Smoking DVD players spark Japanese recall

REPORTS THAT SOME Chinese-made DVD players were belching thick black smoke and beginning to melt have led to almost half a million units being recalled in Japan.

The players have built-in LCD screens that are becoming deformed by overheating. The overheated players discharge noxious smoke and Japanese 'paper, Asahi Shimbun reports a risk of fire.

Some 550 units have already self-combusted, with a futher 460,000 now subject to the recall.

It seems a short circuit caused by dodgy soldering in the display panel's backlight module is to blame. Most of the products at risk were made in China and sold under the Axion brand, according to reports.

Up to 20 DVD players sold over the past four years may be afflicted with this propensity to self-combust. Estimates that put the cost of the recall at $114 million. µ