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Energy Star 3.0 regulations set to impact TV designs

by Steven Kim posted Aug 3rd 2009 at 6:38PM

Energy Star logoIf you thought there was a row over the Energy Star 3.0 requirements for TVs, you haven't seen anything yet. Research firm iSuppli rightfully calls out some challenges for even the energy-miserly LCD TVs to duck under the numbers in the draft version of the Tier 2 (effective 2010) and Tier 3 (effective 2012) versions of the standard. For example, a 50-inch TV will have do limbo underneath a 153-Watt peak for Tier 2 compliance and 108-Watts for Tier 3. We're confident that some clever engineering will allow LCD to reach those figures; the real impact might be on plasma TVs, however. It pains us to say it, but plasma's going to have a hard time making that grade; of course, that's assuming that plasma TVs are still being made and marketed towards consumers who value the Energy Star label. For those of us who want efficiency and ultimate image quality, it's time to pull for LED-backlit LCDs.

Read - Energy Star TV requirements draft [Warning: PDF link]
Read - iSuppli predicts change in LCD design

Ask Engadget HD: Best power and line conditioners for a big home theater?

by Richard Lawler posted May 7th 2009 at 12:00PM Featured Story


Alright, this one will separate the serious home theater heads from the rest. While a dedicated mains and UPS may be the way to go for some, a need for clean power distribution should make James' question a consideration for any high end setup:

"What do you recommend for power and line conditioners for large home theater systems?
Monster units are the only ones I'm familiar with, but i know they're not the most liked company around these parts. Suggestions?"

James, we hear you. You need a solution where better cabling might provide actual benefit and don't want to finance next weeks crush-the-little-guy lawsuit, we've all been there. We haven't covered a lot of power conditioners around these parts so why don't you let him know what's providing controlled AC to your system?

California TV energy efficiency proposal details revealed

by Richard Lawler posted Mar 30th 2009 at 11:36PM


Whether one sides with the California Energy Commision's idea of restricting sales of the most power hungry displays on the market or with the CEA and think this is as silly as shunning black auto paint, there's plenty more to learn about the two tiered system that could go into effect January 1, 2011. A vote isn't slated until the summer so you've got plenty of time to review the formulas and do the math. Hopefully plasma manufacturers have been working on those super thin eco designs, they may be needed on store shelves sooner than previously expected.

[Via Wired]

California considers ban on energy devouring TVs

by Darren Murph posted Mar 25th 2009 at 3:02PM


It's a bandwagon that's easy to hop on, and it's got HDTV owners and technologists alike in The Golden State buzzing. Reportedly, the California Energy Commission is "considering a proposal that would ban California retailers from selling all but the most energy-efficient televisions," a move that could knock up to 25 percent of current TVs from store shelves. Needless to say, the CEA (Consumer Electronics Association) and its supporters are up in arms over the whole idea; after all, most manufacturers have already voluntarily complied with the newfangled Energy Star 3.0 standard. The commission calculates that buying a set meeting its proposed standards would save between $18 and $30 per year (per set) in energy costs, which would definitely add up state-wide. Honestly, we envision this fizzling out within the next few weeks, but we've definitely seen crazier things passed.

[Thanks, Garrett]

Pioneer responds to recent plasma ban reports with more of the same

by Darren Murph posted Jan 19th 2009 at 10:11AM


Just last week, a report in the DailyMail got everyone worked up over the possibility of certain plasmas being barred from sale in Europe. Now, Pioneer is passing along a response made by the European Information & Communications Technology Industry Association that seems to say more of the same. We quote: "According to the pertinent EU Directive a technology such as plasma cannot be banned from the market as long as the TV sets (using this technology) comply with energy efficiency requirements." That said, the EU and its member states are still hard at work on new regulations to ensure improved energy efficiency across all display technologies, and we're told that "all manufacturers will be required to meet these minimum efficiency standards in order to continue producing, importing and selling TV sets in Europe." So maybe we're way off base, but is this not confirmation of what we'd already heard?

[Via HDTVLounge]

Furutech intros $700 F-TP615 power filter / AC distributor

by Darren Murph posted Dec 28th 2008 at 8:07PM


Ah, there's the Furutech we know and love! The company made famous for charging obscene amounts of cash for AV items that cannot possibly be worth their weight in gold is back in full force, pumping out a power filter / AC distributor for $700. For those untrained in mathematics, that's around $116.66 per outlet. Of course, these aren't just any outlets, as each one is tested with its own α (Alpha) cryogenic and demagnetizing process and is plated in 24k gold. You'll also notice a proprietary Axial Locking System which purportedly lowers receptacle resonance by a factor of ten, and the high-grade aluminum chassis effectively shields against RFI and alien radiation. If you believe all of that, you can gleefully give your cash away right now in exchange for one.

Furutech looks to DIY crowd with new power connectors, receptacles

by Darren Murph posted Dec 26th 2008 at 7:53PM


While not priced completely out of reason as was the $1,800 Piezo Powerflux Power Cord, Furutech's latest aren't exactly the cheapest options on the block. Aimed squarely at the hard-nosed DIY crowd, the FI-03(R) and FI-03(G) Pure Transmission IEC Input Connectors (or just "receptacles" for the laypeople) are apparently snazzy enough to demand $19.60 / $15.00 apiece. Sure, they're plated in rhodium and gold, respectively, but we get the sense these are still custom made for those with more money than sense. Moving on, we've got the slightly-less-attainable FI-28(R) and FI-28M(R) power connectors, which obviously won't show their true awesomeness without using cabling that's over $400 per foot. Both releases are hosted up after the break for your enjoyment.

Continue reading Furutech looks to DIY crowd with new power connectors, receptacles

JVC brags about smashing Energy Star 3.0 requirements

by Darren Murph posted Dec 12th 2008 at 9:09AM


With just about every new set out besting those newfangled Energy Star 3.0 requirements, we're not so sure why JVC would choose to brag about it. Unless, of course, it has really trumped practically every other set out there in terms of efficiency. As fate would have it, that's exactly what the outfit is claiming, noting that in the 32-inch class, JVC is "tied for the most efficient TV," while in the 40- to 42-inch and 46- to 47-inch classes, it "swept the first four places, in every case significantly more efficient than the Energy Star requirement." All in all, JVC's sets managed to outperformed the baselines by anywhere from 29- to 60-percent, instantly skyrocketing them onto the must-buy list of tree huggers the world over. Check the full release after the break.

Continue reading JVC brags about smashing Energy Star 3.0 requirements

Vizio goes Energy Star 3.0 compliant, launches 32-inch EcoHD LCD TV

by Darren Murph posted Nov 6th 2008 at 11:03AM

Following in the eco-friendly footsteps of Insignia, Vizio has announced that 100% of its HDTVs that are shipping now to US / Canadian retailers "meet or exceed Energy Star 3.0 requirements." The flat-panel maker claims that at least nine of its models actually exceed the specifications by as much as 25%, and every last one of its 22- / 19-inch sets use far less energy than a conventional 60-watt light bulb. In related news, the company is also taking this opportunity to officially launch its 32-inch EcoHD LCD HDTV, which slurps down 44% less energy than a typical 32-inch LCD TV. The set will pack a 12,500:1 dynamic contrast ratio, SRS TruSurround XT audio, multiple HDMI inputs and a stylish white piano colored bezel. If that sounds like something you'd be interested in, you can latch on later this month for $499.99.

All Insignia LCD TVs to meet or exceed Energy Star 3.0 spec

by Darren Murph posted Nov 5th 2008 at 3:14PM


While Best Buy completely failed to issue a press release trumpeting the inability of its latest Profile 2.0 Blu-ray deck to pass Energy Star specifications, it didn't hesitate to pump one out extolling the power-sipping virtues of its Insignia LCD televisions. In case you weren't aware, the Energy Star 3.0 specification went into effect at the beginning of this month, and any Insignia LCD TV manufactured after November 1, 2008 will meet those requirements; in fact, six of the models will exceed the requirements by 15% of more. Um, cookie?

Updated Energy Star spec goes into effect November 1

by Richard Lawler posted Oct 11th 2008 at 8:30PM

The new Energy Star 3.0 TV specification -- this time including a test for how much electricity televisions use while turned on, not just while off -- goes into effect next month. According to CNET's tests, the difference in power saved by more efficient (but not necessarily ideal PQ) default settings could be as much as a $100 a year, although that will vary based on the TV and the settings. Of course the new rules mean only 25 to 30-percent of TVs are expected to be able to meet the standard, but when you see it on a box, it will actually mean something. Punch the read link for the final draft, we're just going to turn some unnecessary lights off.

[Via Crave]

Furutech unveils $1,800 Powerflux power cable -- yes, seriously

by Darren Murph posted Sep 16th 2008 at 7:29PM


This ain't the first time Furutech has cranked out a cable beyond the realm of feasibility, and sadly we doubt it'll be the last. What you're looking at above is undoubtedly the sexiest, most desirable power cable this world has ever seen. Unfortunately, that bad boy isn't getting shipped to you unless you funnel $1,800 out of your bank account and into Furutech's. The brand new Piezo Powerflux Power Cord features the FI-50 Piezo Ceramic Series Power Connectors, which are "made of layers of carbon fiber in a damping and insulating acetal copolymer surrounded by nonmagnetic stainless steel." Look, we won't deny that any power being transferred out of this thing will be unfathomably clean, but $1,800 clean? Nah, son.

NuVo Renovia delivers whole-home audio over powerline

by Darren Murph posted Aug 22nd 2008 at 8:45AM


Faults notwithstanding, powerline is still mighty scrumptious in theory. Evidently NuVo Technologies agrees, as it's cranking out what's possibly the planet's first whole-home audio system that relies on existing A/C wiring. The Renovia can deliver audio and metadata throughout the house by simply tapping into the power wires already within your walls, and in case you couldn't guess, it's using the HomePlug 1.0 specification in order to do so. The central hub has AM, FM and Sirius-ready tuners already on board, and owners can plug in a pair of iPod docks along with two analog sources to boot. In case that's still not enough to get your drool a-flowin', it'll also stream "virtually any digital content on the network via NuVo's Music Port module." There's no word just yet on an MSRP, but judging by NuVo's past, we'd assume that it'll be somewhere between grossly and obscenely overpriced.

EPA updates ENERGY STAR specification for digital TVs, CEA applauds

by Darren Murph posted Feb 9th 2008 at 8:03PM

We've no idea if Panasonic's sudden urge to decrease the power consumption of its plasmas has anything to do with this, but nevertheless, the Environmental Protection Agency has announced an updated ENERGY STAR specification for digital televisions that will hopefully "lead to further reductions in the amount of energy consumed by DTVs." The new standard will reportedly grant the coveted ENERGY STAR label only to "the top 25- to 30-percent most energy efficient TV models," and furthermore, it will (for the first time) "take into account active mode or 'On' mode power consumption in addition to standby mode energy use." Needless to say, the CEA found a moment to applaud the new spec, and as far as we can tell, it's being instituted immediately.

[Via Widescreen Review]

Reboot your home theater remotely with PS Audio PowerPlay

by Erik Hanson posted Dec 29th 2007 at 10:02PM

PS Audio PowerPlay web server screenshot
While the corporate IT world has long had access to remotely-controlled power for servers and data centers, it's pretty cutting-edge stuff for home theater, with PS Audio releasing the first line of Internet-connected power management devices. Ranging in price from $600 to $1,995 and scheduled to release in Spring 2008, the four products in the PowerPlay line differ in number of switchable and isolated plugs, but all offer a web interface to toggle power, schedule reboots, and monitor power quality. There is an RS-232 port for hardwired power control as well as IR blasters for turning devices back on after a reboot. Now you can reboot your TiVo without ever stepping foot in the house.




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