The European Union is moving fast toward the switch to digital TV and the phase-out ofanalog broadcasting. This means that the current stock of analog TVs will need converter boxesto be able to function. In early 2004, millions of these boxes will be sold in Italy, the UK andother European countries. At the same time, pay-TV is competing on the market with moresophisticated services and offers. This is resulting in even more complex set-top boxes, whichshow a worrying rising trend in energy consumption.In addition to the digital TV services supplied through satellite, terrestrial and cable (fiberor coax), there are new service providers starting to offer digital TV and video-on-demandthrough the telephone lines with DSL modems or using power line technology. Throughbroadband, users can download DVD or DVX movies from the web, store them on hard disks,and then play them on TV. These trends will accelerate the convergence between InformationCommunication Technology equipment and consumer electronics and have a big impact onenergy consumption (more than one system always on in each dwelling, and increasing powerdemand for each device as it gets more powerful).The European Union has established a successful stakeholder forum through its Code ofConduct on Energy Efficiency of Digital TV Service Systems, which discusses efficiency levels,operating modes, and the necessary power management guidelines to achieve desirableefficiency levels. The paper reports the latest results, advice, and developments from thisinnovative policy tool.
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