New Energy Star TV Spec Likely First to Account for HDR Power Consumption

Version 7.0 of the Energy Star TV spec was the first to incorporate energy implications of 4K resolution (see 1412040035), and Version 8.0 appears likely to be the first to take high-dynamic-range energy consumption into account, EPA documents show. To be sure Energy Star-certified TVs “ultimately deliver the savings purchasers expect, their energy saving features need to persist across a wide array of viewing conditions,” EPA said in an Aug. 5 cover letter announcing the launch of the Version 8.0 “revision process.” TVs today “offer consumers a broad selection of modes and settings that need to be understood, so that the ENERGY STAR specification appropriately rewards televisions that most effectively achieve energy savings along with a high quality viewing experience,” EPA said. “Determining appropriate treatment of energy saving features will be a priority for this revision.” For example, EPA for Version 8.0 is “considering” whether to add certification testing in “additional modes, beyond the default mode, with requirements regarding persistence of energy saving modes,” the agency said. EPA got CTA opposition when it sought to require changes in Energy Star Version 7.0 certification testing (see 1608030019). EPA “is also interested in better understanding the energy consumption” of HDR-capable Ultra HD TVs when upscaling SDR content via “HDR Plus” preset picture settings, and when playing native HDR10-encoded content, it said. EPA seeks data from TV makers by Sept. 19 “to allow for the evaluation of such an approach,” the agency said. EPA also plans an Oct. 3 webinar “to review the data received and proposed Agency approaches to energy saving features,” it said.