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Power consumption in standby compared to 'on'?


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Old 21-08-2010, 19:08
Danny_G13
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I've never really looked into this properly before but it's worth getting some information on.

Can anyone either tell me or point me in the direction of a good website which tells me the power consumption differences of putting something like a 42" HDTV in standby mode compared to 'on' and 'off'?

I'd like to know how much it would cost to have it in standby mode rather than completely killing it at the mains socket every time.

Cheers.
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Old 21-08-2010, 19:58
-GONZO-
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It all depends on a couple of factors like make, plasma or lcd.
Have you tried typing power consumption for make and model into google as that may provide you with your answer.
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Old 21-08-2010, 21:39
David (2)
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the details should be printed in the user manual - maybe the back pages.
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Old 21-08-2010, 21:49
c4rv
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Check the manual or most manufacture have specification on their website.

In terms of power consumption when on, Plasma is the worst (~300w for 42 inch screen) followed by floresent LCD (~150w) followed by LED LCD (>100w). Note that you can decrease power consumption by turning down the brightness and contrast.

Standby power on most sets >1w though I did read somewhere that there could be some legislation banning standby mode in the future ?

You can always check your own with a power usage meter, you can pick them up for a tenner or some energy companies supply them for free.
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Old 22-08-2010, 10:49
Dr.OliverTwich
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Most modern sets are less than (<) 1 watt in standby - unless using the tuner to record from when this increases to 20-30W typically. Otherwise the set's consumption will vary with screen size and plasma's will use more on very bright scenes rather than dark. The quoted figures are always the maximum used.

Older sets could well consume 10s of watts in standby.

Other video appliances can have similar standby consumption nowadays, with older ones worse. Some PVRs even consume the same amount when on and in standby. Some very low power standby conditions with such devices cause the aerial loop-through amplifiers to be switched off which means the TV tuner connected to it can't be used!

Assuming you've a fairly modern set with 1W standby, you'd save more electricity by ensuring you don't over-fill your kettle for a month and just boil what you need.
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Old 22-08-2010, 14:39
pilgrim42
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Just used a consumption meter on my Sony 40inch LCD and got the following:-

Normal watching 180W
Off with reminder set 18W
Standby 0.1W

Hope that helps.
Mike
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Old 22-08-2010, 14:49
d'@ve
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In terms of power consumption when on, Plasma is the worst (~300w for 42 inch screen) followed by floresent LCD (~150w) followed by LED LCD (>100w). Note that you can decrease power consumption by turning down the brightness and contrast.
That's just not true, unless you behave like the numpties in shops who have the contrast brightness and colour turned up full in "dynamic" mode.

In "cinema mode" which is fine for my 42 inch Panasonic plasma, I measure 120W to 220 W depending on programme content - an average figure that appears to be similar to what people are reporting for LCDs of similar sizes. It's a bit higher in "normal mode" which I use on bright sunny day but most (of my) TV watching is done in the evenings when "cinema" is fine.

Standby mode uses about half a watt, which is nothing in the grand scheme of things (Sky+ HD uses 18W in stand by!!!).
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Old 22-08-2010, 15:16
spiney2
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Having VERY LOW consumption in "standby", usually, depends on switching off most "processing" functions, with a "system wakeup" for pre-determined events.

This wasn't "designed into" older equipment, which will typically use 10 - 40 Watts in "standby"!
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Old 22-08-2010, 17:52
David (2)
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just as there is picture modes for things like Cinema and Dynamic, many newer sets also have an Energy or ECO picture mode. This will cut the picture quality/brightness while in use to reduce the amount of power used to run the tv.

Also, I see on some of the new, and expensive Sony's there are 2 options for Standby. Regular standby with a very low power usage such as 0.1W, and QuickStart Standby which enables the tv to switch back on from standby almost instantly, but uses a lot more power. You select the type of Standby you want in a menu.
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Old 23-08-2010, 00:33
c4rv
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That's just not true, unless you behave like the numpties in shops who have the contrast brightness and colour turned up full in "dynamic" mode.
I still see a lot of people having their TV setup with brightness and contrast set too high, maybe they think it gives them a better picture.

Standby mode uses about half a watt, which is nothing in the grand scheme of things (Sky+ HD uses 18W in stand by!!!).
I am wondering if it take time for the hard drive to power down. I know the virgin + box seems to have a mind of its own as to when the hard drive will be spinning in standby and when its not.
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Old 23-08-2010, 09:10
Nigel Goodwin
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I still see a lot of people having their TV setup with brightness and contrast set too high, maybe they think it gives them a better picture.
It's their personal choice, you might not like it (and I might not like it), but it's what personal choice is all about.


I am wondering if it take time for the hard drive to power down. I know the virgin + box seems to have a mind of its own as to when the hard drive will be spinning in standby and when its not.
The HDD shuts down after a fair while, depending on the rewind buffer setting.
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Old 23-08-2010, 10:09
GetFrodo
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I'd like to know how much it would cost to have it in standby mode rather than completely killing it at the mains socket every time.
Cheers.
For reference, a television rated at 1W standby would consume about 8.8 kWh per year, which should cost you less than 15p a month or £1.75 a year. Compare that to your annual leccy bill and decide yourself whether it is worth getting up to switch the TV off at the socket.
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Old 23-08-2010, 14:22
Danny_G13
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Thank you everyone for your replies, very helpful indeed. I think it's probably safe to just leave it in standby without being too scared my wallet will be emptied going by the comments.

Thanks again.
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