EPA Proposes Incentives for Adoption of ‘Deep Sleep’ Features in Set-top Boxes
The EPA proposed incentives to encourage adoption of what’s called “deep sleep state” capabilities in set-top boxes as part of changes it proposed in draft two of Energy Star version 3.0 specification. Deep sleep is defined as a “power state” within the sleep mode that uses less power “due to lack of network access and increased time required to return to full on mode functionality.” The industry has raised concerns about the deep sleep requirements, especially about consumer experiences with the delayed waking of boxes from the deep sleep mode.
The deep sleep feature is not being mandated now and is only being included as an option, a consultant for the agency said. The idea is to first encourage box makers to incorporate the feature and have them “figure out how to do it right,” he said. Depending on the results, the agency would consider making it a requirement in the future, he said. Even Energy Star-qualified boxes use power ranging from 10 watts to 15 watts in the sleep mode, so there’s “substantial opportunities” for power savings, he said.
To boost adoption of the deep sleep mode, the agency is proposing that service providers who deploy boxes with the capability will be able to count them as one and half times the qualified boxes they need to purchase to join the Energy Star program. One way service providers can now qualify for Energy Star is to make Energy Star-qualified boxes at least 50 percent of their annual box purchases. Box makers who incorporate the features will be rewarded with typical energy consumption (TEC) requirements that are different from those for other boxes.
The agency also incorporated changes in the new draft to reflect the new testing and verification rules that are due to take effect in December. Service providers can now only “associate” the Energy Star with products certified by an EPA-recognized certification body,” Katharine Kaplan, Energy Star product manager, wrote stakeholders. Other differences in draft two include changes to definitions of advanced video processing and home network interface, renaming of the “additional tuner” adder as “multi-stream” to allow IP boxes that offer similar functionality to qualify for a TEC allowance and the addition of a pro-rated first year purchase rule for service providers.
No effective dates have been finalized for version 3.0 and version 4.0 of the set-top box specification, Kaplan said. The agency expects to complete the specification revisions by December and “anticipates a version 3.0 effective date no earlier than September 2011,” she said. Comments on draft two are due Oct. 22. The EPA will host a webinar Monday to discuss the proposals in the draft, she said.