On Fri, 10 Dec 2010 12:11:10 +0000 (UTC), Keith
wrote:

No, from what he emailed me last night, he barely used this one year old TV during the past year. The
odors I am smelling smells more like new plastic. I will just have to break in this TV and smell the odors
dissipate.
Keith Lee

Presumably you asked if he previous owner noticed the smell and had a
clue as to its source. Also, it's considered good form to supply the
model number.

Ok, so this TV is NOT new and was "barely used" for a year. The TV
does not need to be turned on in order to accumulate a tobacco smell,
or a musky smell for household pets and critters.

If it's tobacco, the outside of the TV will accumulate more tar than
the inside. Spray some household cleaner on any obscure or hidden
part of the case, and wipe with a clean while paper towel. If it's
tobacco, you'll see a rather thick accumulation of brown stain on the
towel. Wait a few minutes for the volatiles in the cleaner to
dissipate and smell the paper towel. If it's tobacco, it will be
obvious. I couldn't find a suitable litmus paper type of test for the
presence of tobacco tar.

Burning plastic smells quite differently from tobacco or musk. I
suggest you heat some scrap plastic in order to establish a reference
smell. In general, plastic will melt before it starts to outgas, so
expect to find some damage inside if it's burning plastic.

I've used a rubberized plastic hose or soda straw to isolate smoking
components in the past. Stuff one end into your nose and wave the
other end around the board until the source of the smell is
identified. I successfully used this to find a smoking tantalum
capacitor inside a Compaq server power supply. Don't inhale too much
as many such burning components are toxic.

"Breaking In" the TV might not be a great idea. If it's a swollen
electrolytic capacitor getting hot (and melting nearby components),
letting it continue until it blows will probably cause some additional
damage in the power supply area.
http://gallery.markheadrick.com/home-theater/Bad_Capacitors_from_Samsung_LN52A650


--
Jeff Liebermann
150 Felker St #D http://www.LearnByDestroying.com
Santa Cruz CA 95060 http://802.11junk.com
Skype: JeffLiebermann AE6KS 831-336-2558