Matsushita (Panasonic) announced that it will release a new Plasma TV incorporating a technology to reduce the power consumption by half. The product is slated for launch in spring 2008.

Panasonic Plasma TV with lower power consumption (http://www.hdtvinfo.eu/news/hdtv-articles/panasonic-plasma-tv-with-lower-power-consumption.html)

It appears that energy efficiency in all TV displays is about to become almost a requirement, if the manufacturers want to stay competitive. Check out the new standards that are being set.

You can read the full article at the following link:

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6529229.html


EPA Revises Energy Star DTV Specs

By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 2/6/2008 7:05:00 AM

Arlington, Va. — The Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday updated its guidelines for qualifying the most energy-efficient digital televisions eligible to bear the Energy Star label.
The new version 3.0 specification, which takes effect Nov. 1, addresses all DTV display technologies on a technology neutral basis and will grant the Energy Star label only to the top 25 percent to 30 percent most energy-efficient TV models. In addition, for the first time, the specification will take into account active mode or “on” mode power consumption in addition to standby mode energy use.
The spec also takes into account power consumption levels based on screen size, with the understanding that larger screen sizes affect energy use.
Included in the revisions to the previous Energy Star specifications: the on mode requirements for large-screen TVs now take effect for those units with a screen area of less than or equal to 1,045 inches squared, to ensure that all TVs sold with an advertised viewable diagonal screen size of 50 inches must meet the same set of requirements, the EPA said.