E3 Committe Cost-Benefit Analysis: MEPS and Alternative Strategies for Set-top Boxes

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Summary

This report was prepared in April 2007 by EnergyConsult Pty Ltd, for the Equipment Energy Efficiency Committee (E3 Committee).

This is a Cost-Benefit Analysis (CBA) of a proposal to introduce Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) for digital Set-Top Boxes (STBs) that are imported and sold in Australia and New Zealand.

A digital STB may also be referred to as a digital television adaptor, decoder or receiver and is used to convert digital FTA signals and subscription TV (STV) services to a signal compatible with the existing audiovisual display technology. This regulatory proposal is for STBs without a recording function (i.e. without a hard drive).

The proposed strategy involves introducing MEPS that cover STBs suitable for free-to-air (FTA) broadcast TV and subscription (or pay) TV from 1 April 2008. The regulation that would stipulate the maximum power levels for these products in order to be sold on the Australian and New Zealand market. MEPS aim to remove the worst performing products from the marketplace, rather than promoting the best. The maximum power levels for the MEPS are based on the existing requirements used by the voluntary agreement provided under the European Code of Conduct (CoC) and the mandatory requirements for digital television adapters in California.

The proposed MEPS includes requirements for passive standby, active standby and in-use modes, separate requirements for standard definition and high definition STBs as well as free-to-air and subscription TV services. The maximum power levels for MEPS are based on the power consumption of a basic platform configuration. The MEPS for a particular configuration of STB is made up of this maximum power level and an allowance for additional features.

The report quantifies the costs and benefits of the MEPS proposal in Australia and New Zealand and sets out draft recommendations for program implementation.

This page last modified 28 June 2007