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Comparison of DOE’s Proposed Set-top Box Test Procedure with CEA-2043

This document compares DOE’s proposed test procedure for set-top boxes (STBs) (78 FR 5075, January 23, 2013) to the test procedure specified 

in the Consumer Electronics Association’s (CEA) draft CEA-2043 standard, “Set-top Box (STB) Power Measurement”. The CEA standard was 

issued as an email ballot to members of the CEA working group for a vote on November 27, 2012.

DOE’s proposed regulatory text is in the first column of the following table. The text that is in red font, highlights the text that is different from 

(or in addition to) the CEA language. The second column lists the corresponding section of the CEA-2043 standard. Finally, the third column 

provides a brief explanation of the difference between DOE’s regulatory text and CEA’s language. In this last column, a reference to the section 

of the NOPR in which the topic is discussed in detail is also included.

Note that the page number references are to the page numbers of the pre-publication version of the DOE Notice of Proposed Rulemaking 

(NOPR). In this document, the proposed regulatory text begins on page 130. The discussion section of the NOPR, page 14 to 101 of this 

document, provides a detailed explanation of DOE’s proposal. It should also be noted that the formatting of the pre-publication NOPR is the 

only difference between this version and the version published in the Federal Register. The text is the same.

DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

Definitions

10 CFR Part 430.2 (Page 133)

Set-top box means a device combining hardware 

components with software programming designed for the 

primary purpose of receiving television and related services 

from terrestrial, cable, satellite, broadband, or local 

networks, providing video output using at least one direct 

video connection.

4.16 DOE added specific source and destination formats to keep 

scope specific to STBs.

DOE added hardware and software as a necessary 

component for STB.

Discussed in section III.D.1 of NOPR (Pages 21 – 28).

2.4. Content provider means an entity that provides video 

programming content.

DOE included definition not specified in CEA.

Discussed in section III.D.4 of NOPR (Pages 30 – 37).
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

2.6. Digital video recorder (DVR) means a STB feature that 

records television signals on a HDD1or other non-volatile 

storage device integrated into the STB.

A DVR often includes features such as: Play, Record, Pause, 

Fast Forward (FF), and Fast Rewind (FR). STBs that support a 

service provider delivery network-based “DVR” service are 

not considered DVR STBs for purposes of this test procedure. 

The presence of DVR functionality does not mean the device 

is defined to be a STB.

4.4 DOE added ‘integrated into STB’ to specify that STBs with 

external HDDs are not tested as DVR STBs.

Discussed in section III.D.4 of NOPR (Pages 30 – 37).

2.7. Display device means a device (example: TV, Computer 

Monitor, or Portable TV) that receives its content directly 

from a STB through a video interface (example: HDMI2, 

Component Video, Composite Video, or S-Video), not 

through an HNI, and displays it for viewing.

4.5 DOE added ‘displays it for viewing’.

Discussed in section III.D.4 of NOPR (Pages 30 – 37).

2.10 Home network interface (HNI) means an interface with 

external devices over a local area network (example: IEEE3

802.11 (Wi-Fi4), MoCA5, HPNA6, IEEE 802.3, HomePlug AV) 

that is capable of transmitting video content.

4.8 DOE added ‘that is capable of transmitting video content’.

Discussed in section III.D.4 of NOPR (Pages 30 – 37).

2.14 Multi-stream means a STB feature that may provide 

independent video content to one or more clients, one or 

more directly connected TVs, or a DVR.

DOE included definition not specified in CEA.

Discussed in section III.D.4 of NOPR (Pages 30 – 37).

 

1

Hard disk drive

2

High-Definition Multimedia Interface

3

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers

4 Wireless Fidelity

5 Multimedia over Coax Alliance

6

HomePNA alliance
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

2.1, 2.11, 2.12, 2.20

ANSI means American National Standards Institute.

IEC means International Electrotechnical Commission.

ISO means International Organization for Standardization.

SCTE means The Society of Cable Telecommunications 

Engineers. Inc.

DOE included additional definitions not specified in CEA.

*These definitions were included to define the names of 

standards that are used in other definitions for 

completeness.

Discussed in section III.D.4 of NOPR (Pages 30 – 37).

2.25.2 Sleep mode – a range of reduced power states where 

the STB is connected to a mains power source and is not 

providing any principal STB function. The STB may transition 

to on or off mode due to user action, internal signal, or 

external signal. The power consumed in this mode may vary 

based on specific use or configuration. If any principal STB 

function is activated while operating in this mode, the STB is 

assumed to transition to on mode. Monitoring for user or 

network requests is not considered a principal STB function. 

The STB shall be able to transition from this mode to on 

mode within 30 seconds to be considered in sleep mode.

6.2 DOE adds an additional 30 second transition from sleep to 

on mode requirement.

Discussed in section III.D.5 of NOPR (Pages 37 – 41).
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

Test Conditions

3.1. STB Settings

3.1.1. For STBs that require subscription to a service, select 

the simplest available video subscription that supports all 

functionality specified in this test procedure (example: HD 

streaming, multi-stream, DVR, etc.). That is, select a 

subscription with TV services only; services with non-video 

capability, such as telephony, shall not be selected.

3.1.2. If the STB can be installed by the consumer per the 

manufacturer’s instructions without the service of a 

technician, then install and setup the STB according to the 

instructions provided in the user manual shipped with the 

unit. Setup the STB using only those instructions in the user 

manual. Setup is considered complete once these 

instructions are followed.

3.1.3. If the STB must be installed by a technician per the 

manufacturer’s instructions, then it shall be setup as 

installed by the technician using this test procedure. All steps 

that a technician would follow when installing a STB for use 

in a consumer residence should be followed. Information 

about each of the steps that were performed to setup the 

STB by a technician shall be recorded and maintained by the 

manufacturer pursuant to 10 CFR Part 429.71.

DOE specified additional requirements not specified in 

CEA.

*Older draft version of CEA-2043 specified testing STBs in a 

configuration in which STB is supplied to consumer.

*DOE specified setting non-tested features in default 

condition while CEA keeps it optional.

Discussed in section III.E.1 of NOPR (Pages 41 – 43).
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

Network Setup

4.6.1. Home Network Connection.

STB configurations that require the use of a home network 

shall use the HNI option according to the following order of 

preference. The first available connection that the STB 

supports shall be used:

1. MoCA;

2. HPNA;

3. Wi-Fi (802.11); or

4. Other HNI connection.

8.1.4. DOE specified connection priority. This requirement was 

intentionally left for the entity specifying the use of CEA2043 to define. 

Discussed in section III.F.6.a of NOPR (Page 50).

4.6.2. Broadband Service.

If the STB includes an HNI, and the HNI shall be connected to 

broadband service for operation of a principal STB function, 

it shall be tested while connected to a broadband network. 

Broadband performance criteria (that is, download speed, 

upload speed, latency, etc.) shall meet the specified 

requirements of the STB to fulfill the principal STB functions. 

For STBs designed to operate both with a broadband 

connection and a service provider network connection, the 

service provider connection takes precedence, and the 

broadband connection shall only be made if the STB requires 

it for operating a principal STB function.

8.1.5. DOE included additional requirement not specified by CEA

that broadband connection is only used when a service 

provider connection doesn’t exist.

Discussed in section III.F.6.b of NOPR (Page 51).
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

4.6.4. Input Signal Equipment.

When an ODU7, OTA8antenna amplifier, CATV9distribution 

amplifier, or similar signal equipment is required and the 

power for that equipment is supplied from the STB, then the 

measurement shall not include the power consumption of 

that equipment, unless the equipment cannot be powered 

from a source other than the STB. If the signal equipment 

cannot be powered from a source other than the STB, then 

the power for these equipment shall be included in the STB 

power consumption measurement. However, if the signal 

equipment can be powered from a source other than the 

STB, then it shall be powered from another source, and such 

equipment shall not deliver any power to the connected STB.

8.1.7. DOE included additional requirement to prevent input 

signal equipment from providing power to the STB.

Discussed in section III.F.6.d of NOPR (Pages 52 – 54).

 

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Outdoor unit

8

Over the air

9

Cable TV
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

Test Configuration Information

5.2. Test Configuration

5.2.1. The display device and client setup is described in 

Table 1 (of the NOPR). Based on the capability of the STB, 

the appropriate number of display devices and clients shall 

be connected.

5.2.2. Connecting to a Display Device. The STB shall be 

connected to the number of display devices required based 

on the setup requirements specified in Table 1 (of the 

NOPR). The following order of preference shall be used to 

connect each display device to the STB. The first available 

connection that the STB supports shall be used:

1. HDMI

2. Component Video

3. S-Video

4. Composite Video

5. Other video interface

5.2.3. Connecting to a Client. The STB shall be connected to 

the number of clients required based on the setup 

requirements specified in Table 1 (of the NOPR). An HNI 

connection shall be used to connect the client to the STB. 

The order of preference in which an HNI connection shall be 

selected is specified in section 4.6.1. (of the NOPR).

8.1.11.(a)

8.1.11.(c)

8.1.11.(d)

DOE specified configuration details in Table 1 (of the 

NOPR).

DOE added in video connection order of preference from 

connecting to a display device. 

DOE added client connection information.

These requirements were intentionally left for the entity 

specifying the use of CEA-2043 to define.

Discussed in section III.G.2 of NOPR (Pages 57 – 60).
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

Test Conduct

5.3. Test Conduct. The following section is provided as 

guidance when conducting the various on, sleep, and off 

mode tests. When multiple streams are enabled, different 

content shall be selected to output to a display device, 

record on a DVR integrated into the STB, and stream to a 

connected client.

5.3.1. Output to a Display Device. For tests requiring output 

to a display device, a channel shall be selected and viewed 

on the connected display device(s) as required by the test 

configuration. For STBs using a service provider that does 

not support channels, an appropriate SD or HD test stream 

shall be selected and the content shall be viewed as 

indicated. If more than one display device is connected to 

the STB based on the test configuration from Table 1 (of the 

NOPR), then the content outputted on each display device 

shall be different.

5.3.2. Recording for a STB with DVR capability. For tests that 

require recording on a DVR, a channel shall be selected using 

a connected display device or a client and the program shall 

be recorded. If more than one recording is enabled on a DVR 

that is integrated into the STB, the content for each 

recording shall be different.

(continued)

8.2.2.1.(b)

8.2.2.3

DOE adopted CEA’s on (watch TV) test for outputting to a 

display device and made some modifications: DOE added 

additional requirement to stream different content on 

different display devices; DOE did not include viewing on 

client specified in CEA-2043 because viewing on a 

connected display device is required for proposed STB 

definition.

DOE referred to CEA’s on (record) test for recording on a 

DVR STB and added requirement: to record different 

content if more than one recording is enabled.
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

5.3.3. Streaming to a Connected Client. The content 

streamed to a client shall be selected in the order of 

preference proposed in the NOPR depending on the number 

of streams enabled. The first available stream that is 

supported by each connected client shall be enabled and the 

content on each stream shall be different.

5.3.3.1. Stream with recorded content. That is, previously 

recorded content shall be viewed on a display device 

connected to a client.

5.3.3.2. Stream with channel content. That is, a channel (SD 

stream for an SD client and HD stream for an HD client) shall 

be viewed on the connected display device. For clients that 

do not support channels, select an appropriate SD or HD test 

stream and view the content as indicated.

5.3.3.3. Other streaming option. If the streams from sections 

5.3.3.1. and 5.3.3.2. (of the NOPR) are not supported, use 

another stream that is available.

8.2.2.2

8.2.2.1

DOE referred to CEA’s on (play) and on (watch TV) tests for 

streaming to a connected client and added requirement to 

stream different content on each connected client.

Discussed in section III.G.3.b of NOPR (Pages 60 – 64).

Calculation of Average and Rated Power Consumption

5.4.1. For all tests in the on, sleep, and off modes (sections 

5.5, 5.6, and 5.7), the average power shall be calculated 

using one of the following two methods:

5.4.1.1. Record the accumulated energy (Ei) in kilo-watt 

hours (kWh) consumed over the time period specified for 

each test (Ti). The average power consumption is calculated 

as Pi = Ei/Ti.

5.4.1.2. Record the average power consumption (Pi) by 

sampling the power at a rate of at least 1 sample per second 

and computing the arithmetic mean of all samples over the 

time period specified for each test (Ti).

8.2.1.

8.3.1.(a) (e) (f)

DOE added an additional method (the second method, 

which is listed in section 5.4.1.2) to measure average 

power consumption. The first method specified by DOE 

(section 5.4.1.1.) is similar to that specified in sections 

8.2.1 and 8.3.1. of CEA-2043

Discussed in section III.G.4 of NOPR (Pages 64 – 67).
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

On Mode Power Measurement

5.5.1. The time period for each test in the on mode, TON, is 2 

minutes.

8.2.1.(a) DOE added standardized measurement period for on 

mode test. This requirement was intentionally left for the 

entity specifying the use of CEA-2043 to define.

Discussed in section III.G.5 of NOPR (Pages 67 – 68).

On (Watch TV SD) and On (Watch TV HD)

5.5.2.1.3. If supported, select an SD channel and view on the 

connected display device. For STBs using a content provider 

that does not support channels, select an appropriate SD 

test stream and view the content as indicated.

5.5.2.2.1. If the STB supports HD streaming, repeat the test 

in section 5.5.2. (of the NOPR) using HD content instead of 

SD content and record this value as PWATCH_HD.

8.2.2.1 (b) which 

references section 

8.1.2 for the source 

test streams.

DOE added SD stream for on (watch TV) testing for 

products that support HD.

*Apart from the difference above, the on mode test 

procedures are mostly similar; the content is organized 

differently because DOE covers some of the channel 

selection information in an earlier section (Test Conduct).

Discussed in section III.G.5.a of NOPR (Pages 68 – 70).

Multi-stream

5.5.3 The multi-stream test proposed by DOE is one scenario test as specified in 

section 8.1.11 of the draft CEA-2043 standard.

Discussed in section III.G.5.b of NOPR (Pages 70 – 73).
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

Sleep Mode Power Measurement

5.6.1. Only run the test for each mode if the STB supports 

this functionality, as defined in section 2.25.2. (of the NOPR). 

If the STB cannot be placed in sleep mode as defined in 

section 2.25.2. (of the NOPR) using a remote control, then 

this test shall be skipped.

5.6.2. The time period for each test in the sleep mode, TSLEEP, 

shall be between 4 to 8 hours. The time period shall be 

extended beyond 8 hours only if required as described in

section 5.6.4. (of the NOPR).

5.6.3. Assure no recording events are scheduled over the 

entire duration of the test, including the time prior to 

transitioning to sleep mode. If the STB is capable of 

scheduling a recording, schedule a recording 24 or more 

hours into the future.

(continued)

8.3.1.(a)

8.3.1.(b)

DOE included additional clarification not specified in CEA.

DOE added standardized measurement period for sleep 

mode test. This requirement was intentionally left for the 

entity specifying the use of CEA-2043 to define.

DOE included additional requirement that no recording 

should be scheduled throughout testing (including time 

spent in on mode) and to schedule a recording in the 

future.
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

5.6.4. Assure no service provider network initiated actions 

requiring a transition to on mode occur during the 4 to 8 

hour time period that the STB is in sleep mode (example: 

content downloads or software updates). If a service 

provider network initiated activity cannot be disabled, then 

this shall be monitored as follows:

5.6.4.1. The power consumption shall be sampled at a rate of 

at least 1 sample per second.

5.6.4.2. For input powers less than or equal to 1 W, a linear 

regression through all power readings shall have a slope of 

less than 10 milli-watts per hour (mW/h). If the slope of the 

linear regression is equal to or greater than 10 mW/h, the 

test shall either be restarted or extended until a slope of less 

than 10 mW/h is achieved.

5.6.4.3. For input powers greater than 1 W, a linear 

regression through all power readings shall have a slope of 

less than 1 percent of the measured input power per hour. If 

the slope of the linear regression is equal to or greater than 

1 percent the test shall either be restarted or extended until 

a slope of less than 1 percent is achieved.

5.6.4.4. If the test is extended beyond 8 hours to achieve the 

desired condition, the average power consumption over the 

entire test duration shall be reported for PSLEEP_MANUAL and 

PSLEEP_APD and these values shall be used to determine the 

AEC.

8.3.1.(c) DOE provided an alternative method for performing sleep 

mode measurement if network actions cannot be disabled 

by the tester. 

Discussed in section III.G.6 of NOPR (Pages 73 – 80).
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

Manual Sleep Test

5.6.7.1. If the STB does not support sleep mode, then set 

PSLEEP_MANUAL equal to PWATCH.

5.6.7.2. For STBs that are capable of transitioning to sleep 

mode, operate the STB in the multi-stream test configuration 

for at least 5 minutes if the STB supports multi-streaming. If 

the STB does not support multi-streaming, operate the STB 

in the on (watch TV) configuration for at least 5 minutes.

5.6.7.5. Ensure that the STB and each locally connected 

client has entered sleep mode by verifying no channel 

viewing or recording is supported on the STB and client(s). 

That is, there shall be no video output on the connected 

display device(s) from the STB and any locally connected 

clients.

8.3.4.(a)

8.3.2 (a)

DOE included additional requirement not specified in CEA.

DOE added duration of time STB is in on mode prior to 

transition to sleep mode. DOE included operating STB in 

multi-stream mode instead of only on (watch TV) mode.

DOE specified only one method to ensure STB has entered 

sleep mode out of three methods specified in CEA.

Discussed in section III.G.6.a of NOPR (Pages 80 – 83).
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

Auto Power Down (APD) Test

5.6.8.1. Perform this test only if the STB supports auto 

power down as defined in section 2.2 of the NOPR.

5.6.8.2. If the STB supports multi-streaming, operate the STB 

in the multi-stream configuration for at least 5 minutes. If 

the STB does not support multi-streaming, operate the STB 

in the on (watch TV) configuration for at least 5 minutes.

5.6.8.3. Momentarily (< 1 second) press the “Power” button 

on the remote only for any locally connected clients to place 

the clients into sleep mode as defined in section 2.25.2. (of 

the NOPR). Some clients may require a short period of time 

before they actually enter a lower power consumption 

mode. If more than one display device is locally connected to 

the STB, press the “Power” button for the additional locally 

connected display devices and stream content to one display 

device only.

5.6.8.5. Allow the STB to operate until the STB enters sleep 

mode or until 4 hours have elapsed, whichever occurs first.

5.6.8.6. If 4 hours have elapsed and the STB is not in sleep 

mode, then the unit is not considered to support APD and 

PSLEEP_APD shall be set equal to PWATCH.

8.5.1.(a)

8.5.1(c)

8.5.1(d)

DOE included additional requirement not specified in CEA.

DOE added duration of time STB is in on mode prior to 

transition to sleep mode. DOE included operating STB in 

multi-stream mode instead of only on (watch TV) mode.

DOE included additional requirement to place connected 

clients in sleep mode that is not specified in CEA.

DOE added a cap of 4 hours for APD testing while CEA2043 measures the time taken to transition to sleep via 

APD.

Discussed in section III.G.6.b of NOPR (Pages 83 – 86).
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DOE Test Procedure CEA-2043 Comments on Differences

Off Mode Power Measurement

5.7.1 Place the STB in off mode. If the STB cannot be placed 

off mode as defined in section 2.25.3. (of the NOPR), then 

this test shall be skipped.

5.7.3. Record the average power for 2 minutes as POFF.

8.4.1.(a)

8.4.1.(c)

DOE included additional requirement to skip test if off 

mode is not available.

DOE added standardized measurement period for off 

mode test. 

Discussed in section III.G.7 of NOPR (Pages 86 – 87).

Sleep to On Mode Transition Time Measurement

5.8.1. For the manual sleep test, place the STB in sleep mode 

according to the steps specified in sections 5.6.7.2 through 

5.6.7.5 (of the NOPR). For the APD test, place the STB in 

sleep mode according to the steps specified in sections 

5.6.8.2 through 5.6.8.6 (of the NOPR).

5.8.3. After the STB power consumption reaches the desired 

value as specified in section 5.8.2. of the NOPR, remain in 

sleep mode for at least 5 minutes.

8.5.5.(a) (b)

8.5.5(d)

DOE specified two methods to enter sleep mode –

manually and via APD.

DOE added standardized period of time over which the STB

is in sleep mode. Requirement was intentionally left for 

the entity specifying the use of CEA-2043 to define.

Discussed in section III.G.8 of NOPR (Pages 87 – 89).