2012-01-24 Comment supports data-gathering effort and implementation of efficient sleep modes.

As a consumer with varying levels of tech familiarity, I would still appreciate this data-gathering effort. Despite decent familiarity with the user end, I am less familiar with actual specs or technical criterion. EnergyStar certification was handy in purchasing decisions to not only learn the product goes beyond bare minimum standards imposed by the government but the personal effect on costs. I assume that like refrigerators, water heaters, etc. that TV/internet are basically daily necessities to many consumers and probably plugged in from purchase to obsolescence. Understandably so-- the amount of set up and time required for some devices even as basic as terrestrial television is probably too much for most consumers to deal with on a daily/weekly basis, even for a fix of their favorite doomed broadcast sitcom. However, implementing a lower power sleep mode could prove useful. Years of edutainment PSAs instilled positive habits (i.e. unplugging unused appliances to whatever energy saving that produced), but I had no idea to what effect until reading STBs consume the same energy whether in active use or not. Like in family tech support I noticed they do unplug the Gordian knot of power strips that their Ethernet routers, but the cable box/DVR/TV/DVD/Blu-Ray et al all remain untouched. Admittedly I can fall into the camp impatient with start-up times, but I would still appreciate implementing efficient sleep modes. Even in larger households there may be periods of time where everyone is asleep or at work/school and certain communications like listing updates could still be accommodated somehow without a constant state of awareness. While perhaps pushing a user-programmable option could let people tailor it to their own needs, I know that might be too great a hassle for many and maybe an automated implementation would encourage/impose greater use of this type of feature. As such, I am all for whatever data-acquisition is deemed necessary to make this a possibil