Product Profile for Video Recorders and Set Top Boxes · This document presents the product profile for Video Recorders and provides market data, power and energy consumption data

A joint initiative of Australian, State and Territory and New Zealand Governments

Product Profile for Video

Recorders and Set Top Boxes

June 2013

Product Profile for Video Recorders and Set Top Boxes 2

© Commonwealth of Australia 2013

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CONTENTS ............................................................................................................................................................... 3 Glossary .......................................................................................................................................................................... 5

INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................................... 6 Document Scope and Purpose ...................................................................................................................................... 6 Background .................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Product Coverage ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 Where to from here ....................................................................................................................................................... 7

Consultation on this product profile ......................................................................................................................... 7 After consultation on the product profile ................................................................................................................. 7 Video Recorders and Set Top Boxes Product Profile – Key Questions ................................................................... 7

STB AND VR MARKET PROFILE ............................................................................................................................ 9 Australian VR Market Growth ...................................................................................................................................... 9 New Zealand VR Market Growth ................................................................................................................................. 11 STB Market in Australia ............................................................................................................................................... 11 STB Market in New Zealand ....................................................................................................................................... 12 Product Coverage ......................................................................................................................................................... 12 Energy Consumption ................................................................................................................................................... 12

STB AND VR POWER TESTING ............................................................................................................................ 14 Standards available for Video Recorder Power Consumption Testing ..................................................................... 14 Standards available for Set Top Box Testing .............................................................................................................. 15 Power Modes ................................................................................................................................................................ 15 Test Process ................................................................................................................................................................. 15 Test Results and Analysis ............................................................................................................................................ 16 Test Results .................................................................................................................................................................. 16

STB AND VR ENERGY USE MODELLING ............................................................................................................ 22 Proposed Energy Use Profile ...................................................................................................................................... 22

Australian Code of Conduct for CSTB ..................................................................................................................... 22 STB measurements compared to existing programmes ........................................................................................ 22 Allowances used for BAU Modelling. ...................................................................................................................... 24

General ......................................................................................................................................................................... 25 BAU for STBs ............................................................................................................................................................... 25 BAU for the Low Growth Scenario ............................................................................................................................. 26 BAU for the Medium Growth Scenario ...................................................................................................................... 28 BAU for the High Growth Scenario ............................................................................................................................ 29

CONCLUSIONS ...................................................................................................................................................... 32 VR Market .................................................................................................................................................................... 32 DTV STB Market .......................................................................................................................................................... 32 IPTV STB Market ......................................................................................................................................................... 32 Power Test Results ...................................................................................................................................................... 32 Proposed model for VR and STB power consumption and adders ........................................................................... 32

APPENDIX A: IEC STB POWER MEASUREMENT METHOD. ............................................................................. 34

PRODUCT PROFILE FOR VIDEO RECORDER AND SET TOP BOXES WWW.ENERGYRATING.GOV.AU ..... 45

Contents


LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Sales Growth of VRs between 2009 and 2010 (GfK 2009 – 2010)................................................................... 9 Table 2: Assumptions for Low, Medium and High Market projections for VRs. ......................................................... 10 Table 3: Video Recorders and STBs tested. .................................................................................................................... 14 Table 4: VR Power modes ............................................................................................................................................... 15 Table 5: Set Top Box Standby Results ............................................................................................................................ 16 Table 6: Video Recorder Standby Test Results ...............................................................................................................17 Table 7: Set Top Box On(Broadcast) Test results ...................................................................................................................17 Table 8: Video Recorder On(Broadcast) Test Results ........................................................................................................... 18 Table 10 shows the results for the differing recording and playback modes and combinations. ................................ 19 Table 10: On(Play) and On(Record) modes for the VRs that had an optical disk feature and a HDD ................................ 19 Table 11: Measured results for the two STBs tested. ...................................................................................................... 22 Table 12: Base functionality for the Australian Code of Conduct for CSTB and European Union voluntary

agreement ........................................................................................................................................................................ 22 Table 13: Additional function Allowances for the Australian Code of Conduct for CSTB. .......................................... 23 Table 14: Energy Star V4 Base Allowance. ..................................................................................................................... 23 Table 15: Energy Star Additional Functions Allowance. ............................................................................................... 24 Table 16: Allowances for BAU modelling. ...................................................................................................................... 24 Table 17: Energy use CO2 conversion factors for each year. ......................................................................................... 25 Table 18: Cumulative Energy Consumption for STBs to 2020 ..................................................................................... 25 Table 19: Terrestrial DTV STBs: CO2 emissions. .......................................................................................................... 26 Table 20: Energy Use for the Low Growth Scenario...................................................................................................... 26 Table 21: CO2 emissions for a Low Growth Scenario. ................................................................................................... 27 Table 22: Energy Use for the Mid Growth Scenario. ..................................................................................................... 28 Table 23:CO2 emissions for Mid Growth Scenario. ...................................................................................................... 28 Table 24: Energy Use for the High Growth Scenario. ................................................................................................... 30 Table 25: CO2 emissions for a High Growth Scenario. ................................................................................................. 31 Table 26: Summary of Cumulative Savings for VRs to 2020 for the Three Growth Scenarios ................................... 33 Table 27: Operating modes and Functions .................................................................................................................... 40 Table 28: Matrix for multi-tuner VRs ............................................................................................................................ 44

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Low Sales Growth Model for the VR market growth from 2009 with forecast from 2011- 2020 ................ 10 Figure 2: Mid Sales Growth Model for the VR market growth from 2009 with forecast from 2011- 2020 ............... 10 Figure 3: Low Sales Growth Model for the VR market growth from 2009 with forecast from 2011- 2020 ................ 11 Figure 4: STB Market decline 2009 to 2010 .................................................................................................................. 12 Figure 5: Typical test set up. ........................................................................................................................................... 16 Figure 6: The spread of On(Broadcast) Power consumption for the categories of VRs. .................................................... 18 Figure 7: Chart of the power use of recording and playback modes for VRs with optical Disk Drives ....................... 20 Figure 8: On(Record) and On(Play) power consumption verses HDD Capacity ................................................................. 20 Figure 9: Comparison of power consumption for VRs with only a HDD and those with an Optical Disk Drive. ...... 21


Glossary

ABS Australian Bureau of Statistics

APD Automatic Power Down is a feature that ensures a device is switched to a

standby power mode after a period of no activity from the user or in the case of

audio equipment where there is no longer an audio signal being detected.

AVC Advanced Video Coding.

BAU Business as Usual

BD Blu-Ray Disk

CoC Code of Conduct

CSTB CoC Conditional-access Set Top Box Code of Conduct. This is a CoC that the two

major subscription broadcasters, Foxtel and Austar, have entered into in

Australia.

DVD Digital Versatile Disk

DVR Digital Video Recorder

FTA Free to Air

HEP Home Entertainment Products

HDD Hard Disk Drive

HDMI Home Digital Multimedia Interface

IEA International Energy Agency

IEC International Electrotechnical Commission

IPTV Internet Protocol Television

PF Power Factor

PVR Personal Video Recorder

STB Set Top Box

TEC Typical Energy Consumption (Annualised)

TV Television

VCR Video Cassette Recorder

VR Video Recorder


Document Scope and Purpose

This document presents the product profile for Video Recorders and provides market data, power and energy

consumption data and analysis in order to assess the market size and energy consumption of Video Recorders

(VRs) and Set Top Boxes (STB) sold in Australia and New Zealand.

This profile has three major sections;

1. STB and VR Market Profile

2. STB and VR Power Consumption Test Results

3. STB and VR Energy Consumption Modelling

Background

Since 2001 Australia has been in the process of converting its free-to-air (FTA) television broadcasting from

analogue technology to digital technology. This has seen the replacement of tradition video cassette recorders

(VCR) with digital video recorders (DVRs). These devices are also known as Personal Video Recorders (PVRs) and

simply VRs. VRs, PVRs and DVRs have storage devices in the form of hard disk drives (HDD) and optical disks

(DVD and Blu-Ray). In this report the term VR will be used to describe all types of digital video recorders. New

forms of recorders have emerged that contain combinations of HDDs and Optical disks.

Associated with these devices are STBs used to convert the terrestrial digital broadcasts to signals that can be input

into televisions that may or may not have a digital tuner. The most common interface currently is HDMI.

These digital devices have not only replaced the functionality of VCRs but have also spawned new uses of recording

equipment such as time shifting of programmes and real time review and playback of the programmes being

watched.

VRs in the form of STBs have been in the market for several years but more recently VRs with removable optical

media have also emerged. The removable media is in the form of Blu-Ray (BD) and DVD generally referred to as

optical disks. All types of VRs are showing very strong growth according to GfK retail sales data.

Product Coverage

Simple STBs

Digital STBs first became available in Australia in 2001 to coincide with the launch of digital television. In New

Zealand digital television was launched in 2007. Essentially a digital STB is a device that receives and decodes

digital TV broadcasts and produces analogue or digital signals that can be connected to the input of existing TVs

and other display types. Almost all STBs currently sold are HD and have a HDMI interface as well as some form of

analogue interface.

STBs can have a range of options, from the basic box, which allows the user to watch digital TV channels, to those

that include extra options such as Dolby Digital surround sound.

Complex STBs

So called complex STBs are those that are used in the subscription TV industry and contain conditional access to

ensure that there is no unauthorised use of these STBs. The majority of these types of STBs are already covered

under the Australian CSTB Code of Conduct and are not considered in this report.

Recently a regional broadcaster sponsored programme called VAST1 (Viewer Access Satellite Television) has been

introduced which provides the FTA DTV services via satellite. The regional broadcasters have established RBA

Holdings Pty Ltd to manage the application and authorisation for the service. The service is available to those

1 http://www.digitalready.gov.au/what-is-the-switch/VAST-service.aspx

Introduction

http://www.digitalready.gov.au/what-is-the-switch/VAST-service.aspx


viewers who are in black spots for FTA TV reception. These viewers can apply for connection to this service via a

conditional access STB which is activated by RBA Holdings Pty Ltd to allow access. It is estimated that between

250,000- 500,000 units will eventually be deployed Australia wide.

Video Recorders

Video recorders are the group of equipment which receive FTA DTV broadcasts and can record these broadcasts.

Video recorders include Removable Optical Disk recorders (DVD, BD). BD recorders operate in a similar manner

to DVD recorders but have a higher memory capacity allowing them to record high definition programmes which

can be played back on HD TVs.

Solid state recorders have either fixed or removable solid state memory. Although recorders with solid state

removable memory exist, the number of sales for such VRs is limited and GfK data does not distinguish them from

other types of VRs so they are not considered in this report.

Video recording technology is expanding rapidly and has seen the optical disk/HDD become more widely available.

Increasingly, the fixed media recording devices (with HDD) are penetrating the Australian and New Zealand

consumer market. The sale of VRs in Australia are estimated at 300,000 units per annum between 2007 and 2010

(GFK 2009 and GFK 2011) and the population of VRs in Australia is estimated at around 1 Million units in 2010.

Nearly all VRs can receive and decode FTA DTV high definition broadcasts.

Video Cassette Recorders, formally known as VCRs, and are now largely obsolete.

Where to from here

Consultation on this product profile

Readers are asked to comment on a number of aspects in this document, particularly market data and modelling

assumptions, to assist with the formulation of a preferred policy option in future. While we welcome comments on

all aspects of the Product Profile, comments on the Product Profile: Video Recorders and Set Top Boxes –

Key Questions below would be of particular assistance.

Comments and any supporting documents should be emailed to one of the addresses indicated below. The Email

Subject should be titled ‘VIDEO RECORDERS AND SET TOP BOXES PROFILE - Consultation’

The closing date for comments is COB Friday 16 August 2013

Australia

[email protected]

New Zealand

[email protected]

After consultation on the product profile

The evidence in this Product Profile will be reviewed and supplemented in light of any written submissions made

by stakeholders and/or issues raised at stakeholder meetings.

Decisions will then be made on whether to proceed with a proposal for Video Recorders and Set Top Boxes (to improve their energy efficiency) and what the preferred options should be.

If the preferred options involve regulation (e.g. MEPS and/or labelling) a RIS will be prepared to analyse the costs,

benefits, and other impacts of the proposal. Consultation will be undertaken with stakeholders prior to any final

decisions being made.

Final decisions on policy will be made by the Select Council on Climate Change in Australia and by the New

Zealand Cabinet.

Video Recorders and Set Top Boxes Product Profile – Key Questions

• Do you agree with the market data presented for Australia and New Zealand? In particular, do you agree

with the estimates of current and projected stock and sales of Video Recorders and Set Top Boxes? Are

there any products that are only sold in New Zealand or Australia?

• Do you agree with the breakdown of sales between the various product types? Are there any major trends

that are not specified in the product profile for Australia and New Zealand?

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]


• Do you agree with the projected trends? Are the average efficiency, size and operating hours accurately

estimated for Australian and New Zealand?

• Is there a source of sales weighted average efficiency of devices in Australia or New Zealand that can be

used for further analysis?

• What do you think would be the best way for governments to facilitate an increase in the average energy

efficiency of Video Recorders and Set Top Boxes sold?

• Do you think that there is a case for MEPS for Video Recorders and Set Top Boxes and implementing a

government regulated trans-Tasman MEPS?

• Is there a preferred international standard/regulation or protocol that could be used as the basis of a

government regulated MEPS and/or labelling program?

• What additional costs do you think this would place on industry compared to the current situation? What

impact do you think it would have on competition and consumer choice?

• Are there any other issues that may impact on the potential regulation of Video Recorders and Set Top

Boxes?

STB and VR Market Profile Market Profile


Sources of Product

The overwhelming majority of STBs and VRs are manufactured outside of Australia and New Zealand. The market

is dominated by companies based in Japan, Korea and China with the manufacture taking place in a diverse range

of countries, mainly throughout Asia.

The major companies supplying STBs in the Australian market are not the established brand names. The major

brand names such as LG, Panasonic, Sony and Samsung decided a number of years ago to cease supplying STBs in

preference to DVD and BD recorders. More recently these products have incorporated HDDs as well as the Optical

Media. VRs that only have a DVD or BD recording feature have not proved popular and have been or are being

phased out of the market.

Brands that supply STBs include TEAC, Palsonic, Humax and Topfield. So called house brands also feature

significantly in this product category. These same companies also feature strongly in the supply of HDD VRs that

do not have optical disk drives.

The major companies supplying VRs with optical disk drives and HDD in the Australian market are the established

brand names such as LG, Panasonic, Sony, TEAC and Samsung.

The structure of the market in Australia is changing in line with international trends and a larger number of

smaller suppliers are increasing market share. There are also an increasing percentage of models in the GfK data

that are not identified and are shown as “Private Label”. These models are sold direct to the retailers and the

brand is not identified for marketing purposes.

Australian VR Market Growth

The forecasts in this product profile are based on a number of assumptions and like all forecasts the end result will

depend on how robust the assumptions are. For this study low, mid and high growth forecasts have been

produced. They have been produced by considering the growth rate that is clear in the GfK data between 2009 and

2010. Another factor is the market saturation point, that is, how many homes are likely to buy a STB or VR. The

last factor in the assumptions is the life of the product itself.

The actual growth of the VR market between 2009 and 2010 is shown in Table 1.

Table 1: Sales Growth of VRs between 2009 and 2010 (GfK 2009 – 2010)

Product Type Growth

HDD VRs +29.5%

Optical Disks Plus HDD VRs +14.4%

Total VR Growth +19.4%

VRs with HDD have a higher growth rate but VRs with optical disk drives and HDDs still have double digit growth.

This is likely to be because VRs with a DVD or BD as well as a HDD are a newer product and the growth rate has

not peaked yet. It is unlikely that these growth rates would continue in the long term because they will quickly

saturate the market and growth will slow to the level determined by replacement of old units.

STB and VR Market Profile


Table 2 shows the assumptions that have been made for the modelling.

Table 2: Assumptions for Low, Medium and High Market projections for VRs.

Assumption Low Model Mid Model High Model

Growth 2011-2014 = 15%

2015 = 10%

2016 – 2020 = 5% falling to 1%

2011 = 30%

2012 = 25%

2013 – 2014 = 20%

2015 – 2016 = 15%

2017 -2018 = 10%

2019-2020 = 5%

VRs per House Hold 0.5 0.625 0.8

Usable Life 5 Years 5 Years 5 Years

Stock as at 2009 1M 1M 1M

The growth rate is based on the actual growth between 2009 and 2010 and the level of growth that is likely

between 2010 and 2020 to achieve a saturated market at the levels of VRs per household stated for each model.

The usable life has been based on experience with STBs over the last 10 years. The main failures are in the power

supply and the HDD unit. Some replacement will also occur as consumers seek to update their units to newer

technology such as IPTV and MPEG 4 capable STBs and VRs.

The stock levels are based on GfK data from 2003 – 2010.

Figure 1 shows the market trend for STBs and VRs based on GfK data up to 2010 and provides a forecast to 2020.

Figure 1: Low Sales Growth Model for the VR market growth from 2009 with forecast from 2011- 2020

Figure 2: Mid Sales Growth Model for the VR market growth from 2009 with forecast from 2011- 2020

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Figure 3: High Sales Growth Model for the VR market growth from 2009 with forecast from 2011- 2020

These three scenarios have the market saturating between 4 and 6 Million units most of which will be purchased

post 2012.

New Zealand VR Market Growth

A study of the GfK statistics for New Zealand indicates that the VR market is very embryonic with as much as a

400% growth in VRs with HDD between 2009 and 2012. In such a high growth market it is difficult to forecast

accurately. GfK data to 2008 indicated that video cassette recorders were owned by 60% of households. If the

ultimate take up of VRs is the same then by 2020 it is likely that over 1 Million VRs would be in use in New

Zealand.

STB Market in Australia

The market for STBs fell by 17.8% between 2009 and 2010. The decrease in the market for STBs is probably due to

two reasons. The first is the conversion to digital signal is nearing completion with all analogue signals due to be

turned off by the end of 2013. The Digital Tracker research that is produced by the Digital Switchover Task Force2

showed that even by 2010 around 85% of households in Australia had converted to digital TV (DTV). This means

that the need for simple set top boxes has been rapidly diminishing. A second factor is the decrease in the relative

price between a simple STB and a VR with an HDD which works as an STB but with the additional recording

capability may have drawn sales away from STBs and toward HDD VRs.

Post 2013 STB sales will fall dramatically as the demand for terrestrial DTV STBs ends. There will be sales

continuing of non-subscription satellite services. These services are predominantly foreign language services from

Asia and the Middle East. Sales would be expected to be much lower than the current level of around 800,000.

It is likely that other forms of STBs will emerge such as IPTV STBs. Sales of this type of STB are hard to estimate

particularly as TVs are now emerging with internet interfaces and can be connected directly to IPTV services. It is

also likely that these types of STBs will have recording capability and would actually be captured as VRs.

Other factors such as the introduction of MPEG 4 and DVB-T2 services may also create new markets for STBs to

enable MPEG 2 and DVB-T TVs to receive these broadcasts. As there are no clear plans to introduce these

broadcasts they are not covered in this report and any forecast would be purely speculation.

2 Part of the Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy.

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http://www.digitalready.gov.au/getattachment/fe2a0455-77c8-485d-b047-18588b64fe79/Quarter-1,-2011-Summary-Report;;


Figure 4: STB Market decline 2009 to 2010

This forecast does not include IPTV STBs and shows the market declining to around 100,000 units by 2020. In

terms of cumulative units the stock is peaking between 2011 and 2013 at close to 4 Million units and then begins to

reduce to less than 1 Million in 2020.

STB Market in New Zealand

The STB market in New Zealand is more complicated than in Australia. Digital switchover began in New Zealand

in 2012 and is expected to be completed in late 2013. 89% of households had converted to digital TV in 2012.

New Zealand MEPS for set top boxes was introduced in June 2011 for non-recording, MPEG2 models. Sky TV

dominates the market with over 840,000 subscriptions in 2012, and they signed up to the Voluntary Code for

complex set top boxes in 2011. However competition from free to air television is strong, in 2013, 52% of

households had a Freeview STB, and some Freeview STBs also meet the requirements of the Voluntary Code.

These are promoted on the Freeview website with the „Freeview energy efficient‟ logo. Free to air digital TV

services are provided on both terrestrial and satellite platforms. MPEG4 technology is used for FTA terrestrial

STB‟s. Pay TV models include MPEG4 terrestrial and high definition satellite STB models. Due to New Zealand‟s

geography householders in some regions must have satellite tuners to get TV reception. There were 48,975 digital

satellite STBs sold in 2009 and 39,280 in 2010. Demand seems to be high for video recorders and is likely to

increase.

Product Coverage

The video recorders tested include the following:

• Simple STBs with USB recording capability

• Video Recorders that contain Hard Disk Drives

• Video Recorders that contain optical disc recorder (DVD) recorders and Hard Disk Drives

• Video Recorders that contain Blue-ray (BD) recorders and Hard Disk Drives.

All video recorders tested were manufactured outside Australia. The market is dominated by companies based in

Japan, Korea and China with the manufacture taking place in a diverse range of countries, mainly throughout Asia.

Energy Consumption

Home electronics are estimated to be responsible for at least 5% of household energy consumption in Australia,

making it larger than the combined energy consumption of clothes washers, dishwashers and dryers (based on EES

2008)3.

The International Energy Agency (IEA)4 estimates that overall, home electronics and ICT products accounted for

15% of global residential energy consumption (700TWh), and that energy use from these devices will increase

3 http://www.climatechange.gov.au/what-you-need-to-know/buildings/publications/energy-use.aspx 4 http://www.iea.org/aboutus/faqs/energyefficiency/

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threefold by 2030, and are likely to comprise the biggest end-use category in many countries before 2020. The

video recorders considered here are a major part of this overall category.



Description of Video Recorders Tested

Eleven units were tested of which nine had hard drives and two were STBs with USB recording capability. The

hard disk drive (HDD) capacity varied from 160 GB to 1 TB. This information is summarised in Table 3.

Table 3: Video Recorders and STBs tested.

Model Make Type HDD Capacity DVD or BD Number of Tuners

HDSTB210 Palsonic STB USB required N/A 1

HHR787 Healing DVR 500GB N/A 2

SRT5495A Strong DVR 500GB N/A 2

HDR2700T TEAC DVR 500GB N/A 2

DMR-PWT500GL Panasonic DVR 320GB Both 2

HDB849 TEAC STB USB required N/A 1

BD-8900A Samsung BD-HDD Combo 1 TB Both 2

RDR-HDC300 Sony DVD-HDD Combo 320GB DVD 1

RH397D LG DVD-HDD Combo 160GB DVD 1

HR698D LG BD-HDD Combo 250GB Both 2

HDR-7500T HUMAX DVR 1 TB N/A 2

A mix of brands was selected to ensure a good selection of well-known and lesser known brands were tested. The

selection included a mix of BD and DVD combination units as they are becoming popular choices of recording

devices. Finally video recorders with only HDD recording were also included as they also represent popular

consumer choices for both recording and displaying DTV broadcasts on an analogue television. All the VRs tested

were capable of decoding high definition (HD) television signals.

Standards available for Video Recorder Power Consumption Testing

The only Australian Standard identified for testing video recorder power consumption was AS/NZS 62087.1:2010.

This standard is based on IEC 62087 Ed 2. The section of AS/NZS 62087 that covers video recorders was found to

be more concerned with VCRs and had not been updated for over 10 years. Therefore the standard was inadequate

to cover the range of measurements that needed to be made with current VRs.

IEC 62087 Ed 3:2011 was studied as it contained an update to the power measurement of STBs that covered STBs

with HDDs which is one of the categories of product covered by this document

This study identified that with little modification all the operating modes of the Video Recorders were covered in

the STB section of IEC 62087 Ed3 with the exception of recording and playing optical disks. Using IEC 62087 Ed3

as the basic measuring standard and adding measurements for the optical disk operation produced an acceptable

test method. Appendix A contains the measuring method used for the testing. The IEC TC 100 committee is

currently revising IEC 62087 to update the video recorder section. The CD draft for this work is currently being

circulated and is strongly based on the STB method of power measurement in IEC 62087 Ed3. For these reasons

the IEC 62087 Ed3 was selected as the test method for STBs and VRs with the proposed Ed 4 requirements for VRs

with removable Optical Media.

STB and VR Power Testing


Standards available for Set Top Box Testing

IEC 62087 Ed3:2011 was studied for its applicability to measure the power consumption of STBs. Ed3 of this

standard specifically addressed and updated the section on STBs. Other test methods were also considered

including Energy Star, European Voluntary agreement and the Australian CSTB CoC. The Australian CSTB CoC

test method and efficiency levels are also used in New Zealand where it is known as the Voluntary Code for

Complex STBs. The Australian CSTB CoC and Energy Star test methods are very similar to the IEC 62087 Ed3.

Adoption of IEC 62087 Ed3 is currently under discussion for use in the Australian CSTB CoC.

Power Modes

Table 4 shows the power modes for VRs from IEC 62087. To make some of the terminology clearer for the testing

in this report some of the modes have been clarified. This is shown in the third column of Table 4. Most of the

clarification is concerned with examples of VR activity in the respective power modes.

Table 4: VR Power modes

Mode Video recording equipment (e.g. VCR)

Comment

Disconnected The appliance is disconnected from all external power sources

Off The appliance is connected to a power source, does not perform any mechanical function (e.g. playing, recording) and cannot be switched into any other mode with the remote control unit, an external or internal signal

Standby-passive

The appliance is connected to a power source, does not perform any mechanical function (e.g. playing, recording), does not produce video or audio output signals but can be switched into another mode with the remote control unit or an internal signal

This is the most common form of standby for STBs and VRs. This mode covers VRs that have been programmed to record a future programme and are waiting for a timer to signal that the recording is due and turn on the VR to record.

Standby- active, low

and can additionally be switched into another mode with an external signal

This is not a common mode for terrestrial FTA VRs

Standby-active, high

and is exchanging/ receiving data with/from an external source

This would cover downloading Electronic Programme Guides.

On(Play) The appliance is connected to a power source and plays the disc inside the appliance or a pre-recorded programme

On(Broadcast) The appliance is performing the function of providing a viewer with video and audio from a broadcast.

On(Record) The appliance is connected to a power source and records a signal from an external or internal source

This could include copying HDD programmes to a DVD or BD.

On(Multifunction) The appliance is performing multiple functions simultaneously

For example recording one programme at the same time as playing a previously recorded programme

Test Process

Testing for STBs and VRs was done according to IEC 62087 Ed3:2011 Section 8. This is the latest international

standard for STB testing. For the VRs this included the testing for multiple tuner operation including multiple

recording and playback.


Figure 5: Test set up.

Test Results and Analysis

Test Results

Unless otherwise stated all test results are measured in Watts (W)

Set Top Box (STB) Standby Results

The results of the STB standby power measurements are shown in Table 5.

Table 5: Set Top Box Standby Results

Model Make Passive Standby Standby PF

HDSTB210 Palsonic 0.52 0.3

HDB849 TEAC 0.53 0.22

The results are well within the 1W limit specified in the MEPS for STBs in AS/NZS 62087.2.1.

Video Recorder Standby Test Results

The standby results for video recorders are shown in Table 6.


Table 6: Video Recorder Standby Test Results

Model Type Standby PF Standby(Recording Programmed) PF

HHR787 DVR 0.64 0.17 0.64 0.17

SRT5495A DVR 0.66 0.22 0.62 0.22

HDR2700T DVR 0.70 0.17 12.15 0.49

HDR-7500T DVR 0.83 0.14 0.83 0.14

DMR-PWT500GL BD-HDD Combo 1.12 0.28 1.13 0.28

BD-8900A BD-HDD Combo 1.48 0.25 1.49 0.25

RDR-HDC300 DVD-HDD Combo 3.37 0.39 3.35 0.39

RH397D DVD-HDD Combo 2.78 0.35 2.78 0.35

HR698D BD-HDD Combo 0.78 0.19 0.78 0.16

These results show that except for the HR698D the VRs with BD or DVD disks performed worse for standby than

the VRs that only had a HDD. The passive standby mode was activated by programming a recording 2 hours into

the future and then turning the VR into standby. As is evident from the results three of the four VRs with only

HDD had an active standby similar to the passive standby whereas the model HDR2700 was considerably higher at

12.15W.

The VRs with optical disks all had similar active standby power consumption as their passive standby

consumption. This would suggest that all VRs except the HDR2700T have a low power wake up processor that

stores the time for the recording and will switch the recorder on at that time to record the programme. As is shown

in the next section the active standby for the HDR2700T is only 0.6W lower than the on mode. This would

indicate that in active standby this VR is only muting audio and blanking video.

On Mode Test Results

Table 7 and Table 8 show the On mode results for the STBs and VRs tested. For this test the On(Broadcast) mode was

used. The output was connected to the display via HDMI cable. The Power Factor (PF) was also shown for

information.

The results show that for On(Broadcast) the STBs were well within the allowable On(Broadcast) for STBs as specified in

AS/NZS 62087.2.1. Both these STBs are High Definition and given the passive standby mode results for them they

would have a base allowance of 15 Watts.

Table 7: Set Top Box On(Broadcast) Test results

Model On PF

HDSTB210 5.42 0.50

HDB849 7.30 0.50


Table 8: Video Recorder On(Broadcast) Test Results

Model Type On PF

HHR787 DVR-HDD Only 11.98 0.54

SRT5495A DVR-HDD Only 20.30 0.57

HDR2700T DVR-HDD Only 12.75 0.50

HDR-7500T DVR-HDD Only 19.81 0.53

DMR-PWT500GL BD-HDD Combo 20.51 0.56

BD-8900A BD-HDD Combo 24.80 0.59

RDR-HDC300 DVD-HDD Combo 18.77 0.57

RH397D DVD-HDD Combo 22.41 0.54

HR698D BD-HDD Combo 20.08 0.58

Figure 6: The spread of On(Broadcast) Power consumption for the categories of VRs.

Figure 6 shows graphically the spread of power consumption for the three categories of VR. What is clear is the

VRs with optical disks are consuming somewhat more power than VRs that do not have optical disks. It is also

clear that VRs without optical drives have a larger spread of power consumption than VRs with optical drives. The

reason for this is unclear as the optical drives are not being operated in this mode. One explanation for the power

difference between the units could be whether the HDD is spinning regardless of any recording activity. However,

other studies have concluded that the power consumption of a spinning disk drive should be less than 5W.5

It also seems that DVD combo types consume a little less power than BD combo types.

On(Record) and On(Play) Modes for the VRs that only had a HDD

Table 9 shows the results for the differing recording and playback modes and combinations.

5 ADT APEC study Feb 2011

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Min


Table 9: On(Play) and On(Record) modes for the VRs that only had a HDD.

Model

On Mode (No Recording or Playback)

On Record 1 Program

On Record 2 Program

Playback recording

Playback and record

Playback and record 2

Maximum difference

HHR787 11.98 12.94 13.21 12.52 13.24 13.27 1.29

SRT5495A 20.30 21.44 21.48 21.39 21.52 21.81 1.51

HDR2700T 12.75 12.79 12.93 13.18 13.24 13.27 0.52

HDR-7500T 19.81 20.48 20.68 20.08 20.38 20.57 0.76

The power difference between the On Mode and the other recording and playback modes is between 0.52W and

1.51W. This is significantly lower than what would be expected for the spinning of the HDD so it can be assumed

that the HDDs are spinning whether recording and/or playback is operating.

On(Record) and On(Play) Modes for the VRs that had a HDD and an optical disk

Table 10 shows the results for the differing recording and playback modes and combinations.

Table 10: On(Play) and On(Record) modes for the VRs that had an optical disk feature and a HDD

Model

On Mode (No Recording or Playback) On Record

Playback recording

Playback and record


On Disc Playing

Disc Playing and Record

Disc Playing and 2 Recording

DMR-PWT500GL 20.63 20.82 16.91 20.68 20.82 19.97 25.48 25.596

BD-8900A 26.04 26.11 25.88 26.14 26.22 26.32 27.18 N/A

RDR-HDC300 19.30 N/A 19.15 19.26 N/A 23.43 24.48 N/A

RH397D 23.19 N/A 22.56 23.22 N/A 24.33 24.94 N/A

HR698D 20.27 20.51 20.31 20.60 20.73 23.50 23.61 23.745

Figure 7 shows the comparison of the power use of the VRs that had an optical disk drive. Where a bar is missing

for a particular mode it is because for that VR the mode did not exist. The most common reason for this is where

the number of tuners is limited to one so only one programme can be recorded or viewed at once.

What the chart shows is that for two of the five VRs there is a significant increase in power consumption when the

optical disk is activated. One of these models is a BD (HR698D) and the other is a DVD (RDR-HDC300) so the

increase is not explained by the type of optical drive. Three of the VRs show little difference when the optical drive

is activated. What is also clear is that there is up to about a 7 W difference between the lowest and highest power

consumption (models BD8900A and RDR-HDC300).

One model also shows a significant increase when the optical drive is operating and at least one programme is

being recorded while the other four do not.

These results indicate that there may be power management strategies that could be adopted to produce better

energy performance.


Figure 7: Chart of the power use of recording and playback modes for VRs with optical Disk Drives

Comparison of power consumption verses HDD Capacity.

Figure 8 shows the power consumption for On Mode and Record Mode by HDD Capacity.

Figure 8: On(Record) and On(Play) power consumption verses HDD Capacity

The chart does not show any significant trend between the disk size and the associated power consumption. The

highest power consumption is for one of the 1 TB HDDs but the other 1 TB HDD is consuming less power than the

160 GB drive and the lowest power consumption is actually being achieved with a 500GB HDD. The second

highest power consumption is from the 160 GB drive.

This means that it will not be wise to try and separate product into categories based on HDD capacity.

Comparison of power consumption for VRs with and without Optical Disk Drives

Figure 9 shows the power consumption of VRs with and without optical disk drives.

0

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VR Model

Power Consumption of Recording and Playback Modes for VRs with Optical Disk Drives

On Record 1 Programme

On Record 2 Programmes

Playback recording

Playback and record


On Disc Playing

Disc Playing and Record

Disc Playing and 2 Recording

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On and Record Power Consumption vs HDD Capacity

On Mode

Record Mode


Figure 9: Comparison of power consumption for VRs with only a HDD and those with an Optical Disk

Drive.

Although the models with an optical disk drive exhibit on average higher power consumption some are actually

below some of the models that do not have an optical disk drive. It may be also hard to categorise VRs on the basis

of whether they have an optical disk drive. An alternative scheme is presented in the conclusions section.

05

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Power Consumption of Optical and Non Optical Models

Series1



Proposed Energy Use Profile

Australian Code of Conduct for CSTB

The Australian Code of Conduct for CSTBs is based on the European Union voluntary code. It contains functional

adders that can form the basis for the allowances applicable to VRs for such features as recording. As will be

discussed below the base allowance needs to be reviewed for terrestrial DTV STBs as does allowances for AVC and

HD but essentially the CSTB CoC can be applied to determine the TEC limits for the range of products from STBs

to VR with and without removable optical media.

STB measurements compared to existing programmes

Testing of two STBs produced the results shown in Table 11.

These results are much lower than the requirements of AS/NZS 62087.2.1 and also much lower than the

requirements of the Australian Code of Conduct for CSTB or the European Union voluntary code.

Table 11: Measured results for the two STBs tested.

Model Make Standby (W) On (W)

Projected TEC (kWh/Year) with APD

Projected TEC (kWh/Year) without APD

HDSTB210 Palsonic 0.52 5.42 10.25 18.84

HDB849 TEAC 0.53 7.30 13.37 25.04

The projected TEC figures are based on automatic power down (APD) being a MEPS requirement for STBs. This is

becoming a standard requirement in many programmes for HE equipment particularly Europe. The CSTB factors

in a 4.5 hour APD switch off time for STBs with this feature and this is the value that has been factored in for the

projected total energy consumption (TEC) with APD. The figure for TEC without APD is based on the CSTB on

time of 9 hours.

These STBs are high definition (HD) so the measured values factor in HD operation.

Table 12: Base functionality for the Australian Code of Conduct for CSTB and European Union voluntary

agreement

Base Functionality

Tier 2.5 Annual (1st Jan 2016)

Energy Allowance

(kWh/year)

Cable (KWh/year) 50

Satellite (KWh/year) 50

IP (KWh/year) 40

Terrestrial (KWh/year) 45

Thin-Client/Remote 40

Table 12 shows the CSTB base allowance. It is clear from the table that the allowance for a terrestrial is only

slightly lower than the satellite and cable STB allowance. The CSTB has not been reviewed for the terrestrial

operation as the participants in the CSTB are at present all broadcasting on a satellite, or on a limited basis, a cable

platform. Cable and Satellite STBs used by the subscription broadcasters have conditional access which currently

requires an active standby mode to maintain its integrity. Terrestrial broadcasting does not require this so the

standby power is much lower. It appears that the terrestrial allowance has factored in either a much higher

STB and VR Energy Use Modelling


standby power or a much higher On mode power. It seems evident that the terrestrial allowance needs to be

reviewed to be consistent with the measured results.

Table 13: Additional function Allowances for the Australian Code of Conduct for CSTB.

Additional Functionalities

Tier 2.5

kWh/Year

Additional Tuners 14

Adv. Video Processing 0

DVR 18

Digital Modem 35

Home Network Interface

18

High Definition 14

Multi-Room 12

Table 13 shows the CSTB allowances for additional functions. Clearly there is an allowance for HD which would

increase the base allowance by another 14 kWh which from the measurements does not appear necessary. Also the

additional power required for a hard drive is between 3W and 5W6. The current allowance seems to be predicated

on no APD. If APD was a requirement then this allowance would be between 8W and 10W.

Table 14: Energy Star V47 Base Allowance.

Base Functionality

Version 4.0 Allowance (kWh/year)

Cable 45

Satellite 50

Cable DTA 25

Internet Protocol (IP) 25

Terrestrial 18

Thin-client / Remote 20

Table 14 shows the base allowances for Energy Star. The terrestrial allowance is considerably smaller than the

CSTB and is more consistent with the measurements for the STBs tested in the power testing section of this profile.

Given the terrestrial allowance is applicable from July 2013 and any regulation for Australia would be unlikely to

apply before 2015 there is scope to further reduce the allowance.

6 ADT Testing for APP tear down analysis 2011. 7

http://www.energystar.gov/ia/partners/prod_development/revisions/downloads/settop_boxes/ENERGY_STAR_STB_Final_Version

_4_Specification.pdf


Table 15: Energy Star Additional Functions Allowance.

Additional Functionality

Version 4.0 Allowance (kWh/year)

Advanced Video Processing 8

CableCARD 15

Digital Video Recorder (DVR) 36

DOCSIS® 15

High Definition (HD) 16

Home Network Interface 8

Multi-room 30

Multi-stream – Cable/Satellite 8

Multi-stream – Terrestrial/IP 6

Removable Media Player 8

Removable Media Player / Recorder 10

Table 155 shows additional allowances for Energy Star. Again given that the measured results include HD and the

CSTB will not have an allowance for AVC from 2016 it seems that these allowances are much higher than they need

to be.

These results are much lower than the requirements of AS/NZS 62087.2.1 and also much lower than the

requirements of the Australian Code of Conduct for CSTB or the European Union voluntary code.

Allowances used for BAU Modelling.

Table 16 show the allowances used for the BAU Modelling.

Table 16: Allowances for BAU modelling.

Allowance Type Allowance Level

kWh/Year

Base Allowance 15

Additional Tuners 7

Adv. Video Processing 0

DVR 8

Home Network Interface

18

High Definition 0

The allowances have been calculated based on the measurements of the two STBs tested and available information

on how much power the features are like to require. They are also predicated on APD being a requirement for any

implemented programme which means that the On mode time per day is restricted to 4.5 Hours if no one is

watching the .STB services.

The additional tuner allowance may actually be considerably smaller or eliminated by the emergence of broadband

tuners that remove the need for additional tuners to tune more than one channel.


An allowance for an optical disk drive has not been provided as it is not clear what this allowance should be. As

can be seen from Part 1 for a number of DVD/BD recorders there was no difference in the power consumption

whether the DVD/BD disk was playing or not. Also it is clear from the Top Runner program in Japan8 that average

BD/DVD disk use is only about one hour per day so the contribution to energy use is actually very small. A

determination on this allowance can be made at a future time.

General

This BAU modelling has used the allowances as explained in the previous section and the market data provided in

Part 2 of this report. The three scenarios from part 2 have been modelled for VRs based on a regulatory framework

from late 2014 which is the earliest practical year any regulation could be developed and implemented.

Table 17 shows the conversion factors to derive the CO2 emissions for each year. These are the same as those used

for the CSTB BAU modelling. As the CSTB CoC is the only other programme in Australia that covers STBs with

recording capability is seems useful to use the same conversion figures.

The TEC for each unit tested has been calculated and then the average for the STBs and VRs has been used to

calculate the energy use for each of the three scenarios. The VRs have not been split into those with and without

optical disk drives because the relative proportion of the population in 2010 for each type cannot be readily

determined. The average of all VRs is a reasonable representation of the overall energy use.

Table 17: Energy use CO2 conversion factors for each year.9

Year kg/kWh

2009 0.99

2010 0.98

2011 0.96

2012 0.95

2013 0.93

2014 0.92

2015 0.90

2016 0.88

2017 0.86

2018 0.85

2019 0.83

BAU for STBsTable 18 shows the cumulative energy consumption for terrestrial DTV STBs to 2020. As was

discussed in Part 2 of this report the sales of terrestrial DTV STBs will start to decline as the switchover to DTV is

completed. It is possible that depending on the introduction of new technologies such as MPEG 4 and DVB-T2

that new terrestrial STB markets will be established to provide these services to TVs without these features through

interfaces such as HDMI. It is not possible, however, to model the emergence of such STBs as the level of

uncertainty of how and when such services will emerge is at present too high. IPTV STBs are already available but

again at this time it is too uncertain to model this market.

Table 18: Cumulative Energy Consumption for STBs to 2020

Years 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

MEPS (GWh) 79.6 87.6 88.6 89.7 85.8 69.3 53.0 40.0 29.5 21.2 14.4 11.6

BAU (GWh) 79.6 87.6 88.6 89.7 85.8 69.3 55.5 44.4 35.6 28.5 22.9 18.3

Figure 10: Chart for the cumulative BAU vs. Proposed MEPS limits for terrestrial DTV STB Power Consumption.

8 http://www.eceee.org/eceee_events/product_efficiency_08/programme_presentations/Kodaka_TopRunnerProgram.pdf 9 Sourced from the BAU modelling for the Australian CSTB CoC.


It is clear that this diminishing market is not contributing to an increased energy use.

Table 19: Terrestrial DTV STBs: CO2 emissions.

Years 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

MEPS CO2 (kt) 79.1 85.9 85.4 85.0 80.0 63.5 47.7 35.3 25.5 18.0 12.0 9.4

BAU CO2 (kt) 79.1 85.9 85.4 85.0 80.0 63.5 50.0 39.2 30.8 24.2 19.0 14.9

Figure 11: Cumulative BAU vs. Proposed MEPS Limits for terrestrial DTV STB CO2 emissions.

Although this modelling would suggest that terrestrial DTV STBs are in decline and not contributing significantly

to either energy use or CO2 emissions they do form the basis for the base power consumption for VRs. It is also

likely that as MPEG 4 and DVB-T2 services are introduced that new STBs will emerge to make these services

available on the current generation of TVs that do not have these capabilities.

The IPTV market will also continue to grow. As these markets develop modelling of the markets, the energy use

and the CO2 emissions will become possible.

For these reasons it seems prudent to keep terrestrial DTV STB MEPS limits in the proposed MEPS limits for VRs

so that timely action can be taken to update them when and if it becomes evident that new types of STBs are

emerging and impacting more on energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

BAU for the Low Growth Scenario

Table 20: Energy Use for the Low Growth Scenario.

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

MEPS GWh 106.0 117.9 134.1 155.2 182.0 215.2 224.8 234.6 243.6 251.0 256.3 259.9

BAU GWh 106.0 117.9 134.1 155.2 182.0 215.2 236.4 258.4 278.2 294.7 306.5 314.5

Table 20 shows the energy use for the low growth scenario. For this scenario the energy use increases until the

MEPS become effective in late 2014. After this point the energy use reduces as VRs are replaced with more energy

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efficient units. This decline reduces toward 2020 as the market becomes saturated resulting in sales of new units

being made to only replace existing VRs with similar energy efficiency characteristics. If a second tier of MEPS was

introduced in 2017 then additional savings post 2017 would be expected..

By 2020 the cumulative energy savings would be 54.6 GWh. At 2910 cents/kW this would total around

$63.4 Million.

Figure 12: BAU vs. Proposed MEPS limits for power consumption – Low Growth Model.

Table 21: CO2 emissions for a Low Growth Scenario.

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

MEPS CO2 kt 105.3 115.5 129.3 147.2 169.6 197.2 202.4 207.1 210.6 212.6 212.5 210.8

BAU CO2 kt 105.3 115.5 129.3 147.2 169.6 197.2 212.9 228.1 240.6 249.6 254.1 255.1

10Australian Energy Markets Commission AEMC (2011) 2013/2014 Projections

100.0

150.0

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350.0

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MEPS

BAU


Figure 13: BAU vs. Proposed MEPS Limits for CO2 emissions – Low Growth Model.

Figure 13 shows the

cumulative CO2 savings to 2020. The cumulative savings of co2 for the low growth scenario is 184.4 kTon of CO2.

BAU for the Medium Growth Scenario

Table 22: Energy Use for the Mid Growth Scenario.

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

MEPS GWh 106.0 117.9 137.0 164.9 201.7 249.1 265.1 282.2 298.6 313.9 326.8 337.0

BAU GWh 106.0 117.9 137.0 164.9 201.7 249.1 284.6 322.6 359.0 393.0 421.7 444.4

Table 22: Energy Use for the Mid Growth Scenario. shows the energy use for the low growth scenario. For this

scenario the energy use stabilises after the MEPS becomes effect effective in 2015. This is due to older less efficient

STB being replaced after 2015 and the population of STBs still increasing with greater market penetration. If a

second tier of MEPS was introduced in 2018 then there would be additional savings expected beyond 2018.

By 2020 the cumulative energy savings would be 401.7 GWh. At a minimum project cost of 2911 cents/kWh this

would total around $117 Million.

Figure 14: BAU vs. Proposed MEPS Limits for Power Consumption – Mid Growth Model.

Table 23:CO2 emissions for Mid Growth Scenario.

11

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MEPS Co2

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MEPS

BAU


Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

MEPS CO2 kt 105.3 115.5 132.0 156.3 188.0 228.3 238.7 249.1 258.2 265.9 270.9 273.4

BAU CO2 kt 105.3 115.5 132.0 156.3 188.0 228.3 256.3 284.7 310.5 332.9 349.6 360.5

Figure 15: BAU vs. Proposed MEPS Limits for CO2 emissions – Mid Growth Model.

Australian Energy Markets Commission AEMC (2011) 2013/2014 projections

Figure 15 shows the cumulative CO2 savings to 2020. The cumulative savings of CO2 for the mid growth scenario

are 338.3 kt of CO2.

BAU for the High Growth ScenarioTable 24 and

100.0

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350.0

400.0

kTo

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BAU vs MEPS CO2 Emissions Mid Growth Model

MEPS Co2

BAU Co2


Figure 16 show the energy use for the high growth scenario. For this scenario, for the same reason as for the mid

growth scenario, the energy use stabilises after the MEPS becomes effect effective in 2014. Again, if a second tier

of MEPS was introduced in 2018 then there would be additional savings expected beyond 2018.

Table 24: Energy Use for the High Growth Scenario.

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

MEPS GWh 106.0 117.9 138.4 168.1 207.0 257.0 274.1 291.9 310.7 329.3 347.2 363.1

BAU GWh 106.0 117.9 138.4 168.1 207.0 257.0 295.0 334.5 376.2 417.5 457.4 492.6


Figure 16: BAU vs. Proposed MEPS Limits for Energy Consumption – High Growth Model.

By 2020 the cumulative energy savings would be 457 GWh. At 2912 cents/kWh this would represent a saving of

around 133 Million Dollars.

Table 25: CO2 emissions for a High Growth Scenario.

Year 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020

MEPS CO2 kt 105.3 115.5 133.4 159.3 193.0 235.5 246.9 257.7 268.7 278.9 287.9 294.5

BAU CO2 kt 105.3 115.5 133.4 159.3 193.0 235.5 265.7 295.3 325.4 353.6 379.2 399.6

Figure 17: BAU vs. Proposed MEPS Limits for CO2 emissions – High Growth Model.

Figure 17 shows the cumulative CO2 savings to 2020. The cumulative savings of co2 for the high growth scenario

are 384 kt of CO2.

12 Australian Energy Markets Commission AEMC (2011) 2013/2014 Projections

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MEPS Co2

BAU Co2



VR Market

The VR market is growing significantly and is expected to continue well into the future as consumers see benefit in

the recording features that they offer. High in importance is the ability to time shift programmes so that they can

be viewed at a more suitable time than when they were broadcast. The recorders also offer the ability to series

record so that no episode of a series is missed. This also allows the viewer to watch the series again. VRs with

optical disk also offer the ability to move recordings to DVD or BD disks for archiving. The combination of these

benefits would indicate that the market for VRs is strong and will get stronger.

It is expected that by 2020 the VR market in Australia will be between 800,000 and 1,400,000 units annually and

the stock allowing for replacement will be 4 and 6 Million. The stock as at 2012 is around 2 Million so between 2

and 4 Million units will be added before 2020.

DTV STB Market

In Australia and New Zealand, the demand for STBs has been fundamentally tied to the switchover from analogue

to digital TV. This process is nearing completion and all TVs now sold in Australia and New Zealand have digital

tuners. The market for simple STBs therefore has now begun a sharp decline and will become a market for FTA

satellite services by 2020. By 2020 there will be less than 100,000 units sold annually and the stock will have

declined to around 800,000.

IPTV STB Market

It is difficult to estimate this market as it is very embryonic. It is clear, however, that it is likely to grow quite

significantly. With 8 Million households in Australia even if penetration is at the level of subscription television it

is likely that the market will be at least 3 Million by 2020.

Power Test Results

The following conclusions have been drawn from the discussion of the power testing results;

• STBs can achieve significantly better power consumption than the current MEPS requires.

• It is difficult to categorise VRs based on their functional attributes such as Optical Drives or HDD capacity.

• A VR is basically an STB with additional recording functions so the Australian Conditional Access STB Code of

Conduct can be used as a basis for MEPS.

• Given the better than expected performance of STBs the terrestrial allowance for the Australian Conditional

Access STB Code of Conduct needs to be reviewed.

There is scope for better power management with regard to tuners and HDD operation.

Proposed model for VR and STB power consumption and adders

The basic element of a VR is a tuner and decoder chip set. This is functionally the same as used for an STB. What

distinguishes a VR from an STB is the additional tuners and recording mechanism that allow the recording and/or

playback of multiple programmes. In the case of VRs that have optical drives the distinguishing feature is the

optical drive and the additional components that make that drive functional. Nearly all VRs have at least a HDD.

As will be seen in Part 2 of this profile there is little market evidence of VRs that only contain an optical disk drive.

Rather than trying to categorise VRs by the HDD capacity or the type of recorder in them it is proposed that the

same approach be taken as for the Australian Conditional Access STB Code of Conduct which provides a base level

Conclusions


for a receiver (STB) and then applies adders to make allowances for the increased functionality for the various

forms of VRs.

It is also recommended that this approach be a TEC approach as in the Australian Conditional Access STB Code of

Conduct.

Given the power consumption measurements for the STBs it is also clear that the base and additional allowances

for free to air terrestrial based VRs in the Australian Conditional Access STB Code of Conduct needs to be

reviewed.

Table 26 shows a summary of the savings for the three growth scenarios. Clearly even for the low growth case

there are significant savings to be made. For the high growth scenario the case for MEPS is even more compelling.

Table 26: Summary of Cumulative Savings for VRs to 2020 for the Three Growth Scenarios

Growth Scenario Energy Saving CO2 Saving Cost saving @ 29c/kWh13

Low 218.6 GWh 184.4 kt $63.4 M

Mid 401.7 GWh 338.3 kt $117 M

High 457.1 GWh 384.4 kt $133.3 M

From the analysis it is clear that the terrestrial base allowance needs to be reviewed both within the Australian

CSTB CoC and more broadly internationally in the EU Voluntary Code.

It is also clear that given the declining market for terrestrial broadcast STBs that there may be little to gain in more

stringent MEPS levels. However, this needs to be considered in the light of new types of STBs emerging such as

IPTV types and STBs that can decode MPEG 4 or receive DVB T2 transmissions which can be used with TVs

without these features to receive these services when they are offered in the future. For this reason there may still

be good reason to include STBs and ensure that any new emerging technology STBs have appropriate MEPS levels.

13 Australian Energy Markets Commission AEMC (2011) 2013/2014 Projections



INTERNATIONAL ELECTROTECHNICAL COMMISSION ____________

METHODS OF MEASUREMENT FOR THE POWER CONSUMPTION

OF AUDIO, VIDEO AND RELATED EQUIPMENT – PART N, VIDEO RECORDERS WITH REMOVEABLE MEDIA.

FOREWORD

1) The International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) is a worldwide organization for standardization comprising all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees). The object of IEC is to promote international co-operation on all questions concerning standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and in addition to other activities, IEC publishes International Standards, Technical Specifications, Technical Reports, Publicly Available Specifications (PAS) and Guides (hereafter referred to as “IEC Publication(s)”). Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees; any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also participate in this preparation. IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two organizations.

2) The formal decisions or agreements of IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible, an international consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has representation from all interested IEC National Committees.

3) IEC Publications have the form of recommendations for international use and are accepted by IEC National Committees in that sense. While all reasonable efforts are made to ensure that the technical content of IEC Publications is accurate, IEC cannot be held responsible for the way in which they are used or for any misinterpretation by any end user.

4) In order to promote international uniformity, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC Publications transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and regional publications. Any divergence between any IEC Publication and the corresponding national or regional publication shall be clearly indicated in the latter.

5) IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible for any equipment declared to be in conformity with an IEC Publication.

6) All users should ensure that they have the latest edit ion of this publication.

7) No liability shall attach to IEC or its directors, employees, servants or agents including individual experts and members of its technical committees and IEC National Committees for any personal injury, property damage or other damage of any nature whatsoever, whether direct or indirect, or for costs (including legal fees) and expenses arising out of the publication, use of, or reliance upon, this IEC Publication or any other IEC Publications.

8) Attention is drawn to the normative references cited in this publication. Use of the referenced publications is indispensable for the correct application of this publication.

9) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this IEC Publication may be the subject of patent rights. IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

International Standard IEC 62087 has been prepared by technical area 12: Energy Efficiency for equipment covered by IEC technical committee 100: Audio, video and multimedia systems and equipment.

Appendix A: IEC STB Power Measurement

Method.


CDV Report on voting

Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on voting indicated in the above table.

This publication has been drafted in accordance with the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.

The committee has decided that the contents of this publication will remain unchanged until the maintenance result date

14 indicated on the IEC web site under "http://webstore.iec.ch" in the data

related to the specific publication. At this date, the publication will be

• reconfirmed;

• withdrawn;

• replaced by a revised edition, or

• amended.

A bilingual version of this publication may be issued at a later date.

14 The National Committees are requested to note that for this publication the maintenance result date is 2013.

http://webstore.iec.ch/


INTRODUCTION

This part of IEC 62087 Ed4 specifies methods of measurement for the power consumption of video recorders with removable media for consumer use.

The 2nd

edition added methods for measuring On (average) mode power consumption of many televisions varies depending upon the video signal being displayed. Clause 11 includes three different video signals: static, dynamic broadcast-content, and Internet-content. For information about the three video signals and guidance on which signal(s) to use, see Annex C

The 3rd

edition revises methods for measuring power consumption of Set Top Boxes mainly in the modes of On mode and Standby-active, high mode. These modes correspond to the active modes which are defined in IEC 62542 Ed1

15.

The 4th

edition has split IEC 62087 into parts.

As each part is published it will supersede the equivalent section in IEC 62087 Ed3:2011

15 IEC 62542 Ed3 is ACDV (Draft approved for Committee Draft) when this CDV is submitted.


METHODS OF MEASUREMENT FOR THE POWER CONSUMPTION OF AUDIO, VIDEO AND RELATED EQUIPMENT – PART N, VIDEO RECORDERS

WITH REMOVEABLE MEDIA.

1. Scope

This International Standard specifies methods of measurement for the power consumption of video recording equipment with removable media.

Moreover the different modes of operation which are relevant for measuring power consumption are defined.

The methods of measurement are only applicable for equipment which can be connected to the mains.

The measuring conditions in this standard represent the normal use of the equipment and may differ from specific conditions, for example as specified in safety standards.

2. Normative references

The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.

IEC 60107-1:1997, Methods of measurement on receivers for television broadcast trans missions – Part 1: General conditions – Measurements at radio and video frequencies

IEC 61938:1996, Audio, video and audio-visual systems – Interconnections and matching values – Preferred matching values of analogue signals

EN 50049-1, Domestic and Similar Electronic Equipment Interconnection Requirements: Peritelevision Connector

IEC 62216:2009, Digital terrestrial television receivers for the DVB-T system

3. Terms, definitions and abbreviations

Terms and definitions

For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply.

3.1.1 additional functions

functions that are not required for the basic operation of the device

NOTE TO ENTRY In the case of a television set, examples of additional functions include, but are not limited to, a VCR unit, a DVD unit, a HDD unit, a FM-radio unit, a memory card-reader unit, or an ambient lighting unit.

3.1.3 conditional access the encryption, decryption, and authorization techniques employed to protect content from unauthorized viewing

NOTE TO ENTRY: Point of Deployment (POD) and Downloadable Conditional Access System (DCAS) are examples of this technology.


3.1.4 conditional access module

plug-in module that enables conditional access

3.1.5 data over the cable service interface specification (DOCSIS) a international suite of standards that define interface requirements for cable modems involved in high-speed data and video/audio content distribution over cable television systems

3.1.8 multi-room STB STB that is capable of providing 2 or more independent video and audio streams either direct to display devices or to thin clients/remote

3.1.9 plug-in module

device that plugs into the television set and provides additional functionality

3.1.10 point of deployment module

conditional access module for digital cable signal reception

3.1.12 set top box (STB) appliance for the reception of television and related services(eg . radio) from terrestrial, cable, satellite, or broadband networks which are decoded and delivered to a display and /or recording device

3.1.13 special functions

functions that are related to, but not required for, the basic operation of the device

NOTE TO ENTRY In the case of a television set, examples of special functions include, but are not limited to, special sound processing, power saving functions (e.g. automatic brightness control).

3.1.14 television set (TV) appliance for the display and possible reception of television broadcast and similar services for terrestrial, cable, satellite and broadband network transmission of analogue and/or digital signals

NOTE A television set may include additional functions that are not required for its basic operation.

3.1.15 video recording equipment appliance for the recording and reproduction of video and audio signals on a recording medium, for example a Video Cassette Recorder (VCR) or a Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) player or recorder

NOTE TO ENTRY Appliances with only playback function are included as well.

3.1.16 cable STB STB whose principal function is to receive and decode television signals from a broadband, hybrid fibre/coaxial, community cable distribution system and deliver them to a display and/or recording device

3.1.17 terrestrial STB STB whose principal function is to receive and decode television signals over the air (OTA) and deliver them to a display and/or recording device

3.1.18 satellite STB STB whose principal function is to receive and decode television signals from satellites and deliver them to a display and/or recording device


3.1.19 internet protocol STB STB whose principal function is to receive and decode television/video signals encapsulated in IP packets and deliver them to a display and/or recording device

3.1.20 thin-client/remote STB that is designed to interface between a multi -Room capable STB and a TV (or other output device) that has no ability to interface with the service provider directly and relies solely on a multi -room box STB for content

NOTE TO ENTRY Any STB that meets the definition of Cable, Satellite, IP or Terrestrial STB is not a Thin -Client/Remote STB

3.1.21 time shifting:

capability of a device to allow playback type functions with real time broadcast

NOTE: Such functions may include Fast Forward, Review (Rewind), Pause and Slow Motion

3.1.22 buffering: temporary storage of video and audio streams in some form of memory in order to perform time shifting functions

Abbreviations

For the purposes of this International Standard, the following abbreviations apply

′ Prime

AC/DC Alternating Current/Direct Current

BD Blu-ray Disc™16

DVD Digital Versatile Disc

IP Internet Protocol

HD High Definition (720p or better)

HDD Hard Disk Drive

LNB Low Noise Block unit

MPEG-2 Moving Picture Experts Group

PS Power Supply unit

RF Radio Frequency

rms Root Mean Square

SD Standard Definition

STB Set Top Box

SW Switch unit

TV Television set

VCR Video Cassette Recorder

VR Video Recorder

16 Blu-ray Disc™ is a trade mark of the Blue-ray Disc Association. This information is given for the convenience of users of this

document and does not constitute and endorsement by IEC of the product named.


4. Specification of operating modes and functions Table 27: Operating modes and Functions

Mode Video recording equipment

(e.g. VCR)

Disconnected The appliance is disconnected from all external power sources

Off The appliance is connected to a power source, does not perform any mechanical function (e.g. playing, recording) and cannot be switched into any other mode with the remote control unit, an external or internal signal

Standby- passive

The appliance is connected to a power source, does not perform any mechanical function (e.g. playing, recording), does not produce video or audio output signals but can be switched into another mode with the remote control unit or an internal signal

Standby- active, low

and can additionally be switched into another mode with an external signal

Standby- active, high

and is exchanging/ receiving data with/from an external source

On (play) The appliance is connected to a power source and plays the tape or disc inside the appliance

On (Broadcast) The appliance is performing the function of providing a viewer with video and audio from a broadcast.

On (record) The appliance is connected to a power source and records a signal from an external or internal source

On (multifunction) The appliance is performing multiple functions simultaneously

5. Measuring conditions for video recorders.

Input signal

General

In general terms, input signals shall be of the strength and quality for the type of broadcast system on which the VR is intended to be used. Where a VR supports multiple broadcast systems, it shall be tested for each broadcast system in which it operates. Each measured result shall be descri bed in the report. In some circumstances, the dynamic broadcast -content video may be suitable for use as the video and audio test signal content but will need to be multiplexed and modulated as per clause 5.1.2 below.

RF Test Signal

For digital terrestrial, satellite and cable VRs, the test signal shall be comprised of a multiplexed transport stream modulated with parameters that reflect the typical environment in which the VR with removable media will be used. The video and audio components of the transpor t stream shall be as described in 5.1.2.1 and 5.1.2.2. For analog terrestrial, satellite and cable VRs, the signal should be typical of the type of signal the VR is designed to receive.

Video test signal

The VR shall be tested using an appropriate input signal. This signal should be at the highest resolution that the VR is capable of decoding using the most processing intensive advanced decoding standard of the intended broadcast system(s) that the VR will be used on. A description of the signal used for the test shall be included in the test report. This description shall include at a minimum, resolution, frame rate and bit rate.

If the VR under test is an HD decoder, additional testing may also be conducted with an SD input signal


Where the VR is operating in a download or recording mode, the input should contain content that simulates material that would typically be downloaded or recorded.

Where an VR has conditional access system, it should be tested whilst decoding encrypted content .

Where an VR can record other services than the one being watched, the test signal should contain sufficient services to enable this feature to be tested.

Audio test signal

The audio test signal should have the maximum data rate (bps), maximum number of multiplexed audio

streams, and the maximum number of surround channels (e.g. 5.1, 7.1) of the intended broadcast system.

The audio format used during the power measurement shall be described in the report.

Broadband Input signal

An input that provides the equivalent multiplexed transport as an appropriate internet protocol (IP)

broadband signal shall be applied to the defined Video and Audio Test Signalling (8.2.2.1 and 8.2.2.2)Input

terminals.

Input terminals

Analogue terrestrial input terminal

In the case that the VR is being tested with an analogue terrestrial RF input signal, the signals used shall conform to IEC 60107-1:1997, 3.3, and shall have the input signal level set at –39 dB(mW)

when terminated with a 75 resistor or at a level to provide a perceptually noise free or error free picture.

NOTE –39 dB(mW) corresponds to 70 dB(µV).

Cable television input terminal

In the case that the VR is being tested with a cable television RF input signal, the signals used shall conform to the cable television specifications for the region, and shall have the input signal level set

at –49 dB(mW) with a termination of 75 resistor or at a level to provide better than the picture failure point (PF) as defined in IEC62216 for digital signals or a perceptually nois e free picture or error free for analog signals.

NOTE –49 dB(mW) corresponds to 60 dB(µV).

Digital terrestrial input terminal

In the case that the VR is being tested with a digital terrestrial RF input signal, the signals used shall conform to the broadcast specifications for the region, and shall have the input signal level set

at –49 dB(mW) with a termination of 75 resistor or at a level to provide better than the picture failure point (PF) as defined in IEC62216 or a perceptually noise free picture.

Satellite input terminal

In the case that the television set is being tested with a satellite input, the input signal level shall be

set at –49 dB(mW) with a termination of 75 resistor or at a level to provide provide better than the picture failure point (PF) as defined in IEC62216 2009 for digital signals or a perceptually noise free picture or error free for analog signals.

Operating modes

General

VRs are developing in such a way that they can operate in many modes. To retain consistency with other standards

17, the following modes have been developed.

17 IEC 62542 and IEC 62301 both have classifications of operating modes.


On Modes

On (average)

The VR is performing the function of providing, video and audio outputs from a broadcast which may or may not be buffered to memory for time shifting functions.

On (play)

The VR is performing the function of providing a viewer with video and audio from a prerecorded source from within the VR or from removable media.

On (record)

The VR is recording a single program and may or may not be providing video and audio outputs of the program being recorded. Recording is considered a main function of the VR. If the VR is providing video and audio outputs of a different program or previously recorded program or is recording more than one program, then it is not in On(Record) mode but On(mu ltifunction) mode.

On (multifunction)

In multifunction mode, the VR is performing two or more actions simultaneously, these functions may include recording to its memory and providing a viewer with video or audio, or recording to its memory two or more programs

Standby and Off modes

Standby-active, high

The VR is placed in a mode where it: (1) is not providing audio and video outputs, (2) can be switched into another mode with the remote control unit, an internal signal, or an external signal (3) is exchanging/receiving data with/from an external source.

The data exchanged with an external source may provide information for functions such as:

— Conditional Access Keys Management

— Firmware upgrade

— EPG maintenance

This mode may not be available in all VRs.

Standby-active, low

The VR is placed in a mode where it: (1) is not providing audio and video outputs, (2) can be switched into another mode with an internal or external signal, and (3) is not exchanging/receiving data with/from an external source.


Standby-passive

The VR is placed in a mode where it: (1) is not providing audio and video outputs, and (2) can only be switched into another mode with the remote control unit or an internal signal. The VR is performing no useful function other than monitoring for a command to switch to another mode. This command could come from a remote control or an internal signal.


Off

The VR is connected to a power source, fulfills no function, and cannot be switched into any other mode with a remote control, an internal, or an external signal.


Auto Power Down Function

An auto power down feature may be implemented on a VR to power down into a Standby mode after a predetermined time. Such a feature should be referred to as Auto Power Down.


Measurement Procedure

General Measuring conditions

The general measuring conditions including the type of power meters to be used is as per 5.1 except where conditions are otherwise specified in this section.

Stabilization

The measurements shall be performed after the VR has achieved a stable condition with respect to power consumption. The time used to stabilise the VR shall be recorded in the test report. It would be expected that the VR will need to be stabilised for between 15 and 30 minutes. A VR is considered stable when any of the results of the same test repeated are within 2 %.

Environmental conditions

For sub clause 8.6.5 the ambient temperature shall be 23 °C 5 °C.

Set Up

The VR should be set up in a manner to simulate a normal operating environment. In this condition, the measurement shall be made without optional peripheral devices attached to the device. The inputs to the VRs may be either live signals or generated test streams that simulate live signals that the VR is designed to receive and decode.

Where an LNB or antenna amplifier power supply is provided, the measurement should be made without that device included in the power consumption measurements. Accordingly, the LNB or antenna amplifier should either be: (1) powered from a source other than the VR, or (2) its power consumption can be subtracted from the measured power consumption of the unit under test. The test report shall indicate which method was used for the power measurement.

Power Measurements

General

The VR under test shall be measured in each applicable mode as specified below. In the case of HD VRs, testing shall be with an HD input. Testing with a SD input signal may also be conducted. Where the SD test is conducted on a HD VR, the result shall be recorded as PAV_ON_SD.

On (average)

Disable the time shifting function, if possible, and measure the average power consumed for at least two minute period. Record this as PAV_ON. Record the time used to measure the average power.

On (play)

Start a playback of a previously recorded program on the VR and measure the average power consumed for at least two minute period. Record this as PPL.

Start a playback of a program on the removable media inserted into the VR and measure the average power consumed for at least two minute period. Record this as PRPL.

On (record)

Start or schedule a recording. With the VR recording the program, measure the average power consumed for at least two minute period. Record this as PREC_ON.

Start or schedule a recording. With the VR recording the program to the inserted removable media measure the average power consumed for at least two minute period. Record this as PREC_RM_ON.

On (multifunction) with a single Tuner

Set the VR to record a program while simultaneously playing back a previously recorded program and measure the average power consumed for at least two minute period. Record this as PMF_ST. Time shifting is covered in this measurement as this is the case when the VR is playing back the same program as it is recording.


Note: The mechanism for multifunction with a single tuner is the same as for time shift or recording. For this reason there is no need to measure time shifting and recording separately See annex D

On (multifunction) with a Multi-Tuner

Table 28shows the matrix that shall be used to characterize a multi -tuner VR.

Table 28: Matrix for multi-tuner VRs

Tuner Viewing

Add 2nd

tuner

recording HD or SD

Add 3rd

tuner

recording HD or SD

18

Add 4th

tuner

recording HD or SD

4

Add nth tuner

recording HD or SD

4

Sequence 1 PMFA_SD_n SD PMFA_SD_2 PMFA_SD_3 PMFA_SD_4 PMFA_SD_n

Sequence 2 PMFA_HD_n HD PMFA_HD_2 PMFA_HD_3 PMFA_HD_4 PMFA_HD_n

Measure the average power for at least two minute period for each of the modes in the matrix.

For SD VRs, only sequence 1 shall be performed. For HD VRs, both sequence 1 and sequence 2 shall be performed.

Standby Active High

If possible, activate a download mode from the primary service and measure the average power consumed for at least a two minute period. This measurement may require information from the manufacturer and/or service provider to ensure the transport stream contains a suitable download and instructions on how to set the VR to receive the download. Record this value as PSAH.

NOTE: It may not be possible to place the VR into this mode. If this is the case and the value is still required it may have to be provided by manufacturer’s declaration.

Standby Active Low

To ensure that the VR is in standby active and not performing any downloading or recording function, the following procedure should be used.

a) Put the VR into its on mode.

b) If the VR is capable of scheduling a recording then schedule a recording 2 or more hours in the future.

c) After five (5) minutes in this mode, press the standby or off button on the remote control.

d) Leave the VR for a minimum of 30 minutes or until housekeeping activities have been completed.

Measure the average power consumed for a 2 minute period. Record this as PSAL. Record the time

taken to switch to Active Standby Low.

Standby Passive

To ensure that the VR is in standby passive, the following procedure should be used.

e) Put the VR into its on mode.

f) If the VR is capable of scheduling a recording then schedule a recording 2 or more hours in the future.

g) After five (5) minutes in this mode, press the standby or off button on the remote control.

h) Leave the VR for a minimum of 30 minutes or until housekeeping activities have been completed.

Measure the average power consumed for a 2 minute period. Record this as PSP. Record the time

taken to switch to Standby Passive.

NOTE The method for determining standby active low and standby passive are identical as the switching into either one of these modes is the same. Which mode the VR actually switches to is actually determined by the platform in which the VR is operating. A terrestrial VR will be more likely to be in a passive mode and a cable or satellite VR will be more likely to be in a standby active low mode. Both methods are specified here to be consistent with the definitions in table 1.

18 If fitted.


Off

Turn the VR off using the power switch, if available, and measure the average power consumed for at least two minute period. Record this as P_OFF.

Auto Power Down

If auto power down has been implemented on a VR, use the following procedure to obtain a test result for this feature:

a) If the VR is capable of scheduling a recording, then schedule a recording 6 hours in the future.

b) Connect the VR to either a live stream or a pre-recorded stream and leave the VR until the auto-standby is initiated.

Measure the average power consumed for at least two minute period. Record this as PAPD. Record

the time elapsed before the auto power down was performed.

Standby-passive Standby-passive See Clause 4

On (play) Standby-passive See Clause 4

On (play) On See Clause 4

Standby-active, low Standby-active, low See Clause 4

Off Off See Clause 4

NOTE This sub clause remains from the 1st

edition (IEC 62087:2002), see Bibliography) for backward compatibility. For measuring television set power consumption, On (average) mode, defined in Clause 11, is recommended.


Annex A (informative)

General information on STBs technology and additional aspects of STB

testing.

A.1 General

This annex covers a number of technology and testing issues that may be helpful as additional information to that which is contained in Section 8.

Figure D.1 – Block diagram of the common functional parts of an STB ′

A.2 Background on STB technology

STB technology was originally introduced to receive subscription based TV services and display the content on

televisions. The original services were analog. However, as digital broadcast technology has been introduced over

the last several years STBs have become a rapidly developing technology for both subscription and free to air

terrestrial, cable and satellite services. Most recently STBs have been developed for IPTV services.

Tuner 1

Tuner n

Flash memory

CPU

MPEG DecoderA/V

Output

Ethernet/

Broadband

Interface

Modem

HDD


The range of types now available vary from simple adaptors for terrestrial free to air services to complex multi

tuner types with recording and time slip functions STBs are now emerging with removable and non-removable

solid state memory.

Due to the rapid rise in STB use, concerns have been raised about the increased energy being consumed by these

devices and action in the form of a number of programs both voluntary and regulatory has been implemented.

In the 3rd Edition of this standard, STB measurement methods were revised in response to both the changed nature

of STBs and the need for internationally accepted methods of measurement to facilitate the development of energy

efficiency programmes associated with STBs. STBs covered by the 3rd Edition include STBs with recording

capability using non removable media such as hard disk drives or solid state memory. It also includes recording

capability on removable solid state memory. DVD recorders and BD (BD) recorders are excluded from the scope.

The measuring method covers both so called simple STBs and also complex STBs. The distinction between these

type of STBs is whether conditional access is deployed in the STB. The power measurement methods in this

standard apply to both types of STBs.

From the perspective of power measurement, Fig D.1 shows the relevant functional contributors to power

consumption for an STB.

A.3 Testing recording and time shift functions.

Figures D.2 and D.3 show data flow for a single tuner time shift function and for multifunction record and

playback.

Figure D.2 – Time shift recording with single tuner′

Demodulator

HDD/Flash

Storage

TV


Figure D.3 – Single tuner multifunction record and playback ′

The diagrams show that essentially it is the same data flow. In the multifunction case, one programme is being

recorded and a second is being played back. These programmes exist on different parts of the recording media.

This is no different than the time shift case. Although it is only one programme, the physical location of the data

being recorded will be different than the data being played back as a time shift. For this reason, this standard only

requires the measurement of the multifunction mode for a single tuner.

Demodulator

HDD/Flash

Storage

TV

HDD/Flash

Storage

Product Profile for Video Recorder and Set Top Boxes www.energyrating.gov.au

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Documents

Product Profile for Video Recorders and Set Top Boxes · This document presents the product profile for Video Recorders and provides market data, power and energy consumption data