Are we seeing another energy guzzler being forced down the citizens? The changing landscape of television viewing – set top boxes – is being accused of consuming much precious energy.
With over 35% households lacking access to electricity and the remaining denied quality power, can we afford this for some quality viewing? Views differ. According to the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, the energy consumed by one set top box could light more than 40-50 Homes with a 5 watt LED lamp for 4- 5 hours!
With digitization of TV services, Set Top boxes will be mandatory in the entire country by end of 2014. The set top boxes available in India range from 16 w to 20 W based on manufacturer’ specifications. Calculating a 12 hour run daily , it consumes 6-8 units in the month. Even in inactive mode it consumes energy, says NRDC. These devices squander the equivalent annual energy output of six coal burning power plants (500 MW) because they are not equipped to power down when not being used.
Finds NRDC that cable high-definition digital video recorder (HD-DVR) consumes more electricity annually than the new flat panel TV to which it’s typically connected and about 40% more than its basic set-top box counterpart. In contrast, cell phones, which also work on a subscriber basis with a need for secure connections, are able to use extremely low levels of power when not in use – primarily to preserve battery life.
Finds NRDC that cable high-definition digital video recorder (HD-DVR) consumes more electricity annually than the new flat panel TV to which it’s typically connected and about 40% more than its basic set-top box counterpart. In contrast, cell phones, which also work on a subscriber basis with a need for secure connections, are able to use extremely low levels of power when not in use – primarily to preserve battery life.
However, India’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has said set-top boxes (STBs) consume less power than a CFL light. The Ministry clarified in a statement that most STBs consume about 8 watts of power. It added that STBs consume even lesser electricity when they are on standby mode.
These boxes would consume only about one-fifth of a unit of electricity in a day against 1.5 units consumed by a fan, a TV or a tube light. Thus, cable STBs consume nominal electricity to the tune of 5-6 units in a month, which is insignificant in comparison with the electricity consumed by other electric appliances in a house, the Ministry said in a statement.
Whether it is 6-8 units or 5-6 units, fact is that we are adding to the monthly bill. Is this a wise decision in the times of massive power cuts ??
Whether it is 6-8 units or 5-6 units, fact is that we are adding to the monthly bill. Is this a wise decision in the times of massive power cuts ??
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