http://www.silentpcreview.com/news-2011-02-23.htm discusses power draw as studied by CEA (Consumer Electronics Association).
Quote:
* CEA Study finds dramatic increase in TV energy efficiency. The full report (PDF) is at ce.org
# LCD active power use fell 63 percent from 2003 to 2010.
# LCD standby power use dropped 87 percent from 2004 to 2010.
# Plasma TV active power use dropped 41 percent from 2008 to 2010.
# Plasma TV standby use fell 85 percent from 2008 to 2010.
# Figure 6 in the full report shows that even in the same model year there is a wide variation in power from one TV to another. The data for 2010 has a TV that draws 75W and a TV in the same category that draws 200W. Buyers will still have to put some effort in to be sure they are buying an efficient model. Power Density (W/in^2) should be below 0.20 to be considered above average efficiency. ENERGY STAR qualified TVs use about 40% less energy than standard units in all modes of operation (stand-by and active). Lists of Energy Star TVs are available in Excel and PDF formats. If you want the most efficient TV look for one introduced after May 1, 2010 using the Energy Start 4.1 certification method. Version 5.1 will become effective May 1, 2012.
Going by the 0.20 rule of thumb a 58" TV should use less than 287W (1436in^2). The actual 2010
Energy star rule is Pmax = 0.120 * A + 25, which for this case is 197W. In 2012 the Energy star rules will be tightened again and the limit for large TVs (>50") is Pmax = 108. Simple, no math involved you can't use more than 108W. If you have a smaller TV the rule will be Pmax = 0.084 * A + 18 which gives you a limit of 107W at 50" and 94W at 46".
Of course as you'll see below the numbers from the Energy star list and this review don't match. So you have to wonder what test image(s) they use at the Energy Star labs.
Pulling from the Energy Star list some competing TVs with low power are (multiple model numbers with nearly identical specs are common):
Panasonic TC-P54G20 Plasma 54" 159W 175W
TC-P54G25 Plasma 54" 159W 175W
TC-P54S2 Plasma 54" 159W 175W
TC-P54VT25 Plasma 54" 159W 175W
LG 55LV3500 LCD 55" 76W 178W
55LV5500 LCD 55" 77W 178W
55LE5300 LCD 55" 84W 178W
55LE530C LCD 55" 84W 178W
55LE7300 LCD 55" 84W 178W
Sony KDL-55EX620 LCD 55" 85W 178W
KDL-55EX621 LCD 55" 85W 178W
KDL-55EX720 LCD 55" 85W 178W
KDL-55EX723 LCD 55" 85W 178W
KDL-55EX710 LCD 55" 90W 178W
KDL-55EX711 LCD 55" 90W 178W
KDL-55EX713 LCD 55" 90W 178W
Now we hit the Samsungs clustered around the review (58" models)
Samsung PN58C540G3F Plasma 58" 157W 199W
PN58C550G1F Plasma 58" 158W 199W
PN58C590G2F Plasma 58" 159W 199W
PN58C590G4F Plasma 58" 159W 199W
PN58C680G5F Plasma 58" 183W 199W
PN58C7000YF Plasma 58" 184W 199W
PN58C8000YF Plasma 58" 184W 199W
PN58C6400TF Plasma 58" 186W 199WPN58C6500TF Plasma 58" 186W 199W
PN58C6400TF was reviewed here and the question is what do you give up going from the PN58C6400TF to the PN58C590G4F which uses the same screen but has different settings, presumably less features, and possibly different electronics.
What will they change to drop to the nearly 80W to meet the 2012 standard?
Oh and if you think it's unfair to compare 55" to 58" lets add some 60" LCDs to the mix
Sharp LC-60LE810UN LCD 60" 102W 210W
LC-60LE820UN LCD 60" 103W 210W
LC-60LE920UN LCD 60" 106W 210W
LC-60LE925UN LCD 60" 107W 210W
Samsung UN60C6300SF LCD 60" 104W 210W
UN60C6400RF LCD 60" 104W 210W
UN60C6400SF LCD 60" 104W 210W
104W 60" LCD vs 186W 58" Plasma. To me there isn't a big reason to go plasma, I'll save the watts and use a LCD TV.