®
EN
NERGY STARS
Prrogram RequiremeR
ents
Product Sp
pecificatiion for Se
et-top Bo
oxes

Eligibility CriteriaVerssion 3.0
Following is the Versio
on 3.0 ENERG
GY STAR Pro
oduct Specificcation for Set--top Boxes (SSTB). A productshall mee
et all of the ide
entified criteria
a if it is to earrn the ENERG
GY STAR.

1. DEFFINITIONSSA) Produ
uct Type (Basse Type): Thee primary mea
ans of access to video content for a STB
B. All base typ
pes
may beb configured
d as a simple STB that provvides a single
e primary funcction, or as pa
art of a compllex
STB thatt
provides a primary fun
nction and one
e or more add
ditional functionalities.
1) C
Cable: A STB whosew
primarry function is to receive television signa
als from a broadband, hybrridfibber/coaxial, oro community cable distribu
ution system withw condition
nal access (CA) and delive
erth
hem to a conssumer displayy, thin-client/re
emote STB, and/orarecording device.
2) Satellite: A STB whose primmary function is to receive televisiontsignals from sate
ellites and deeliverth
hem to a conssumer displayy, thin-client/re
emote STB, and/orarecording device.
3) C
Cable Digital TransportTAda
apter (DTA): A minimally-co
onfigured STB whose primmary function is toreeceive television signals fro
om a broadba
and, hybrid fib
ber/coaxial, or community cable distribu
ution
syystem and deeliver them to a consumer displaydand/oor recording device.
4) Innternet Protoc
col (IP): A STB whose primmary function is to receive television/videt
eo signals
enncapsulated ini IP packets and deliver thhem to a conssumer displayy, thin-client/rremote STB,an
nd/or recordin
ng device.
5) Terrestrial: A STB
S
whose prrimary functio
on is to receivve television signalssover thhe air (OTA) oro via
coommunity cab
ble distribution system withhout condition
nal access (CCA) and delive
er them to acoonsumer dispplay, thin-clien
nt/remote STB
B, and/or reco
ording device.
6) Thin-client / Reemote: A STB
B that (1) is deesigned to intterface betwe
een a Multi-roo
om STB and a TV(oor other outpu
ut device), (2)) has no abilityy to directly innterface with a Service Pro
ovider, and (33)
reelies solely on
n a Multi-room
m STB for con
ntent. Any STB that meets the definitionn of a cable,saatellite, IP, or terrestrial ST
TB is not a thin-client/remo
ote STB.
B) Produ
uct Features:
1) Base Functionality: The primmary functionality that defines the ENER
RGY STAR criteriacapplicaable
too a particular STB. Base Fu
unctionality iss one of the fo
ollowing: Cabble, Satellite, IP, Terrestriall or
Thin-Client/Remote.
2) Additional
A
Functionality:i)

Advanced Video Processsing: The ca
apability to encode, decodee, and/or transcode audio/vvideo
signals in accordanceaw standardss H.264/MPEG 4 or SMPTwithTE 421M.

ii))

CableCAR
RD: The capab
bility to decryypt premium audio/videoacoontent and se
ervices and prrovide
other netw
work control fu
unctions via a plug-in conditional accesss module thatt complies witth the
ANSI/SCTTE 28 HOST-P
POD Interface
e Standard1.

1 http://wwww.scte.org/stanndards/ENERGY ST
TAR Program Re
equirements for Set-top
S
Boxes – Eligibility CriteriaaPage 1 of 10

iii) Digital Video Recorder (DVR): The capability to store video in a digital format to a rewritabledisk drive or other non-volatile storage device integrated into a STB. This definition excludes
video capture software for personal computers or server-based DVR capabilities.
iv) DOCSIS®: The capability to distribute data and audio/video content over cable televisioninfrastructure in accordance with the CableLabs® Data Over Cable Service Interface
Specification2.
v) High Definition (HD) Resolution: The capability to transmit or display video signals withresolution greater than or equal to 720p.
vi) Home Network Interface: The capability to interface with external devices over a highbandwidth network (e.g., IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), MoCA, HPNA). For purposes of thisspecification, IEEE 802.3 wired Ethernet is not considered a Home Network Interface.
vii) Multi-room: The capability to provide independent audio/video content to multiple devices
within a single family dwelling. This definition does not include the capability to manage
gateway services for multi-subscriber scenarios.
viii) Multi-stream: The capability to deliver two or more simultaneous audio/video streams to a
consumer display, thin-client/remote STB, or recording device. The simultaneous streams
may be delivered via a physically separate input or via the primary input. This definition does
not include out-of-band tuners.
ix) Removable Media Player: The capability to decode digitized audio/video signals on DVD or
Blu-ray Disc optical media.
x) Removable Media Player / Recorder: The capability to decode and record digitizedaudio/video signals on DVD or Blu-ray Disc optical media.
C) Automatic Power Down (APD): The capability of a device to switch itself from On mode to Sleep
mode after a predetermined period of time (APD timing) has elapsed. APD timing begins when thefollowing criteria have been met:
1) The device has ceased performance of all primary functions; or2) The last user input has been received (e.g., remote control signal, volume adjustment).
D) Primary Function:1) Delivery of live or recorded audio/video content to a thin-client/remote STB or local/remoterecording device is considered a primary function;2) Delivery of live or recorded audio/video content to a consumer display within 4 hours of last userinteraction/input is considered a primary function;3) Continuous device functions (e.g., clocks, status displays, indicator lamps) are NOT consideredprimary functions.
E) Operational Modes:
1) On Mode: Where the product is connected to a mains power source, has been activated and may
be providing one or more primary functions. The common terms “active”, “in-use” and “normal
operation” also describe this mode.
2) Sleep Mode: Where the product is connected to a mains power source, is not providing a primaryfunction, and offers one or more of the following user oriented or protective functions which may
persist for an indefinite time:i)

To facilitate the activation of other modes (including activation or deactivation of On mode) byremote switch (including remote control), internal sensor, timer;

2 http://www.cablelabs.com/specifications/

ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Set-top Boxes – Eligibility Criteria

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ii)

Continuous function: information or status displays including clocks;iii) Continuous function: sensor-based functions.
3) Deep Sleep State: A power state within Sleep Mode characterized by reduced power
consumption and increased time required to return to full On Mode functionality.
F) Other Definitions:
1) Service Provider: A business entity that provides audio/video content to subscribers with whom it
has an ongoing contractual relationship. A Service Provider distributes ENERGY STAR qualified
STBs to end users under a lease or rental arrangement.
2) Conditional Access: The encryption, decryption, and authorization techniques employed toprotect content from unauthorized viewing. CableCARD and Downloadable Conditional Access
System (DCAS) are examples of conditional access technology.
3) Digital Television Adapter (DTA): A device that receives terrestrial (over the air) digital signals
and converts them to an analog output suitable for analog TVs. DTAs do not provide digital signal
output. This definition does not include converters for satellite or cable digital signals or devices
that perform multiple functions (e.g., DVD players with DTA capability).
4) Game Console: A stand-alone device whose primary function is to process video game content.
The primary inputs for game consoles are special hand-held controllers rather than the mouseand keyboard used by a conventional computer. Game consoles are equipped with audio/video
outputs for use with televisions as the primary display, rather than an external monitor or
integrated display. Game consoles typically do not use a conventional general-purpose operating
system, but often perform a variety of multimedia functions such as: DVD/CD playback, digital
picture viewing, and digital music playback.
5) Out-of-band Tuner: A tuner compliant with standards ANSI/SCTE 55-1 2002, ANSI/SCTE 55-2
2002, or similar, that is used to gain access to data channels outside of the primary audio/video
source signal. These tuners may facilitate two-way communication to allow a STB to exchange
data (e.g., diagnostics) with the Service Provider, and may enable access to Pay-Per-View orother rich-media interactive content.
6) Typical Energy Consumption (TEC): A means for evaluating energy efficiency through a
calculation of expected energy consumption for a typical user over a one year period, expressedin units of kWh/year.
7) Unit Under Test (UUT): The device being tested.
G) Product Family: A group of product models that are (1) made by the same manufacturer, (2) subject
to the same ENERGY STAR qualification criteria, and (3) of a common basic design. Product models
within a family differ from each other according to one or more characteristics or features that either(1) have no impact on product performance with regard to ENERGY STAR qualification criteria, or (2)are specified herein as acceptable variations within a product family. For Set-top Boxes, acceptablevariations within a product family include aesthetic housing changes that do not affect the thermal
characteristics of the device (e.g., color, labeling, or other cosmetic modifications).

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2. SCOPE
2.1
2.1.1

2.2
2.2.1

Included Products
Products that meet the definition of a Set-top Box Base Type as specified herein are eligible for
ENERGY STAR qualification, with the exception of products listed in Section 2.2.

Excluded Products
Products that are covered under existing ENERGY STAR product specifications are not eligiblefor qualification under the STB specification. The list of specifications currently in effect can befound at www.energystar.gov/products.

3. QUALIFICATION CRITERIA
3.1

Significant Digits and Rounding

3.1.1

All calculations shall be performed with actual measured or observed values. Only the final resultof a calculation shall be rounded. Calculated results shall be rounded to the nearest significant
digit as expressed in the corresponding specification limit.

3.1.2

Unless otherwise specified, compliance with specification limits shall be evaluated using exact
values without any benefit from rounding.

3.2

General Qualification Criteria

3.2.1

External Power Supply: If a product is shipped with an EPS, the EPS shall meet the level V
performance requirements under the International Efficiency Marking Protocol and include thelevel V marking. Additional information on the Marking Protocol is available atwww.energystar.gov/powersupplies.

3.2.2

Maintenance Activities:i.

Products may automatically exit Sleep Mode and/or Deep Sleep State on a regular schedule
to download content, scan for program and schedule information, and perform maintenanceactivities. The total time spent performing maintenance activities shall not exceed an averageof two hours in any 24-hour period, exclusive of activities scheduled by the end-user (e.g.,video recording of a regularly scheduled program). Video downloads that are not userrequested (e.g., “speculative recording”, or “push”) shall be counted against the two hour
average per day requirement.

ii.

Products that have exited Sleep Mode or Deep Sleep State and completed maintenance orother user-requested activities shall automatically return to Sleep Mode or Deep Sleep Statein less than 15 minutes.

iii. Products that provide a speculative recording function shall provide a user-accessible menu
option to permit users to disable the functionality. Instructions for disabling speculative
recording shall be included in printed and/or electronic product manuals.
3.2.3

Auto Power Down (APD): Products that offer an APD feature shall meet the following
requirements:i.

Products shall be shipped from the manufacturer with APD enabled by default, with APD
timing set to engage after a period of inactivity less than or equal to 4 hours.

ii.

All energy-related default settings shall persist until an end-user chooses to manually either(1) disable APD, or (2) modify the default settings.

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3.2.4

Deep Sleep:i.

For a power state to qualify as a Deep Sleep, measured power consumption (PDEEP_SLEEP)
shall be less than or equal to 15% of the power consumption in On Mode (as measured per
the ENERGY STAR test procedure for “Watching Live TV” [PTV]), or 3.0 watts, whichever isgreater.
ii. For STBs with a user interface, a means of manually activating Deep Sleep shall beaccessible to the end user via a clearly marked button or switch on the remote control and/or
the front face of the STB. Alternative button configurations will be acceptable with written
approval from EPA.
iii. For STBs with no user interface (e.g., “set-back boxes”) and for STBs that can switch
between power states only via external network stimuli (e.g., thin client remote STBs) toqualify for ENERGY STAR Deep Sleep benefits; Deep Sleep functionality shall be enabled
by default upon shipment to the end user, and shall be initiated automatically via timer orother means not requiring direct end user manipulation of the device (e.g., detecting demandof a downstream device via HDMI link, network message). Alternate means ofdetection/communication must be broadly applicable and not limited to a specific brand of TV
or downstream device.
iv. If Deep Sleep capability is enabled in the as-shipped default product configuration, an
override function may be provided to allow the end-user to disable Deep Sleep functionality.

Typical Energy Consumption (TEC) Requirements

3.3
3.3.1

Combined TEC (TECCOMBINED), as determined in Section 3.3.2 shall be less than or equal to theMaximum TEC Requirement (TECMAX), as determined in Section 3.3.3.

3.3.2

Combined TEC shall be calculated per Equation 1.
Equation 1: Calculation of Combined TEC (TECCOMBINED)TECCOMBINED = TEC PRIMARY + TEC PLAY / REC
Where:• TECPRIMARY is the Primary TEC calculated per Equation 2; and• TECPLAY/REC is the Playback/Record TEC calculated per Equation 3.

i.

Primary TEC (TECPRIMARY) shall be calculated per Equation 2.
Equation 2: Calculation of Primary TEC (TECPRIMARY)TEC PRIMARY = 0 .365 × ((TTV × PTV ) + (TSLEEP × PSLEEP ) + (T APD × PAPD ) + (TDEEP _ SLEEP × PDEEP_SLEEP ))Where:• TTV is the time coefficient for On Mode, as determined per Table 1;• PTV is the measured power in On Mode (W);• TSLEEP is the time coefficient for Sleep Mode, as determined per Table 1;• PSLEEP is the measured power in Sleep Mode (W);
• TAPD is the time coefficient for APD, as determined per Table 1;• PAPD is the measured power after APD (W);
• TDEEP_SLEEP is the time coefficient for Deep Sleep State, as determined perTable 1; and• PDEEP_SLEEP is the measured power in Deep Sleep State (W).

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Table 1: Primary TEC Equation Time Coefficients
APD to Sleep
Enabled by
Default

APD to Deep
Sleep Enabled
by Default

TTV

TSLEEPTAPDTDEEP_SLEEP

NO

NO

14

10

0

0

NO

YES

14

6

0

4

YES

NO

7

10

7

0

YES

YES

7

6

7

4

ii.

For products with DVR, Removable Media Playback, or Removable Media Playback / Record
capabilities, Playback/Record TEC (TECPLAY/REC) shall be calculated per Equation 3, withweightings for Playback and Record mode as specified in Table 2. Only one playback/record
function may be selected per product. For all other products, Playback/Record TEC(TECPLAY/REC) shall be equal to zero.
Equation 3: Calculation of Playback/Record TEC (TECPLAY/REC)For Products with DVR or Removable Media Player

TEC PLAY / REC = 0.365 × [((PPLAYBACK − PTV )× H PLAYBACK ) + ((PRECORD − PTV )× H RECORD )] ,Where:• PPLAYBACK is the measured power during recorded video playback (W);• PRECORD is the measured power during video recording (W); and• HPLAYBACK and HRECORD are weightings for time spent in playback and record,
as specified in Table 3.

Table 2: Weightings for Playback/Record TEC Calculation

3.3.3

Function

DVR

Removable Media
Playback

Removable Media
Playback w/ Record

Playback Duration(HPLAYBACK)

2.0 hrs/day

2.0 hrs/day

2.0 hrs/day

Record Duration(HRECORD)

3.0 hrs/day0

1.0 hrs/day

The Maximum TEC Requirement (TECMAX) shall be calculated per Equation 4.
Equation 4: Calculation of Maximum TEC Requirement (TECMAX)n

TEC MAX = TEC BASE _ MAX + ∑ TEC ADDL _ i
i −1

Where:• TECBASE_MAX is the Base Type TEC Allowance (kWh); and• TECADDL_i is each applicable Additional Functionality TEC Allowance (kWh).

i.

The Base Type TEC Allowance (TECBASE_MAX) shall be as specified in Table 3, subject to thefollowing requirements:a. If the STB meets the definition of Cable DTA base type, the Base Functionality shallbe CABLE DTA.
b. If the STB meets the definition of Cable STB base type, and/or the STB is capable of

ENERGY STAR Program Requirements for Set-top Boxes – Eligibility Criteria

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receiving cable service after installation of a CableCARD or other type of conditional
access system, the Base Functionality shall be CABLE.
c.

If the STB Base Functionality is not CABLE, and the STB meets the base typedefinition of Satellite STB, the Base Functionality shall be SATELLITE.

d. If the STB Base Functionality is not CABLE, SATELLITE, or CABLE DTA, and the
STB meets the base type definition of IP STB, the Base Functionality shall be IP.
e. If the STB Base Functionality is not CABLE, SATELLITE, CABLE DTA, or IP, and the
STB meets the base type definition of Terrestrial STB, the Base Functionality shall be
TERRESTRIAL.
f.

If the STB Base Functionality is not CABLE, SATELLITE, CABLE DTA, IP, or
TERRESTRIAL, and the STB otherwise meets the base type definition of ThinClient/Remote, the Base Functionality shall be THIN-CLIENT / REMOTE.
Table 3: Base Type TEC Allowance (TECBASE_MAX)
Base Functionalityii.

Version 3.0
Allowance(kWh/year)

Cable

60

Satellite

70

Cable DTA

35

Internet Protocol (IP)50

Terrestrial

22

Thin-client / Remote

35

Additional Functionality TEC Allowances (TECADDL_i) shall be as specified in Table 4, subject
to the following requirements:
a. The HIGH DEFINITION allowance is the only additional functionality allowance that
may be applied to STBs with CABLE DTA base functionality.
b. The ADVANCED VIDEO PROCESSING, HOME NETWORK INTERFACE, HIGH
DEFINITION, REMOVABLE MEDIA PLAYER, and REMOVABLE MEDIA
PLAYER/RECORDER allowances are the only additional functionality allowancesthat may be applied to STBs with THIN CLIENT / REMOTE base functionality.
c.

The ADVANCED VIDEO PROCESSING allowance may only be applied once per
STB, regardless of the number of advanced video processing options offered by thedevice.

d. The CableCARD allowance may only be applied once per STB, regardless of thenumber of CableCARDs installed in the STB.
e. The DOCSIS allowance may only be applied to STBs that are installed in a Service
Provider network with DOCSIS capability.
f.

The HIGH DEFINITION (HD) allowance shall not be applied to STBs withTERRESTRIAL base functionality.

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g. The MULTI-ROOM allowance may only be applied once per STB, regardless of thenumber of remote outputs served by the device.
h. The MULTI-ROOM allowance may not be combined with the HOME NETWORKINTERFACE allowance on a single device.
i.

The MULTI-STREAM allowances may only be applied once per STB, regardless ofthe number of simultaneous streams supported by the device.
Table 4: Additional Functionality TEC Allowance (TECADDL_i)
Additional Functionality

3.4
3.4.1

Version 3.0
Allowance(kWh/year)

Advanced Video Processing

12

CableCARD

15

Digital Video Recorder (DVR)

45

DOCSIS®

20

High Definition (HD)25

Home Network Interface

10

Multi-room

40

Multi-stream – Cable/Satellite

16

Multi-stream – Terrestrial/IP

8

Removable Media Player

8

Removable Media Player / Recorder

10

Products with Multi-room Capability:
Products with Multi-room capability shall be evaluated for ENERGY STAR qualification per thefollowing requirements:i.

If the Combined TEC for the product as tested in single-output configuration is less than orequal to the Maximum TEC Requirement minus the Multi-room additional functionality
allowance, the product may be qualified for ENERGY STAR for use in any configuration (e.g.,single-TV installations or multi-room installations).

ii.

For products that can support a second N/ATSC display output over standard RF cabling withwithout the need for a Thin Client, if the Combined TEC for the product as tested in dualoutput configuration is less than or equal to the Maximum TEC Requirement plus one half(50%) of the Thin Client / Remote base functionality allowance, the product may be qualified
for ENERGY STAR in a Multi-room configuration. Partner shall clearly indicate in productliterature that the product qualifies for ENERGY STAR only when providing content to morethan one TV.

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iii. For products that can support a second display output via a Thin Client, if the Combined TEC
for the product as tested in dual-output configuration is less than or equal to the Maximum
TEC Requirement, the product may be qualified for ENERGY STAR in a Multi-room
configuration. Partner shall clearly indicate in product literature that the product qualifies for
ENERGY STAR only when providing content to more than one TV.

4. TEST REQUIREMENTS
4.1
4.1.1

Test Methods
When testing Set-top Box products, the test methods identified in Table 5 shall be used todetermine ENERGY STAR qualification.
Table 5: Test Methods for ENERGY STAR Qualification

4.2
4.2.1

Product Type

Test Method

All Products

ENERGY STAR Test Method for Set-top Boxes, Rev. Jan-2011

Number of Units Required for Testing
Representative Models shall be selected for testing per the following requirements:i.

For qualification of an individual product model, a product configuration equivalent to thatwhich is intended to be marketed and labeled as ENERGY STAR is considered theRepresentative Model;ii.

For qualification of a product family, any product configuration within a family may beconsidered the Representative Model.

4.2.2

A single unit of each Representative Model shall be selected for testing. If test results for any
operational mode power measurement are within 5% of ENERGY STAR requirements, two
additional units of the same Representative Model with an identical configuration shall be tested.

4.2.3

All tested units shall meet ENERGY STAR qualification requirements.

4.3
4.3.1

International Market Qualification
Products shall be tested for qualification at the relevant input voltage/frequency combination foreach market in which they will be sold and promoted as ENERGY STAR.

5. USER INTERFACE
5.1.1

Partners are encouraged to design products in accordance with the user interface standard IEEE
P1621: Standard for User Interface Elements in Power Control of Electronic Devices Employed in
Office/Consumer Environments. For details, see http://eetd.LBL.gov/Controls.

6. EFFECTIVE DATE
6.1.1

Effective Date: The Version 3.0 ENERGY STAR Set-top Box specification shall take effect on thedates specified in Table 6. To qualify for ENERGY STAR, a product model shall meet the
ENERGY STAR specification in effect on its date of manufacture. The date of manufacture is
specific to each unit and is the date (e.g., month and year) on which a unit is considered to becompletely assembled.

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6.1.2Future Specification Revisions: EPA reserves the right to change this specification should
technological and/or market changes affect its usefulness to consumers, industry, or theenvironment. In keeping with current policy, revisions to the specification are arrived at throughstakeholder discussions. In the event of a specification revision, please note that the ENERGYSTAR qualification is not automatically granted for the life of a product model.
Table 6: Specification Effective Dates

7.
7.1.1

Product Type

Version 3.0
Effective Date

All Products

September 1, 2011

FUTURE SPECIFICATION REVISIONSEPA intends to investigate the following topics during the next revision of the STB specification:i.

Delete the removable media playback/record options from the TEC assessment due to lackof relevance to the STB market.

ii.

Implement a mandatory Deep Sleep requirement for all qualifying STBs.

iii. Address potential new STB base types such as “Gateway STBs.”

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