Engadget

Energy Star 4.0 goes into effect for HDTVs, puts 'em on a diet

Tim Stevens — Tue, 04 May 2010 09:56:00 EST

Your next Energy Star-approved HDTV? Chances are it'll be a little greener than your last one, thanks to the new 4.0 ratings going into effect. These drastically reduce allowable consumption for displays, offering on average a 40 percent improvement in efficiency compared to 3.0 models, meaning a 50-inch set can consume, at most, 153 watts (compared to 318 in the 3.0 world). Beyond that, a display that has been turned "off" can consume no more than one solitary watt whilst waiting for your next command. All sets produced as of May 1 must meet these new regulations to earn that prestigious blue badge, and then in 2012 the 5.0 rules come into effect, dropping maximum consumption by roughly another 40 percent -- good news for those who love the planet as much as they love watching Nature on peripheral vision-filling display.

Energy Star 4.0 goes into effect for HDTVs, puts 'em on a diet originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 04 May 2010 09:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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CEA rails on California's proposed TV energy standards, rings doomsday bell

Darren Murph — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:54:00 EST

Oh, brother -- you had to see this coming, didn't you? Soon after details of the California Energy Commission's proposed TV efficiency standards leaked out, the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) has fired back a shocking press release in order to sound the alarm and get people in opposition. According to its "research," setting arbitrary limits on television electricity usage will end up costing California $50 million annually in state tax revenue and will destroy some 4,600 jobs in the TV sales, distribution and installation business. In the CEA's eyes, this proposal "eliminates consumer choice and will remove 25 percent of televisions from the market." Naturally, all of these assertions pay no attention whatsoever to the environment, and while we won't bother with inserting any politics here, we'd advise hitting the read link just to see what blatant bias looks like in its purest form.

Filed under: Industry, Regulatory, Displays, LCD, Plasma

CEA rails on California's proposed TV energy standards, rings doomsday bell originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Is there demand for eco TVs?

Richard Lawler — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:54:00 EST

The Wall Street Journal took the time to run down some of the latest trend in televisions, labeling sets "eco" or green for their energy efficiency. Every manufacturer at CES seemed to have a line of energy efficient HDTVs, and meeting or beating Energy Star requirements has suddenly moved to the front of marketing materials. Of course, sipping a little less juice incurs a price premium up front, adding $50 or so on Vizio's Eco line over comparable displays. Compared to last year when only 20% of flat panels had green features, manufacturers seem to be betting big on a shift to more efficient entertainment, but we're not sure how high that will be on customer's lists compared to price, features and picture quality.

Filed under: Displays, LCD, Plasma

Is there demand for eco TVs? originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 07:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung stuns with 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LED LCD HDTVs

Darren Murph — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST

Here we are, folks, finally at the end of Samsung's CES 2009 gauntlet. We've seen Blu-ray decks, a BD-infused soundbar, LCD-equipped refrigerators and even a few HDTVs, but Sammy's clearly hoping you pay the most attention to its new line of LED-backlit LCDs. The 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series sets all ditch traditional CCFLs in favor of the newer, brighter and more energy-efficient LED backlighting. Of note, the 8000 Series is the only one a 240Hz refresh rate; the other lines get stuck with the perfectly acceptable 120Hz Auto Motion Plus. Furthermore, the 7000 / 8000 crew will come ready for the Yahoo!-driven Internet@TV online content service, while the 6000 family will allow access to Sammy's own InfoLink RSS service. More meaningful specs (screen size, brightness, contrast ratio, price, favorite color / date spot, etc.) are sorely missing, but you can peak the linked PDF if you don't believe us.

Gallery: Samsung stuns with 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LED LCD HDTVs

Filed under: Displays, Samsung, LCD

Samsung stuns with 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LED LCD HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Samsung stuns with 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LED LCD HDTVs

Darren Murph — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST

Gallery: Samsung stuns with 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LED LCD HDTVs

Filed under: CES, Displays, HDTV, Home Entertainment

Samsung stuns with 6000, 7000 and 8000 Series LED LCD HDTVs originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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JVC brags about smashing Energy Star 3.0 requirements

Darren Murph — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:09:00 EST

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

Filed under: Misc, Displays, JVC, LCD

JVC brags about smashing Energy Star 3.0 requirements originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 09:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Darren Murph — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:03:00 EST

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.

Filed under: Industry, Regulatory, Displays, LCD, Plasma

Vizio goes Energy Star 3.0 compliant, launches 32-inch EcoHD LCD TV originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 06 Nov 2008 11:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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

Darren Murph — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:14:00 EST

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?

Filed under: Industry, Regulatory, Displays, Insignia, LCD

All Insignia LCD TVs to meet or exceed Energy Star 3.0 spec originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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