I'm an electronics inspector and, even from the admittedly "fair quality" photo, it's easy to tell that the board is no good.
There are a couple of components that look suspect to me and, if I could see a clearer picture, I'm sure there would be more. It's plain to see that the solder on the pins of that integrated circuit at the center of the image is corroded and several of the pins are shorted together. Like others say, it's likely to be caused by poor cleaning at the time of manufacture. It also could be contaminated lead-free solder, too. Does the surface of the dull solder look rough and grainy? That's a sure sign of contaminated solder.
If the person running the stencil machine didn't clean the machine between runs, it's easily possible for lead solder to contaminate the mix. It doesn't take much. Less than 1%.
If the contamination level is low, the parts might pass inspection but the part will fail prematurely.
If you have several of these boards, I'd be tempted to check the serial numbers and manufacturing dates. If you find a pattern, I suggest reporting it to Christie. I'd say that this defect, regardless of age, should be replaced because it's unfit for its purpose.
Most electronics are made according to three classes with respect to manufacturing specs and inspection. Class-1 is the lowest for general, consumer use. Class-3 is for medical, military and other critical uses. Class-2 is for industrial and mission critical use and that's what I would expect digital cinema equipment to be made under.
If that board came across my inspection station, I'd probably fail it at Class-1.
There are a couple of components that look suspect to me and, if I could see a clearer picture, I'm sure there would be more. It's plain to see that the solder on the pins of that integrated circuit at the center of the image is corroded and several of the pins are shorted together. Like others say, it's likely to be caused by poor cleaning at the time of manufacture. It also could be contaminated lead-free solder, too. Does the surface of the dull solder look rough and grainy? That's a sure sign of contaminated solder.
If the person running the stencil machine didn't clean the machine between runs, it's easily possible for lead solder to contaminate the mix. It doesn't take much. Less than 1%.
If the contamination level is low, the parts might pass inspection but the part will fail prematurely.
If you have several of these boards, I'd be tempted to check the serial numbers and manufacturing dates. If you find a pattern, I suggest reporting it to Christie. I'd say that this defect, regardless of age, should be replaced because it's unfit for its purpose.
Most electronics are made according to three classes with respect to manufacturing specs and inspection. Class-1 is the lowest for general, consumer use. Class-3 is for medical, military and other critical uses. Class-2 is for industrial and mission critical use and that's what I would expect digital cinema equipment to be made under.
If that board came across my inspection station, I'd probably fail it at Class-1.
![Frown](http://www.film-tech.com/vbb/core/images/smilies/frown.png)
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