http://www.care2.com/greenliving/greenest-choices-for-digital-tv.html
Greenest Choices for Digital TV
By Sarah Schmidt, Plenty magazine
With U.S. television programming going digital on Feb. 17, you have two choices: Replace your analogue television entirely or buy a digital converter so you can continue to use the old set. Which option will use less energy–an old, analogue tube TV plus a converter, or a brand new digital set?
It’s a close call. A digital converter, which will allow you to continue to use your quaint, old, rabbit-eared set after stations permanently stop broadcasting in analogue, would use very little energy. So little energy, in fact, that it’s not really even worth factoring into the equation. That means that the energy picture in this scenario really boils down to which television is most efficient, says Noah Horowitz, senior scientist for the Natural Resources Defense Council.
In general, if you compare similarly-sized models, tube sets (also called cathode ray tube sets or CRTs) use considerably less energy than do plasma screen sets, but a little bit more energy than do LCD-screen sets. So if electricity use is your top concern, the first thing to do is pass on plasma. As for buying a new digital tube set, the new model would probably use about the same amount of energy as the old set, so that’s not an ideal option either, especially if you take into account the energy required to both produce that new set and dispose of the old one properly.
That leaves you looking at a new LCD set, which would actually be a little more efficient than your old set, if you went with an Energy Star model, and resisted the urge to upgrade on size.
The last thing to consider is that next year’s sets are expected to be considerably more energy efficient than the ones you see on the market today. So if you really want cut a few Cs when it comes to your TV habit, your best option might even be to get the converter box for now, and wait a year or two to consider any further upgrades. Who knows, by then there may actually be a few more shows worth watching on the networks, too.
Plenty is an environmental media company dedicated to exploring and giving voice to the green revolution that will define the 21st Century. Click here to subscribe to Plenty.
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8 comments
add your comment »I find it very ironic that with my digital converter I was able to get two PBS channels until the conversion on 2/17. Now I get none!! So I can choose to pay for publicly supported television through cable, grrrrr or rent DVD's from my (for now at least)free public library. I agree with Neahle, it's just one big commercial noise anyway. Is anyone old enough to remember the promise that Pay-TV would be commercial-free? Now most households consider it a necessity, spending thousands of dollars for companies to blare advertising at them 24/7. I regret to see that even "public" broadcasting is now sponsored by corporations instead of individuals. Maybe our economy wouldn't be so vulnerable if it didn't rely heavily on "consumers" being duped into thinking they need to buy buy buy, whether they have the actual means or rely on overextended plastic.
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It is not a toss up--discarding a perfectly good TV is not green. An inexpensive digital converter is the way to go for anyone using an antenna. Plus, anyone on cable or satellite already is converted. The national digital conversion has been delayed until June. David--Recycling Issue Coord, NJ Sierra
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Well, it's one of life's ironies, but now that I'm officially "senior" allow me to state that I really do NOT want any useless pieces of poisonous landfill bound garbage, particularly a TV and TV accoutrements.
What is TV anyway? A means of mass hypnosis dedicated to fostering the consumer mentality and responsible for declining literacy and social isolation increasing various physically unfit conditions.
As lawyers say, "Cui bono?" or "Who benefits?" Corporate America of course...
Who really pays? "Ain't no such thing as a free lunch!" We all pay, sooner or later, one way or the other.
Kudos to Shannon and all who forego these dubious "pleasures" for reality.
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Amen "Sister" Shannon M.! We need to pry our collective butts off the proverbial couch, get out and enjoy life; without the "boob tube" life is renewed.
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I agree with Lily, and to boot, all the $millions/billions in this silly stimulus bill for coupons for converter boxes. How does this stimulate and create jobs. It takes care of those sitting in front of the TV with their taxpayer supplemented converter boxes. And I don't think they are all elderly people!
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this is very helpful information and I agree with both previous commenters: why do we need digital at all (we get worse reception now and fewer channel choices) and spending more time in worthwhile activities is a big plus and a worthwhile alternative for our sedentary proclivity!
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The greener option? Don't even worry about buying a converter or a new television. Spend more time doing activities you love and rent a movie for a rainy day.
My mother in law cannot understand why in the world we do not want the converter that she bought for us without asking first if we wanted it. I think she wanted to push it on us. We get one station now, and don't even watch it.
We did not let her leave us with it.
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Why is this law even passed down in the first place? It's unnecessary in my opinion. And the economy doesn't depend on it!
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