Juice box tracks HDTV power consumption
CNET HDTV reviews now include power consumption data and ratings.
(Credit: CNET)At CNET, we've been publishing information about HDTV power consumption for a year and a half in our Quick Guide, which currently lists the results of our tests of more than 50 televisions. Until now, this data has been restricted to the Guide, but it really belongs in each individual HDTV review. That's why we're pleased to announce the "Juice box," a new chart that summarizes the television's power consumption and scores it against other models.
You can check out an example here. Clicking the phrase "Juice box" takes you to an explanation of the terms, numbers and scores in the box, but we'll include a quick rundown here. First off, since calibration of a TV's picture settings for a dark room usually reduces power consumption, simply because the picture becomes less bright, we include measurements of average watts consumed for Default and Calibrated picture settings, as well as for when the TV's Power Save mode (if any) is engaged. We also include measurements of standby power -- how much juice the set sips when turned off -- and estimate the average yearly impact on your electric bill. Finally, we score the particular TV's power consumption compared to others we've tested according to both watts per square inch and overall watts consumed.
In addition to including the Juice box in all forthcoming HDTV reviews, we've added it to the following recent reviews (links go to the box at the bottom):
Current Juice box reviews
- Sharp LC-32D43U
- Samsung LN-T4661F
- Panasonic TH-42PZ700U
- Sony KDL-46S3000
- Vizio VP50HDTV
- Samsung LN-T5064
- LG 47LB5D
- Viewsonic N3235w
- HP LC4776N
- Samsung LN-T4665F
In case you're wondering, we do not incorporate power consumption ratings into our overall numeric ratings for HDTVs, which are still based strictly on design, features and picture quality. For environmentally-conscious shoppers and penny-pinchers alike, however, the energy efficiency of an HDTV can be a factor in deciding which model to buy, so we felt that presenting and contextualizing this information would be a valuable addition to our HDTV reviews. Please let us know what you think of the Juice box, and for the full scoop on HDTVs and energy, including more general info and power-saving tips, check out the Quick Guide.
David Katzmaier reviews HDTVs for CNET. 
A "green list" of low power consuming models would also be nice.
I experienced a rise in electric cost of 30$ per month in the metro Boston area with on the Panny Pro 42", and now the 50" is on the way as well. Happy with the plasma(s), but they do love electrons. . . and it's starting to get expensive with energy suppliers gouging.
http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-6475_7-6400401-5.html?tag=txt#juicebox
This row lists the amount of money the TV would cost to run over one year, assuming it's turned on for 8 hours a day and off for 16. We use the average price of energy in the U.S. during 2006, which is about 10.4 cents per kilowatthour according to the Energy Information Administration (see above).
Of course variance in energy costs and time used can modify this number.
- Include a CRT TV for comparison
- by cgmusselman February 17, 2008 8:19 PM PST
- My Panasonic CT-27G14 has no basis for comparison.
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(6 Comments)Charley Musselman
cgmusselman@hotmail.com