitor died one day (2-3 years or so using it) so I took it apart and changed blown up capacitors and rest of them as well, then it worked again about same time. Those parts lake those have perhaps very special name , I would not dare to print name for it translating it from my native language.

[Szabo2]

Yes, exactly the <3 year lifespan of nowadays' TVs. Lucky you it was a capacitor... probably that's because your model was not very new, or maybe it was a problem on the power supply circuit. Nowadays most parts aren't easily replaceable. Please vote on the poll while it's free .

[cornemuse]

I have been lucky with TV's, never (so far) had one die on me. My Olevia 42" is about 7 yr old, the remote died a few years ago, tho.

My Microtek monitor lasted almost 12 years before passing on. I loved it so much, I cant bear to throw it away.

-c-

[_Al_]

Please vote on the poll while it's free .

I cannot, it would mess up your poll because I have still two CRT's Sony Trinitron working, purchased in last century and other just about after 2000. Latest Plasma is still going.

[Baldrick]

I haven't noticed that much problems. My nearest family tv history:

46" LCD Sony is up and running after 8 years. Even though it's not the best LCD.
50" Plasma Pioneer still works fine after more than 7 years now.
50" Plasma Panasonic 6 years without problem until a lightning strike. Dead.
42" LCD LG still works fine after 5 years.
24" LCD Dell monitor up and running for 4 years.
29" LCD Dell monitor 2 years no problem yet.
55" Plasma Panasonic. Audio problem after one 1 year but got that fixed for free. 2 years old now.

And we all watch an insane amount of TV....

[Szabo2]

That's relieving... Perhaps it's a matter of luck, but maybe there are other reasons, like for example, the quality of the products in some regions being better than in others, because afaik most products are 'finished' on a regional basis. I once helped carry a 40" Philips TV sold in Europe and also a very similar one, but from Argentina, and I was impressed on the weight difference. Both were plastic and 'slim', but the European one I'd say weighed about 20kg while the Argentinian one surely didn't weigh 10kg. Both were very similar (not to say exactly the same externally), with built-in power supply, same panel (VA) and other stuff... I can only attribute that difference to build quality... perhaps more metal inside to reinforce the frame, and better quality electronics. I don't remember the model exactly but was something like pf6305 or something.

Another thing to take into account is the 'quality' of the energy source. In my house for example, the tension varies wildly through the day (125-105V), I think it's because of some industry nearby because it has a schedule :P. I don't know how that could affect any important part though... but if there are spikes, surely the power supply will have to work harder.

@_Al_: When I say 'modern', I'm talking about post-CRT stuff .

Thank you guys.

[zzyzzx]

Any opinions on this subject?

It's all part of our race to the bottom.

[usually_quiet]

I once helped carry a 40" Philips TV sold in Europe and also a very similar one, but from Argentina, and I was impressed on the weight difference. Both were plastic and 'slim', but the European one I'd say weighed about 20kg while the Argentinian one surely didn't weigh 10kg. Both were very similar (not to say exactly the same externally), with built-in power supply, same panel (VA) and other stuff... I can only attribute that difference to build quality... perhaps more metal inside to reinforce the frame, and better quality electronics. I don't remember the model exactly but was something like pf6305 or something.

Some LCD TVs also include a weighted stand, for stability.

[newpball]

This whole topic sounds as dated as the "plastic toys from Hong Kong" argument.



Germany (or the rest of Europe for that matter) has no serious consumer electronics manufacturing. It's either China or Korea with the occasional Japanese products (often partly outsourced to China).

[bendixG15]

newpball makes another fantastic post, and with pictures too !!!!