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DAM Pops Energy Star's Bubble

Posted by Soulskill on from the one-dam-problem-after-another dept.

Martin Hellman writes "Last month we discussed a major problem with the EPA's Energy Star program. A Sony TV that was advertised to draw less than 0.1 watts in standby mode was actually drawing 15 watts — 150 times the stated value. A lack of information in the user manual and a poor response from Sony led me to suspect the problem was with the Electronic Program Guide feature, but a lack of information in the User Guide and a lack of response from Sony made it impossible to be sure — or to turn off the EPG. At current prices, that power consumption cost me about as much as a subscription to TV Guide magazine! The EPG was not as free as the on screen instructions would have you believe. Now, Device Guru reports on the resolution of that issue. As suspected, the problem was with the EPG, and there is a way to turn it off — now documented in that story. The problem is probably not unique to Sony or TVs that claim Energy Star compliance (devices are self-certified by the manufacturers!), so picking up a power meter is likely to have a good return on investment. As a result of this waste of power, the EPA is planning for future versions of the Energy Star requirements to limit the amount of time a TV can spend in Download Acquisition Mode (DAM) as the time for acquiring the EPG is known."

2 of 147 comments (clear)

  1. Recent "Green plug" debacle by Animats · · Score: 0, Offtopic

    We had an article recently on "Green Plug", the USB power scheme. that's something else that went wrong. They made it way too complicated, requiring software handshaking between the power source and device.

    Instead of GreenPlug, all that's needed is a low-power mode for USB power:

    • USB power sources should turn off their power supply when the resistance at the output is > 1 megohm. In "power supply off" mode they should draw < 10uA from the power line.
    • Devices charging from USB ports should present > 1 megohm resistance across the power lines when not in need of power.

    That's all that's needed. Just some micropower electronics. No special "GreenPlug protocol", no software handshaking. USB power sources don't even need the data pins (good for security). But, of course, the GreenPlug people wouldn't have any "proprietary technology" to sell.

  2. There has to be a way to flag this stuff! by mlwmohawk · · Score: 1, Offtopic

    Seriously, guys. Even Craigslist has a flagging mechanism.

    Couldn't have it as part of moderation? I know I've been market as troll for stuff that I honestly have not intended as troll of flamebait, but the parent post is different. It is racist, hateful, and offensive.

    This isn't merely contrarian or unpopular speech, it is vulgar and hateful and has no social importance. It is profane and disgusting.